EVALUATION THE EFFECT OF WASTE LO-DENSITY POLYTHLENE AND CRUMBRUBBER ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ASPHALT

Abstract

Nowadays, Polymer Modified Binder (PMB) is necessary due to its valuable characteristics on asphalt pavement layers with increase in traffic volume and loads. However, current trend in asphalt modification is prefer the waste and by product materials for ensuring the sustainability and cost effectiveness. Therefore, to analyze the effect of waste Crumb Rubber Modifier (CRM) and waste Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) on the asphalt binders’ physical properties, CRM/LDPE modified asphalts with different contents were prepared and investigated in this study. Measured physical characteristics were softening point, penetration, ductility and viscosity tests. Conversions of CRM and waste LDPE to functional materials have been introduced in this research study as a practical approach to improve the asphalt binder’s physical properties. CRM and LDPE in the form of fine having a particle size under 250 µm were used as additives to liquid asphalt, individually and collectively by weight of virgin asphalt, i.e., (5.0%, 15.0% and 25.0% of CRM) and (2.5. %, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0% of LDPE), after mixed with CRM and LDPE, the asphalts showed decrease in penetration, increase in softening point and rotational viscosity. This referring that both intermediate and high temperature rheological characteristics of the asphalts have been improved by the modification of waste CRM and LDPE, because that mean the stiffness of asphalt binder increases when changing these characteristics and Thus, the asphalt mixture will become more stiff and resistant to possible failures, the Physical properties of the CRM or LDPE modified asphalts are largely dependent on the waste CRM or LDPE content, and many other enhanced characteristics of the mechanical aspect can be targeted using the composite of both CRM and LDPE. However, such result confirms the validity of waste polymer in modifying the asphalt binder.