International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
A Laboratory Study on Effect of Plastic on Bitumen
Kolla Aswani Chandh1, Shanagonda Akhila2
1
Department of Civil Engineering, Vignan’s Institute of Technology and Aeronautical Engineering,
Vignan hills Deshmukhi(V) Nalgonda (Dist)
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Vignan’s Institute of Technology and Aeronautical Engineering
Vignan hills Deshmukhi (V) Nalgonda (Dist)
Abstract: Challenges are a way of life. From those challenges arise the Endeavour to find solutions. Two such challenges that
countries with large populations face are effective disposal of plastic waste& establishing road network that is economical &durable.
The sight of plastic waste littered around is a common sight in most urban areas. The first plastic waste road was laid in Bangalore in
2002 for a stretch of about 300 to 500 metres. As on date a total of 1400Km in Bangalore in different stretches 2Kms in Delhi & 6 Kms
in Hyderabad was laid. The waste which is collected from various sources like apartments schools& by civil workers is put in a shredder.
The shredded bits are then stored in bags for about a week to drain out the moisture from them. Later these are taken to a hot mixing
plant located on outskirts of city, where it is mixed with asphalt& forms a compound called polymerized bitumen. This not only with
stands monsoons but also the everyday wear& tear. Normally, the life span of a road is about 3years but plastic roads life span is about
6-7years.This is because the melting point of bitumen is 60to70degrees, whereas that of plastic is about130to140degrees.
Keywords: Bitumen, Plastic, Biding, Moisture Absorption, Ductility, Softening point, Marshall Stability
1. Introduction Bitumen may be derived from the residue left by the refinery
from naturally occurring asphalt. In India mostly 80/100 and
The threat of disposal of plastic will not solve until the 180/200 grade bitumen is used. Heavier grade cut backs,
practical steps are not initiated at the ground level. It is rapid setting emulsions or heavier grade tars may also be
possible to improve the performance of bituminous mixed used. The grade of basic bitumen is altered either by
used in the surfacing course of roads. Studies reported in the controlled refining or by mixing with diesel oil or other oils.
used of re-cycled plastic, mainly polyethylene, in the For single dressings on WBM base course, quantity of
manufacture of blended indicated reduced permanent bitumen needed ranges from 17 to 195kg per 10m 2 areas
deformation in the form of rutting and reduced low and 10 to 12kg per 10m 2 area in case of renewal of black
temperature cracking of the pavement surfacing. The field top surfacing. For second coat of surface dressing, the
tests withstood the stress and proved that plastic wastes used quantity of bitumen needed ranges from 10 to 12kg per
after proper processing as an additive would enhance the life 10m2 area. Bulk bitumen Lorries with tanks of capacity
of the roads and also solve environmental problems. Plastic ranging from 5000 to 15000litres are used to transport bulk
is a very versatile material. Due to the industrial revolution, bitumen. As per PMC, the bitumen content in a mix should
and its large scale production plastic seemed to be a cheaper be 4% of weight by total mix for B.M.
and effective raw material. Today, every vital sector of the
economy starting from agriculture to packaging, automobile, Paving bitumen from Assam petroleum denoted as A-type
electronics, electrical, building construction, communication and designated as grades A35, A90, etc. Paving bitumen
sectors has been virtually revolutionized by the applications from other sources denoted as S-type and designated as
of plastics. grades S35, S90, etc.
Plastic is a non-biodegradable material and researchers are 2.2 Plastic Material
found that the material can remain on earth for 4500years
without degradation. Several studies have proven the health Plastics are usually classified by their chemical structure of
hazard caused by improper disposal of plastic waste. The the polymer's backbone and side chains. Some important
health hazard includes reproductive problems in human and groups in these classifications are the acrylics, polyesters,
animal, genital abnormalities etc. silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics.
Looking forward the scenario of present life style a complete There are two types of plastics: thermoplastics and
ban on the use of plastic cannot be put, although the waste thermosetting polymers. Thermoplastics are the plastics that
plastic taking the face of devil for the present and future do not undergo chemical change in their composition when
generation. We cannot ban use of plastic but we can reuse heated and can be moulded again and again. Examples
the plastic waste. include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl
chloride, and Poly TetraFluoro Ethylene (PTFE)In the
2. Materials Used thermosetting process, a chemical reaction occurs that is
irreversible. The vulcanization of rubber is a thermosetting
2.1 BITUMEN process. Before heating with sulfur, the polyisoprene is a
tacky, slightly runny material, but after vulcanization the
Bitumen is used as binders in pavements constructions. product is rigid and non-tacky.
Volume 5 Issue 10, October 2016
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: 21101603 DOI: 10.21275/21101603 1406
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
Figure 1: Bitumen
Figure 3: Moisture Absorption Test
3.3 Soundness Test
The weathering occurs because when water enters pores
&voids in the mixture the salts dissolved in the water,
crystallize. When the water evaporates more crystals is
formed &this crystal causes the mixture to crack& break.
Figure 2: Plastic Material’s
The freezing &Thawing can cause the porous aggregate
3. Methodology tends to disintegrate prematurely.
The number of tests are conducted which can illustrate the 3.4 Bitumen Content
durability of the plastic roads in the laboratory. As such
This test is done to determine the bitumen content as per
3.1 Binding Test ASTM 2172
3.2 Moisture Absorption Test
3.3 Soundness Test
3.4 Bitumen Content
3.5 Ductility Of Bitumen
3.6 Penetration Test
3.7 Specific Gravity Test
3.8 Softening Point
3.9 Marshall Stability
3.10 Flash & Fire point Test
3.1 Binding Test
This test measures the binding strength compressive strength
of the mixture used to make the road. Bending strength
refers to the mixture ability to resist the deformation under
heavy loads. Compression strength refers to the mixture
ability to resist forces that attempt to compress or squeeze it.
