Constructing plastic roads using polymer-modified bitumen: A literature review

Abstract

The flexible roads are the roads which are mainly constructed by using bitumen and asphalt. Flexible roads have problems due to their lack of durability, lack of strength etc. Therefore, this research was conducted to identify the possibility of using polymer-modified bitumen as a solution for those problems. The research methodology used was literature review. Plastic waste can be used to prepare polymer-modified bitumen. The applicability, cons and pros; the environmental aspect and economical aspect of the polymer-modified bitumen were identified in this research. Moreover, polymer-modified bitumen is identified as a solution for the flexible roads’ problems. Using the polymer-modified bitumen in the road construction, addresses the problems of the flexible roads, by, increasing the roads’ strength, avoiding breakage, facing the environmental conditions more effectively etc. Furthermore, it brings benefits such as the roads becoming more comfortable for the passengers. The most effective way of constructing the plastic roads is the dry process, over the wet process. Preparing the plastic roads is an environmentally friendly method, if only thermoplastics such as Low Density Polythene, High Density Polythene, Polyurethane and Polythene Terephthalate are used. So, the plastics which are recycled few times, Polyvinyl Chloride and thermosetting plastics usage needs to be avoided. This method is economical, because the bitumen content used in the road construction can be reduced and in long term, although the initial cost of implementing the method is high, the maintenance cost is reduced. Sri Lanka will be benefited, if this method is implemented in the construction industry.