Performance and Predictive Modeling of Self-Compacting Mortars Containing Fine RAP and Silica Fume

Abstract:

The reuse of asphalt mixtures has become an essential practice in the construction sector, offering both ecological and economic benefits. This research evaluates the integration of recycled sand, obtained by milling degraded flexible pavements (FRAP), as a partial or total replacement for natural sand. The process is combined with the use of silica fume (SF) as a cementitious additive. Silica fume was incorporated at rates of 10%, 20%, and 30% as a cement replacement to formulate self-compacting mortars (SCM). A superplasticizer was added to compensate for the high water absorption of FRAP and to maintain a consistent flow spread for all mixtures. The results indicate that the use of SF improves plastic viscosity, yield stress, and mechanical strength, while also reducing capillary absorption. 100% FRAP increased yield stress by 71% and plastic viscosity by 125%; 20–30% SF improved 28 day compressive strength by 17–27%. Furthermore, mathematical relationships were established to correlate the different study parameters, demonstrating acceptable correlation coefficients, where these coefficients are 0.99 and 0.98 for the yield stress and the viscosity, respectively.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 79)
• Pages: 41-63
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-pWaER8
• Online since: June 2026
• Authors: Abderrahim Nehari, Adem Ait Mohamed Amer*, Omar Safer, Adda Hadj Mostefa, Mohamed Salhi, Tahir Saiah, Karim Ezziane
• Keywords: Fine Recycled Asphalt Pavement, Mechanical Strengths, Rheological Parameters, Silica Fume, Sorptivity

References

[1] Surender Singh, G.D. Ransinchung R.N., Solomon Debbarma, Praveen Kumar. Utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement aggregates containing waste from Sugarcane Mill for production of concrete mixes, Journal of Cleaner Production, 174 (2018) 42e52.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.179

[2] Shi, X., Mukhopadhyay, A., Zollinger, D., & Huang, K. Performance evaluation of jointed plain concrete pavement made with portland cement concrete containing reclaimed asphalt pavement. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 22(1) (2021) 59-81.

DOI: 10.1080/14680629.2019.1616604

[3] Ye, X., Chen, Y., Yang, H., Xiang, Y., Ye, Z., Li, W., & Hu, C. Enhancing self-healing of asphalt mixtures containing recycled concrete aggregates and reclaimed asphalt pavement using induction heating. Construction and Building Materials, 439 (2024) 137361.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137361

[4] X. Shu, B. Huang, D. Vukosavljevic, Laboratory evaluation of fatigue characteristics of recycled asphalt mixture, Constr. Build. Mater. 22 (2008) 1323–1330.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2007.04.019

[5] Liu, H., Duan, G., Wang, F., Zhang, J., Zhou, Y., Feng, Y., & Zhang, K. Investigation on mechanical behaviors of self-compacting concrete containing reclaimed asphalt pavement. Construction and Building Materials, 346 (2022) 128421.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128421

[6] T.B. Edil, A review of recycled aggregates (RAP and RCA) as unbound base course material for sustainable highway construction, Lect. Notes Civ. Eng. 8 (2018) 3–14.

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-6713-6_1

[7] M. Isola, G. Betti, A. Marradi, G. Tebaldi, Evaluation of cement treated mixtures with high percentage of reclaimed asphalt pavement, Constr. Build. Mater. 48 (2013) 238–247.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.06.042

[8] R. McDaniel, R.Michael Anderson, Recommended Use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in the Superpave Mix Design Method: Technician's Manual TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD, NCHRP REPORT 452, 2001 60p. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/15417.

[9] M. Zaumanis, M. Arraigada, S.A. Wyss, K. Zeyer, M.C. Cavalli, L.D. Poulikakos, Performance-based design of 100% recycled hot-mix asphalt and validation using traffic load simulator, J. Clean. Prod. 237 (2019), 117679.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117679

[10] Yuhui Pi, Zhe Li, Yingxing Pi, Zhe Huang and Guangcan Li. Performance Evaluation of Recycled Asphalt Pavement Materials and Cold Recycling Mixtures Designed with Vibratory Compaction Method, Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 3167.

