Incorporation of Waste Plastics in Bituminous Pavements to Improve Durability
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Abstract
The growing accumulation of plastic waste and the durability limitations of conventional bituminous pavements present pressing challenges for sustainable infrastructure development. This study investigates the incorporation of waste plastics—specifically high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—into asphalt mixtures to enhance pavement performance and promote circular economy practices. Using both the dry and wet modification processes, asphalt samples were prepared with varying plastic contents (0%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10% by weight of bitumen) and evaluated through laboratory tests, including Marshall Stability, Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), rutting resistance, moisture susceptibility, and dynamic modulus. The results show that moderate plastic addition, particularly at 5% by weight of bitumen, significantly improves stability (20%), tensile strength (19%), stiffness, and resistance to rutting and moisture damage compared to conventional mixes. However, excessive plastic (>7%) slightly reduces flexibility and workability due to increased brittleness. The findings confirm that waste-plastic-modified asphalt enhances pavement durability while reducing environmental impacts and landfill dependency. The study supports the integration of recycled plastics in road construction as a viable, eco-efficient, and cost-effective solution for sustainable pavement engineering.
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