Effects of soaking on compressive strength of recycled polymer modified asphalt

ABSTRACT

Polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride have been being used as a modifier of bitumen (asphalt cement), whereas application of waste polyethylene (WPE) and waste polyvinyl chloride (WPVC) are quite introductory in the field of bituminous pavement. This research studied the effects of soaking periods on the compressive strength of compacted modified bituminous mixes with WPE and WPVC. 11% WPE and 8% WPVC, the optimum modifier contents, were utilised in modifying the bitumen, which was found from an investigation of Marshall properties. Index of retained strength (IRS) of Mix-I, Mix-II, and Mix-III satisfied the standard limit of 75%, until 62.4, 84, and 67.2 h of soaking periods, respectively. WPE and WPVC showed excellent performance in submergence, encouraging the use of modified bitumen in the flood-prone region. WPE is suitable in cold climate as well as the warmer region, while WPVC is recommended only for the warmer climate. Utilisation of WPE and WPVC resulted in saving asphalt cement of 0.11 and 0.08 kg/kg, respectively, and reduce environmental pollution.

KEYWORDS:

• Waste polyethylene
• waste polyvinyl chloride
• Marshall properties
• optimum modifier content
• compressive strength
• soaking‌

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.