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Presentation on
“USE OF PLASTIC WASTE IN BITUMINOUS PAVEMENT”
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Group Members
M. HASSAAN TARIQ (FA20-CVE-069)
WASEEM KHAN (FA20-CVE-072)
UMAR NAVEED CHEEMA (FA20-CVE-073)
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Abstract

• The report discusses the potential of plastic pavement as a solution for addressing the
environmental threat posed by waste plastic and the issues of potholes and corrugation on
highways.
• It explores the benefits of incorporating waste plastic into bituminous pavements, including
improved strength, increased resistance, and enhanced performance over time.
• The report reviews previous studies on the use of plastic additives in asphalt mixtures,
highlighting the advantages of polymer-modified bitumen and the potential of waste plastic
as a partial replacement for conventional materials in road construction.
• It presents a case study on the development and implementation of plastic roads, emphasizing
their sustainable nature, improved durability, and potential for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and pollution.
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Introduction

• Improper disposal of waste plastic and the presence of potholes and corrugation on highways are significant
environmental and infrastructure challenges.
• Plastic pavement emerges as a promising solution due to the durability and slow degradation of plastic.
• Extensive research has been conducted to explore reuse options for waste plastic, with incorporating it into hot
aggregates being a productive option.
• Treated aggregates with waste plastic and binder exhibit higher strength, increased resistance, and improved
performance over time.
• The use of waste plastic in pavements improves lifespan, smoothness, and offers economic and environmentally
friendly benefits.
• Plastic reduces shrinkage and drying shrinkage, improves abrasion and slip resistance, and performs well in India's
hot and humid climate.
• Utilizing plastic waste in bituminous pavements presents a promising avenue for addressing environmental
concerns and enhancing road infrastructure performance.
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Literature Review

 Numerous studies have explored the use of plastic additives in bituminous pavement.
• Dr. R. Vasudevan's research showed the superiority of polymer bitumen blends in road construction.
• Fransis Hveem developed the Hveem stabilometer to determine optimal bitumen quantities.
• Zahra Niloofar Kelantan's study demonstrated the benefits of using both recycled and virgin polymers in
asphalt pavement.
• Amit Gowanda proposed using waste plastic as a partial replacement for conventional materials in road
construction.
• Sunil J. Kulkarni's review emphasized minimizing waste materials, including plastic, in road construction.
• Rishi Singh Chhabra highlighted the need to find beneficial uses for non-biodegradable waste polythene.
• The literature supports the potential benefits of using plastic in pavement, including improved binder
properties, enhanced performance, waste management solutions, and environmental sustainability.
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Case Study
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History

• The global focus on environmental awareness led to the exploration of plastic waste in bituminous
pavement.
• Early studies aimed to understand the properties of plastic waste when combined with bitumen and
aggregates.
• Laboratory experiments optimized the dosage of plastic waste and assessed its impact on asphalt mixture
performance.
• Field trials and pilot projects evaluated the real-world performance of plastic waste-modified pavements.
• Findings from trials contributed to the development of methodologies, specifications, and guidelines for
plastic waste utilization.
• Incorporating plastic waste promotes sustainable waste management and reduces reliance on traditional
materials.
• The history of plastic waste utilization in road construction provides a foundation for future innovations in
sustainable infrastructure.
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Current Status

• The use of plastic additives in bituminous pavement is currently implemented in specific regions and
projects.
• The preparation of plastic bituminous mix involves using materials such as bitumen, plastic waste,
aggregates, fillers, additives, and solvents.
 Modified bitumen, such as polymer-modified bitumen, is often used to enhance pavement
performance.
 Plastic waste, shredded or ground into small particles, forms a fine coat over the aggregates.
 Fillers are added to improve workability and overall mix properties.
 Additives, including anti-stripping agents, stabilizers, and modifiers, can enhance specific properties of
the pavement.
 Solvents may be used to soften and blend the plastic waste with bitumen.
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Objectives

 To compare the various properties of the bituminous road and plastic bituminous road.
 To identify the optimum proportion of waste plastic to be added in the bitumen mix for
getting the required strength.
 To study the properties of Aggregate after coated with plastic.
 To convert solid waste into binder.
 To suggest safe disposal of Plastic.
 To decrease the bitumen content.
 To Increase the life of Pavement.
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Scope

 Eco-friendly nature.
 Eradicate potholes.
 Minimize global warming, greenhouse gases and pollution.
 Increase road lifespan.
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Central Mixing Plant (CMP)

