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Use of Plastic Waste Along with Bitumen in

Construction of Flexible Pavements
Rajneesh Kumar Maaz Allah Khan
Lucknow Institute of Technology Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University,
Lucknow

Abstract:- The most common sources of waste products are more waste generated from the households daily.
from the growth of various industries and increase in According to surveys plastic constitutes 5% in municipal
population. The type of waste which is most hazardous to the wastes which is toxic. Plastic bags are the most commonly
nature is the Plastic Waste. The main concern about the found sources of plastic wastes, we come to see littering of
plastic waste is its non-biodegradability. According to recent
researches plastic waste when mixed with bitumen gives it
plastics result into the choking of drains etc. this results
desired mechanical properties. Bitumen is primarily used in into stagnation of water and results to ill hygiene of the
the construction of flexible pavements and when it is mixed locality.The only way to overcome these problems is to
with plastic waste it improves the water resistivity, capacity reuse the plastic effectively. During recent researches it has
and stability of the mix. Laboratory test have proved that it been inferred that waste plastic when mixed up with hot
can be used as a binder material in the bitumen mix for aggregate will form a fine plastic coat over it and when
construction of flexible pavements. Plastic waste percentage in mixed up with the binder gives it a higher strength, high
bitumen has to be checked. Marshal stability test is the most water resistance and enhanced performance over a period
commonly used method to relate with field conditions. The of time. Waste materials usually constitutes of plastic bags,
samples used are made up with bitumen concrete commonly
called Asphalt in which plastic content and bitumen are kept
laminated pouches, disposable cups etc. The use of plastic
at various percentages in each of the sample. The tests have with bitumen in construction of flexible pavements not
shown positive results and gives a scope of further practical only increases its smoothness and life but helps in reducing
implementations. The basic objective of the test is to find out the cost of project and also contributes into an ecofriendly
the optimum percentage of plastic waste which can overrule environment. The plastic roads are found to give better
the bitumen content in the mix for the design of flexible results and performance compared to the conventional
pavements. The basic intention behind this study is to replace bitumen roads. The use of bitumen was reduced to 10% on
bitumen by a conventional and non-biodegradable material introduction of plastic waste as filler materials. It also
which is the plastic waste. enhances the strength and performance of the roads. Plastic
Keywords: Flexible Pavements, Plastic Waste, Bitumen
filling increases the melting point of the bitumen. The
plastic waste mixing improves the abrasion and slip
INTRODUCTION resistance of flexible pavements allows us to calculate
splitting tensile strength when the plastic mixed is beyond
Disposal of various types of waste in different place from 30% of the weight of the mix. There are specified mixing
various sources has been a matter of concern from a long time, mixing temperature and modifier content for all
time. These materials cause different types of pollution to polymers, in case of not following the specifications it may
the environment. The plastic material is non-biodegradable lead to premature failures. Plastic roads can prove to be a
making them inexhaustible in nature and start to collect at next step to developing India. This will also facilitate in
an exponential rate. The cost of extraction of good quality overcoming the plastic disposal problems in the World.
material has increased due to the effect of existence of
these materials in our environment. Exponential increase in OBJECTIVES
the population and the expansion of industries has resulted
into the considerable disposal of the plastic wastes. The Basic intention behind this research is to utilize the waste
plastics that can be used are polyethene, polypropylene, plastic efficiently in a constructive way such that it proves
polyamide, polyoxymethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene and to be useful to the society.
polyethylene terephthalate. Thermoplastics have got Main objectives of this project work are:
properties by the help of which it expands and softens • To coat the aggregates with waste plastic materials.
when heated and regains its normal shape at the room • Check the properties of various bitumen mixes.
temperature. Thermoplastics can easily be moulded or • Check the properties of bitumen mix after the coating
shaped into various products such as milk jugs, floor the waste plastic materials.
coverings, credit cards and carpet fibers. These types of • Compare the bituminous mixes with plastic waste
plastics are known as phenolic, melamine, unsaturated coating and conventional ones.
polymers, epoxy resin, silicone and polyurethane. Recent
studies tell that plastics remain unchanged for more than
4500 years depending upon the rise in food demands and
essentials. Also, the increasing population results into

