Investigating the Effects of Using Waste Rubber and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) on Mechanical Properties of Asphalt Concrete

Abstract

Scrap tires and plastics are among the main solid wastes generated in large amount throughout the world. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is the most consumed and wasted plastic. In this study the effects of PET particles size and content on some engineering properties of asphalt concrete containing rubber modified asphalt has been investigated. Different concentrations of waste PET including, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% (by the weight of binder) in two different ranges of size were to asphalt concrete and the Marshall stability, Marshall quotient, indirect tensile strength (ITS) and uniaxial dynamic creep properties were evaluated. Results show that the Marshall stability and Marshall quotient increase with increasing PET content. The indirect tensile strength (ITS) test results show that the highest ITS is obtained by adding 2% of PET into the mixtures and beyond that the ITS decreases with increasing PET content. Dynamic creep test results revealed that the resistance against permanent deformation decreases with increasing PET content. However, the mixture containing fine graded PET particles has more resistance against permanent deformation than the mixture containing coarse graded PET particles. Comparing the results on the rubber modified mixtures in this research with those on conventional mixtures accomplished previously reveals that the trend is different.

Effect of PET Size, Content and Mixing Process on the Rheological Characteristics of Flexible Pavement

“…The PET particles were added to the asphalt binder following the procedures reported in the literature [ 9 , 25 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. The concentrations used were 0%, 3%, 5%, and 10% by weight of the binder.…”

“…The concentrations used were 0%, 3%, 5%, and 10% by weight of the binder. Previous studies [ 47 , 48 , 49 ] have utilized fine and coarse graded PET particles in various size ranges in asphalt mixture modification. In this study, two size ranges of PET were used, namely 150 to 75 µm, for the consistency test, and 75 µm was used for the rheological test.…”

Combined Performance of Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste Plastic Polymer and Crumb Rubber in Modifying Properties of Hot Mix Asphalt

“…Te waste plastic bottles were washed to remove impurities; then, the clean PET plastic bottles were fed into mechanical shredders to prepare fner chips having particle size of less than 0.075 mm. Taherkhani and Arshadi [71] studied the efect of course and fne-graded PET on the asphalt mixture. Te obtained fndings reveal that the mixture containing fnegraded PET particles performs better than the mixture containing coarse-graded PET particles in improving resistance of the asphalt pavement to permanent deformation [71].…”

“…Taherkhani and Arshadi [71] studied the efect of course and fne-graded PET on the asphalt mixture. Te obtained fndings reveal that the mixture containing fnegraded PET particles performs better than the mixture containing coarse-graded PET particles in improving resistance of the asphalt pavement to permanent deformation [71].…”

“…Besides, the fne PET particles have low melting rate, resulting in more crystalline parts which positively contributes to material stifness. [71] in the study on investigation of the efect of fne and course PET polymer on asphalt mixture concluded that fne PET particles are more efective in generating good stability than the coarse one. Hence, the improvement performance of the PET polymer and crumb rubber modifed asphalt mixes is mainly the result of good adhesion developed between the bitumen binder and PET polymer which enhance stability and durability of the asphalt mix.…”