Performance of fly ash geopolymer stabilized RAP bases

The utilization of sustainable road construction materials has been the focus of research worldwide in recent times. Quarry aggregate is a primary material in the pavement industry; hence, finding an alternative is of extreme importance, concerned with the more prudent use of natural resources and protecting the environment. This present research explored the usage of a significant portion of reclaimed asphalt pavement, activated with fly ash as a binding material. The mechanical strength characteristics of the proposed mix were evaluated in the laboratory. Based on this, an experimental test section was constructed and continuously monitored for three years under actual traffic and climatic conditions. The overall construction cost was saved by about 17 % while lowering the total pavement thickness by about 21 %. Therefore, this current study provides a valuable benchmark for future studies and concludes that the proposed mix can decrease natural resource consumption and save on overall project cost.