Mohamad Yusri Aman

Performance Evaluation of Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete by Using Polymeric Waste Polyethylene

Asphalt plays an important role in the construction of flexible pavements due to its binding properties. However, it has poor properties that are improved using synthetic polymers. This study evaluated the performance of hot asphalt concrete by use of polymeric waste polyethylene based on standard methods, including AASHTO and Marshall stability. The results revealed a decrease in penetration value with increasing polymer content in asphalt, suggesting that the polymer hardens the modified asphalt, increasing softening point with increasing polyethylene content due to the polyethylene added, and increasing fire and flash points of the modified asphalt with increasing polythene content, suggesting low propensity of hazardous situation since the inflammability of asphalt decreases with increasing polymer content. The study concluded that waste plastic materials are effective in modifying asphalt for construction of flexible pavements despite the need to ascertain the exact proportions of the mix for achieving the best modified bituminous concrete.