DOI: 10.3390/app9153167

[11] J. An, B.H. Nam, H. Youn, investigation on the effect of recycled asphalt shingle in portland cement mortar, Sustainability 8 (384) (2016) 1–16.

DOI: 10.3390/su8040384

[12] Ahmed Abdel-Mohti, Hui Shen, Yasser Khodair. Characteristics of self-consolidating concrete with RAP and SCM. Construction and Building Materials. Volume 102, Part 1, 15 January 2016, Pages 564-573.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.11.007

[13] I.B. Topcu, B. Isikdag, Effects of crushed RAP on free and restrained shrinkage of mortars, Int. J. Concr. Struct. Mater. 3 (2) (2009) 91–95.

DOI: 10.4334/ijcsm.2009.3.2.091

[14] Chaidachatorn, K., Suebsuk, J., Horpibulsuk, S., & Arulrajah, A. Extended water/cement ratio law for cement mortar containing recycled asphalt pavement. Construction and Building Materials, 196 (2019) 457–467.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.047

[15] Debbarma, S., & Ransinchung, G. D. R. N. Achieving sustainability in roller compacted concrete pavement mixes using reclaimed asphalt pavement aggregates: state of the art review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 287 (2021) 125078.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125078

[16] Sawssen El Euch Ben Saïd, Saloua El Euch Khay, Taoufik Achour, Amara Loulizi, Modelling of the adhesion between reclaimed asphalt pavement aggregates and hydrated cement paste. Construction and Building Materials Volume 152, 15 October 2017, Pages 839-846.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.07.078

[17] Baoshan Huang, Guoqiang Li, Dragan Vukosavljevic, Xiang Shu, and Brian K. Egan, Laboratory Investigation of Mixing Hot-Mix Asphalt with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Volume 1929, Issue 1, 2005.

DOI: 10.3141/1929-05

[18] Jingtao Shi, Weiyu Fan, Tihong Wang, Pinhui Zhao, Fa Che, Evaluation of the Physical Performance and Working Mechanism of Asphalt Containing a Surfactant Warm Mix Additive, Advances in Materials Science and Engineering 2020(2):1-14.

DOI: 10.1155/2020/8860466

[19] Rondón-Quintana, H. A., Fernández-Gómez, W. D., & Zafra-Mejía, C. A. Behavior of a warm mix asphalt using a chemical additive to foam the asphalt binder. Revista Facultad De Ingeniería Universidad De Antioquia, 78 (2016). 129–138.

DOI: 10.17533/udea.redin.n78a17

[20] Abraham, S. M., & Ransinchung, G. D. R. N. Strength and permeation characteristics of cement mortar with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Aggregates. Construction and Building Materials, 167 (2018) 700–706.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.075

[21] Yang, J.; Ddamba, S.; UL-Islam, R.; Safiuddin, M.; Tighe, S. Investigation on use of recycled asphalt shingles in Ontario hot mix asphalt: A Canadian case study. Can. J. Civ. Eng. 2014, 41, 136–143.

DOI: 10.1139/cjce-2013-0022

[22] Ait Mohamed Amer A., Ezziane K., Bougara A., Adjoudj M. Rheological and mechanical behavior of concrete made with pre-saturated and dried recycled concrete aggregates. Construction and Building Materials, 123 (2016) 300–308.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.107

[23] Ait Mohamed Amer A., Ezziane K., Adjoudj M. Evaluation of coarse recycled concrete aggregates effect on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, 22 (2021) 1173–1184.

DOI: 10.1007/s42107-021-00373-0

[24] Abderrahim Nehari, Adem Ait Mohamed Amer, Adda Hadj Mostefa, Omar Safer, Mohamed Salhi, Manel Abdoun, Guerbas Nabil. The influence of fine recycled asphalt pavement aggregates on the properties of self-compacting mortar in fresh and hardened. Studies in Engineering and Exact Sciences, Curitiba, v.5, n.2, pp.01-25, (2024).

