1. JAWAHARLAL NEHRU COLLEGE
OF TECHNOLOGY REWA M.P.
EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF UTILIZATION OF WASTE POLYETHYLENE IN
BITUMINOUS CONCRETE MIXES
SUBMIT BY: GUIDE BY:
GAURAV SINGH PROF. HARSH GUPTA
(0306CE19MT06)
2. ABSTRACT
Bituminous concrete (BC) is a composite material mainly used in construction projects such as
road paving, airports, parking lots, etc. It consists of asphalt or bitumen (used as a binder) and
mineral aggregates that are mixed and deposited layered and then compacted. Currently, the
constant increase in high traffic intensity in terms of commercial traffic vehicles, and the
significant variation in daily and seasonal temperature put us in a situation demanding
situation to think of some alternatives for the improvisation of the pavement characteristics
and quality through the application of some necessary modifications that satisfy both strength
and economics. Also considering the environmental approach, due to the excessive use of
polyethylenes On a day-to-day basis, the pollution of the environment is enormous. From the
polyethylenes are not biodegradable, the current need is to use the waste polyethylene for
some beneficial purposes. .
3. ABSTRACT
This thesis presents an investigation carried out to study the behavior of the mixture
of BC modified with polyethylene waste. Various percentages of polyethylene are
used for the preparation of mixtures with a rating added as indicated in the IRC Code.
The role of polyethylene in the mixture is studied various engineering properties by
preparing Marshall samples of BC mixtures with and without polymer. Marshall
properties such as stability, flow value, unit weight, air voids are used to determine
the optimum polyethylene content for the given grade of bitumen(80/100).
4. INTRODUCTION
Bituminous binders are widely used by the paving industry. A
pavement consists of different layers . The main components of
bituminous concrete (BC) are aggregate and bitumen.
Generally, all types of hard surface Pavement are classified into 2
groups
i.e. Flexible and rigid.
5. INTRODUCTION
Flexible Pavement:
If the surface layer of the pavement is bituminous it is said to be "flexible" because Traffic
loads may cause the entire pavement structure to bend or deflect.
Rigid Pavement:
If the surface layer of the pavement is PCC it is called "rigid" because The entire pavement structure may not
bend or deflect due to traffic loads. Like this Pavements are more rigid than flexible pavements due to higher
modulus Concrete simple cement of material elasticity. The important thing is that we can use Reinforcing
steel in hardened pavements, to reduce or eliminate joints.
6. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH TOPIC
This topic has been selected for the research to determine suitability of waste
plastic in road construction. This will help to increase the performance along
with decrease in cost of road as well as saving of environment degradation in
terms of reduced pollution.The uses of plastic in common practice are
increasing all over the world. However, the disposal of this plastic after its use
in huge amount has been a problem, particularly in metro cities. The mixing up
of these wastes with other bio-degradable organic waste materials in the garbage
of the urban areas generates problem.
7. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH TOPIC
Therefore, attempts are being made in some areas to limit or even to prohibit the use of
plastic for packing and other common use, so as to control this "undesirable waste material"
from getting mixed up with the other organic garbage. Being, a non- biodegradable material,
waste plastic does not decay over time. After dumped in landfills, it reaches back to
environment through air and water erosion, which choke the drains and drainage channels and
can be eaten by unsuspecting grazing animals causing them illness and death. Identification
of waste plastic salvage value and development of waste plastic so that its economic potential
can be explored. This will reduce the disposal problems as well.
So, there is a need to use plastic waste in environmental and eco-friendly way for its safe
disposal. The prime significance of this study is to find out an alternate for disposal of plastic
waste, that too with value addition in road construction along with economy.
8. OBJECTIVE
To study the physical properties of materials used for bituminous mixes.
To determine optimum bitumen content and optimal dose of waste
plastic (PET) in bituminous concrete (G-II) and dense bituminous
macadam (G-II) bituminous mixes.
To study the effect of waste plastic on various mechanical, volumetric
and rutting properties of bituminous mix and evolve utility of plastic
waste in bituminous mixes.
To develop correlation between various properties of bituminous mixes
and dependent variables.
9. LITERATURE REVIEW
1.Zoorab and Suparma (2000) studied the effect of waste plastic. They
replaced mineral aggregates with low density polyethylene of equal size. It is
observed that in case of bituminous concrete mix, by 30% replacement of
aggregates, stability value increased by 250% times as compared to
conventional material. Creep stiffness of modified mix after one hour loading
at 60°C was observed to be lower; whereas indirect tensile strength was more
as compared to conventional mix.
10. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.Panda and Mazumdar (2002) studied the behaviour of bituminous
concrete mix with modification of bitumen using low density polyethylene in
the range of 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% by weight of bitumen. Marshall
Stability, fatigue life, resilient modulus, and moisture susceptibility improved
with addition of low density polyethylene. Optimum dose of modifier was
observed as 2.5%.
