Effect of Waste Thermoplastics on Properties of Warm Mix Asphalt

Ahmad Mancy Mosa; Kadhim Hlail Sultan; Lubna Abdulrahman; Maher Fadhil Abdulameer

doi:10.14513/actatechjaur.01049

Authors

Ahmad Mancy Mosa Department of Highway and Transportation Engineering, College of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
Kadhim Hlail Sultan Department of Highway and Transportation Engineering, College of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
Lubna Abdulrahman Department of Civil Engineering, AL-Mansour University College, Baghdad, Iraq
Maher Fadhil Abdulameer Department of Civil Engineering, AL-Mansour University College, Baghdad, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14513/actatechjaur.01049

Keywords:

WMA, Thermoplastic waste, Mixture properties, Rutting resistance, Tensile strength, Optimum dose

Abstract

Since road projects are among the largest projects and can consume large quantities of materials, and given the significant accumulation of plastic waste worldwide, using this waste in road construction projects contributes to sustainability. In the context of sustainability in the road sector, the use of warm asphalt mixes (WMA) instead of hot mixes comes to mind, as they consume less energy, thereby reducing carbon emissions and lowering costs. Combining these two factors maximizes sustainability benefits. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the effects of three types of thermoplastic waste materials (TPWM), namely Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), in addition to a blend of these three materials in equal proportions (abbreviated as BL), on the properties of WMA. These TPWMs were mixed with WMA at aggregate weight percentages of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, and 1.2%. The properties studied included Marshall properties, rutting resistance, and tensile strength. The study showed that adding the optimal doses of TPWMs increases the mix's density, stability, stiffness, rutting resistance, and tensile strength. The study revealed that the optimal percentages are 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.6%, and 0.6% for PET, PP, HDPE, and BL, respectively. It also showed that HDPE is the best, as adding the optimal percentage of it to WMA increases its G_mb, Marshall Stability, Marshall Stiffness, unconditioned ITS, and conditioned ITS by 0.4%, 25%, 42%, 13%, and 18%, respectively, whereas decreasing rut depth by about 28%.

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