DOI: 10.54021/seesv5n2-440

[25] Ramachandran VS. Concrete admixture handbook. 2nd ed. USA: Noyes Publications, 1180p, 1995.

[26] Huabing Li, Xiaolu Guo Fabricating hydrophobic silica fume to improve mechanical strength and anti-corrosion of integral hydrophobic cement mortar and its carbon emission assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production 439 (2024) 140857.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.140857

[27] Yao, C., Guo, Y., Shen, A., Cui, W., He, Z., & Tebaldi, G. Recycling of fine-asphalt-pavement solid waste for low-shrinkage rapid hardening Portland cement concrete pavement. Construction and Building Materials, 289 (2021) 123132.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123132

[28] Bagheri AR, Zanganeh H, Moalemi MM. Mechanical and durability properties of ternary concretes containing silica fume and low reactivity blast furnace slag. Cem Concr Compos. 2012;34(5):663–670.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2012.01.007

[29] Merve Şahin Yön. Mechanical, durability and microstructure properties of eco-friendly self-compacting mortars with addition of volcanic scoria, silica fume and boron waste as cement replacement. Construction and Building Materials 462 (2025) 139894.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.139894

[30] Matte V, Moranville M. Durability of reactive powder composites: Influence of silica fume on the leaching properties of very low water/binder pastes. Cem Concr Compos. 1999;21(1):1–9.

DOI: 10.1016/S0958-9465(98)00025-0

[31] Yusuf MO, Shamsah SI, Al-Sodani KA, Lukman S. Effect of incorporating iron-filing waste on the properties of silica fume blended cement paste. Structural Concrete. 2021;22 (Suppl. 1):E291–E299. https://doi.org/10 .1002/suco.202000073 .

DOI: 10.1002/suco.202000073

[32] Okamura, H., & Ouchi, M. (2003). Self-Compacting Concrete. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 1(1), 5-15.

[33] Hamza S, Kadri EH, Ngo TT, Bouvet A, Cussigh F, Kenai S. A new vane rheometer for fresh mortar: development and validation, Appl Rheol; 24(2) (2014) 22594:7p.

[34] EN 1015-6:, Methods of Test for Mortar for Masonry - Part 6: Determination of Bulk Density of Fresh Mortar, October 1998.

DOI: 10.3403/01541488u

[35] EN 1015-18, Methods of test for mortar for masonry: Determination of water absorption coefficient due to capillary action of hardened mortar, May 2003.

DOI: 10.3403/02720093u

[36] Burgos-Montes, O., Palacios, M., Rivilla, P., and Puertas F. Compatibility between superplasticizer admixtures and cements with mineral additions. Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 31 (2012) pp.300-309.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.12.092

[37] Zhang, X. and Han, J. The effect of ultra-fine admixture on the rheological property of cement paste. Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 30 (2000) No. 5, pp.827-830.

DOI: 10.1016/S0008-8846(00)00236-2

[38] M. Adjoudj, K. Ezziane, E. Kadri, and H. Soualhi. Study of the Rheological Behavior of Mortar with Silica Fume and Superplasticizer Admixtures According to the Water Film Thickness. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering (2018) 22(7):2480-2491.

