Methods for Evaluating Asphalt Mix Compositions Containing Reclaimed Asphalt

A method for evaluating an asphalt mix composition comprising:

• providing a reference asphalt mix composition comprising aggregates and virgin bitumen in a ratio of 90:10 to 95:5 of aggregates to virgin bitumen;
• providing a test asphalt mix composition comprising aggregates, a reclaimed asphalt and a rejuvenating agent;
• optionally performing at least one of compaction test, creep stiffness modulus test and low temperature cracking susceptibility test;
• performing a TSRST test on the test asphalt mix composition and the reference asphalt mix compositions to obtain failure temperature and failure stress data for all asphalt mix compositions;
• comparing the failure temperature and failure stress data of the reference and test asphalt mix compositions to evaluate whether the test asphalt mix composition has an optimal amount of reclaimed asphalt, wherein the test asphalt mix composition with the optimal amount of reclaimed asphalt is defined as having a failure temperature within±5% of the failure temperature of the first reference asphalt mix composition, and a failure stress that is equal to or greater than the failure stress of the first reference asphalt mix composition.