SIM-RAPID—Multidimensional SIMulation and Measurement of ReActivation Progress In Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) BinDer

• Applicant: Dr. Seyedmohsen Motevalizadeh
• Subject Area: Construction Material Sciences, Chemistry, Building Physics
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 556466442

Asphalt mixtures, widely used for paving, are in growing demand due to the expansion of transportation infrastructure. However, the production and installation of asphalt mixtures are associated with significant environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and waste management issues. Asphalt reclamation offers a potential solution to mitigate these global concerns, although durability issues have hindered its widespread adoption and increased recycling rates. International research and inspections have shown that these durability concerns arise from a lack of thorough understanding of the complex mechanism of (re)activating binders on reclaimed asphalt aggregates (RAP) particles and the blending processes between RAP binder, virgin bitumen, and rejuvenators. Improper management of these factors can result in asphalt mixtures that are either over- or under-asphalted, leading to premature failures and durability issues. The SIM-RAPID project aims to address this issue in three key areas: activation of RAP binder—determining the extent to which RAP binder is activated; diffusion of rejuvenators—using computational models to simulate the penetration and mobilization of rejuvenators within RAP binder; and blending efficiency—assess the blending homogeneity of RAP binder, virgin bitumen, and rejuvenators. This multidimensional/multifaceted approach employs experimental measurements, computational modeling, and analytical techniques, including asphalt binder microscopy, spectroscopy, rheological measurements, and mechanical testing. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations will be used to simulate the interdiffusion and transport of rejuvenator molecules into aged binders, providing insights into molecular diffusion that is unattainable through experimental measurements alone. Data mining and machine learning techniques will be used to identify underlying patterns, develop gauging features, and optimize processes. The findings from SIM-RAPID are expected to provide insights into the (re)activation and blending mechanisms in recycled asphalt mixtures, thereby contributing to enhanced durability and performance.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Dr.-Ing. Konrad Mollenhauer