A SEMINAR REPORT ON

USE OF WASTE PLASTIC IN BITUMINOUS ROAD

CONSTRUCTION

Submitted By:

D.Sai Abhinav – 160116732103

BE 4/4 – 8th SEM- A2

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CHAITANYA BHARATHI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (A)

Affiliated to O.U., GANDIPET, HYDERABAD-500075

2020-2021
ABSTRACT:
The quantum of plastic waste in municipal solid waste (MSW) is increasing due to increase in
population, urbanization, development activities and changes in life style which is leading to
widespread littering on the landscape. Many of the wastes produced today will remain in the
environment for many years leading to various environmental concerns. Therefore it is necessary
to utilize the wastes effectively with technical development in each field. Many by-products are
being produced using the plastic wastes. The disposal of waste plastic is a menace and becomes a
serious problem globally due to their non-biodegradability and unaesthetic view. Since these are
not disposed scientifically there is a possibility to create ground and water pollution. Plastic
waste, consisting of carry bags, cups and other utilized plastic can be used as a coating over
aggregate and this coated stone can be used for road mix for road construction helps to use
plastic waste. The techniques to use plastic waste for construction purpose of roads and flexible
pavements have been reviewed. In conventional road making process bitumen is used as binder.
Such bitumen can be modified with waste plastic pieces and bitumen mix is made which can be
used as a top layer of coat for flexible pavement. This waste plastic modified bitumen mix shows
better binding property, stability, density and more resistant to water.

KEY WORDS: Plastic waste, Non-biodegradability, Bitumen mix.

INTRODUCTION:
The threat of disposal of plastic waste will not solve until practical steps are not initiated at the
ground level. It is possible to improve the performance of bituminous mixed used in the
surfacing course of roads. Studies reported in the used of re-cycled plastic, mainly polyethylene,
in the manufacture of blended indicated reduced permanent deformation in the form of rutting
and reduced low- temperature cracking of the pavement surfacing. The field tests proved that
plastic wastes used after proper processing as an additive would enhance the life of the roads and
also solve environmental problems.

Plastic is a very versatile material. Due to the industrial revolution, and its large scale production
plastic seemed to be a cheaper and effective raw material. Today every vital sector of economy
starting from agriculture to packaging, automobile, electronics, electrical, building construction,
communication sectors has been virtually revolutionized by the applications of plastics. Plastic is
a non bio- degradable material and researchers found that the material can remain on earth for
4500 years without degradation. Several studies have proven the health hazard caused by
improper disposal of plastic waste. In recent years, applications of plastic wastes have been
considered in road construction with great interest in many developing countries. The necessary
specifications should be formulated and attempts are to be made to maximize the use of solid
wastes in different layers of pavement. On heating at 100 -1600C, plastics such as polyethylene,
polypropylene and polystyrene, soften and exhibit good binding properties. Blending of the
softened plastic with bitumen results in a mixed that is amenable for road laying. The mixed has
been used to lay roads of length up to 1,500 km in the state of Maharashtra. Other states like
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh have also laid test roads.
These roads have withstood loads due to heavy traffic, rain and temperature variation. Road
surface with neat bitumen can cause bleeding in hot climate, may develop cracks in cold climate,
possess fewer loads bearing capacity and can cause serious damages because of higher axle load
in present conditions due to rapid infrastructure development. Useful life if bituminous overlays
have reportedly declined. India has to raise transportation system to a higher level both in terms
of length and quality.
Plastic roads:
Plastic used in rod construction is not new. Recent studies in this direction have shown some
hope in terms of using plastic-waste in road construction. Plastic is mixed with the bitumen.
Plastic increases the melting point of the bitumen and makes the road retain its flexibility during
winters resulting in its long life. Use of shredded plastic waste act as a strong “binding agent” for
tar making asphalt last long. By mixing plastic with bitumen the ability of the bitumen to
withstand high temperature increases. The plastic waste is melted and mixed with bitumen in a
particular ratio. Normally, blending takes place when temperature reaches 45.50C but when
plastic is mixed, it remains stable even at 550C.

Significance:
Plastic-bitumen composite roads have better wear resistance than standard asphalt concrete
roads. The blend has increased softening point and decreased penetration value with a suitable
ductility. When used for construction it can withstand higher temperature. Hence it is suitable for
tropical regions. The blend with aggregate has no stripping value. So it can resist the effect of
water. The Marshall Stability value is high. No toxic gas is produced. Disposal of waste plastic
will no longer be a problem. They do not absorb water; have better flexibility which results in
less rutting and less need for repair. Road surface will remain smooth and absorb sound better.
Road strength is twice stronger than normal roads. Burning of plastic waste could be avoided. It
helps to reduce consumption of bituminous mix. The use of waste plastics on the road helps to
provide better place for burying the plastic waste without causing disposal problem. At the same
time, a better road is also constructed. It also helps to avoid the general disposal technique of
waste plastics namely land-filling and the incineration, which have certain burden on ecology.
LITERATURE REVIEW:
➢ Prof C.E.G. Justo states that addition of 8% 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 per cubic meter of bituminous concrete mix. Modified bitumen improves
stability, strength, life and other desirable properties of bituminous concrete mix.

