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Cover of Development of the Austroads Rejuvenator Evaluation Protocol
Development of the Austroads Rejuvenator Evaluation Protocol
  • Publication no: AP-T366-22
  • ISBN: 978-1-922700-61-2
  • Published: 14 December 2022

This report describes research into the development of a draft Austroads evaluation protocol for rejuvenators. Rejuvenators are typically used to produce asphalt mixes containing high levels of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). The report includes a survey of Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions and asphalt manufacturers about the current use of rejuvenators, a literature review of international rejuvenator specifications and research studies, and reviews of rejuvenator assessment protocols which have been recently developed in Europe and the USA.

Feedback received from the survey indicated rejuvenators are not commonly used in Australia and New Zealand, predominantly due to the lack of suitable specifications and/or guidelines. None of the international rejuvenator specifications that were found during the literature review included tests that could adequately predict how the properties of a rejuvenator alone would affect the properties of asphalt.

A draft Austroads evaluation protocol for rejuvenators has been developed utilising feedback from Austroads working group members and the results obtained during the literature review. A plan for future research which will ensure that the protocol is suitable for use has also been included in the report.

Watch a webinar with the project team Dr Young Choi, Robert Busuttil and Dr Robert Urquhart for an overview of the proposed protocol and its development work.

  • Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1 Project Background
    • 1.2 Purpose
    • 1.3 Scope
    • 1.4 Methodology
    • 1.5 Different Terms for Rejuvenators
  • 2. The Use of Rejuvenators in Australia and New Zealand
    • 2.1 RAP Mix and Rejuvenator Usage
    • 2.2 Barriers to the Common Use of Rejuvenators
    • 2.3 The Basis for Selecting a Particular Rejuvenator
    • 2.4 RAP Contents and the Use of Rejuvenators
    • 2.5 Types of Rejuvenators
    • 2.6 Determination of Rejuvenator Dosage
    • 2.7 Summary
  • 3. Benefits and Risks Associated with Using Rejuvenators
    • 3.1 Effects of Rejuvenator Use on Binder and Asphalt Mix Properties
    • 3.2 Benefits Associated with Using Rejuvenators
    • 3.3 Risks Associated with Using Rejuvenators
      • 3.3.1 Risks Associated with the Optimum Rejuvenator Dosage
      • 3.3.2 Risks Associated with the Ageing Resistance of Rejuvenators
      • 3.3.3 Risks Associated with Handling of Rejuvenators
  • 4. Property Requirements for Rejuvenators
    • 4.1 US National Specification
    • 4.2 US State DoT Specifications
    • 4.3 Other International Specifications
    • 4.4 Rejuvenator Manufacturers’ Property Requirements
    • 4.5 Summary
  • 5. The Effect of the Properties of Rejuvenators on the Properties of Binders/Asphalt Mixes
    • 5.1 Ageing Properties of Rejuvenators and Rejuvenated Binders
    • 5.2 Compatibility of Rejuvenators with RAP Binders
    • 5.3 Summary and Discussion
  • 6. International Rejuvenator Evaluation Protocols
    • 6.1 EAPA and RILEM-proposed Evaluation Protocols
      • 6.1.1 Initial EAPA-proposed Protocol
      • 6.1.2 RILEM-proposed Protocol
    • 6.2 NCHRP-proposed Evaluation Protocol
  • 7. Discussion on the Austroads Rejuvenator Evaluation Protocol
    • 7.1 EAPA/RILEM or NCHRP Protocol
      • 7.1.1 Target Properties for Optimising Rejuvenator Dosage
      • 7.1.2 Issues Relating to the ‘Penetration at 25 C’ Approach and Possible Solutions
    • 7.2 The Purpose of Austroads Protocol and Application Methods
      • 7.2.1 Phase 1: Reference and RAP Binders
      • 7.2.2 Phase 1: Ageing Resistance Tests
      • 7.2.3 Phase 1: Compatibility of Rejuvenators with Bitumen
      • 7.2.4 Phase 2: Two Different Approaches for Optimising Rejuvenator Dosage
  • 8. Draft Austroads Rejuvenator Evaluation Protocol
    • 8.1 Phase 1: Rejuvenator Assessment
      • 8.1.1 Initial QC Assessment
      • 8.1.2 Ageing Assessment
    • 8.2 Phase 2: RAP Mix Design for Production
      • 8.2.1 Option 1: ‘Penetration at 25 C Approach’ Procedure
      • 8.2.2 Option 2: ‘Viscosity at 60 C Approach’ Procedure
  • 9. Further Development and Implementation Plan
    • 9.1 Further Investigations in Relation to Phase 1
    • 9.2 Further Investigations in Relation to Phase 2: Option 1
    • 9.3 Further Investigations in Relation to Phase 2: Option 2
    • 9.4 Implementation Plan
  • 10. Summary and Conclusions
  • References
  • Appendix A Rejuvenator Questionnaire
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