Investigating the Ability of Using Eggshell Powder as a Filler in Hot Mix Asphalt Mixture

Abstract

Nowadays, many studies have been conducted to find low cost waste materials that can be used in asphalt mixtures. Therefore, the idea of this study involves using one of these waste materials, which is Eggshell. Moreover, evaluate the ability to use eggshell powder, in hot mix asphalt mixtures as filler is the main objective of this study. This research was conducted by comparing the performance of mixtures of different eggshell powder percentages, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 25 and 100% and finding optimal eggshell content (OESC). To achieve this objective, Asphalt concrete mixtures, were prepared, and subjected to a series of laboratory experiments. Stability, flow, bulk density and indirect tensile strength are the experiments that have been implemented. In addition, the materials used are: - asphalt cement, Portland cement, chicken eggshell, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate. Where, eggshell powder used as an alternative to Portland cement in a part or as a replacement to cement. For all tests made in this study, the comparison is made against the conventional specimen with optimum asphalt content (found to be 4.85% for wearing layer) to find an optimum blend mixture of eggshell. The results showed that the effective eggshell content was 6% and the eggshell is one of the substances that can be used as a filler in asphalt mixture blend and realize Iraqi specifications. Furthermore, money can be saved by using this low-cost material instead of cement. For 6% ESP content rate, the stability & flow values has been checked with Iraqi specifications and showed that 6% ESP was the best ratio which has (12.83 KN) stability and (2.45) mm flow values. Higher density was found at 6% ESP and it has (2.32 gm/cm3). The results of indirect tensile strength (ITS) of 6% ESP showed reduction in ITS than 0% ESP specimen. While Tensile strength ratio (TSR) of 6% ESP is higher than 0% ESP that is (95.16 %) & (87.88 %) respectively, therefore 6% ESP specimen is better than the other by resistance to moisture damage.