Asphalt paving mix formed of recycled asphalt concrete and new asphalt for paving at ambient temperatures and a process for making the same

Abstract

An improved asphalt mix and a process for making the same are disclosed. The asphalt mix includes aggregate grains, new asphalt, and additive oil. The aggregate grains are obtained from crushing recycled asphalt concrete at an ambient temperature to such an extent that each aggregate grain will retain recycled asphalt on its surface. The new asphalt is heated and is mixed with the additive oil. The additive oil is preferably hydrocarbon oil having a low vapor pressure so as to be practically nonvolatile. The additive oil also has mutual solubility with asphalt. The mixture of the new asphalt and the oil is then mixed with the aggregate grains at an ambient temperature so that the mixture will cover the surfaces of the aggregate grains, and the recycled asphalt on the surfaces of aggregate grains will swell by absorbing the oil. The recycled asphalt on the grains is sufficiently swollen so as to amalgamate together when the asphalt mix is compacted at ambient temperatures to form a pavement. The asphalt concrete formed of the asphalt mix achieves sufficient strength immediately after compaction at an ambient temperature. The asphalt mix does not congeal easily and, thus, is suited for long-term storage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.