CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
Plastic is a very versatile material. After the industrial revolution of the 18th century, its
scale of production has been increasing exponentially due to being cheaper and effective
raw material. Today, every vital sector of the economy starting from agriculture to
packaging, automobile, electronics, electrical, building construction, communication
sectors has been virtually revolutionized by the applications of plastics. Plastic is a non-
biodegradable material. Despite, the quantum of plastic waste is also
increasing day to day which is hazardous to our health. Thus using plastic waste for
construction purpose of flexible pavements will be one of the alternatives for disposing
them in an ecofriendly manner. Nowadays, the roads in Ethiopia are wearing out due to
many reasons; such as climatic effects, over loading, etc… before finishing the presumed
service life. The application of polymer modified bitumen for asphalting of roads can
possibly minimize those problem since the polymer modified roads showed superior
resistance to environmental stresses in countries where the technology have been
implemented. Then use of waste plastic in hot bituminous mixes too enhances pavement
performance, protect environment and provide low cost roads.
1.1. Problem Statement
Today availability of plastic waste is enormous. The use of plastic materials such as
carry bags, cups, etc. is constantly increasing. More amounts of plastics are consumed
for packing. Once used, plastic packing materials are thrown outside and they remain as
waste. Plastic wastes are durable and non-biodegradable. The improper disposal of plastic may
cause breast cancer, reproductive problems in humans and animals, genital abnormalities
and much more. These plastic wastes get mixed with water, disintegrate, and take the
forms of small pallets which cause the death of fishes and other aquatic life who mistake
them as food material. Sometimes they are either land filled or incinerated. Plastic wastes
get mixed with the municipal solid waste or thrown over a land area. All the above
processes are not ecofriendly as they pollute the land, air and water. Under these
circumstances, an alternative use of these plastic wastes is required. So any method that
can use this plastic waste is for purpose of construction.
1.2 OBJECTIVES
1.2.1. General objective:
Effective utilization of waste plastics for bitumen (asphalt binder) modification.
1.2.2. Specific objectives:
 To assess the effect of blending different waste plastic mixing ratio on the
physical property of bitumen.
 To characterize the effect of modified bitumen
 Determination of the optimum amount of waste plastic that can be added to
bitumen.


1.3 Scope of the Study
Due to different constraints, the scope of this thesis is limited to some specific targets.
The major constraints here are the time frame and the availability of the lab equipment’s,
necessary for the lab tests on the waste plastic-bitumen mixture samples.
The lab tests made on those different samples of waste plastic-bitumen mixtures were
performed in the Bit School of Civil & Water Engineering, Highway lab.
The scope of this study was

 Finding useful application for waste plastics of LDPE (low density polyethylene)
type in asphalt binder (bitumen) modification, as part of the solution for
environmental problems resulting from waste plastics disposal.

 Study the possibility of using LDPE waste plastic, as low price asphalt additive, in
order to improve the performance of asphalt roads as well as to extend their
service life.

 Analyzing the outcomes of waste plastic addition for asphalt mix in wet
processing.