• The dry process of plastic bituminous mix preparation utilizes a

central mixing plant (CMP).
• Shredded plastic is added to the aggregate on the conveyor belt
and transferred into the hot cylinder.
• In the cylinder, the aggregate is first coated with plastic and then
with bitumen.
• The resulting mixture is loaded onto a dipper lorry for
transportation to the road site.
• The CMP process offers better temperature control and improved
mixing, ensuring a uniform coating.
• To assess performance, testing is conducted on normal
aggregates and plastic-coated aggregates.
• Bitumen and modified bitumen (with 10% of bitumen replaced
by plastic) are also tested.
• The comparative study helps evaluate the properties and
suitability of the plastic bituminous mix for road construction.
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Tests

The various tests that are carried out for the comparative study are:

Test on aggregates:
i. Aggregate crushing test
ii. Los Angeles abrasion test
iii. Impact test

Test on bitumen:
i. Penetration test
ii. Softening point test
iii. Viscosity test
iv. Marshall Stability test
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Test on Aggregates
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Aggregate Crushing Test
• Aggregate crushing test is used to assess the strength of the coarse
aggregate.
• The test measures the resistance of the aggregate to crushing
under gradually applied compressive load.
• The aggregate crushing value provides a relative measure of this
resistance.
• A high-quality pavement requires aggregates with high resistance
to crushing or low aggregate crushing value.
• This test helps in determining the suitability of aggregates for
pavement construction.
Figure 1-Aggregate Crushing Value
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Los Angeles Abrasion Test

• The Los Angeles abrasion test evaluates the percentage

wear of aggregate due to the rubbing action between the
aggregate and steel balls.
• The test assesses both the resistance to wear and impact
of the aggregate.
• The principle of the test is based on the pounding action
of the steel balls on the aggregate.
• The percentage wear obtained from the test provides an
indication of the durability and hardness of the aggregate.
• This test helps in determining the suitability of
aggregates for road construction, especially in terms of Figure 2-Aggregate Los Angeles Abrasion Value
their resistance to wear and impact.
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Impact Test

• The impact test is conducted to evaluate the toughness or

resistance of aggregates to fracture under repeated impacts.
• The aggregate impact value provides a relative measure of
the aggregate's ability to withstand impact, which differs
from its resistance to gradually increasing compressive stress.
• For aggregates to be used in the wearing course of
pavements, the aggregate impact value should generally not
exceed 30%.
• The maximum permissible value for bituminous macadam is
35%, while for water-bound macadam base course it is 40%.
• This test helps in determining the suitability of aggregates for Figure 3-Aggregate Impact Value
specific pavement layers based on their resistance to impact.
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Test on Bitumen
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Penetration Test

• The penetration test is used to determine the

hardness of bitumen.
• The test is conducted under a specific load and for a
specific duration (seconds) at a temperature of 25°C.
• The penetration value obtained from the test
indicates the softness of the bitumen. Figure 4-Test Result of Penetration Value of Bitumen Vs
• Higher penetration values indicate softer bitumen. Penetration Value (mm) Modified Bitumen
• This test is important for assessing the suitability of
bitumen for various applications, as different
projects may require bitumen with specific hardness
characteristics.
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Softening Point

• The softening point test determines the

temperature at which bitumen reaches a specific
degree of softening under specified test
conditions.
• The test is performed using a ring and ball
apparatus.
Figure 5-Test Result of Softening Point of Bitumen and
• A higher softening point indicates lower Modified Bitumen (bitumen replaced by plastic)
temperature susceptibility and is preferred in hot
climates.
• This test helps in assessing the suitability of
bitumen for different environmental conditions
and applications.
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Viscosity Test

• The viscosity test is used to measure the fluid property and resistance to flow of
bituminous material.
• Viscosity is defined as the inverse of fluidity and is a measure of consistency.
• The fluidity of the binder at the application temperature has a significant impact on the
strength characteristics of the pavement.
• By measuring viscosity, engineers can assess the flow behavior of bitumen and determine
its suitability for different applications and environmental conditions.
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Marshall Stability Test

Figure 6-Test Results of Marshall Stability test

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Results & Discussion

 The crushing value reduces from 23.32 to 14.22 for normal and plastic-coated aggregate.
The value was reduced by 40%. Lower the aggregate crushing value higher is the
strength.
 The aggregate impact value of plastic-coated aggregate was reduced by 9% than the
normal aggregate. It’s the higher toughness of plastic-coated aggregates.
 Los Angeles abrasion value indicates the hardness of the aggregates. The abrasion value
plastic coated aggregates were 21% less than the normal aggregates.
 The penetration value of bitumen is higher than the bitumen mixed with the plastic.
 The bitumen softens 10°C less than the bitumen replaced with plastic.
 The stability of modified bitumen (10% bitumen replaced by plastic) is higher than the
normal bitumen.
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Conclusion

• Incorporating plastic in bituminous pavement improves road performance and durability.

