Investigation of Flexible Pavement with Non-Biodegradable Waste Plastic

Abstract

Waste plastic, which includes the wrappers of junk foods, chocolates, chips, hand-carry bags, plastic bottles, and any other kind of plastic, is mostly to blame for the significant environmental and severe economic problems that are now being experienced in the modern world. When plastics are manufactured, a substantial amount of energy and other natural resources are used. This leads to the depletion of the environment in a number of different ways, which is a consequence of the production process. The longevity of the road as well as its structural integrity are both enhanced by the incorporation of polymer into the asphalt that is used to create the pavement. Polymer, particularly in the form of low-density polymers, is added to asphalt, which results in an improvement in the properties of the asphalt. In the context of transportation, the term \"plastic road\" refers to roads that are constructed from plastic that has been abandoned. It is well acknowledged that these roads provide improved durability and performance in contrast to conventional roads. Additionally, it has been shown that these highways did not have as many structural problems as their counterparts, which were normal pavements. Certainly, this was a noteworthy discovery. According to the research findings, using a larger quantity of waste plastic ultimately reduces the need for bitumen by ten percent. As a consequence of this, the quality of the pavement as well as the material strength of the pavement are both enhanced. In addition, the incorporation of polymer into asphalt has the potential to enhance the structural strength and durability of flexible pavement. There is a possibility that plastic waste might replace between 10 and 15 per cent of the bitumen that is used in the production of flexible pavement. Furthermore, it has the potential to save around Rs 1,00,724.76 for every additional km of road patch.

Introduction

Rapid industrial growth and population expansion have led to excessive waste production, especially non-biodegradable materials, creating significant disposal challenges worldwide. Recycling waste into usable products is one of the most sustainable solutions, and extensive research is being conducted to repurpose waste materials in construction, focusing on environmental impact, availability, cost-effectiveness, and performance.

In particular, using waste plastics like polyethylene (especially low-density polyethylene or LDPE from plastic bags) in flexible concrete pavements and bituminous mixes has shown promise. Polymers enhance resistance to rutting, cracking, fatigue, and heat damage in asphalt, improving durability and performance.

This research aims to explore incorporating polyethylene into bituminous mixes to improve mechanical properties and evaluate performance through tests like the Marshall Stability and Flow Test. The study also assesses economic benefits and waste management impacts.

The methodology involves literature reviews, field studies at polymer recycling plants, and experimental testing to find the optimum binder and plastic content in hot mix asphalt (HMA). Results from polymer-modified HMA are compared with conventional mixes based on factors such as bulk density, stability, flow, and air voids. The ultimate goal is to characterize and improve HMA using waste plastic bags effectively.

Conclusion

1) Waste plastic sheets can be easily used as a modifier for asphalt mixes for sustainable management of plastic waste as well as for improved performance of asphalt mix. 2) Optimum Plastic Content (OPC) that can be effectively used as a modifier in bitumen mixes is found to be 10% by weight of OBC through experimental work conducted. 3) Modified bitumen mix with 10% OPC has approximately 30% more stability value as compared to the conventional mixes. 4) Bulk density tends to decrease with addition of LDPE. This is because of the low density of plastic material that tends to decrease the overall bulk density of mix. 5) Flow value has direct relationship with polymer addition as it increases with the increase in polymer in mixes but it also increases the stiffness of mix as well 6) Cost analysis conducted on 1-kilometre patch of pavement shows that approximately Rs. 1,00,724.76/- can be saved if 10% OPC is used by weight of OBC. 7) Polymer modified HMA demonstrates best outlining properties in terms of designover conventional bitumen mixes and also it has a higher softening temperature that tends to reduce rutting phenomena. 8) Lesser stripping is observed in courses with modified bitumen mixes. 9) Poor quality aggregates can be made stronger by coating them with plastics as it decreases the aggregate impact value. 10) Water absorption capacity of aggregates becomes lesser when aggregates are coated with plastics. It is due the water-resistant nature of plastics increasing the binding force among particles. 11) There is no evolution of dangerous gases during their production, thus, making it environmental friendly project. 12) Waste materials generated by heavy industries find their useful application in polymer modified pavements. 13) Methods which were previously used for waste disposals were the main reasons of environmental pollution. This effective and environmental friendly technique helps us to overcome the hazardous effects caused by landfilling and incineration techniques. 14) There is improved solid waste management at urban levels if plastic waste generated is properly and effectively utilized in such projects. 15) Better environmental hygiene is created. 16) Life of pavements increase due to the decrease in wear and tear of structures. 17) Polymer modified HMA exhibit better physical and chemical properties as compared to conventional HMA.

References

[1] C. Justo and A. Veeraragavan, \"Utilization of waste plastic bags in bituminous mix for improved performance of roads,\" Centre for Transportation Engineering, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India, pp. 43-44, 2002. [2] M. T. Awwad and L. Shbeeb, \"The use of polyethylene in hot asphalt mixtures,\" a American Journal of Applied Sciences, vol. 4, pp. 390-396, 2007. [3] Z. Kalantar, A. Mahrez, and M. R. Karim, \"Properties of bituminous binder modified with waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET),\" 2009. [4] Ç. Giriftino?lu, \"The Use of Plastic Waste Materials in Asphalt Pavement,\" 2007. [5] A. F. Abdalqader, \"Landfills needs assessment in Gaza strip and sites selection using GIS,\" Unpublished Master Thesis). The Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine, 2011. [6] V. Swami, A. Jirge, K. Patil, S. Patil, S. Patil, and K. Salokhe, \"Use of waste plastic in construction of bituminous road,\" International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, vol. 4, 2012. [7] M. H. Sadd, Q. Dai, V. Parameswaran, and A. Shukla, \"Microstructural simulation of asphalt materials: modeling and experimental studies,\" Journal of materials in civil engineering, vol. 16, pp. 107-115, 2004. [8] S. A. Taih, \"The effect of additives in hot asphalt mixtures,\" Journal of Engineering and Sustainable Development, vol. 15, pp. 132-151, 2011. [9] T. Yi-qiu and A. Al-Hadidy, \"The Effect of Plastomers Polymer Type and Concentration on Asphalt and Moisture Damage of SMA Mixtures,\" AL Rafdain Engineering Journal, vol. 19, pp. 1-11, 2011. [10] P. Jain, S. Kumar, and J. Sengupta, \"Mitigation of rutting in bituminous roads by use of waste polymeric packaging materials,\" 2011. [11] T. Officials and L. Advanced Asphalt Technologies, A Manual for Design of Hot Mix Asphalt with Commentary vol. 673: Transportation Research Board, 2011.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Andimenu Anil Kumar , B. Ramesh . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.