Abstract

Preparation of Sustainable Asphalt Pavements Using Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste as a Modifier

Author(s): Al-Mulla EAJ and Makky SM

Industrial development and contemporary life style led to spread a large amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste. This paper aims to study the effects of recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste which is a type of disposable plastic packaging waste as an asphalt modifier, to create a sustainable asphalt pavement and improving the rheological properties and temperature susceptibility. PET waste was blended with asphalt cement in three percentages (0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0%) by mass of asphalt cement. The performance of modified asphalt samples has been studied and compared with an unmodified asphalt binder. The penetration, softening point and ductility were carried out to evaluate the influence of adding waste PET to asphalt on binder characteristics, binder stiffness at different temperatures also studied and all markedly improved. The results show that adding PETW has a significant effect on the rheological behavior and binder stiffness in high temperatures. This study indicates that waste PET has enhanced asphalt properties to minimize the paving costs and reduce solid waste environmental problems.