3.Kumar et al. (2003) observed the behaviour of recycled plastics in
bituminous concrete mixes. Investigations on fatigue and indirect tensile
strength have shown an improvement in modified mixes as compared to
conventional mixes.
11. LITERATURE REVIEW
4.Punith and Veeraragavan (2003) observed that stability value of
bituminous concrete mix containing 8% recycled plastics increased to 1.65
times as compared to plain mixes. The fatigue life of bituminous concrete mix
modified with waste plastic also increased at 25ºC, 30ºC and 35ºC
temperature.
5.Shridhar et al. (2004) observed that stability value increased by 20% with
addition of waste plastics in bituminous concrete mixture. It was also
observed that indirect tensile strength increased by about 30% in plastics
modified mixes. Fatigue life of modified bituminous concrete mixes was
twice as compared to conventional bituminous mix.
12. The methodology followed in the present research was decided
with aim to–
Study the information about the existing and possible future use of plastic waste in
bituminous mixes.
Study the effects of varied percentages of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) on
mechanical and volumetric properties of Bituminous Concrete (Grade -II) and Dense
Bituminous Macadam (Grade -II) mixes.
13. BITUMINOUS MIX DESIGN
Bituminous mix designing is a process to determine optimum
bitumen content along with appropriate proportioning of
aggregate to fulfil the requirement of an ideal mix. The desirable
properties of an ideal bituminous mix are stability, durability,
flexibility, skid resistance and workability. Four mix design
methods namely Marshall, Hveem, Hubbard-Field and Smith
Triaxial are commonly used for mix designing of bituminous mix
14. BITUMINOUS MIX DESIGN
The requirements of bituminous mixes are explained as below –
Sufficient stability to satisfy the service requirements of pavement without undue displacement.
Sufficient amount of bitumen to ensure a durable pavement by coating and bonding of aggregate and
water proofing of mix.
Sufficient voids for slight amount of additional compaction due to traffic load
Sufficient flexibility to prevent cracking due to repeated application of loads.
Sufficient workability during placing and compacting
Sufficient resistance of pavement against skidding and a function of surface texture and bitumen
content.
.
15. TESTING OF SPECIMENS
1.Marshall Stability Test : Marshall Test is the universally test carried out to determine the
optimum bitumen content required for bituminous mixes. Stability value is defined as maximum
load carried out by a compacted bituminous mix specimen at 60°C. Prepared Marshall Mould
were weight in air and water before keeping them in water bath at 60°C for 30 minutes. The
specimen were placed under Marshall loading frame as shown in Figure 3.6, immediately after
taking out from water bath and strained control loading was given at a rate of 50mm per minute.
Stability value (load) was recorded in data acquisition system for un-conditioned (30 Minute at
60°C) and conditioned specimens (24 hour at 60°C).
16. TESTING OF SPECIMENS
2.Retained Stability Test :Stripping is due to the fact that some aggregates have greater affinity
towards water than with binder and this displacement depends on the physic-chemical force acting on the system. In
bituminous mixes with high volume of voids; there is risk of stripping, resulting in a loss of internal cohesion and
possibly disintegration of the surfacing. Retained stability is determined for bituminous mixes to evaluate the
potential damage that water may cause to bituminous pavement. It is the ratio of Marshall Stability of conditioned
specimen (24 hour at 60°C) to un- conditioned specimen (30 Minute at 60°C). Marshall Stability Test was performed
for retained stability value on conventional and modified mixes.
Retained Stability (%) = Marshall Stability of Conditioned Specimen (24 hour at 60°C) x 100
Marshall Stability un−conditioned Specimen (30 Minute at 60°C)
17. TESTING OF SPECIMENS
3. Indirect Tensile Strength Test: Tensile characteristics of bituminous mixes are determined by indirect tensile strength (ITS) test.
The specimens for indirect tensile strength test were casted in same manner as of Marshall Specimens. The indirect tensile strength (ITS)
of conditioned (60°C for 24 hour) and unconditioned specimen (25°C, dry) (both conventional and modified mixes) was determined
using Marshall Test apparatus as per AASHTO T283. “The ITS test was performed by loading a Marshall Specimen with single
compressive load, which act parallel to and along vertical diametrical plane as shown in Figure 3.7. This loading configuration develops a
relatively uniform tensile stress perpendicular to the direction of the applied load along the vertical diametrical plane, which ultimately
causes the specimen to fail by splitting along the vertical diameter” (AASHTO T283). The load at failure was recorded and the indirect
tensile strength was calculated using following equation -
Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) = 2𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝜋𝑡𝑑
Where,
Pmax = Maximum Load (N),
t=Thickness of Specimen (cm),
d=Diameter of Specimen (cm)
18. TESTING OF SPECIMENS
4. Wheel Tracking Device Test: Performances of bituminous mixes
are evaluated from behaviour of rutting resistance. Slabs of dimension 300 X
300 X 50 mm were prepared for conventional and modified mixes with
optimum bitumen content. Voids in the slabs were maintained by giving eight
passes at 6.5kg/cm2 pressure with the help of wheel rut shaper . Slab was fitted
in the wheel rut tester apparatus and a solid rubber tyre of pressure 0.7MPa
moved with 42 revolutions per minute . Rutting behaviour for 20000 passes/
repetitions was determined for dry and wet condition at 50°C as per AASHTO
T324 specifications.
