This study aims to evaluate the fatigue phenomenon in recycled hot asphalt mixture for an asphalt surface layer. Eight mixtures were evaluated in the laboratory, and the samples were divided into two major groups: four mixtures containing neat binder and RAP from source 1 (RAP with neat binder) and four mixtures containing SBS-modified binder and RAP from source 2 (RAP with SBS-modified binder). The levels of RAP incorporation were 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% in relation to the total weight of the mixtures. The mixtures followed the Marshall mix design methodology. The results indicate that mixtures with polymer-modified binder presented better performance, whereas the addition of RAP slightly decreased the resistance to fatigue cracking. In terms of economic analysis, the use of RAP, for all cases, leads to a reduction in production costs due to the reduction of the binder and aggregate added, with savings of up to 14.1% in the case of 30% of RAP for the SBS binder. When evaluating the economic impact of inserting RAP and its relationship with fatigue performance in the long term, it can be observed that the type of binder added impacts the results: mixtures with SBS binder present economic gains within acceptable quality parameters up to 30% RAP insertion; for mixtures with neat binder, the percentage of up to 10% RAP is advantageous.

For the consideration of climate in paving projects, climate data with adequate quality and availability are required. In the Brazilian context, the current practice is to use data measured at the surface meteorological stations of the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET). Another possibility is to use data from reanalyses such as NASA POWER, which has an extensive database and excellent spatial coverage. Thus, this study aims to perform statistical comparisons between NASA POWER climate data and those measured by INMET in different locations in Brazil, to understand and quantify their respective differences and support future analyses regarding the use of NASA POWER reanalysis in projects related to the paving area. For this analysis, hourly climate data of air temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, precipitation, and humidity were considered and evaluated using statistical indices. Based on the analysis of 476 locations in Brazil, in general, the findings indicated that the air temperature, humidity, and solar radiation data from the NASA POWER reanalysis revealed good agreement with the data measured by INMET. However, hourly wind speed and precipitation data from NASA POWER did not show good agreement with the data measured by INMET. The climate data from the NASA POWER reanalysis have great potential for use in future paving projects in the country, mainly in regions with few ground meteorological stations (e.g., the North region). However, it is important to validate its use through pavement performance simulations, especially due to discrepancies in hourly wind speed data.

A utilização de misturas asfálticas recicladas demonstra-se viável técnica e ambientalmente, além de possibilitar a redução de custos. Desta forma, esta pesquisa buscou elaborar projetos contendo 10 (M10), 20 (M20) e 30% (M30) de material fresado (RAP), implementar usina volumétrica incorporando RAP a frio no misturador, avaliar laboratorialmente as misturas produzidas e verificar a viabilidade financeira. Enquadrou-se a granulometria dos projetos na Especificação de Serviço 031/2006 do DNIT, utilizando-se CAP 60/85 (modificado por polímero do tipo SBS), agregado granítico e RAP com agregado de origem basáltica com CAP, também, modificado por polímero. Verificou-se, após a usinagem, comportamento semelhante ao projetado. O ensaio de Módulo de Resiliência demonstrou um aumento de rigidez com a inserção de RAP. Através do Módulo Complexo não se pode atribuir comportamento elástico ou viscoso ao percentual de RAP inserido. No ensaio de Resistência a Tração por Compressão Diametral, notou-se um aumento de resistência nas misturas com o incremento de percentual de RAP, entretanto, para o Flow Number, avaliando-se a resistência a deformação permanente, os valores diminuíram. Nas verificações de Dano por Umidade Induzida e Desgaste Cântabro não se verificou um comportamento específico de acordo com a incorporação de fresado, mas as misturas recicladas obtiveram resultados semelhantes à convencional. Avaliou-se a M10, na Fadiga, através do ensaio de Tração-Compressão, como o melhor comportamento e, a M30, o pior. Ainda, verificou-se que o custo da M10, durante a vida de fadiga, é expressivamente menor comparando-o às outras misturas, mas, na oportunidade de uso, há de se considerar a escolha da M20, visto a viabilidade financeira e maior impacto ambiental positivo, bem como as características mecânicas semelhantes, em relação a M10. Denota-se a possibilidade de uso da reciclagem à quente.

Climatic conditions significantly impact the behavior and performance of flexible pavements. The Brazilian territory is known for its continental dimensions, which leads to enormous climate variability. As a result, national asphalt pavements are subject to different climatic conditions, according to the regions in which they are located. Thus, the present study aims at identifying climatic regions with homogeneous climatic characteristics that affect the performance of flexible pavements in Brazil, using the K-Means clustering method. The methodology proved to be adequate, dividing the country into 5 climatic regions, namely: region 1 is characterized by high temperatures, radiation, and low precipitation; region 2, by the large thermal amplitude and high temperatures; region 3, by smaller thermal amplitudes, higher wind speeds, and high radiation; region 4, by milder temperatures, high temperature range, and considerable precipitation; and region 5, by high volumes of precipitation and high humidity, in addition to high temperatures.