Figure 4: Bitumen Extractor
3.2 Moisture Absorption Test
3.5 Ductility of Bitumen
To determine the extent to which the aggregate absorbs
water. If the water absorption is high the road is likely to The ductility of a bituminous material is measured by
breakdown &develops potholes in the event of any water distance in `CM’ to which it will elongate before breaking
logging. when a standard briquette specimen of the material Is pulled
apart at specified speed &temperature.
Volume 5 Issue 10, October 2016
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: 21101603 DOI: 10.21275/21101603 1407
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
Figure 5: Ductility Test
3.6 Penetration Test
Penetration of a bituminous mixture is the distance in tenths
of a `mm’, that a standard needle would penetrate vertically
into a sample of material under standard conditions of Figure 7: Softening Point
temperature, load& time.
3.9 Marhall Stability
This test is done to determine the Marshall stability of
bituminous mixture as per ASTM D 1559. The principle of
this test is that Marshall Stability is the resistance to plastic
flow of cylindrical specimens of a bituminous mixture
loaded on the lateral surface. It is the load carrying capacity
of the mix at 60oC and is measured in kg.
Figure 6: Penetration Test
3.7 Specific Gravity Test
The ratio of mass of given volume of bitumen to the mass of
equal volume of water, both taken at a recorded/specified
temperature.
3.8 Softening Point Test
Softening Point of bitumen or tar is the temperature at which Figure 8: Marshall Stability
the substance attains particular degree of softening. As per
IS: 334-1982, it is the temperature in ºC at which a standard 3.10 Flash & Fire Point Test
ball passes through a sample of bitumen in a mould and falls
through a height of 2.5 cm, when heated under water or Bituminous materials leave out volatiles at high temperatures
glycerin at specified conditions of test. The binder should depending up on their grade. These volatile catch fire
have sufficient fluidity before its applications in road uses. causing a flash. This condition is very hazardous and it is
The determination of softening point helps to know the therefore essential to qualify this temperature for each
temperature up to which a bituminous binder should be bitumen grade.
heated for various road use applications. Softening point is
determined by ring and ball apparatus. Flash Point: The Flash point of the material is the lowest
temperature at which the vapour of substance momentarily
takes fire in the form of a flash under specified condition of
test
Fire Point: The Fire point is the lowest temperature at which
the material gets ignited and burns under specified condition
of test
Volume 5 Issue 10, October 2016
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: 21101603 DOI: 10.21275/21101603 1408
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
4. Results Author Profile
Test Bitumen Bitumen With Plastic Kolla Aswani Chandh received B.Tech and M.tech
Binding Strength 275(KN) of 290(KN) of degree in CIVIL Engineering and Transportation
compressive compressive Engineering under JNTU KAKINADA in 2012 and
strength strength 2016 respectively.
Moisture Absorption 4% 0.2%
Soundness 5% of voids 0% of voids Shanagonda Akhila received B.Tech and M.tech
Ductility 90cm 74cm degree in CIVIL Engineering and Structures under
Penetration 63.50cm 58.62cm JNTU HYDERABAD in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
Softening Point 52.6°C 74.3°C
Bitumen Content 33% 3.1%
Marshall Stability 340kg 361kg
Specific Gravity 2.63 1.05
Flash Point Test 1750C 1770C
Fire Point Test 1800C 1810C
5. Conclusion
By adding of plastic waste to the bitumen waste strengthened
the pavement by improving the properties like Biding,
Moisture absorption, Reduce the Bitumen Content,
Penetration and Softening Point.
Indirectly by this we could reduce the plastic waste from
creating the Global Warming and Depletion of Ozone
layer when on combustion of it.
By addition of this plastic to the bitumen, we can increase
the life span of the pavement when compared to the BT
Pavement without Polymer usage.
Plastic has the sticky nature which increases the Binding
properties, which is useful for rapid setting of the
pavements generally used in heavy traffic regions.
By this the usage of Bitumen has reduced and was
replaced by the polymer waste so as the cost of the
pavement has been reduced to 15% of the total cost.
References
[1] Guidelines for the Use of Plastic Waste in Rural Roads
Construction by Dr.V.Vasudevan, TEC, Madural, and
CRRI, New Delhi. National Rural Roads Development,
Agency Ministry of Rural Development.
[2] Highway Engineering” by P.H. Wright and K. Dixon.
[3] Introduction to Transportation Engineering” by J.H.
Banks.
[4] Justo, C.E.G. and Veeraragavan, A. (2002) Utilization
of Waste Plastic Bags in Bituminous Mix for Improved
Performance of Roads. Bangalore University,
Bangalore.
[5] Rajasekaran, S., Vasudevan, R. and Paulraj, S. (2013)
Reuse of Waste Plastics Coated Aggregates Bitumen
Mix Composite for Road Application-Green Method.
American Journal of Engineering and Research,2,1-13.
[6] Swami, V., et al. (2012) Use of Waste Plastic in
Construction of Bituminous Roads. International
Journal of Engineering Science and Technology
(IJEST), 4, 2351-2355.
[7] Verma, S.S. (2008) Roads from Plastic Waste. The
Indian Concrete Journal, November, 43-44
Volume 5 Issue 10, October 2016
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: 21101603 DOI: 10.21275/21101603 1409
