1.

Problem Statement:
In last few decades due to population growth and economic development, many countries
are building an extensive network of paved roads. To facilitate this high load and to fulfill
required demand, many paved roads are constructed in which many of them are nearer or
at old design. For high speed, better efficiency and for cost effectiveness, rehabilitation of
existing road has been done.
The asphalt binders for producing the hot mix asphalt (HMA) used in flexible pavement is
extracted from petroleum refining process. Major effect in the cost of flexible pavement is
because of asphalt binder, the non-renewable resource having limited sources. The
increments in the petroleum prices mirrors the prices of asphalt binder. So, It is the need
of the age to find an alternate binder source beside which can show the same properties as
by the asphalt and be stable with the aggregate. Or use additives which can increase its
performance and life. Numbers of researches are conducted to find alternate binder or
additives which can increase its performance and life.
Oil-based modification has gained ample attention recently, especially waste cooking oil
(WCO). Reason of this is its adequate performance as a potential waste material and it can
be used as an alternative to asphalt binder as mentioned in the research papers mentioned
below. By using WCO as a modifier in asphalt binder modification can minimize the major
environmental issues. Disposal of WCO is a major threat to environment, so using the
WCO in asphalt binder is the proper management of the waste material.
2. Objectives:
The objectives of this research study is to investigate the rheological and chemical
properties of commercial available asphalt after adding varying amount of WCO.
3. Literature Survey:
In the past decades, many attempts were conducted to investigate mechanical properties of
asphalt but very few researcher, works on the micro-mechanical properties of asphalt
binder with additives. The researchers who did related work include work of Rafiqul A.
(2010), Abdullah E. (2013), Rosli M. (2016), Yang X (2013) and Aslam A. (2017).
Rafiqul A. (2010) in his research used two polymer styrene-butadiene (SB) and styrene –
butadiene-styrene (SBS) with asphalt binder and nanoscale evaluation of these binder done
by using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The main goal of his research was to
comprehend the adhesive and cohesive bond failures thorough exploring of chemical
functional group like silicon nitrite (-Si3N4), carboxyl (-COOH), methyl (-CH3) and
hydroxyl (-OH) effects on moisture sensitivity at the micro level. Results was obtained by
the experiments of capturing the images of the asphalt binder under wet and dry conditions
using microscope (AFM).Final results showed that by using polymer modified asphalt
binder ,moisture susceptibility can be reduced. On the base of adhesion and cohesion force,
optimum value for both SBS and SB polymers was found 3%. And, his research also
determined the working procedure for the formation of sample and testing parameters
which effected on testing for nanoscale AFM.
Suman S. (2018) stated that bitumen in the flexible pavement used as a binder and it
deteriorate due to cracking distress and rutting which it faced during its life span. So there
is a need to modify the binder so its cracking and rutting distress can be reduced. In his
study, graphite was used to modify the binder properties.VG 30 was obtained on base of
highest and lowest mean temperature. 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% graphite was added
with bitumen to modify it and tests were conducted on it. Improvement in physical as well
as rheological properties was obtained by the addition of graphite. And also improvement
in temperature susceptibility and stripping properties was observed. On the bases of his
experimental results 8% was selected as an optimum amount of graphite to improve
properties.
Abdullah E. and Kemas A. (2009) said that asphalt industry continuously giving its effort
to apply chemical warm asphalt additive (CWAA) with warm mix asphalt and implement
on the field. By doing so compaction and mixing temperature can be reduced because of
lower pollution and energy compaction. In his study, PG 64 from Kemaman Bitumen
Company asphalt binder was used and it is modified with 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% CWAA.
After it, storage stability test, rotational viscometer test and dynamic shear modulus test
were conducted on aged and unaged samples. For storage and against rutting and fatigue
addition proved effective. By using CWAA viscosity of asphalt binder had reduced.
Optimum 2% were recommended for good results.
Yang X (2013) modified the asphalt mixtures by bio-oil which was extracted from waste
wooden resources and it is considered one of the potential alternative of bitumen used in
flexible pavement. In his study, asphalt binder used is performance grading asphalt PG 58-
28 obtained from Detroit in the United States. Three types of bio-oil was used in the study:
poly-modified bio-oil, dewatered bio-oil and original bio-oil. 5% and 10% bio-oil was
taken for blend formation and by using modified binder mixture were made and tests were
performed on them. By using bio-oil improve the fatigue performances of asphalt mixtures
improved significantly. But it was found that it had negative effects on rutting and indirect
tensile strength. Poly-modified bio-oil gave good results comparison to dewatered bio-oil.
Rosli M. (2016) attributed that asphalt binder performance can be modified with using of
waste cooking oil (WCO) because WCO performance is affected by the quality of the
WCO itself during the phenomenon of degradation process takes place at frying time. For
using WCO with binder he first modified WCO by chemicals and pretreated with NaOH
catalyst process known as transesterification. Asphalt binder 60/70 was uniformly heated
in an oven at 130°C temperature and liquid is obtained. And 0%, 3%, 4%, and 5%, WCO
was added in bitumen and then mixed in a high shear mixer at a constant speed of 1000
