Recycled Asphalt Calculator

Sustainable paving calculations for eco-friendly projects

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Rectangular Area
Rectangular Area
Circular Area
Driveway
Parking Lot
Custom Area
Thickness: 50mm

Enter the full length of the rectangular area. For better accuracy, measure the longest dimension.

Enter the width of the rectangular area, perpendicular to the length measurement.

Recycled Asphalt Properties

Recommended recycled content by project type:

  • Driveways: 10-30%
  • Parking Lots: 15-25%
  • Roads (Surface Course): 10-20%
  • Roads (Base Course): 20-40%

Higher percentages typically result in greater cost savings but may require additional binder rejuvenators.

%

Recommended thickness by project type:

  • Driveways: 50-75mm (2-3 inches)
  • Parking Lots: 75-100mm (3-4 inches)
  • Roads: 100-150mm (4-6 inches)

Typical recycled asphalt mix densities:

  • 10-20% RAP: 2250-2300 kg/m³
  • 20-30% RAP: 2200-2250 kg/m³
  • 30-50% RAP: 2150-2200 kg/m³

Density may vary based on aggregate type and compaction.

Recommended wastage percentage:

  • Simple shapes with good access: 5%
  • Complex shapes or difficult access: 10%
  • Very intricate projects: 15%
%

Cost Comparison Settings

Typical hot mix asphalt costs by region (per ton):

  • Northeast: $95-140
  • Southeast: $85-120
  • Midwest: $80-110
  • Southwest: $85-115
  • West Coast: $90-150

Typical recycled asphalt costs by region (per ton):

  • Northeast: $70-95
  • Southeast: $60-85
  • Midwest: $55-80
  • Southwest: $60-85
  • West Coast: $65-100

Costs vary based on RAP percentage and local availability.

Regional Availability Adjustment

RAP availability factor: 1.0x

Calculating...

Recycled Asphalt Results

Total Area

0.00

Asphalt Volume

0.000

Total Tonnage

0.00

Recycled Content

0.00

Virgin Content

0.00

Total Cost

$0.00

Find Recycled Asphalt Suppliers Near You

Cost Savings Analysis

Cost Comparison

Virgin Asphalt Only:
$0.00
With 20% Recycled Content:
$0.00
Total Savings:
$0.00 (0%)

Optimize RAP Percentage

Adjust the recycled content percentage to find the optimal balance between cost savings and performance:

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Optimal Balance
25%
Best cost/performance balance
Maximum Savings
40%
May require additional additives

Environmental Benefits

Landfill Waste Reduction

0.00 tonnes
Asphalt diverted from landfills

Oil Conservation

0.00 gallons
Petroleum products conserved

Aggregate Saved

0.00 tonnes
Natural stone resources preserved

Carbon Emissions Reduction

Total CO₂ Reduction:
0.00 kg (0%)

Emissions Reduction Equivalencies

0
Car miles not driven
0
Trees planted for 1 year
0
Hours of home electricity

Calculation Breakdown

Input Values
    Area Calculation
      Material Quantities
        Cost Calculations

          Result Precision

          Benefits of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP)

          Cost Efficiency

          Using recycled asphalt pavement can reduce material costs by 20-30% compared to virgin materials. RAP incorporates existing asphalt binder, reducing the need for new petroleum-based binders while maintaining performance.

          Environmental Sustainability

          RAP reduces landfill waste, conserves natural resources, and lowers carbon emissions. Every ton of recycled asphalt prevents approximately 0.06 tons of CO₂ emissions compared to virgin asphalt production.

          Performance Quality

          Modern recycled asphalt mixes perform comparably to conventional mixes when properly designed. With appropriate rejuvenators and additives, RAP mixes can achieve 90-95% of the performance characteristics of virgin asphalt.

          Availability & Versatility

          RAP is widely available in most regions and can be used in various applications including base courses, surface courses, shoulders, and even private driveways. It's particularly cost-effective for lower-traffic applications.

          Calculate exact quantities and savings

          Use our free recycled asphalt calculator tool above to get precise tonnage, cost savings, and environmental impact estimates for your project.

          Recycled Asphalt Mix Types & Applications

          Low RAP Content (10-20%)

          Density: 2300-2350 kg/m³

          Use: Surface courses, high-traffic roads

          Durability: High (comparable to virgin mixes)

          Cost Savings: 10-15%

          Notes: Requires minimal adjustments to mix design, suitable for most applications including highways.