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
The concept of utilization of waste plastic in construction of flexible road pavement
has been done since 2000 in India. In the construction of flexible pavements, bitumen
plays the role of binding the aggregate together by coating over the aggregate. It also
helps to improve the strength and life of road pavement. But its resistance towards
water is poor. A common method to improve the quality of bitumen is by modifying
the rheological properties of bitumen by blending with synthetic polymers like rubber
and plastics. Use of plastic waste in the bitumen is similar to polymer modified
bitumen. The blending of recycled LDPE to asphalt mixtures required no
modification to existing plant facilities or technology. [3]
Polymer modified bitumen has better resistance to temperature, water etc. This
modified bitumen is one of the important construction materials for flexible Road
pavement. [4] Since 90’s, considerable research has been carried out to determine the
suitability of plastic waste modifier in construction of bituminous mixes. [5, 6]
Zoorab&Suparma [7] reported the use of recycled plastics composed predominantly
of polypropylene and low density polyethylene in plain bituminous concrete mixtures
with increased durability and improved fatigue life. Dense bituminous macadam with
recycled plastics, mainly low density polyethylene (LDPE) replacing 30% of 2.36–
5mm aggregates, reduced the mix density by 16% and showed a 250% increase in
Marshall Stability, the indirect tensile strength (ITS) was also improved .
D.N. Little [8] has found that resistance to deformation of asphaltic concrete modified
with low density polythene was improved in comparison with unmodified mixes. It
was found that the recycled polyethylene bags may be useful in bituminous
pavements resulting in reduced permanent deformation in the form of rutting and
reduced low temperature cracking of pavement surfacing.
Bind et al. [9] investigates the benefits of stabilizing the stone mastic asphalt (SMA)
mixture in flexible pavement with shredded waste plastic. Conventional (without
plastic) and the stabilized SMA mixtures were subjected to performance tests
including Marshall Stability, tensile strength and compressive strength tests. Triaxial
tests were also conducted with varying percentage bitumen by weight of mineral
aggregate (6% to 8%) and by varying percentage plastic by weight of mix (6% to
12% with an increment of 1%). Plastic content of 10% by weight of bitumen is
recommended for the improvement of the performance of Stone Mastic Asphalt
mixtures. 10% plastic content gives an increase in the stability, split tensile strength
and compressive strength of about 64%, 18% and 75% respectively compared to the
conventional SMA Mix. Triaxial test results show a 44% increase in cohesion and 3%
decrease in angle of shearing resistance showing an increase in the shear strength.
The drain down value decreases with an increase in plastic content and the value is
only 0.09 % at 10% plastic content and proves to be an effective stabilizing additive
in SMA mixtures. Stone Mastic Asphalt is a gap graded bituminous mixture
containing a high proportion of coarse aggregate and filler. It has low air voids with
high levels of macro texture when laid, resulting in a waterproof layer with good
surface drainage. Stabilizing additives are needed in
the mastic which is rich in binder content to prevent the binder from draining down
from the mix. Polymers and fibers are the commonly used stabilizing additives in
SMA. Based on many research reports and engineering case studies [10] has been
shown that the use of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) on road surfaces can achieve better
rut-resistance and durability. Recycled LDPE of a size between 0.30 and 0.92mm
replacing 15% aggregates in asphalt surfacing nearly doubled the Marshall quotient,
and increased the stability retained (SR) by 15%, implying improved rutting and
water resistance. A 20% increase of binder content was required in this case. [11]

2.2 Evolution of mix design concepts

During 1900’s, the technique, of using bitumen in pavements, was first used on rural roads
in order to prevent rapid removal of the fine particles such as dust, from Water Bound
Macadam, which was caused due to fast growth of automobiles . At initial stages, heavy oils
were used as dust palliative. An eye estimation process which is called pat test was used to
estimate the required quantities of the heavy oil, in the mix. [12]
The 1st formal method of mix design was Hubbard field method, which was actually
developed on sand-bitumen mixture. Mixtures with larger sized aggregate particles could
not be handled in this method. This was one limitation of this procedure.
FransisHveem [13], who was a project engineer of California Department of Highways, has
developed the Hveemstabilometer in 1927. He did not have any previous experience on
judging, the required mix from its color, hence he decided to measure various mixture
parameters to find the optimum quantity of bitumen. He had used the surface area
calculation concept, (which was already in use, at that time for the cement concrete mix
design), to estimate the quantity of bitumen actually required.
Bruce Marshall [14], developed the Marshall testing machine just before the World War-II. It
was adopted in the US Army Corpes of Engineers in 1930’s and subsequently modified in
1940’s and 50’s.