rpm at 160°C for one hour. By decreasing acid value of WCO rheological and physical
property of modified binder improved.
Aslam A. (2017) research main goal was to check the use of waste vegetable oil in the
binder as an additive so that it can be used in flexible pavement and performance of flexible
pavement can be improved. 60/70 penetration grade asphalt was taken from Jordan
Petroleum Refinery Company. The WVO was collected from residential houses, shops,
bakeries and other different sources.1%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% WVO was added in binder
and their rheological properties were investigated. By using WVO, ductility improved,
flash and fire point increased, viscosity decreased, fluidity increased and creep stiffness
decreased.
Wang C. and Lei X. (2018) said that most of the researches done to use bio-oil as an
alternative to asphalt binder for the maintenance of flexible road costing a high amount.
The main work of his paper was to find out the potential for petroleum asphalt binder and
Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) modified binder by chemical and rheological ways in the
form of using the waste cooking oil (WCO) with the bio-oil.60/80 grade was obtained from
Hebai province for study. Bio-oil was taken from the WCO refining process for biodiesel
production. 5%, 10% and 15% of bio-oil was added in neat binder and modified SBS
binder. And rheological properties and chemical properties were find out. Through FTIR,
existence of acid group was indicated. Carbonyl group increased by increasing the amount
of bio-oil. But the result from multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test was found
unrecoverable strain at high temperature
Zargar M. (2011) in his study researched on the basic phenomenon of aging. Asphalt is
used in very abundance amount despite of its high cost and limited resources. The most
important issue during the use of bitumen in flexible pavement is that it ages before lying
in storage, mixing and transportation process. In his research, he used waste cooking oil as
a rejuvenator and investigate the short term aging. The material 80/100 penetration grade
was taken and waste cooking oil was added into it in different percentage 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%
and 5%. But before addition bitumen was mix in propeller mixer for seven hours and 40/50
grade obtained. Result showed that cooking oil acted as rejuvenator agent or antioxidant.
Conclusion showed that 40/50 bitumen after using WCO showed the same properties as
behaved by 80/100 bitumen.
Dahunsi B. (2017) stated that many rejuvenator agents or fibers, poly-fibers and extenders
had been used in the past to improve the performance of asphalt binders but by using this
cost of flexible pavement increased a lot. So there is a need to make a modifier which
improve performance as well as save the cost. According to base of previous researches he
used 5% WCO and make a modified binder. Further 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% polyethylene
added into it. Blending was done in shear mixture at temperature 130°C for 30 mins at
1000rpm. Conclusions showed that by replacing bitumen with WCO modified bitumen
softening point and specific gravity both reduced. And by using HDPE with modified
binder specific gravity and softening point increase but decrease the penetration values.
Qu X. (2018) stated that asphalt is a non-renewable material so he researched on the use of
renewable material. For his study, he used bio-oil obtained from the waste cooking oil
refining process of diesel production. In the neat asphalt 60/80, bio-oil was mixed into it
5%, 10% and 15% with shear mixture at 4000rpm temperature 140°C for 30 mins. Complex
shear modulus, FTIR and fatigue performance were measured. From the results of FTIR
tests, it is find that the bio-oil modified binders have increased carbonyl index and by
increasing the bio-oil content in binder the sulfoxide index does not change. Results also
showed that fatigue performance also improved by using bio-oil.
4. Methodology.
In order to investigate the effect on rheology and chemical properties of commercial asphalt
binder after addition of WCO following methodology will be adopted
Materials to be used:
1. Commercially available asphalt binders
2. Waste Cooking Oil
Experiments to be performed:
Samples will be prepared by using commercial asphalt binder and varying percentages of
WCO (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%). Asphalt binder and WCO will be blended into shear
mixture at temperature 160°C for 40 mins at 3000rpm.
 To investigate rheology of samples dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) , rotational
viscometer and bending beam rheometer (BBR) will be conducted according to the
American Society for Testing and Material specifications (ASTM D7175-15),
(ASTM D4402) and (ASTM D6648-08) respectively.
 RV will be performed on unaged samples.
 DSR will be performed on unaged, rolling thin film oven (RTFO) aged and pressure
aging vessel (PAV) aged samples.
 Rolling thin film oven (RTFO) test will be conducted according to ASTM-D2872.
 Pressure aging vessel (PAV) test will be conducted according to ASTM D6521-18.
 To find thermal stresses (creep stiffness) PAV aged samples will be used.
 To investigate the effect on chemical properties Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
spectroscopy will be conducted according to ASTM D4124).
 Scanning electron microscopy test (SEM) will be conducted according to ASTM-
E986 to obtain the microscopy images of samples.
5. Utilization of research results:
Large quantity of WCO is a threat to environment so recycling it as an additive with asphalt
binder is considered as its effective use and management of waste. This approach can also
provide environmental as well as economic benefits.
6. Research Time Table:
The research time table of the proposed M.Sc. research work is shown in Table-1.
 Literature review 13 Weeks
 Lab Testing and Compilation 8 Weeks
 Analysis and Comparison 4 Weeks
 Results and Recommendations 2 Weeks
 Thesis Report Write up 5 Weeks
 Final Viva 2 Weeks