          Medium RAP Content (20-30%)

          Density: 2250-2300 kg/m³

          Use: Parking lots, driveways, local roads

          Durability: Medium-High

          Cost Savings: 15-25%

          Notes: Optimal balance of cost savings and performance, may require binder grade adjustment.

          High RAP Content (30-50%)

          Density: 2150-2250 kg/m³

          Use: Base courses, low-traffic areas

          Durability: Medium

          Cost Savings: 25-40%

          Notes: Maximum sustainability benefit, requires rejuvenators and careful mix design, best for base layers.

          Warm Mix with RAP

          Density: 2200-2300 kg/m³

          Use: All applications, eco-conscious projects

          Durability: Medium-High

          Cost Savings: 15-30%

          Notes: Combines RAP with warm mix technology for maximum environmental benefits, reduced emissions, and energy savings.

          How to Calculate Recycled Asphalt Requirements

          1

          Determine Project Dimensions

          Measure the length, width, and required thickness of your paving area. For irregular shapes, divide into simple geometric sections and calculate each separately.

          2

          Calculate Volume

          Multiply area (length × width) by thickness to determine the volume of asphalt needed. Don't forget to convert all measurements to the same unit system.

          3

          Convert to Tonnage

          Multiply volume by the density of recycled asphalt mix (typically 2150-2300 kg/m³ depending on RAP percentage) to calculate the total weight in tons.

          4

          Calculate RAP Content

          Determine your desired recycled content percentage, then multiply the total tonnage by this percentage to find how much RAP will be used in your mix.

          Calculation Example

          For a 200 m² driveway at 5 cm thickness with 25% RAP content:

          1. Volume = 200 m² × 0.05 m = 10 m³
          2. Using density of 2250 kg/m³: Weight = 10 m³ × 2250 kg/m³ = 22,500 kg = 22.5 tonnes
          3. RAP content = 22.5 tonnes × 25% = 5.625 tonnes
          4. Virgin materials needed = 22.5 tonnes - 5.625 tonnes = 16.875 tonnes

          Recycled Asphalt Calculator FAQ

          What is recycled asphalt pavement (RAP)?

          Recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) is reclaimed asphalt that has been processed for reuse in new paving projects. It consists of asphalt binder and aggregates from old roads, parking lots, or driveways that have been milled, crushed, and processed for reuse.

          How much money can I save using recycled asphalt?

          Using recycled asphalt can save approximately 20-30% compared to new hot mix asphalt, depending on your location and project specifications. Our recycled asphalt calculator helps you estimate these savings accurately based on current material costs in your area.

          Is recycled asphalt as durable as new asphalt?

          When properly processed and mixed with appropriate rejuvenating agents, recycled asphalt can achieve 90-95% of the performance of virgin hot mix asphalt. For residential driveways and low-traffic areas, RAP mixtures with 20-30% recycled content typically provide excellent durability.

          What percentage of recycled asphalt is recommended for my project?

          Recommended recycled content depends on your project type: for driveways, 10-30% is common; for parking lots, 15-25%; and for roads, typically 10-20% for surface courses and up to 40% for base courses. Higher percentages can be used with proper engineering and additives.

          What are the environmental benefits of using recycled asphalt?

          Recycled asphalt reduces landfill waste, conserves natural resources (aggregates and bitumen), and reduces energy consumption by approximately 30-35% compared to conventional asphalt production. Our calculator estimates the environmental impact reduction for your specific project.

          Where can I source recycled asphalt for my project?

          Most asphalt plants and larger paving contractors offer mixes containing recycled asphalt. Use our "Find Recycled Asphalt Suppliers" feature in the calculator to locate sources near you. Alternatively, contact local paving companies or asphalt production facilities directly.

          Can I use 100% recycled asphalt for my project?

          While technically possible, 100% RAP mixes typically don't perform as well as blended mixes without specialized additives and careful engineering. For most applications, RAP contents between 15-40% provide the best balance of performance, cost savings, and environmental benefits.

          How does weather affect recycled asphalt performance?

          Higher RAP content mixes may be slightly more susceptible to low-temperature cracking in very cold climates due to the aged binder. In hot climates, RAP mixes can actually perform better with improved rutting resistance. Consult local contractors familiar with your climate for recommendations.

          Related Asphalt Calculators

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