A study of performance characteristics of combined waste polymer enhanced bitumen on hot and warm mix asphaltic concretes

Abstract

Asphalt is extensively employed as a pavement component in the construction of roads. However, inadequate performance of conventional Hot Mix Asphaltic (HMA) and Warm Mix Asphaltic (WMA) concretes necessitate the adoption of polymer for bitumen modification. There are indications that modification of asphalt with Waste Plastic Bottle (WPB) and Waste Sachet Water (WSW) enhances the performance of HMA and WMA concretes. This study investigated the efficiency of HMA and WMA concretes modified with Combined Waste Polymer (CWP). Bitumen with a penetration grade of 60/70 was weighed into ten different containers before being heated for producing Hot Bitumen Mix (HBM). Sasobit was added to the 60/70 bitumen at a rate of 3.5% by weight to produce Warm Bitumen Mix (WBM). The HBM and WBM were modified with CWP in proportions ranging from 2 to 18% at 2% frequencies. The penetration (P), softening point (SP), and specific gravity (SG) have been established on HBM and WBM samples. Aggregates and filler were added to HBM and WBM samples to produce HMA and WMA concrete samples, respectively. Marshall quotient and Microstructural properties of the HMA and WMA concrete samples were evaluated. The obtained values of P, SP, and SG were 33–70 mm, 55–78 °C, 1.01–1.12, respectively for HBM and WBM samples. The range for Marshall quotient results for HMA and WMA concretes were 1.73–3.46 kN/mm and 2.50–3.63 kN/mm, respectively. The microstructural studies revealed that CWP modified HMA and WMA concrete samples demonstrated enhanced bulk density and compact strength. The incorporation of WPB and WSW into the production of HMA and WMA concretes has the potential to significantly improve their performance. This study is in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 13. Further investigation utilizing WPB and WSW, in conjunction with their corks, is hereby recommended.