Activity Week 1-2 3–4 5-6 7-8 9 - 10 11 - 12 13 - 14 15 - 16 17 – 18

Literature Review

Lab Testing &

Compilation

Analysis and
Comparison

Results and
Recommendations

Thesis Report Write up

Final Viva

Table 1: Research time table

7. References:
In order to achieve the research objectives, the following literature has been reviewed.
1. Rafiqul A. and Arif M. “Nanoscale Evaluation of Moisture Damage in Polymer
Modified Asphalts”, 2010.
2. Abdullah E., Kemas A., Mustafa Z., Shamshudin, M. and Satar M., “Rheological
Properties of Asphalt Binder Modified with Chemical Warm Asphalt Additive”, 2013.
3. Wan N., Ramadhansyah P., Rosli M., Mastura B. and Norzita N. “Chemical
modification of waste cooking oil to improve the physical and rheological properties
of asphalt binder,” 2016.
4. Yang X., You Z., Dai Q. and Mills J., “Mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures
modified by bio-oil derived from waste wood resources” , 2013.
5. Aslam A., Taisir S., and Khasawneh M., “Laboratory characterization of asphalt
binders modified with waste vegetable oil using SuperPave specifications”, 2017.
6. Wang C., Lei X., Xie W., Zhanping Y. and Xu Yang X., “Laboratory investigation on
chemical and rheological properties of bio-asphalt binders incorporating waste cooking
oil”, 2018.
7. Wang C., Wang H., Zhao L. and Cao D., “Experimental study on rheological
characteristics and performance of high modulus asphalt binder with different
modifiers”, 2017.
8. Yang X., Beale M., You Z., “Chemical characterization and oxidative aging of bio-
asphalt and its compatibility with petroleum asphalt”, 2017.
9. Lam M., Lee K. and Mohamed A., “Homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymatic
catalysis for transesterification of high free fatty acid oil (waste cooking oil) to
biodiesel”, 2010.
10. Hong Y., “Study on the composition of edible oil triglycerides and HPLC
determination”. Ph.D. Thesis, Southern Yangtze University, Wuxi, China, 2015.
11. Kumar P. and Suman S. “Influence of graphite on the physical and rheological
properties of bituminous binder before and after short-term ageing”, 2018.
12. Sheng Y., Li H., Geng J., Tian Y., Li Z., Xiong R., “Production and performance of
desulfurized rubber asphalt binder”, 2017.
13. Zargar M., Ahmadinia E., Asli H. and Karim M., “Investigation of the possibility of
using waste cooking oil as a rejuvenating agent for aged bitumen”, 2011.
14. Dahunsi B. and Adesina P., “Properties of bitumen modified with waste cooking oil
High density polythene for application in flexible pavement”, 2017.
15. Qu X., Liu Q., Wang C., Dawei Wang D. and Oeser M., “Effect of co-production of
renewable biomaterials on the performance of asphalt binder in macro and micro
perspectives”, 2018.