Asphalt concrete mixtures modified with polymeric waste by the wet and dry processes: A literature review

Abstract

Modification of asphalt binders with virgin polymers is a consolidated practice in pavement construction, as it is an effective way to enhance pavement performance. In recent years, polymeric waste emerged as a novel approach to modify asphalt binders and asphalt mixtures with the intent of improving pavement performance while reducing construction costs and the amount of polymeric waste in the environment. Recent studies have shown that the incorporation of post-consumer plastic into asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures by the dry and wet processes may lead to an improvement in the performance of asphalt pavements, which contributes to the mitigation of the major distresses – permanent deformation, fatigue cracking, and thermal cracking. This paper aims at providing the reader with a wide overview of the use of polymeric waste in AC mixtures by the wet process, covering the polymers most commonly used to modify asphalt binders, the factors that influence the properties of polymer-modified asphalts, and the techniques to mitigate or null the drawbacks associated with the addition of polymers. Furthermore, it shows real scale implementations and recent studies focused on incorporating reclaimed polymers into AC mixtures by the dry process.