DOI: 10.1007/s12205-017-0228-3

[39] Salisa Chaiyaput, Natthapong Thatmas, Trong Nghia Nguyen, Vo Nguyen Phu Huan Lindung Zalbuin Mase, Jiratchaya Ayawanna, Sustainable pavement recycling: Utilization of cement and asphalt waste dust to improve CBR and permeability, Results in Engineering 27 (2025) 106554.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.106554

[40] Bibhuti Bhushan Bhardwaj, Surender Singh, C.R. Sumukh Swaroop. Role of asphalt binder film thickness on the behaviour of RAP-incorporated concrete. Construction and Building Materials 473 (2025) 141012.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.141012

[41] D. Carro-Lo´pez, B. Gonzalez-Fonteboa, J. De Brito, F. Martínez-Abella, I. Gonzalez- Taboada, P. Silva, Study of the rheology of self-compacting concrete with fine recycled concrete aggregates, Constr. Build. Mater. 96 (2015) 491–501. https:// doi.org/.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.08.091

[42] P. Sertsoongnern, J. Ayawanna, S. Chaiyaput, Performance evaluation of developed mixed cement containing asphalt waste dust and class-C fly ash in sulfate salt solution test, Sustain. Chem. Pharm. 42 (2024) 101824.

DOI: 10.1016/j.scp.2024.101824

[43] Park, C. K., Noh, M. H., and Park, T. H. Rheological properties of cementitious materials containing mineral admixtures. Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 35 (2005) No. 5, pp.842-849, DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2004 11.002.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.11.002

[44] Carlsward, J., Emborg, M., Utsi, S., and Oberg P. Effect of constituents on the workability and rheology of self-compacting concrete. Proc. 3ed inter. Conf. on SCC, RILEM, Island, (2003) pp.143-153.

[45] Debbarma, S., Ransinchung, G. D. R. N., & Singh, S. Feasibility of roller compacted concrete pavement containing different fractions of reclaimed asphalt pavement. Construction and Building Materials, 199 (2019) 508–525.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.047

[46] Debbarma, S., Singh, S., & Ransinchung, G. D. R. N. Laboratory investigation on the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of roller compacted concrete pavement containing reclaimed asphalt pavement aggregates. Transportation Research Record, 2673(10), (2019) 652–662.

DOI: 10.1177/0361198119849585

[47] R. Kamboj, S. Debbarma. Nano-indentation and SEM analysis of the interfacial transition zone in RAP-concrete. Construction and Building Materials 492 (2025) 142854.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142854

[48] Abdulrahman S. Albidah. Influence of reclaimed asphalt pavement aggregate on the performance of metakaolin-based geopolymer concrete at ambient and elevated temperatures. Construction and Building Materials 402 (2023) 132945.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132945

[49] Solomon Debbarma, M. Selvam, Surender Singh. Can flexible pavements' waste (RAP) be utilized in cement concrete pavements? – A critical review. Construction and Building Materials 259 (2020) 120417.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120417

[50] Ali ¨Oz , Dilan Kılıç , Ahmet Benli , Ahmet Tortum , G¨okhan Kaplan ,Abdulkadir Cüneyt Aydın .(2024). Sustainable use of waste marble powder and reclaimed asphalt pavement as aggregates in slag/metakaolin-based self-compacting geopolymer composites: Properties and durability. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy 42 (2024) 101876.

DOI: 10.1016/j.scp.2024.101876

[51] Reza Bani Ardalan, Alireza Joshaghani, R. Douglas Hooton.Workability retention and compressive strength of self-compacting concrete incorporating pumice powder and silica fume. Construction and Building Materials 134 (2017) 116–122.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.090

[52] Mouhcine Benaicha, Xavier Roguiez, Olivier Jalbaud, Yves Burtschell, Adil Hafidi Alaoui. Influence of silica fume and viscosity modifying agent on the mechanical and rheological behavior of self compacting concrete. Construction and Building Materials 84 (2015) 103–110.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.061

[53] Russo N, Filippi A, Carsana M, et al. Impact of RAP as recycled aggregate on durability related parameters of structural concrete. Mater Struct. (2025); 58-53.

DOI: 10.1617/s11527-025-02582-4

[54] D. Dominguez-Santos, P. Muñoz, O. Gencel, Milica Vidak Vasić and C. González-Menorca, Characterization of multi-waste concrete incorporating recycled aggregate, asphalt, fly ash, and rubber waste: Structural and environmental assessment, Case Studies in Construction Materials, (2025).

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05691