Note that for the intermediate temperature
calculation, the RPBR is a maximum ratio instead
of a minimum ratio. As such, the calculated value
is rounded down from 0.625 to 0.62. It would not
be likely that a mix designer would be interested in
the minimum percentage of RAP binder needed to
avoid having the blend be the next lower grade. If
that was needed, then the same calculations can be
performed, but with TBlend equal to 23°C (one degree
higher than the next lower grade).
For low temperature, S (where TBlend = −22°C for a
PG 64-22 binder):
− 22 − (− 32) 10
RPBR = = = 0.556 = 0.55 (Eq. 11.21)
− 14 − (− 32) 18
For low temperature, m-value (where TBlend =
−22°C for a PG 64-22 binder):
− 22 − (− 29) 7
RPBR = = = 0.389 = 0.38 (Eq. 11.22)
− 11 − (− 29) 18
As with the intermediate temperature
calculation, the RPBR is a maximum ratio instead
of a minimum ratio. As with the intermediate
temperature calculations, the RPBR is rounded
down for both low temperature parameters
(S and m-value). In this case, the lower of the two
calculated maximum ratios would be used, 0.38.
Unlike the intermediate temperature, the mix
designer might be interested in the minimum RPBR
needed to avoid having a blend with too soft of a
lower grade. As with the high critical temperature
calculations, we simply use TBlend set to one degree
lower than the next lower grade (PG xx-28, in this
instance) as shown below:
For low temperature, S (where TBlend = −27°C for a
PG 64-22 binder):
− 27 − (− 32) 5
RPBR = = = 0.278 = 0.28 (Eq. 11.23)
− 14 − (− 32) 18
For low temperature, m-value (where TBlend =
−27°C for a PG 64-22 binder):
− 27 − (− 29) 2
RPBR = = = 0.111 = 0.11 (Eq. 11.24)
− 11 − (− 29) 18
In this case, to reach a PG xx-22 grade, but not a
PG xx-28 grade, the minimum RPBR should be 0.11
(controlled by m-value).
As indicated in Table 11.7 and Figure 11.7, an
RPBR between 0.12 and 0.32 should satisfy the
high temperature requirements of the blended
150  Chapter 11  Recycled Asphalt Materials in the Mix Design Process
grade (PG 64-22) using the RAP and virgin asphalt
binders in Table 11.6.
Table 11.7 and Figure 11.10 indicate that an RPBR
between 0.11 and 0.38 should satisfy the low
temperature requirements of the blended grade
(PG 64-22) using the RAP and virgin asphalt
binders in Table 11.6. The data shown in Figure 11.9
are less restrictive than the data in Figure 11.10 and
are therefore not used.
From Table 11.7 and Figures 11.7 and 11.10, an
RPBR between 0.12 and 0.32 would satisfy all
the requirements of a blended PG 64-22 binder.
If the maximum high temperature grade was not
a concern, the RPBR could be increased to 0.38
without changing the desired low temperature
grade of the blended asphalt binder.
To meet the intermediate temperature grade
(G*sin δ) in Figure 11.8, the RPBR would need to be
less than 0.62.
11.4.3  Viscosity blending using a known
RAP percentage
After determining the absolute viscosity of the
recovered RAP binder at 60°C, the mix designer
can determine the virgin binder grade to be
used, assuming the percentage of RAP binder
that will be used in the mix is known. This can be
done mathematically or graphically. Figure 11.11
illustrates a blank semi-logarithmic viscosity
blending chart.
To begin, a target viscosity of the final blended
binder is selected. Commonly, the selected target
viscosity is at the midrange of the final blended
binder grade. For an AC-20 binder, the target
viscosity would typically be 2,000 poises; for an
AC-10 binder, 1,000 poises.
If performing the determination graphically,
plot the viscosity of the recovered RAP binder
on the left vertical axis (100 percent RAP binder
or 0 percent virgin binder) of a semi-logarithmic
viscosity blending chart. Then plot a data point
using the target viscosity and the percentage of
RAP binder to be used in the blend. Draw a line
between the two data points and extrapolate the
line to the right vertical axis (0 percent RAP binder
or 100 percent virgin binder). The intersection
of the line with the right vertical axis yields the
required viscosity of the virgin asphalt binder that
should be used with the recovered RAP binder at