Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Waste Polyethylene Modified Bituminous Mixes

DOI

10.2991/rsete.2013.84How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Polyethylene, Bituminous Mixes, Waste Management, Rutting, Marshall Stability

Abstract

Increase in road traffic in combination with insufficient maintenance due to shortage in funds causes rapid deterioration of the roads. To alleviate this process, several measures may be effective, such as, use of better quality materials, use of cost-effective construction methods, dedicated funds for maintenance, improved and innovative roadway design. With this perspective, this research aimed at exploring the potential prospects of waste plastic beverage bottles made of “High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)” to enhance asphalt mix properties as a polymer. Objectives of this research also included determining the best method of adding polymer/HDPE in asphalt mix. Marshall Mix design method was used to determine the optimum bitumen content and then modified mix properties were tested. The research results indicate that dry mix method yields better asphalt mix properties. The optimum content of HDPE was found to be 8% by the weight of optimum bitumen content. Addition of HDPE in asphalt mix is found to increase the stability, rutting resistance, and load bearing capacity of asphalt mix in comparison to conventional (unmodified) asphalt mix. Benefits of using polyethylene modified asphalt mix include; safe, efficient and environment friendly disposal of waste plastics/waste management, long lasting roads withstanding heavy traffic loads and cost-effectiveness in road construction. Economic analysis showed that addition of waste polyethylene in asphalt mix lead to a saving of Rs. 141,200.00 per lane km in comparison to using conventional (unmodified) asphalt mix in road construction. The analysis and results of this research can effectively be used to greatly improve and economize the road construction and to improve the waste management.

Copyright

© 2013, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

Open Access

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Khurshid Muhammad Bilal
AU  - Ahmed Sarfraz
AU  - Irfan Muhammad
AU  - Mehmood Sajid
PY  - 2013/08
DA  - 2013/08
TI  - Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Waste Polyethylene Modified Bituminous Mixes
BT  - Proceedings of the 2013 the International Conference on Remote Sensing, Environment and Transportation Engineering (RSETE 2013)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 344
EP  - 347
SN  - 1951-6851
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/rsete.2013.84
DO  - 10.2991/rsete.2013.84
ID  - MuhammadBilal2013/08
ER  -