➢ Dr. R. Vasudevan states that the polymer bitumen blend is better binder compared to
plain bitumen. Blend has increased softening point and decreased penetration value with
a suitable ductility. When it is used for road construction it can withstand higher
temperature and load. The coating of plastics reduces the porosity, absorption of moisture
and improves soundness. The polymer coated aggregate bitumen mix forms better
material for flexible pavement construction as the mix has shows higher Marshall
Stability value and suitable Marshall Coefficient. Hence the use of waste plastics for
flexible pavement is one of the best disposals of waste plastics. Use of plastic bags in
road help in many ways like easy disposal of waste, better road and prevention of
pollution and so on.
Some encouraging results were reported in the study that there is possibility to improve
the performance of bituminous mixes of road pavements. Waste plastic on heating often
at around 1300C. Thermo gravimetric analysis has shown that there is no gas evolution in
the temperature range of 130-1800C. Softened plastics have a binding property. Hence, it
can be used as a binder for road construction.
➢ Mohd. Imtiyaz (2002) concluded that mix prepared with modifiers shows higher
resistance to permanent deformation at higher temperature.
➢ Verma S.S (2008) concluded that plastics will increase the melting point of the bitumen.
The technology not only strengthened the road construction but also increased the road
life.
➢ The laboratory tests conducted by CRRI in utilization of waste plastic bags in bituminous
concrete mixes have proved that these enhance the properties of mix in addition to
solving disposal problems. The results indicated that there was an improvement in
strength properties when compared to a conventional mix. Therefore, the life of
pavement surfacing using the waste plastic is expected to increase substantially in
comparison to the use of conventional bituminous mix
LITERATURE SUMMARY AND OUT COMING:
A detailed literature survey is carried out on use of waste plastics in a ecofriendly way in
construction of pavements especially on Indian context, the short comings from literature is
taken with detailed analysis. Based on the results of survey following conclusions are made:

The increase in percentage polymer decreased the penetration value. This shows the addition of
polymer increases the hardness of the bitumen. The penetration values are decreasing depending
upon percentage of polymers and the type of polymer added. The ductility decreased by the
addition of plastic waste to bitumen. Flash and fire point increased with the increase in the
percentage of polymer. The polymer bitumen blends road surfaces affected by fire hazards. This
shows that the blend has better resistance towards water. This may be due to better binding
property of the polymer bitumen blend. The softening point increased by the addition of plastic
waste to the bitumen. Higher the percentage waste added higher is the softening point. The
increase in softening point shows that there will be less bleeding during summer. Bleeding
accounts, on one side, increased friction for the moving vehicles and on the other side, if it rains
the bleeding accounts for the slippery condition. Both these adverse conditions are much reduced
by polymer-bitumen blend.
MATERIALS USED:
AGGREGATE:
Aggregates used in the surface course can be divided into two types according to their size:
coarse aggregates and fine aggregates. Coarse aggregates are generally defined as those retained
on the 2.36 mm sieve. Fine aggregates are those pass through 2.36 mm sieve and are retained on
the 0.075 mm sieve.

BITUMEN:
Bitumen acts as binding agent for aggregates in bituminous mixes. Generally in India bitumen
used in road construction of flexible pavement is of grades 60/70 or 80/100 penetration grade.
Both the grade of bitumen confirming to BIS standards can be used.

WASTE PLASTIC MODIFIERS:

Modifiers are generally used to enhance the properties of bituminous concrete mixes by reducing
the air void present between the aggregates and also to bind them together so that no bleeding of
bitumen will occur. Plastic waste such as carry bags, water bottles, milk packets, glasses, cups,
etc can be used as a modifier.
PROCESSING DETAILS:

1) Collection of waste plastics.

2) Cleaning and shredding of waste plastic.
3) Mixing of shredded waste plastic, aggregate and bitumen in central mixing plant.

COLLECTION OF WASTE PLASTIC:

Waste plastic is collected from roads, garbage trucks, dumpsites or compost plants, or from
school collection programs or by purchase from rag-pickers or waste buyers at Rs 5-6 per kg.

CLEANING AND SHREDDING OF WASTE PLASTIC:

Waste plastic litter in the form of thin-film carry-bags. Use-and-throw cups, PET bottles etc
these are sorted, de-dusted, washed if necessary. Plastic waste which is cleaned is cut into a size
between 1.18mm.

MIXING OF SHREDDED WASTE PLASTIC, AGGREGATE AND BITUMEN IN

CENTRAL MIXING PLANT:
The aggregate mix is heated to 1650C in central mixing plant. Similarly the bitumen is to be
heated up to a maximum of 1600C. The 8% of plastic waste to the weight of bitumen are added
in the conveyor belt or special mechanical device is developed which will spray the plastics
inside the chamber to coat the plastics effectively. Central mixing plant helps to have better
control of temperature and better mixing of the material thus helping to have a uniform coating
and heated bitumen is also sprayed.