2.3 Polymer modifications

Mahabir Panda and Mayajit Mazumdar[15] reported the effect of Low-density
polyethylene (LDPE) modified paving mix on the mix properties. At a particular
temperature and stress level, polymer modification increased the resilient modulus
and fatigue life of mixes. Resistance to moisture susceptibility was also improved by
the modification. Awwad and Shabeeb[16] investigated using polyethylene as one
sort of polymers to enhance asphalt mixture properties, two types of polymers in two
states were added to coat mix aggregates (Grinded and not grinded Low Density
Polyethylene (LDPE) and High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE)). Optimum Bitumen Content (OBC) is first determined using
Marshal mix design procedure then seven proportions of polyethylene of each type
and state by weight of OBC were selected to be tested (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18%).
The tests include the determination of bulk density, stability and flow. Results
indicated that 12% of grinded HDPE polyethylene modifier provides better
engineering properties. The recommended proportion of the modifier is 12% by the
weight of bitumen content. It is found to increase the
stability, reduce the density and slightly increase the air voids and the voids of
mineral aggregate. The LDPE-modified asphalt concrete mix displayed a significant
increase in both indirect tensile and compressive strength. Optimum bitumen content
of low density poly ethylene is 5 to 5.1% for 1200 gm Modified binders show higher
softening point, keeping the values of ductility at minimum range of specification of
(100+ cm), and cause a reduction in percentage loss of weight due to heat and air (i.e.
increase durability of original asphalt).
As it is evident from the literature review that polymer modified bitumen found to
improve several properties of bituminous mixes such as temperature susceptibility,
fatigue life, resistance to permanent deformation, Marshall Stability, resilient
modulus, and moisture susceptibility of mixes.
Malik ShoebAhmad [17] studied use of waste polythene carry bags in flexible pavement
construction. In this study Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) mix was prepared by using
plain bitumen as a control specimen and bitumen mixed with low density polyethylene
(LDPE) in different proportions such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12% by weight. The addition of
LDPE reduces the air voids which prevents the moisture absorption and oxidation of
bitumen by entrapped air. This has resulted in enhancement of Marshall Stability value.
It has been observed that the stability values of mixes modified with plastic waste have
been increased significantly up to the tune of 14% at 12% waste as compared to mix
prepared with plain bitumen. SinanHinishoglu and Eminc Agar [18] suggested the use of high
density polythene HDPE in 4%,6%, 8% (by wt. of optimum bitumen content) as polymer
additives to asphalt concrete, provide better resistance against permanent deformation.

Hot Mix Asphalt

Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) is the most widely used paving material around the world.
It's kn own by many different names: HMA, asphaltic concrete, plant mix, bituminous
mix, bituminous concrete, and many others. It is a combination of two primary
ingredients aggregates and asphalt binder. Aggregates include both coarse and fine
materials, typically a combination of different size rock and sand. The aggregates
total approximately 95% of the total mixture by weight. They are mixed with
approximately 5% asphalt binder to produce
HMA. By volume, a typical HMA mixture is about 85%aggregate, 10% asphalt
binder, and 5% air voids. Additives are added in small amounts to many HMA
mixtures to enhance their performance or workability. Because asphalt concrete
pavement is much more flexible than Portland cement concrete pavement, asphalt
concrete pavements are sometimes called flexible pavements. [13]

2.4 Basic Raw Materials

It’s proven that the addition of certain polymer additive to asphalt mix can
improve the performance of road pavement. The addition of polymers typically
exhibits improved du rabidity, greater resistance to permanent deformation in the
form of rutting and thermal cracking. Besides, it increases stiffness and decreased
fatigue damage. Waste plastic bags (WPB) which is mainly composed of Low
Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
has been found to be one of the most effective polymer additives which would
enhance the life of the road pavement and also solve many environmental
problems . Basic materials in hot mix asphalt (HMA)

