Improvement of pavement engineering properties with calcium carbide residue (CCR) as filler in Stone Mastic Asphalt

Characteristics of pavement material are crucial factors in improving the stability and durability of asphalt pavement due to the poor performance of traditional asphalts. Reusing industrial waste in asphalt concrete production can address these concerns, reduce environmental problems and preserve resources. There have been few studies on the effects of using industrial waste materials on Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) properties. This paper examines the impact of Calcium Carbide Residue (CCR) as a filler in SMA. The study evaluates control samples, those with Rock Powder (RP) and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) filler, and those with CCR using Marshall stability (MS) and Indirect Tensile Strength (ITSdry and ITSsat) tests. Results show positive effects of CCR and RP on asphalt sample strength. The highest MS, MQ, and TSR values were observed in samples containing CCR80 %+RP20 %. These indices increased 45 %, 35 %, and 51 %, respectively, compared to control samples. The alkaline CCR material forms strong bonds with acidic bitumen, producing asphalt more resistant by 97 % compared to control samples. SMA modified with CCR + RP was also found to be less sensitive to water damage than traditional SMA with RP or OPC filler. The rough texture of CCR may positively affect the strength and durability of asphalt mixtures against moisture damage. Using CCR as a filler in SMA can enhance pavement engineering properties, reduce production costs and environmental problems, and develop sustainable asphalt mixtures for practical application. The main novelty of this research is the use of CCR and RP combination in SMA mixtures.