Exploring the feasibility of using reclaimed paper-based asphalt felt waste as a modifier in asphalt-binders

•It is feasible to use paper-based asphalt felt (RPAF) waste in asphalt mixtures.•The effects of RPAF on the rheological property of asphalt-binders is a function of temperature.•Asphalt mixtures with RPAF exhibited better moisture stability and anti-rutting property.•The fatigue life of the asphalt mixtures increased with the addition of RPAF. Paper-based asphalt felt, which is typically used as a waterproofing material, is one of the most problematic solid wastes in terms of disposal and environmental contamination. The laboratory work presented in this paper aims to propose a strategy for utilizing the reclaimed paper-based asphalt felt (RPAF) waste in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements as a means to mitigate the RPAF disposal problem. A series of laboratory tests, including viscosity, modulus, rutting, and cracking, were conducted to investigate the effects of RPAF additives on the engineering performance of asphalt-binder and HMA mixes. The corresponding test results showed that the addition of RPAF improves the viscosity and high-temperature performance of asphalt-binders. However, RPAF modified asphalt-binder exhibited inferior storage stability than the virgin asphalt-binder due to the difference in density between the asphalt-binder and RPAF components. Additionally, the effect of RPAF on the rheological characteristics of the asphalt-binder exhibited high sensitivity to temperature. The differences in complex modulus and phase angle of the asphalt-binder with RPAF additives were generally more significant at elevated temperatures. Similarly, RPAF modified HMA mixes outperformed the control HMA mix in terms of resistance to moisture damage, rutting, and cracking, respectively. Overall, the laboratory test results indicated that it is feasible to utilize RPAF waste as an asphalt-binder modifier to enhance the engineering properties/performance of the asphalt-binder and HMA mix whilst simultaneously addressing the environmental issues of RPAF waste disposal.