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PROPOSED METHODOLOGY drastically at various temperatures. In Superpave

specifications, only the acceptable testing values that are
The properties of aggregate and bitumen are investigated suggested, and not the test temperatures. The standard
by following tests: temperatures are extracted out of most prevalent maximum
A. Test for aggregate and minimum temperatures at the field at pre- mentioned
• Sieve Analysis of Aggregates probability level. Rolling Thin Film Test (RTFO),
• Specific Gravity & Water Absorption Test [IS: Rotational Viscometer, Pressurized Aging Vessel(PAV),
2386] Direct Tension Tester, Bending Beam Rheometer,
• Aggregate Impact Value Test [ Dynamic Shear Rheometer are the recommended tests in
IS:2386(Part4)1963] Super pave Binder Selections [Super pave 1997, 2001].
2) Aggregate
• Aggregate Crushing Value Test [ IS:2386 (part 4)
To judge the properties of aggregates there are number of
1963]
tests recommended in the specifications like strength,
• Flakiness & Elongation Index [is:2386 (Part1) toughness, angularity, clay content, hardness, durability,
1963] shape factors, adhesion to binders etc. Angularity is a
B. Test for Bitumen property that ensures shear strength due to aggregate
• Penetration Test [IS 1203-1978] interlocking, and limiting flakiness assures that aggregates
• Softening Point Test [IS :1205-1978] will not break during Compaction and Handling.
• Ductility Test[IS:105-1978] E. Various Mix Design Approaches:
• Viscosity Test There are number of approaches rather than a unified
approach towards bituminous mix design, and each has its
• Flash Point and Fire Point specific merits and demerits. Steps summarize some
C. Preparation of Design Mix important bituminous design approaches as follows:
• Recipe Method
1) Plain Bituminous Mix
Bitumen is a black, oily, viscous material which is an • Analytical Method
organic byproduct of decomposed organic material and is • Performance Related Approach
naturally originated. Also known as asphalt or tar, bitumen • Mix Design Method
was usually mixed with various materials throughout • Empirical Mix Design Method
prehistory and all over the world for use as a sealant,
• Volumetric Method
adhesive, building mortar, incense, and decorative
Bituminous Mix Design are selected on the performance
application on pots, buildings, or human skin. The material
based approaches. There is a time to time change in
was widely used in waterproofing canoes and other ways of
requirement of a good Bituminous Mix Design.
water transport.
F. Coated Bituminous Mix:
A well-prepared design of bituminous mix is considered to
Waste plastic generation is increasing day to day. The most
result in a mix which is satisfactorily
common polymers are polyethylene; polystyrene and
• Strong polypropylene sow an adhesive nature in the molten state.
• Durable The plastic coated aggregate bitumen mix form better
• Resistive to fatigue and permanent deformation materials for the construction of flexible pavements and
• Environment friendly also shows higher stable values of Marshall Stability
• Economical etc Values and suitable Marshall Coefficient. Hence most
appropriate and easy method of plastic wastes is its use in
D. Selection of Mix Constituents flexible pavements. Polymer coated aggregates show a
Blinder and aggregates are the two main constituents of better result than the polymer modified bitumen under
bituminous mix. The section discusses some of the issues many aspects. The binding property and thermal behavior
involved in selection of binder and aggregates. studies promoted a study on the bitumen-plastic waste
1) Binder blend and the properties to find the suitability of the blend
Selection of binders is based on Simple Tests and other for construction of roads. Various procedures that can be
site-specific requirements. The test could depend on the carried out for using plastic waste for the construction of
different types of binder viz. penetration grade, emulsion, roads:
cutback, modified binder etc... For most of the test, the 1) Mixing Procedure at Hot Mix Plant:
testing conditions are pre-fixed in the specifications. 1) Step I: Plastics waste like bags, bottles made out of PE
Temperature is a vital parameter which has a direct and PP cut into a size between 2.36 mm and 4.75mm using
influence on the modulus and the aging of the binder. shredding machine. Care should be taken that PVC waste
Superpave specifications [Superpave 1997, 2001] suggest should be eliminated before it proceeds into next process.
that these acceptability test should be carried out at relative 2) Step II: The aggregate mix is heated to 1650C and then
field temperature, not in the lab specified temperatures. it is transferred to mixing chamber. Similarly, the bitumen
This consideration is important because binders extracted is to be heated up to a maximum of 1600C. This is done so
from various sources may show same physical properties at as to obtain a good binding and to prevent weak bonding.
particular temperatures, but the performance may vary

