Utilisation of Melted Plastics as Partial Replacement for Binder in Asphalt Production

Abstract

This study considers using melted waste plastics to partially replace the binder (bitumen) in asphalt production. The use of waste plastics in bituminous mixes enhances its properties, strength and it will serve as remedy to unhealthy plastic disposal. The waste plastic used are poly-ethylene, poly-styrene, poly-propylene. In the research work, the Optimum Binder Content (OBC) of asphalt concrete which was obtained to be 5.5% of bitumen by weight of the overall mix and was replaced as follows; 0%:5.5%, 0.5%:5%, 1%:4.5%, 1.5%:4%, 2%:3.5%, 2.5%:3%, 3%:2.5%, 3.5%:2%, 4%:1.5%, 4.5%:1%, 5%:0.5% (bitumen:plastic). After which Stability test was carried out on the samples. A comparison of the plastic waste replacement and non-replacement asphalt concrete showed that the stability of replacement increased. The maximum stability of plastic waste modified asphalt concrete was recorded at 1%:4.5% (bitumen:plastic) replacement with the stability of 2,054Kg. Therefore, addition of plastic in asphalt proves that it improves the properties of asphalt.