Effect of compaction mode on Small- and Large-Scale laboratory evaluation of tire-derived aggregates for Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design

This study explores the effects of different compaction methods on the mechanical properties and long-term performance of Tire-Derived Aggregates (TDAs) in pavement structures. A comprehensive set of small-scale laboratory tests assessed TDA unit weight and compressibility after being subjected to impulse, vibratory, and cyclic sinusoidal compaction. Large-scale boxes were constructed in the laboratory to evaluate the behavior under cyclic loading of multilayer systems with TDAs. The results show that cyclic sinusoidal compaction significantly enhances TDA properties, achieving the highest unit weight and reducing settlement by 15% compared to other methods. These improvements are crucial for pavement applications, as they increase load-bearing capacity and reduce long-term deformation. The Mechanistic-Empirical analysis performed using the results of the large-scale tests indicates that pavements incorporating TDA layers still require thicker base layers than the performance of conventional materials. The study recommends optimizing TDA gradation and compaction processes to enhance structural stability, particularly in moisture-sensitive and freeze–thaw environments. Implementing these findings can improve pavement longevity and performance, leveraging TDA’s moisture-resistant properties for more sustainable infrastructure.