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During this process monitoring the temperature is very G. Mixing by Central Mixing Plant (CMP)
important. The dry process is also carried out using central mixing
3) Step III: At the mixing chamber, the shredded plastics plant. The shredded plastic is mixed with the aggregate in
waste is added over the hot aggregate. It gets coated the conveyor belt. This is transferred into the hot cylinder.
uniformly over the aggregate within 30 to 45 seconds. It There aggregate is coated firstly with plastic and later on
gives an oily coated look to the aggregate. with the bitumen. The mixer so prepared is then loaded in
4) Step IV: The plastics waste coated aggregate is mixed the dipper lorry and transported for road laying. CMP gives
with hot bitumen. Then this final resulted mix is used for a better control of temperature and better mixing of this
laying roads. The road laying temperature is between material thus helping to have a uniform coating.
110oC 120OC. The roller used should be of is 8-ton
capacity DATA COLLECTION AND ITS ANALYSIS
2) Mixing by Mini Hot Mix Plant:
1) Step I: Plastic waste made out of PE, PP and PS cut into Investigation of plastic waste materials aggregates and
a size between 2.36mm and 4.75mm using shredding bitumen requires various field test and lab tests. This
machine. section tells us about the physical requirement of
2) Step II: Similarly, the bitumen is to be heated to a aggregates and bitumen, the properties of plastic and
maximum of 1600C to have good binding and to prevent preparation plastic waste materials for shredding on
weak bonding. (Monitoring the temperature is very aggregates.
important) A. Aggregates
3) Step III: At the mixing chamber the shredded plastic The aggregates are bound together either by cement or by
waste is to be added to the hot aggregate. It gets coated bituminous materials. Sometimes, the rock dust itself when
uniformly over the aggregate within 30 Secs, giving an oily mixed with water forms slurry which behaves as a binding
look Plastic coated aggregate is obtained. medium.
4) Step IV: Hot bitumen is then added over the plastic- The aggregates may be classified into:
coated aggregate and the resulting mix is used for road 1) Natural Aggregates: Further classified into
construction. The road laying temperature is between • Coarse aggregates consisting of crushed rock
1100C to 1200C. The roller used is 8-ton capacity. aggregates
• Gravels and fine aggregates or sand

2) Artificial Aggregates
Stone aggregate used for road work should be hard, tough,
durable and hydrophobic for bituminous surface. Gravel
should be well graded (6.4mm to 38mm) and should have a
fineness modulus of not less than 5.75. Sand should be
sharp, well graded, clean of all silts, clay and organic
matter.
The quantity of aggregates used in first coat of surface
dressing should be 0.15 m3 per 10 m2 area of 12mm
nominal size. On the other hand, the quantity of aggregate
used in second coat of surface dressing should be 0.15 m3
per 10 m2 areas and of 10mm nominal size.

Sr. No Test Permissible values

Abrasion Test
35%
1. a. Using Los Angeles machine (max)
30%
b. Aggregates impact test (max)
2. Stripping test (max) 25%
Water absorption (expect in the case
3. 1%
of slag) max
Soundness test: Loss with Sodium
4. Sulphate 5 cycles (in case of slag 12%
only) max
Weight unit or Bulk density (in slag
5. 1120 per m3
only)
Physical Requirements of Coarse Aggregates
Aggregate: Aggregate of 20mm, 10 mm, Stone Dust and Lime as Filler

