J. Environ. Res. Develop.

Journal of Environmental Research And Development Vol. 9 No. 3A, January-March 2015
Short Communication (T-III)
CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRONIC WASTE IN QUALITY
ENHANCEMENT OF ROAD
Tapase Rajashree1, Kadam Digvijay* and Tapase Anand2
1. Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Annasaheb Dange
College of Engineering and Technology, Ashta, Sangli, Maharashtra (INDIA)
2. Department of Civil Engineering, K. B. P. College of Engineering and Polytechnic,
Satara, Maharastra (INDIA)

Received September 13, 2014 Accepted January 27, 2015

ABSTRACT
The work consists of an experimental approach towards waste management and finding an alternative
to conventional materials in flexible pavements. Most of the electronic waste is recyclable or
repairable, but number of worthless electronic pieces causes higher transportation cost for their
processing which may be higher than its scrap value. So, such electronic waste is disposed very
casually, which may cause serious health and pollution problems. Also the disposal of electronic
waste is difficult because of non-degradable plastic contents and metals like lithium, copper and
aluminum, which may lead to adverse effects on the environment. To deal with the problem, here an
attempt is made to study the use of electronic waste as an alternative to conventional material like
aggregate in a DBM layer of flexible pavement. Number of laboratory tests are carried out by
replacing aggregates partially by shredded electronic waste. The outcomes from the laboratory
investigation proves the suitability of electronic waste in road construction with substantial cost
saving. So, disposal of hazardous electronic waste in the pavement can prove to be one of the
alternatives to make the earth greener and pavements more durable.
Key Words : Waste management, Electronic waste, Pavement, Non-degradable plastic,
Ecofriendly disposal

INTRODUCTION and unsafe exposure during recycling and

Due to the modernization, falling prices and
application of new and upgrading techniques, the
electronic equipments are gathering much
attention across the globe. As modern and most
upgraded version is bought, the older one
becomes scrap which results in a fast-growing
surplus of electronic waste around the globe.
Most of the electronic waste is recyclable or
repairable, but number of worthless pieces causes
higher transportation cost for their processing
which may be higher than its scrap value. So,
such electronic waste is disposed very casually,
which may cause serious health and pollution
problems.
All electronic scrap components, may contain
contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium,
or brominated flame retardants. E-waste may
involve significant risk as leaking of materials
*Author for correspondence
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disposal operations like landfills and
incineration. Use of such materials as an
alternative to conventional material in the
construction industry may not only helps in
reducing the manufacturing cost of a particular
item, but also has numerous indirect benefits
such as reduction in landfill cost, saving in
energy and protecting the environment from
possible pollution effects. Electronic waste,
abbreviated as e-waste, consists of discarded
old computers, televisions, refrigerators, radios
basically any electrical or electronic appliance
that has reached its end of life.
On the other hand, with increased industriali
zation and growth of population there is an
increase in demand for traditional road
construction materials such as bitumen, cement,
aggregate etc. the question is about sustainable
development. For the same, the need arises to
find an alternative to such type of conventional

