Assessment of the suitability of baghouse dusts from a dust extractor as fillers for Hot-Mix Asphalt

Abstract

The paper presents the study results of the structural features and functional properties of the limestone filler as well as the basalt and amphibolite dusts from a dust extractor of a Hot-Mix Asphalt plant in Poland. Additionally, the selected physical and mechanical properties of asphalt concrete 0–16 mm in laboratory conditions were evaluated. The principal purpose of the study is to understand the structural and functional properties of baghouse dusts and “fillers mixed” from the perspective of their use as fillers for Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA). The analysis of the results of grain-size distribution, specific surface, air voids of dry compacted fillers, increase in the softening point using the Ring & Ball method, as well as selected properties of the AC 16, all have shown that the studied baghouse dusts meet the requirements of fillers for HMA. Research results have also shown that these dusts as “fillers mixed” with limestone filler optimally meet the requirements of fillers for HMA. Presented results contribute substantially to expending the knowledge in the field of the quality, structure and functional properties of fillers.