UFGS for Cold Recycled Asphalt: A Specification Framework Informed by Practice

10 pages•Published: June 2, 2026

Mark E. Jacobson, James Olaonipekun Toyin and Anoop Sattineni

Abstract

In the United States, approximately 400 million tons of asphalt are replaced annually, Evidence shows that the Cold Recycled Asphalt (CRA), delivered as Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) or Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR), remains underutilized on federal projects. Moreover, studies reveal that contracting guidance is fragmented and difficult to enforce specification. To address this gap, this study develops an evidence-informed Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS)-style specification framework that consolidates requirements for materials, mix design, production control, and field acceptance for CRA. The research adopts a qualitative, specification-development approach, combining a comparative review of federal, state, and industry specifications with semi-structured interviews of agency engineers, contractors, and researchers to adjudicate inconsistencies and refine enforceable thresholds. Key outcomes include (i) harmonized mix-design procedures that mirror field conditions; (ii) a lab-to-field acceptance ladder sets 100% at a test-section break-over density and calibrates nuclear gauge readings to laboratory bulk specific gravity, (iii) standardized gradation treated as a production consistency metric, and (iv) a contract-ready quality control checklist with designer guidance for CIR versus CCPR selection, curing expectations and rejuvenator use. The proposed framework improves enforceability, reduces quality variability, and supports cost and carbon reduction objectives while recovering high-quality aggregates on federal rehabilitation projects.

Keyphrases: asphalt, ccpr, emulsion, foamed, specification

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 1122-1131.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/FXkG
	https://doi.org/10.29007/1qsx

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2026:UFGS_Cold_Recycled_Asphalt,
  author    = {Mark E. Jacobson and James Olaonipekun Toyin and Anoop Sattineni},
  title     = {UFGS for Cold Recycled Asphalt: A Specification Framework Informed by Practice},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {7},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/FXkG},
  doi       = {10.29007/1qsx},
  pages     = {1122-1131},
  year      = {2026}}

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