Journal of Environmental Research And Development
materials which are on the verge of getting
exhausted.
With developments in science and technology,
the use of non-decaying materials such as plastic,
blast furnace slag, scrap tyres, electronic waste,
etc. offer an economically viable and sustainable
alternative towards increasing demand for better
road construction.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To study the use of electronic waste in a DBM
layer of flexible pavement. To find an alternative
method for disposal of electronic waste in eco-
friendly way. To find a suitable alternative over
conventional materials with cost reduction and
improvement in strength and other parameters in
flexible pavements. To use waste materials in
flexible pavement without increasing cost per
unit and without sacrificing durability.
In this work, focus has been given on the strength
of flexible pavement and disposal of electronic
waste in ecofriendly way. To deal with the
problem, attempt is made for use of electronic
waste as a partial volumetric replacement to
aggregate.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) has served
reasonably well in the past but there is a need to
re-examine its design to with stand increased
stresses. Most asphalt technologist believes that
fundamental changes must be made in the
composition of DBM and its testing methods.
Though, there are many methods being followed,
the basic principle behind them is to arrive at the
optimum binder content, given the gradation
selected and the mechanical properties desired.
The most common method which simulates the
field conditions being practiced is the Marshall
Stability method.1 In this paper, the specimen
used is prepared as per standard Marshall
stability test (ASTM D 1559), which is the
cylindrical 100mm diameter compacted with
Marshall compacting hammer on either side with
75 number blows and loaded circumferentially.2
Overall, 60 specimens were prepared for
different percent of bitumen content. It was
4.5%, 5%, 5.5% and 6% by weight of the
aggregates. Also, aggregates were partially
replaced by electronic waste in shredded form
with 7.5%, 10%, 12.5% and 15% by volume of
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J. Environ. Res. Develop.
Vol. 9 No. 3A, January-March 2015
mould. For accuracy averaging from 3 tests was
done. It is reported by various researchers from
their laboratory investigations that materials like
waste plastic, electronic waste can be
successfully used in road construction. As per the
results available almost 10% of the bitumen can
be replaced by plastic waste in the bituminous
layer dry process and 7.5% bitumen can be
replaced by plastic through wet process 3,4
M. S. Ranadive et. al.5 investigated that filler
replacement of fly ash and e-waste for asphalt
and aggregate respectively enhances properties
of bituminous concrete along with the reduction
in cost. The bitumen used to be about 60-70
penetration grade with 4.5 %, 5 % and 5.5%, 6 %
along with 5%, 10% and 15% replacement of e-
waste for aggregate by volume.6
It is reported that, flow rate increases along
with increase in bitumen, that also with
increase in e-waste content, as cohesive
properties of aggregates are reduced after
addition with e-waste.7,8 They also found that,
modified mix with 5.5 % bitumen content and
10 % e-waste replacements gives the best
results for stability. Standard control mix
samples give 2.4gm/cc bulk density, wherein
it decreases with increase in e-waste addition.
Sample of a modified mix of 5.5% bitumen
content and 10% e-waste content gives
reduced 3.12 % bulk density. This paper
explains that modified mixes show the
varying nature of percentage air voids and
V.M.A and thus a perfect zone is not
observed. Overall it is observed that 5.5 %
bitumen content with 10 % e-waste gives
maximum stability.9-11
Thus the paper gives that partial replacement of
e-waste is technically feasible, where 5.5 %
bitumen content and 10 % e-waste replacements
attains 11.28 % higher stability than control mix.
In case of cost effectiveness 10 % aggregate and
5.33 percent bitumen saving is achieved so
construction cost is reduced.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Bitumen is a sticky, black and highly viscous
liquid or semi-solid, in some natural deposits. It
is also the residue or by-product of fractional
distillation of crude petroleum. Bitumen
composed primarily of highly condensed poly
cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, containing 95%
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Journal of Environmental Research And Development Vol. 9 No. 3A, January-March 2015
carbon and hydrogen. The bitumen of 80/100 bitumen are given in Table 1. Number of tests
penetration grade are used as binders in the were carried out on aggregate the results
present work and the physical properties of obtained are shown in Table 2.
Table 1 : Physical properties of bitumen
Results Permissible as
S/N Tests conducted Unit Reference
obtained per MORTH4
1 Ductility cm IS 1208-1978 70.54 cm 75 cm minimum
2 Softening point °C IS 1205-1978 48.25°C 40°C-55°C

3 Penetration mm IS 1203-1978 90 80/100

4 Specific gravity g/c IS 1202-1978 1.03 ≥ 1.00

Table 2 : Physical properties of aggregates

Actual Permissible value as per
S/N Property Name of the test
value MORTH4
Crushing strength 19.7 % 30 % Maximum
1 For strength Los Angeles abrasion 16.77 % 30 % Maximum
value
Impact value 14.45% 24 % Maximum
Average specific Specific gravity 2.6 2-3
2
gravity
3 Water absorption Water absorption 1.26 % 2 % Maximum
Flakiness 12 % 30 % Maximum
5 Particle shape
Elongation 14 % 30 % Maximum
Coating and stripping
Retained
6 Stripping of bitumen aggregate Minimum retained 95%
97 %
mixture
Experimental results from tests performed on content with a 7.5 % aggregate replaced by
bituminous concrete specimens to know the e-waste shows increased stability keeping all
stability, flow value, bulk density, percent the other parameters within limits. But as the
air voids and percent V.M.A. are obtained. e-waste percentage goes on increasing
Considering stability as main parameter, it beyond 7.5% decrease in stability is
is observed (Fig. 1) that at 5.5 % bitumen observed.

10
9
8 Control Mix
Stabilty (KN)

7 7.5% aggregate
6 replaced by e-waste
10% aggregate
5 replaced by e-waste
12.5% aggregate
4 replaced by e-waste
3 15% aggregate
replaced by e-waste
2
4.5 5 5.5 6
Bitumen content

Fig. 1 : Stability (KN) Vs Bitumen content (Percentage)

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Journal of Environmental Research And Development
CONCLUSION
From the experimental study, it is observed
that the 7.5 % of aggregate can be
volumetrically replaced by e-waste in DBM
layer having 5.5 % optimum bitumen content.
As, the e-waste percentage goes on increasing
beyond 7.5% decrease in stability is observed
clearly indicating negative results from excess
use of e-waste. The outcomes from the
laboratory investigation proves the suitability
of electronic waste in road construction with
substantial cost saving. So, disposal of
hazardous electronic waste in the pavement
can prove to be one of the alternatives to make
the earth greener and pavements more durable.
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