Installation of Incinerator Residue as Base-Course Paving Material in Washington, D.C.

The use of municipal incinerator residue as aggregate in bituminous pavement construction was evaluated in the laboratory and in the field. A test installation, placed in Washington, D.C. in June 1977, consisted of a 4 1/2-in.(114.3mm) bituminous pavement composed largely of incinerator residue. The base was placed in two lifts and finished over compacted subgrade. The base was covered with 1 1/2-inches (38.1 mm) of a conventional bituminous surface course mixture. Details of the residue production, laboratory evaluation, asphalt plant operation, placement and finishing of the test installation, and recommendations and precautions for future projects using incinerator residue are given in this report. Preliminary results indicate that, with proper precautions, incinerator residue can be used as aggregate substitute or extender in bituminous base construction. However, even though it may be a technically viable aggregate material, its use will be determined by an interplay of economic, environmental, and energy factors