23. CONCLUSION
The present study aims at utilizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a non-
biodegradable plastic waste, in bituminous mixes (bituminous concrete (G-II) and
dense bituminous macadam (G-II)), with the intension to improve quality of
bituminous mix along with a sustainable solution to voluminous plastic waste
disposal.
In order to achieve the desired objectives, a series of experimental investigation
was carried out on two most commonly used bituminous mixes i.e. dense bituminous
macadam and bituminous concrete. Using Marshall Method of mix design, job mix
formula was evolved for both the mixes and optimum bitumen content was
determined.
A non-biodegradable, plastic waste namely “polyethylene terephthalate (PET)”,
commonly used in plastic bottle, generated in huge volume, was used in different
percentages form 4 to 14% (at an increment of 2%) in both the selected bituminous
mixes (DBM and BC) and modified mixes were evaluated. The waste plastic was
added through dry process of mixing.
24. CONCLUSION
Volumetric and mechanical properties of conventional and modified mixes were
observed/evaluated/calculated.
On the basis of experimental and analytical observation on conventional and modified mixes
following conclusions are drawn.
Stability value of bituminous mixes increases with addition of PET – waste plastic. An increase of more than 24% and
10% was observed in case of BC and DBM respectively, at optimal dose of PET content, as compared to conventional
mixes.
Higher value of Marshall Quotient in case of PET modified bituminous mixes reveal stiffer bituminous mixes, more
suitable for heavily trafficked roads.
Tensile strength ratio (TSR) for conventional bituminous concrete and dense bituminous macadam (at optimum
bitumen content) was 86.50% and 85.19%
respectively. PET modified mixes have higher TSR i.e. 93.45% and 93.70% for BC and DBM
respectively. This indicates that PET modified mixes are less susceptible to moisture damage as
compared to conventional mix.
25. CONCLUSION
Optimum bitumen content for conventional bituminous concrete and dense bituminous macadam mix was observed
as 5.66% and 4.82% respectively. A reduction in optimum bitumen content was observed with use of waste plastic
(PET), which is 4.59% in case of bituminous concrete and 6.64% in case of dense bituminous macadam mix.
Optimal dose of waste plastic (polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) was observed as 8% and 10% for bituminous
concrete and dense bituminous macadam mix.
Inclusion of waste plastic reduces the rutting both in dry as well as in wet condition for both the mixes. Rutting of
modified bituminous concrete, under dry and wet condition reduces by 23.85% and 24.19% as compared to
conventional mix at optimum bitumen content. However this reduction was 26.41% and 25.32% in case of dense
bituminous macadam.
Utilization of waste plastic (PET) in bituminous mixes, using dry process, is a cost effective solution for safe
disposal of waste plastic with improved engineering properties of bituminous mixes.
Three modeling approaches were used namely multiple linear regression, artificial neural network and random forest
to model stability and flow value of modified mixes. A good degree of correlation is observed between experimental
and model predicted values particularly using training dataset. However because of limited data, modeling results
are not very encouraging with testing dataset particularly prediction of stability value using RF method. For the
purpose of numerical modeling larger data sets are desirable.
26. REFERENCES
IRC: 29-1988, “Specification for Bituminous Concrete (Asphaltic Concrete) for Road Pavement” (1st edition), Indian
Road Congress, New Delhi, India.
IRC: 37-2012, “Tentative Guideline for the Design of Flexible Pavement” (3rd edition), Indian Road Congress, New
Delhi, India.
IRC: SP: 98-2013, “Guidelines for the Use of Waste Plastic in Hot Bituminous Mixes (Dry Process) in Wearing Courses”
(1st edition), Indian Road Congress, New Delhi, India.
IS: 1202-1978, “Determination of Specific Gravity”, (1st Revision) Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
IS: 1203-1978, “Determination of Penetration”, (1st Revision) Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
IS: 1205-1978, “Determination of Softening Point”, (1st Revision) Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
IS: 1206-1978, “Determination of Viscosity”, (1st Revision) Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.
Khuntia, S., Das, A. K., Mohanty, M., and Panda, M., (2014). “Prediction of Marshall Parameters of Modified
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