B. Bitumen

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Bitumen is most commonly used binder in pavements • Polyesters

constructions. According to the definition given by the • Polyurethanes
American Society of Testing Materials bitumen has been • Halogenated plastics
defined as “Mixtures of hydrocarbons of natural or
• Silicones
pyrogenous origin, or combination of both, frequently
There are two types of plastics:
accompanied by their non-metallic derivatives, which may
be gaseous, liquid, semi-solid or solid, and which are • Thermoplastics: They are the plastics that do not
completely soluble in carbon disulphide.” undergo chemical change in their composition when heated
When petroleum crude is refined in a refinery, they are and can be moulded again and again. Examples include
separated by fractional distillation in the order of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl
decreasing volatility. On distillation of the residual chloride, and polytetra fluoro ethylene (PTFE).
bituminous residue, straight-run bitumen is obtained. This • Thermosetting: In the thermosetting process, a
bitumen is known as penetration grade bitumen or steam chemical reaction occurs that is irreversible. The
refined petroleum bitumen. In most parts of India 80/100 vulcanization of rubber is a thermosetting process. Before
and 180/200 grade bitumen is used. The grade of straight heating with sulfur, the polyisoprene is a tacky, slightly
run bitumen is chosen depending upon the climatic runny material, but after vulcanization the product is rigid
conditions of the region in which surface dressing is to be and non-tacky.
constructed. The grade of basic bitumen is altered either by
controlled refining or by mixing with diesel oil or other D. Classification of Plastic Waste:
oils. 1) Polyethylene:
For single dressings on WBM base course, quantity of • LDPE (Low Density Poly-Ethylene): Low density
bitumen needed ranges from 17 to 195 kg per 10 m2 areas poly-ethylene this plastic waste available in the form of
and 10 to 12 kg per 10 m2 area in case of renewal of black carry bags generally in stores these plastic bags are very
top surfacing. For second coat of surface dressing, the thin and also easily available.
quantity of bitumen needed ranges from 10 to 12 kg per 10 • HDPE (High Density Poly-Ethylene): Generally
m2 area. Bulk bitumen Lorries with tanks of capacity High-density poly-ethylene type of plastic waste is
ranging from 5000 to 15000 liters are used to transport available in the form of carry bags and easily available in
bulk bitumen. As per PMC, the bitumen content in a mix the market.
should be 4% of weight by total mix for B.M. 2) Polypropylene:
The paving bitumen available in India is classified into two This plastic may be available in the form of carry bags or
categories: solid plastic it’s depend upon the use and need of the
• Paving bitumen from Assam petroleum denoted as industries. It is available in the form of plastic bottles and
A-type and designated as grades A35, A90, etc. mat sheets etc
• Paving bitumen from other sources denoted as S-
type and designated as grades S35, S90, etc. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Types of Bitumen used in India:
• Road Tar: This bituminous material is obtained by On the basis of above methodology, various aspects
the destructive distillation of organic matters such as wood, regarding the Polymer coated aggregates are being
coal shale etc. In the process of destructive distillation, the discussed below:
carbonation results in the production of crude tar which is A. Aggregate Impact Value
further refined by distillation process. The coating of plastics improves Aggregate Impact Value,
thus improving the quality of the aggregate. Moreover, a
• Cut-back bitumen: The asphaltic bitumen is very poor quality of aggregate can be made useful by coating
often mixed with comparatively volatile solvents to with polymers. It helps to improve the quality of flexible
improve the workability of the material. The solvent gets pavement. This shows that the toughness of the aggregate
evaporated leaving behind the particles together. This to face the impacts. Its range should be less than 10%.
cutback bitumen is classified into slow, medium and rapid B. Aggregate Crushing Value
curing depending upon the type of solvent used. The aggregate with lower crushing value indicate a lower
• Emulsions: An emulsion is a mixture of normally crushed fraction under load and would give a longer
two immiscible liquids. Asphalt gets broken up into minute service life to the road. Weaker aggregate would get
globules in water in the presence of the emulsifiers. It crushed under traffic load. It is clearly seen from Table-
improves the workability of bitumen or asphalt. As a result that plastic-coated aggregates shows the lower crushing
of emulsification, asphalt is available at normal value and which can be withstand to traffic load more
temperature in the liquid form. efficiently than the plain aggregates. The results show that
Bitumen: 60/70, 80/100 grade bitumen. the aggregates are within the range according to ISS. Its
C. Plastic Material range should be less than 30-35%.
Plastics are usually classified by their chemical structure of C. Specific Gravity
the polymer's backbone and side chains. Some important The specific gravity of an aggregate is an indirect measure
groups in these classifications are of its strength. The more specific gravity the more is the
• Acrylics strength. The value of specific gravity of plain aggregate is

