IN-SITU CONCRETE PAVEMENT RECYCLING USING RESONANT BREAKER TECHNOLOGY, RUBBLIZING: EXPERIENCE IN LATIN-AMERICAN PROJECTS

Abstract

In-situ concrete pavement recycling using resonant breaker technology (Rubblizing) was developed in the United State more than 30 years ago and only in the past decade this technology has been transferred to other countries in the world. Within Latin America, countries that have experience with Rubblizing are: Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina and Panama. This technology may be considered as a rehabilitation alternative as the resonant pavement breaker is able to apply a low amplitude and high frequency vibration load directly to the concrete pavement surface, breaking the concrete pavement in-situ, in such a pattern that the full thickness of the concrete pavement is transformed in the equivalence of a granular base with relatively higher moduli. This paper reviews the process for transferring this technology in Latin-America and presents a summary of the main engineering questions that have arisen; recommendations are given for all questions regarding pavement evaluation, pavement structural design, construction process, construction quality control, and final structural evaluation. The paper includes the experience of transferring the technology in Latin America countries that have been mentioned, and the results of the research in Chile.