Performance of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (pet) waste plastic modified bitumen in hot mix asphalt production

Abstract

Asphalt is widely used in road pavement construction to bind aggregates. Road surface distress occurs when there is a sign of poor pavement performance. Therefore, asphalt modification is sometimes used to improve its performance. This study was carried out to investigate the use of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) to modify bitumen in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). The optimum bitumen content (OBC) for mixed design was determined, and the modified HMA was prepared by replacing the OBC with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% PET. The effect of PET on HMA was examined. The OBC was 6%. The addition of PET changed the penetration grade from 60/70 to 50/60 at 6% PET replacement, and an improvement in marshal stability was noticed as PET content increased. An increase in void in mix, and a reduction in the bulk density of the modified HMA were observed as PET content increased up to 6%. The modified HMA developed more resistant to deformation with an increase in Marshall Quotient as PET content increased up to 6%, and had more potential to resist moisture damage. This study revealed that HMA with bitumen modified with 6% PET waste is suitable for pavement construction.