 Aggregate
 Bitumen

 Waste Plastic
2.3.1 Aggregates
Aggregates (mineral aggregates) are hard, inert materials such as
sand, gravel, crushed rock,slag, or rock dust. Properly selected and
graded aggregates are mixed with the asphalt binder
to form HMA pavements. Aggregates are the principal load
supporting components of HM pavement. Because about 95% of the
weight of dense-graded HMA is made up of aggregates,
HMA pavement performance is greatly influenced by the
characteristics of the aggregates.
Aggregates in HMA can be divided into three types according to
their size:
Aggregates
Aggregates (mineral aggregates) are hard, inert materials such as
sand, gravel, crushed rock,
slag, or rock dust. Properly selected and graded aggregates are
mixed with the asphalt binder
to form HMA pavements. Aggregates are the principal load
supporting components of HMA
pavement. Because about 95% of the weight of dense-graded HMA
is made up of aggregates,
HMA pavement performance is greatly influenced by the
characteristics of the aggregates.
Aggregates in HMA can be divided into three types according to
their size:

2.3.2 Asphalt Binder (Bitumen)

Bitumen is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-sold, in
some natural deposits. It is also the residue or by-product of
fractional distillation of crude petroleum.
Bitumen composed primarily of highly condensed polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons, containing 95% carbon and hydrogen
(+87% carbon and + 8% hydrogen) up to 5% sulfur, 1% nitrogen,
1% oxygen. Bitumen is a mixture of about 300-2000 chemical
components, with an average of around 500-700. It is the heaviest
fraction of crude oil,
the one with highest boiling point (5250C). Various grades of
bitumen used for pavement purpose:
 Grade 30/40: These are the thicker material having higher
softening point & these are used in high temperature regions.
 Grade 60/70: These are semi viscous material having moderate
softening point
Grade 80/100: This type of bitumen is thinner material & is used in
tropical regions. It is
having lower softening point.
The bitumen is used for the construction of roads. These roads come
in contact with
varying temperature situations. It may undergo many weather
effects, rainy, hot etc. Also
the volume of traffic is increasing day to day. The bitumen has
tendency of cracking.
 Thus to overcome these problems it should act as binder material,
wear resistant, protects. The base course

2.3.3 Waste plastics

Thermo gravimetric analysis has shown that there is no gas
evolution in the temperature
range of 130-180°C. Moreover, the softened plastics have a binding
property. Hence, the
molten plastics materials can be used as a binder and/or they can be
mixed with binder
like bitumen to enhance their binding property. This may be a good
modifier for the
bitumen, used for road construction. The use of plastic waste helps
in substantially
improving the abrasion and slip resistance of flexible pavement.

2.3.4. Types of Plastics and their major applications

. Thermoplastics These types of plastics become soft when heated, they can be
molded or shaped with pressure when in plastic state and, when cooled, they
solidify and retain the shape or mould. Some common thermoplastics with their
uses and properties are as follows: - [14]

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): Some common properties are:

Tough and clear, good strength and stiffness, chemical and heat resistant,
good barrier properties for oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is used in packaging, soft drink and
mineral water bottles, fibers for clothing, films,
food containers, transport, building and appliance industry (as it is fire resistant).

High density polyethylene (HDPE): Some common properties:

Good process ability, excellent balance of rigidity and impact strength, excellent
chemical resistance, crystalline, melting point (130-1350C), and excellent water vapor
barrier properties. Used for making blow molded products (various types of containers,
water bottles), pipes, injection molded products (storage bins, caps, buckets, mugs), films

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Its properties are:

(carrier bags).

Versatility, energy saving, adaptability to changing time and environment

durability, fire resistance. It is used in industries such as building and
construction, packaging, medical, agriculture, transport. Also used for making
wires and cables, furniture, footwear, domestic appliances, films and sheets,
bottles.

Low density polyethylene (LDPE): Characteristics of LDPE are:

Low density, excellent chemical resistance, environmental stress resistance, high

melting point, good process ability, dielectric properties, low cost, creep
resistance. Used for making bottles, medical containers, pipes, sheets, straws, films, furniture,
house wares, luggage, toys, hair dryer, fan.

Polystyrene (PS): Some of the properties of polystyrene are:

Glassy surface, clear to opaque, rigid, hard, high clarity, affected by fats and
solvents. Used for making electrical and communication equipment’s e.g. plugs,
sockets, switch plates, coil forms, circuit boards, spacers and housings. Also used
for making containers, toys, wall tiles, baskets, cutlery, dishes, cups, tumblers,
dairy containers.