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less as compare to that of plastic coated aggregate. Since plastics improved its quality with respect to moisture
aggregates having low specific gravity are generally absorption. The coating of plastic decreases the moisture
weaker than those with higher specific gravity values, the absorption and helps to improve the quality of the
results say that the specific gravity of the aggregates are aggregate and its performance in the flexible pavement.
increased increasing its strength. Its range should be within The results show that the moisture absorption of the
2.5-3.0%. aggregate is within the range of IRC specifications which
D. Stripping Value reduced to nil due to coating. Its range should be less than
Stripping value gives the effects of moisture upon the 10%.
adhesion of bituminous film to the surface particles of the F. Los Angeles Abrasion Value
aggregate. The plastic coating to aggregates gives the nil The repeated movement of the vehicle will produce some
value of stripping. It indicates that the aggregates are more wear and tear over the surface of pavement. This test gives
suitable for bituminous road construction than plain that wear and tear in percentage. Under this study the
aggregates. The results obtained of the control specimen percentage of wear and tear values of plastic coated
are within the range of the IRC standards whereas coating aggregate is found to be in decreasing order with respect to
of the aggregate reduces the affinity of the aggregate the percentage of plastics. When the Los Angeles abrasion
towards water. Its range should be less than 25%. value of plain aggregate value is compared with the plastic-
E. Water Absorption coated aggregates the values are less for coated aggregates.
The aggregate is chosen also on the basis of the moisture The results obtained are within the range hence can be used
absorption capacity. The aggregate when coated with for the construction. Its range should be less than 35%.

G. Results of tests on aggregates:

Los
Aggregate Aggregate
Moisture Angeles Stripping
Percentage Impact Crushing Specific
Absorption Abrasion Value
of Plastic Value Value Gravity
(%) Value (%)
(%) (%)
(%)
Control
1.7 5.43 19.2 13.42 2.45 8
Specimen
PP8 Nil 4.91 13.33 10.74 2.7 Nil
PP10 Nil 4.26 9.82 9.41 2.85 Nil
Observation Table for Aggregates Test Results
H. Results of Tests on Bitumen:
Test Result Ranges
Ductility Test 77.50 cm Min 40
Penetration value 63 mm 60-70 mm
Viscosity value 50.1 sec -
Softening Point 48.250 C 45-600C
Flash Point Test 2800C >650-175C
Fire Point Test 302 >650-175C

CONCLUSION value indicates strong aggregates, as the crushed fraction is

low.
Plastic coating on aggregates is used for the better
performance of roads. This helps to have a better binding 3) Specific Gravity of the aggregate increases from 2.45 for
of bitumen with plastic wasted coated aggregate due to control specimen to 2.7 for PP8 and 2.85 for PP10 due to
increased bonding and increased area of contact between plastic coating.
polymers and bitumen. The polymer coating also reduces
the voids. This prevents the moisture absorption and 4) Stripping Value was reduced from 8% for control
oxidation of bitumen by entrapped air. This has resulted in specimen to nil for PP8 and PP10. This shows that coated
reducing rutting, raveling and there is no pothole aggregate is more suitable for bituminous construction than
formation. The roads can withstand heavy traffic and show plain aggregates.
better durability.
5) Water Absorption is also reduced to nil for PP8 and
1) Aggregate Impact value of control specimen was 5.43%.
PP10 from 1.7% for control specimen.
It reduced to 4.91% for PP8 and 4.26% for PP10.
Reduction in value was 10% for PP8 and 22% for PP10.
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Vol. 9 Issue 03, March-2020

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