International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 11 | Nov 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Incorporation of Recycled Plastic in Pavement Construction Deepak Aggarwal1, Rahul Kumar2 1Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SCET Ghaziabad, UP, India 2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SCET Ghaziabad, UP, India
---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - Plastic waste is a significant resource, commonly
breaking down. Numerous studies have highlighted the environmental and health risks posed by improper plastic waste disposal. While plastic is beneficial to society, it poses significant environmental challenges after use. The ecofriendly disposal of various plastic and rubber wastes has become a key focus in current research efforts. Given today’s lifestyle, completely banning plastic use is challenging, even though it has become a major pollution problem for present and future generations.
found in solid waste and often discarded without proper treatment. Municipal plastic waste disposal, particularly in urban areas, has grown tremendously, impacting the aesthetic of landscapes. Plastic has proven to be a useful binder in bitumen mixes used for flexible pavements. This innovative approach enables pavements to withstand higher temperatures by reducing crack formation and rainwater infiltration, which typically leads to pothole development. These roads demonstrate enhanced resistance to crushing and abrasion and experience less water seepage. In India’s hot and highly humid climate, where temperatures often exceed 50°C and heavy rains wreak havoc on infrastructure, plastic roads could be a game-changer by reducing the occurrence of large potholes.
Nevertheless, using waste plastics in road construction is gaining popularity, as plastic roads have shown better performance compared to traditional roads, repurposing what would otherwise contribute to pollution. Applying waste plastic to coat the aggregates in bituminous mixes has been found to enhance performance. Recycled polyethylene bags, shredded into small pieces, are coated onto the aggregate at a specific temperature. Bituminous mixes are then prepared using 60/70-grade bitumen, either with plastic-coated or conventional aggregates, and cement as a filler material. The inclusion of plastic waste significantly improves the abrasion resistance and slip resistance of flexible pavements, and enhances the mix’s tensile strength values.
Bituminous Concrete (BC), a composite material widely used in road surfaces, airports, and parking areas, is composed of asphalt or bitumen (acting as a binder) and mineral aggregates. These components are mixed, layered, and compacted to form durable surfaces. Today, the steady rise in high traffic volumes, especially commercial vehicles, combined with daily and seasonal temperature variations, prompts a need for alternatives that can improve pavement durability and quality while remaining cost-effective.
2.LITRATURE SURVEY
From an environmental standpoint, the excessive use of polythene in everyday activities has led to significant pollution. Since polythene is non-biodegradable, there is a pressing need to find beneficial applications for this waste, and using it in road construction presents a promising solution.
1.
In 1942, Fransis Hveem, a project engineer with the California Department of Highways, sought to determine the optimal amount of bitumen for road construction. Without prior experience in assessing mix quality by appearance, he devised the Hveem stabilometer in 1927 to measure specific mixture parameters, enabling accurate bitumen quantity estimations based on surface area calculations—a method adapted from cement concrete mix design at the time (Vallerga and Lovering, 1985).
2.
Sabina (2001) examined the properties of bituminous mixes containing plastic or polymer (PP) at 8% and 15% by bitumen weight, comparing them with conventional bituminous concrete made with 60/70 penetration-grade bitumen. Her research showed that plastic-modified bituminous concrete mixes had increased Marshall Stability, retained stability, indirect tensile strength, and reduced rutting.
Key Words: Recycled Plastics, Bituminous Binders, Construction Aggregates, Sustainable Plastic Roads, Plastic Bituminous Aggregate mix.
1.INTRODUCTION Most paved roads in our country are constructed with a granular sub-base and base, as well as bituminous base and surface layers. Plastic, known for its versatility, became widely used due to the industrial revolution and mass production, making it a cheap and effective raw material. Plastics now play a crucial role across nearly every economic sector—from agriculture to packaging, automotive, electronics, construction, and communication. However, plastic is non-biodegradable, with research showing that it can persist in the environment for up to 4,500 years without
© 2024, IRJET
|
Impact Factor value: 8.315
|
ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal
|
Page 289