PURPOSES:This study aimed to analyze the experimental and numerical behavior of warm mix asphalt pavement prepared using steel slag and RAP and to conduct economic analysis of pavement construction.METHODS :For developing high performance asphalt pavement, we performed three evaluations: fundamental analysis, experimental testing, and 3D finite element analysis. In particular, 3D finite element analysis was conducted on several pavement structures by adopting the results of experimental tests.RESULTS :Through the various evaluations, it was established that steel slag was effective for use as asphalt mixture aggregate. Moreover, asphalt mixture constituting steel slag and RAP demonstrated higher performance behavior compared with conventionally used asphalt mixture. Furthermore, based on the 3D FE modeling, we established that the developed asphalt pavement constituting steel slag and RAP can be utilized for thin layer pavement with comparable performance behavior.CONCLUSIONS:Warm mix asphalt pavement prepared using steel slag and RAP is more competitive and economic compared to hot-mix asphalt pavement. Moreover, it can be applied for preparing thin layer asphalt pavements with reasonable performance. The developed warm mix asphalt pavement prepared using steel slag and RAP can be an alternative pavement type with competitive performance based on the reasonable economic benefit it provides.