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Studies were carried out on Bituminous Concrete (BC) mixes using 80 / 100 grade bitumen having average Marshall Stability Value (MSV) of
1100 kg at optimum bitumen content of 5.0 % by weight of the mix. Further studies on BC mixes were carried out using the modified binder
obtained by the addition of varying proportions of processed plastic bags (percentage by weight of bitumen) with the conventional 80 /100
grade bitumen. The optimum modified binder content fulfilling the Marshall mix design criteria was found to be 5.0 % by weight of the mix,
consisting of 8.0 % by weight of processed plastic added to the bitumen. The average MSV of the BC mix using the modified binder was found
to be as high as 3312 kg at this optimum binder content, resulting in about three fold increase in stability of the BC mix, which contains 4.6
% bitumen plus 8 % processed plastic by weight of bitumen, i.e., 0.4 % processed plastic by weight of the mix.
In order to evaluate the ability of the BC mix prepared with the above-modified bitumen to withstand adverse soaking condition under water,
Marshall stability tests were conducted after soaking in water at 60 Co for 24 hours. The average MSV of the BC mix with modified binder
(using 8 % processed plastic by weight of bitumen, as above) was found to increase by about 2.6 times of the mix with ordinary bitumen.
Further laboratory studies carried out on the BC mixes using this modified binder also indicated note worthy increase in fatigue life under
repeated application of loads.
Thus the laboratory investigations carried out so far at Bangalore University have given highly encouraging results for the use of bituminous
concrete mixes in the surfacing course of road pavements by using this modified binder which is prepared by the addition of 8.0 % of the
processed plastic, by weight of bitumen. 3.2. Advantages of Using Modified Bitumen with Processed Plastic as Additive
i) The use of modified bitumen with the addition of processed plastic, about 8.0 % by weight of bitumen, helps in substantially improving the stability or
strength, fatigue life and other desirable properties of bituminous concrete mix, even under adverse water-logging conditions. Therefore the
life of the pavement surfacing course using the modified bitumen is also expected to increase substantially in comparison to the use of
ordinary bitumen.
ii) The addition of 8.0 % by weight of processed plastic for the preparation of modified bitumen results in a saving of 0.4 % bitumen by weight of the mix
or about 9.6 kg bitumen per cubic metre (m 3) of BC mix. This results in a saving of about Rs.110 per m 3 of BC mix based on the present
cost of 80 / 100 grade bitumen, ( as of June, 2001 ).
iii) The effective utilisation of the waste plastic bags for the preparation of modified bitumen will result in substantial increase in the scrap value for this
other wise "undesirable waste material", which are getting littered all over the urban areas. These waste plastic bags will not therefore be
thrown out along with the garbage; instead they will get collected and sold by the consumers themselves or other agencies, due to the
attractive scrap value.
4. NEED FOR FURTHER WORK
It is necessary to work out a project proposal to carry out further studies on various aspects such as collection, processing and effective
utilisation of this waste material. To start with, such a study could be initiated in Bangalore, with the following components :
i) Estimation of the types, quantity and useful components present in the waste plastic materials in the city and surrounding areas
ii) Methodology for collection and sorting out the useful components of the plastic waste
iii) Methodology for processing the plastic bags as required for use in the preparation of modified bitumen, including cleaning, shredding and further
processing of the plastic waste materials
iv) Identification of two or three construction companies / entrepreneurs who could incorporate appropriate mixing units in their bitumen boiler / hot mix
plant to add and mix the required proportion of the processed plastic additive
v) Carrying out further laboratory investigations, construction of some test tracks and field studies on the performance of pavements using the modified
bitumen
vi) Working out relative economics of using the modified bituminous mixes in road construction works, considering the improved performance and
increased service life of the pavement
vii) Preparation of specifications and standards for the construction industry.
It is hoped that on completion of the above project, the plastic waste materials will be put to effective use in road construction industry,
resulting in improved road pavements and also relief from the waste plastic materials being littered all around urban areas.
5. SOME SELECTED REFERENCES
1. Robin L Schroeder, "The Use of Recycled Materials in Highway Construction", Journal, Public Roads, Vol. 58, No. 2 (1994 )
2. Amjad Khan, Gangadhar, Murali Mohan and Vinay Raykar, "Effective Utilisation of Waste Plastics in Asphalting of Roads". Project Report prepared
under the guidance of R. Suresh and H. Kumar, Dept. of Chemical Engg., R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore, 1999.
3. Larry Flynn, "Recycled Plastic Finds Home in Asphalt Binder", Journal, Roads and Bridges, March 1993
4. Zoorob S.E. and Suparma, L.B., "Laboratory Design and Investigation of Proportion of Bituminous Composite Containing Waste Recycled Plastics
Aggregate Replacement (Plastiphalt), CIB Symposiumon Construction and Environment Theory into Practice, Sao Paulo, Brazil ( November,
2000 )
5. Zoorob, S.E., "Laboratory Design and Performance of Improved Bituminous Composites Utilising Plastics Packaging Waste", Conference on Technology
Watch and Innovation in Construction Industry, Belgium, Building Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium (April, 2000)
6. Research Work at the Centre for Transportation Engineering, Bangalore University during the year 2000 - 2001 and the Seminar Report on "Study of
the Effect of Plastic Modifier on Bituminous Mix Properties" by V.S. Punith, II Semester, M.E. (Civil) Highway Engg., Dept. of Civil Engineering,
Bangalore University (March, 2001)