INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete (HMAC) are widely used today in

construction industry, as it is economical for roads, highways or bridges.

Asphalt is gaining popularity these days because of its availability and as a

byproduct of crude oil. Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) consists of a combination of

aggregates (fine and coarse), mineral fillers, bitumen and other additives to

enhance its engineering properties. Asphalt concrete pavement is known for

its durability and resilience, but vulnerable to many factors that tend to

decrease its strength and cause deterioration like all paved surfaces. Similar

traffic-related factors associated with traffic loadings and varying

environmental conditions contributes to early failure. These distresses must be

carefully considered in the design and during the construction.

For more than five decades, the application of fiber and polymers has

been studied to enhance HMA’s performance, with fiber reinforcement gaining

significant attention for its improved results. Fiber typically change the

viscoelasticity of mixture and decreases reflective cracking of asphalt mixture

and pavement (Abtahi et al., 2009).

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Significance of the Study

With the increase in traffic volume and significant variation in daily and

seasonal temperature, it is important that pavements fulfill the durability and

security requirements, providing users with ease and comfort. High traffic

intensity requires road characteristics to be improved. HMA with high durability

lessens the cost of maintenance, rehabilitation and operational cost

throughout the pavement service life.

Environmental problems regarding plastic pollution is now a major

global concern. Plastics are cheap, strong and deliver significant benefits to

the society and have become a part of people’s daily life. Because of the rapid

growth of human population, waste plastic production increases significantly

with limited ways of disposal. It is incinerated, if not reused, or through land-

fills which has great impact in the environment. Due to the problems regarding

waste plastic, researchers thought of solutions that might solve these

problems. Because plastic is flexible, water resistant and heat combustible

material, it is highly suitable to become a component of asphalt mix.

Effective use of waste plastic will help to reduce its harmful

environmental effects. Instead of being incinerated and discarded in landfills, it

will be reused and into a useful material to economically improve the selected

properties of HMA. Motorists would benefit from the improved road conditions

because the need for vehicle repairs due to beat-up road is reduced.
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Additionally, the need for maintenance and rehabilitation would also

reduce traffic disturbance and lessen inconvenience to the commuters.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to reinforce Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)

with of Polypropylene (PP) fibers. It also aims to investigate the selected

physical and mechanical properties of HMA reinforced with varying amount of

PP fibers. Specifically, to determine:

1. the stability of HMA reinforced with PP fibers in accordance to the

Marshall Mix Method.

2. the flow value of HMA reinforced with PP fibers in accordance to the

Marshall Mix Method.

3. the air void content of HMA reinforced with PP fibers in accordance to

the Marshall Mix Method.

Expected Output

After the conduct of the study, the output is a Hot mix Asphalt (HMA)

reinforced with Polypropylene (PP) fibers.

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Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study will focus only on the use of waste Polypropylene (PP),

primarily waste banana twine, as fiber reinforcement to determine the specific

physical and mechanical properties of HMA.

Place and Time of the Study

The study will be conducted at the Provincial Engineers Office- Asphalt

Laboratory Plant at Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on January 2020. The physical

evaluation of aggregate, bitumen and testing will be performed at the same

office. The gathering and cutting of waste PP twine will be performed at

Tulunan, North Cotabato.

Operational Definition of Terms

This gives the definition of terms that are used in the study.

Aggregates are composed of coarse and fine aggregates that would serve as

the major component of the HMA following the Grading D requirement

established by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Bitumen is a black or brown petroleum-like substance that would serve as the

binding agent for HMA samples.

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Flow is the total vertical deformation when no load is applied to HMA samples

and when it the maximum load is reached during the Marshall stability

test.

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) must be thoroughly heated during mixing using dry

process and during compaction of specimens.

Stability is the maximum load capacity of HMA reached during the Marshall

stability test.

Conceptual Framework of the Study

Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework of the study. It illustrates the

independent and dependent variables of the study.

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Varying percentage of PP
Physical and Mechanical
fibers to be added to HMA Properties of HMA

0.0% Fiber Content

 Stability

0.3% Fiber Content  Flow Value

 Air Void Content

0.5% Fiber Content

1.0% Fiber Content

Fig. 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study