Feb 18, 2010

A proposed new ASTM standard is an important step in guiding federal, state and local highway agencies, contractors, material suppliers and consultants on the sustainable use of recycled asphalt pavement.

ASTM WK26824, Specifications for Recycled Asphalt Pavement Materials for Base or Subbase for Highway or Airports, is being developed by Subcommittee D18.14 on Geotechnics of Sustainable Construction, part of ASTM International Committee D18 on Soil and Rock.

“The transportation industry is obliged to contribute to sustainable development,” says Haifang Wen, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Washington State University, and a D18 member. “The use of recycled materials can reduce the need for virgin materials and disposal of existing materials and can thus protect the environment, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission.”

According to Wen, the proposed standard would encourage infrastructure owners to use recycled asphalt pavement as a base and would ensure that the pavement performs well.

“The infrastructure owners will use ASTM WK26824 to specify the design and construction of pavement when recycled asphalt is incorporated as a base,” says Wen. “The contractor will use it to build the pavement with detailed guidance.”

Interested parties are welcome to join D18.14 in refining the current draft of WK26824, as well as in the development of other proposed standards, including WK26823, Guide for Recycled Aggregates as Unbound Roadbase.

ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

ASTM Committee D18 Next Meeting: June 6-8, June committee week, St. Louis, Mo.
Technical Contact: Haifang Wen, Washington State University, Pullman Wash., Phone: 608-262-1777; haifang_wen@wsu.edu
ASTM Staff Contact: Robert Morgan, Phone: 610-832-9732; rmorgan@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #8493/Feb2010