1.

DISCUSS HOW WASTE PLASTICS CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE THE AC (ASPHALT

CONCRETE) PROPERTIES.

Utilization of waste material as secondary material is being developed worldwide such as plastic
bottles which are being produced in large amount. In food industries for example plastic bottle is
mostly made by Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and PET become very popular during the last
decade because it is known as safe, durable and good material for packaging

The results of previous studies showed that the using of waste plastic in asphalt mixture improve
the engineering properties such as Marshall Stability, resistant to water (measure by retained
stability) and resistant to crack propagation (indicated by indirect tensile strength of modified
asphalt mixes). This approach of modification also produces better binding property for the
bitumen mix and increase the road life.

The following has been observed through research studies.

1. Studies have shown that the stability and flow values of asphalt mixture increased by
adding waste crushed plastic bottle into the asphalt mixture.
2. Further, it was shown that the bulk specific gravity and stiffness of mixtures increased by
adding lower amount of plastic; however, adding higher amounts of plastic resulted in
lower specific gravity and mix stiffness.
3. In addition, it was concluded that the mixtures containing waste plastic have lower OAC
values compared to the conventional mixture, and this may reduce the amount of asphalt
binder can be used in road construction projects. Besides, the mixtures containing waste
plastic showed significantly greater fatigue resistance than the conventional mixture.
4. In many cases, Marshal stability (MS) value increases by adding waste plastic into
asphalt mixtures up to 0.6 % plastic; however, at higher plastic contents MS decreases. It
is also noted that MS value decreases at higher asphalt amount. Result from studies
indicate that better adhesion provided between asphalt binder and aggregate particles by
adding waste plastic bottle.
5. Bulk specific gravity initiate with an increasing trend by adding plastic bottles then the
trend decreased at higher plastic contents. Further, mixtures manufactured at higher
asphalt contents showed to have higher BSG.
6. Mixes including plastic showed to have higher stiffness at lower amount of plastic;
however, by contrast, adding more plastic makes mixes less stiff. It can be concluded
from the results that mixture containing higher amount of plastic has more recoverable
displacement under cyclic loads compared to conventional mixture.
7. Fatigue life of asphalt mixes increases dramatically by adding plastic particles. Studies
have shown that that mixes with 1% plastic shows the highest fatigue lives which are
more than doubled at lower stress levels (250 kPa and 350kPa). On the contrary, in all
stress levels, the mixes without plastic tend to give the lowest value. The results might be
because of improvement in mixture flexibility, in previous section. In fact, PET particles
would not melt due to higher melting point of PET and still exist as partially rigid
materials in mixture, thus can improve the flexibility of mixture. Hence, because
mixture’s flexibility is improved by adding plastic particles, crack creation and
propagation in asphalt
 mixture would be postponed which eventually results in higher fatigue life.

Conclusion
The results of previous studies showed that the using of waste plastic in asphalt mixture improve
the engineering properties such as Marshall Stability, resistant to water (measure by retained
stability) and resistant to crack propagation (indicated by indirect tensile strength of modified
asphalt mixes). This approach of modification also produces better binding property for the
bitumen mix and increase the road life (Chavan 2013; Gawande et al. 2012; Sangita and
Verinder 2011; Swami and Jirge 2012).

2) DISCUSS HOW TO REDUCE DUCTILITY OF MODIFIED AC IN QUESTION ONE.

Polymers can add strength, increase elasticity, increase ductility, decrease brittleness, improve
adhesion, improve cohesion, increase durability, extend life and improve temperature stability of
a cold mix asphalt aggregate paving material. 
1. study finding shows that penetration and ductility decrease while softening point increase
by addition of polymers from Basic penetration, softening point, ductility test.
2. Past studies reveal that polymer addition in the bitumen reduce penetration value Less the
penetration value of modified bitumen resulted harder and consistent bitumen, which
enhance rutting properties of the mix, but it affect the flexibility of the bitumen.
Softening point of bitumen increase by increase PET contents in the bitumen as shown in
the table and indicate that higher softening point of bitumen resist against temperature
and bitumen temperature susceptibility increase by addition of PET waste. Study revealed
that by increasing polymers contents in the traditional bitumen softening point also
increase. Ductility of the PET modified bitumen with various concentration shows lower
value compare to conventional.
3. In other words, polymer modified bitumen reduce ductility of the bitumen and higher
concentrations has lower ductility.
4. Increasing polymers contents in the bitumen, ductility of the modified bitumen rapidly
decrease. In other words, polymer modified bitumen reduce ductility of the bitumen and
higher concentrations has lower ductility.
5. A study finding is justified with past studies of stated that by increasing polymers
contents in the bitumen ductility of the modified bitumen rapidly decrease.
8. Tests have indicated that the addition of PE content to neat asphalt reduces the
penetration and ductility values, whereas increases in softening point and specific gravity
values were observed with the addition of PE modifier. A PE content of 5% by weight of
asphalt is recommended for the improvement of the performance of asphalt cement.
9. The polystyrene waste was can be added by volume to the bitumen in 0, 5, 10 and 15%..
Results show that increasing the polystyrene ratio in asphalt will have direct impact on
the bitumen properties by decreasing penetration, ductility and increasing softening, flash
and fire points. The modified asphalt can be used in hot climate for different construction
purposes such as insulation materials (waterproof) for basements, retaining walls and
 roofs or as a pavement material in garage floors, parking lots, sidewalks, playgrounds and
parks.
10. The addition of polystyrene of 5% by volume of asphalt reduced ductility by 73% of base
asphalt. Which indicates significant increase in viscosity. Thus, it can be noted that the
mixture doesn’t help forming ductile film around aggregates in road construction. Hence,
the modified asphalt cannot be used as pavement for road construction.
11. Penetration and ductility decrease as the polystyrene in the modified asphalt increases,
therefore, viscosity increases with increasing polystyrene in the asphalt binder.

REFERENCES
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