Others plastics: There are many other types of plastics except these six types, often used
in the engineering sector. Examples include polycarbonate (PC), nylon, and acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS).

Thermosets: Thermosetting materials are those which once set cannot be remolded
/softened by applying heat. It includes phenol, melamine and urea formaldehyde,
unsaturated polyester, epoxy and polyurethanes. These materials are not recyclable.

Tabe space

Importance of Waste plastic as a Binder and Modifier

Soften at 130°C.
 No gas evolution in the temperature range of 130-180°C.
 Have a binding property hence used as a binder.
 Can also be mixed with binder like bitumen to enhance their binding property.

2.3.3.4. CHARACTERIZATION OF WASTE PLASTICS

Thermal Study
A study of the thermal behavior of the polymers namely polyethylene,
polypropylene, polystyrene, shows that those polymers get softened easily without
any evolution of gas around 130-1400C, this has been scientifically verified. At
around 3500C they get decomposed releasing gases like methane, ethane etc and at
7000C they undergo combustion, producing gases like CO and CO2.
Binding Property
The molten plastics waste exhibits good binding property. Various raw materials like
granite stone, ceramics etc. were coated with plastics and then molded into a stable
product. On cooling, it was tested for compression and bending strengths.
Vasudevan etal. Found that the values of the Compression strength and bending
strength increases with above formulation shows that the plastics can be used as a
binder

. 2.4. Modified Bitumen

certain additives or blend of additives called as bitumen modifiers can improve
properties of Bitumen and bituminous mixes. Bitumen treated with these modifiers
is kn own as modified bitumen. Polymer modified bitumen (PMB)/ crumb rubber
modified bitumen (CRMB) should be used only in wearing course depending upon
the requirements of extreme climatic variations. It must be noted that the
performance of PMB and CRMB is dependent on strict control on temperature
during construction.

The advantages of using modified bitumen are as follows:

 Lower susceptibility to daily and seasonal temperature variations

 higher resistance to deformation at high pavement temperature

 Better age resistance properties

 higher fatigue life for mixes

 Better adhesion between aggregates and binder

 Prevention of cracking and reflective cracking

2.5. Plastic Wastes utilization in asphalt mixtures
Waste plastic as one sort of plastomer polymers can be utilized in asphalt
concrete mix through three different processes namely dry process, wet
process and the third process includes using waste plastic as partial substitute
of certain size of aggregates. [16]
There are two important process technologies for the utilization of waste
plastics in bitumen mix flexible pavement, namely dry process and wet
process.
2.5.1. Dry Process
For the flexible pavement, hot stone aggregate (170 0C) is mixed with hot bitumen
(160 0C) and the mix is used for road laying. The aggregate is chosen on the basis of
its strength, porosity and moisture absorption capacity. The bitumen is chosen on
the basis of its binding property, penetration value and visco-elastic property. The
aggregate, when coated with plastics, improves its quality with respect to voids,
moisture absorption and soundness. The coating of plastic decreases the porosity
and helps to improve the quality of the aggregate and its performance in the flexible
pavement. It is to be noted here that stones with < 2% porosity only allowed by the
specification. [16].
Advantages of Dry Process:
Plastic is coated over stones - improving surface property of aggregates.
Coating is easy & temperature required is same as road laying temperature
Use of waste plastic more than 15% is possible.
Flexible films of all types of plastics can be used.
Doubles the binding property of aggregates.
No new equipment is required.
Bitumen bonding is strong than normal.
The coated aggregates show increased strength.
As replacing bitumen to 15% higher cost efficiency is possible.
No degradation of roads even after 5-6 years after construction.
Can be practiced in all type of climatic conditions.
No evolution of any toxic gases as maximum temperature is 180 0C.
Disadvantages of Dry Process
the process is applicable to plastic waste material only.

Process follow diageram of the

process
2.5.2. Wet Process