Use Of Plastic Waste In Rigid And Flexible Pavements

Abstract

The waste plastic and its disposal is a major threat to the environment, which results in pollution and global warming. The utilization of plastic waste in bituminous mixes enhances its properties and also its strength. In addition it will also be a solution to plastic disposal & various defects in pavement viz., pot holes, corrugation, ruts, etc. Plastic was found to be an effective binder for flexible and rigid pavements. This efficient method helps the pavements to resist higher temperature by minimizing the formation of cracks and reducing rainwater infiltration which otherwise leads to the development of potholes. These pavements have shown improved crushing and abrasion values and reduced water seepage. Plastic roads would be a boon for India’s hot and extremely humid climate, where temperatures frequently cross 50°C and torrential rains create havoc, leaving most of the roads with big potholes In conventional road making process bitumen is used as binder.

In the present study an experimental investigation was conducted for rigid and flexible pavements with different percentages of plastic waste to reduce the bitumen content by the addition of Waste plastic in bituminous mix. The laboratory investigations on the bituminous mix and concrete mix have been carried out as per the Indian Standards used for the road construction. The field application is out of the scope of work. To analyze and study how the waste plastic will be effectively utilized in construction of pavement as a binder material for replacing the content of bitumen and cement. This paper deals with study on the various laboratory test performed on aggregates, bitumen and methodology of using plastic waste in bituminous mixes