• Plastic reduces voids, moisture absorption, ruts, and pothole formation.
• Plastic pavements can withstand heavy traffic and have greater durability.
• Plastic mixtures allow for a reduction in bitumen content by 10% while increasing strength.
• Plastic roads promote environmental sustainability by using smoke absorbent materials.
• Plastic-infused pavements strengthen road infrastructure and extend road life and benefit countries
with hot and humid climates like India.
• Plastic roads contribute to environmental improvement and potential income sources.
• Utilizing plastic waste in road construction manages waste effectively and addresses road
challenges in harsh climates.
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Advantages

 Reduce the need of bitumen by around 10%.

 Develop a technology which is eco-friendly.
 Improvements in fatigue life of roads.
 Increase the strength and better performance of the road.
 Use higher percentage of plastic waste.
 The gases released during traffic conditions are absorbed by smoke absorbent.
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Disadvantages

 Toxic present in the co-mingled plastic wastes could start leaching.

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FUTURE STATUS

The future of using plastic in bituminous pavement appears promising, driven by the
growing need for sustainable infrastructure solutions. Some anticipated trends and
developments include:
• Advanced Plastic Additives
• Environmental Considerations
• Standardization and Guidelines
• Technological Advancements
• Long-Term Performance Studie
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RECOMMENDATIONS

 Encourage further research to optimize the use of plastic waste in bituminous pavement.
 Foster collaboration between government, research institutions, and industry stakeholders.
 Raise awareness and provide education on the benefits and feasibility of plastic waste
in pavement construction.
 Conduct life-cycle assessments to evaluate the overall environmental impact of using
plastic waste in bituminous pavement.
 Develop guidelines and standards for the collection, processing, and incorporation of
plastic waste in road construction.
 Investigate the effects of varying plastic content and particle size on the
performance and durability of plastic-modified pavements.
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Continued…

 Promote the adoption of plastic waste in bituminous pavement among local municipalities,
road authorities, and construction companies.
 Collaborate with waste management agencies to ensure a consistent supply of plastic waste for
road project
This innovative approach offers the opportunity to divert plastic waste from landfills, improve
pavement durability, reduce maintenance costs, and decrease carbon emissions associated with
road construction, contributing to a circular economy and a greener future.
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REFERENCES

• Indian Roads Congress IRC: 37-2012 - Guidelines for the design of flexible pavements- August 2012
• R. Vasudevan.,(2011), “A technique to dispose waste plastics in an ecofriendly way – Application in construction of flexible
pavements” Construction and Building Materials Vol. 8 Department of Chemistry, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai,
Tamil Nadu, India, pp 311–320.
• Miss Apurva J Chavan - Use of plastic waste in flexible Pavements -ISSN 2319 – 4847, Volume 2, Issue 4, April 2013
• S.S. Verma - Roads from plastic waste - The Indian Concrete Journal - November 2008
• Vinoth. N - Use of plastic wastes in road construction – Central Institutes of Plastic Engineering and technology
• Al-Hadidy A.I., Yi-qiu Tan (2009), “Effect of polyethylene on life of flexible pavements”, Construction and Building Materials,
Vol. 23
• Rishi Singh Chhabra*, SupriyaMarik - A Review Literature On The Use Of Waste Plastics And Waste Rubber Tyres In Pavement
– International Journal Of Core Engineering &Management (IJCEM) - Volume 1, Issue 1, April 2014
• Zahra Niloofar Kalantar Mohamed Rehan Karim, Abdelaziz Mahrez -A review of using waste and virgin polymer in pavement -
Construction and Building Materials 33 (2012) 55–62 11.
• Amit Gawande*, G. Zamare, V.C. Renge, Saurabh Tayde, G. Bharsakale - An overview on waste plastic utilization in asphalting
of roads - Journal of Engineering Research and Studies volume 3,2012/01-05
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