Evaluation of Technical Feasibility of Reusing Coal Ash in Dense Asphalt Mixes by Assessing Mechanical Performance

This manuscript evaluates the technical feasibility of reusing coal ash in the formulation design of dense asphalt mixes. Physicochemical and mineralogical properties of fly and bottom ash matrixes prepared with coal ash were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), semi-quantitative spectrometry by X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) and surface characterization by Nitrogen (N2) adsorption. Filler fractions under 0.075 mm with 6.0% in weight from an entirely gneissic aggregate gradation curve taken as reference were compared to identical mixes prepared with fly and bottom ashes individually and also to a combined sample with 3.0% of each ash type. Tests on compaction ability with gyratory shear press, resistance to action of water and to rutting were carried out to compare mechanical performance. The results indicate that both gneissic and coal ash fillers do not form dipoles of effective electric attractions to bituminous matrixes, resulting in inert and hydrophilic behavior regarding to action of water, respectively. Despite surface and morphologic characteristics underlying the mechanical performance of gneissic fillers, coal ash matrixes have shown, in general, good technical feasibility to be used in asphalt mixes.