Design of Asphalt Mixtures Modified with Recycled Materials and Their Influence on the Performance of Flexible Pavements

Abstract

This research evaluated the incorporation of recycled materials such as waste tire rubber, discarded shoe soles, and recycled PET plastic into the design of asphalt mixtures, with the aim of analyzing their influence on the mechanical performance of flexible pavements and contributing to the sustainability of road infrastructure in the Cajamarca region. An experimental program was developed that included a control mixture with conventional asphalt and three modified mixtures, each with a 20% substitution of mineral aggregates by one recycled material, according to its particle-size characteristics. The asphalt mixtures were designed and evaluated using the Marshall method, considering stability, flow, and mechanical resistance parameters, as well as complementary tests of permanent deformation, fatigue resistance, and durability. The results made it possible to analyze the structural behavior of the modified mixtures in comparison with the conventional pavement, identifying the potential of recycled materials to improve certain mechanical properties and to reduce the environmental impact associated with road construction. The findings indicate that the incorporation of recycled materials—particularly waste tire rubber—allows the production of asphalt mixtures with suitable mechanical performance for flexible pavements, representing a technically feasible and environmentally sustainable alternative.