LAYING OF BITUMENOUS MIX:

Mix design by Marshall Method: The processed plastic was used as an additive with heated
bitumen in different proportions and well mixed by hand, to obtain the modified bitumen. The
properties of modified bitumen were compared with ordinary bitumen. The optimum modified
binder fulfilling the Marshall Mix design criteria was found to be 5% by weight of the mix,
consisting of 8% by weight of processed plastic added to the bitumen. In order to evaluate the
ability of mix prepared with modified bitumen to withstand adverse soaking condition under
water, Marshall Stability tests were conducted after soaking in water at 600C for 24 hours.
ECONOMICS OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION:
Cost analysis assuming cost of plastics waste =Rs 5 per kg.
Cost of bitumen per ton = Rs 50000
Generally roads in India are constructed in basic width of 3.75m. Consider 1 km length road. To
lay 1 km 10 tons of bitumen is required. Cost of bitumen per km =Rs 500000.
Assuming optimum percentage of plastic as per the test results of literature reviewed is around
10% (by weight of bitumen). Total quantity of bitumen required = 9 tons. Total quantity of
plastic required = 1 ton.
Cost of bitumen for 9 tons =Rs 450000, cost of Plastic waste =Rs 5000. Total cost of bitumen
and plastic =Rs 455000. Total savings = Rs 45000 per km.
COMPARISION BETWEEN NORMAL ROADS AND PLASTIC ROADS:
The durability of the roads laid out with shredded plastic waste is much more compared with
roads with asphalt with ordinary mix. Roads laid with plastic waste mix are found to be
conventional ones. The binding property of plastic makes the road last longer besides giving
added strength to withstand more loads. While a normal highway quality road lasts four to five
years it is claimed that plastic bitumen roads can last up to 10 years. Rainwater will not seep
through because of the plastic in the tar. So, this technology will result in lesser road repairs. And
as each km of road with an average width requires over two tones of polyblend, using plastic will
help reduce non-biodegradable waste. Plastic roads would be a boon for India’s hot and
extremely humid climate, where temperatures frequently cross 500C and torrential rains create
havoc, leaving most of the roads with big potholes. The government is keen on encouraging the
setting up of small plants for mixing waste plastic and bitumen road construction. It is hoped that
in near future we will have strong, durable and eco friendly roads which will relieve the earth
from all type of plastic waste.
CONCLUSION:
The use of recycled waste plastic in pavement asphalt represents a valuable outlet for such
materials. In dry process, the aggregate is modified by coating with polymers and producing new
modified raw materials for flexible pavements. Patent has been obtained for this process. Coating
of polymers on the surface of the aggregate has resulted in many advantages and ultimately helps
to improve the quality of flexible pavement. The coating of plastics over aggregate also improves
the quality of aggregate. The use of waste plastic in bitumen helps in substantially improving the
Marshall Stability value, strength, fatigue life and other desirable properties of bituminous mix,
resulting which improves longevity and pavement performance with marginal saving in bitumen
usage. The process in environment friendly.

In addition to the improvement of the quality of the road, this technology has helped to use the
waste plastics obtained from domestic and industrial packing materials. This has already been
accepted by the Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi. They have already released a
guideline on the technique of the road laying by dry process and its advantage. By this technique,
which is in-situ, waste polymer like carry bags, foam, laminated sheets, cups are all used for road
laying. Moreover, the use of polymers helps to reduce equivalent quantity of bitumen, thus
reducing the cost of road laying. The process thus helps to

1) Reduce the need of bitumen by around 10%.

2) Add values to plastics.
3) Increase the strength and performance of the road. Carry the process in-situ. Avoid the
industrial involvement.
4) Develop a technology which is eco-friendly.
REFERENCES:-
1) R. Vasudevan, A. Ramalinga Chandra Sekar, B. Sundarakannan, R. Velkennedy “A
technique to dispose waste plastics in eco friendly way-Application in construction of
flexible pavements”.
2) Amit Gawande, G.Zamare, V.C Renge, Saurabh Tayde, G. Bharsakale “An overview of
waste plastic utilization in asphalting of roads”.
3) S.K Khanna and C.E.G Justo “Highway Engineering”.
4) Mrs. Swami Vidula, Abhijeet J, Karan P (2012) “Use of waste plastic in the construction
of bituminous road”.
5) Ahmed Trimbakwala “Use of waste plastic in road construction”.
6) Satya.S ,R. Manju Anand “Use of plastic waste in bituminous pavement”.
7) Huda Shafiq, Anzar Hamid “A Recent advancement in waste management”.
8) S.K Khanna and C.E.G Justo “Highway materials and testing”.
9) R. Vasudevan (2014)“Use of plastic waste in construction of tar road”
10) Bandopandhay T.K “Construction of Asphalt Road with Plastic waste” Indian Center for
Plastic in Environment.
11) Garg Sk. “Environmental Engineering” Vol-2
12) Plastics for Environmental and sustainable development.
13) Mohd Imtiyaz (2002) “Adhesion Characteristics Study on waste plastics modified
Bitumen”.
14) Verma S.S “Roads from plastic waste”
15) Sundaram and Roja (2008) “The use of recycled material in highway construction”