Quantitative evaluation of low-temperature performance of sustainable asphalt pavements containing recycled asphalt shingles (RAS)

The low-temperature cracking characteristics of asphalt concrete materials containing varying amounts of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), 0–12.5%, and mixed at three different temperatures are investigated using the Disk-shaped Compact Tension (DC(T)) and acoustic emission (AE) tests. The specimens’ AE activities were monitored during cooling from room temperature to −50 °C to determine their embrittlement temperatures. It was observed that the mixtures containing RAS had lower DC(T) fracture energies, higher DC(T) peak loads, and warmer embrittlement temperatures than the control mixture. Results also showed that higher mixing temperatures appear to lower embrittlement temperatures for mixtures containing RAS.