Performance Characteristics of Bituminous Pavement Blended with Waste PVC
摘要
Due to the expanding waste management concerns, development of blend materials using waste plastics such as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) has drawn the attention of many researchers and academicians. Blend materials have large affinity to replace other conventional materials, which are available in the present market. The use of these materials is gradually increasing in many engineering applications including advanced concrete materials. Bituminous pavement blended with waste PVC has demonstrated superior outcomes compared to non-blended bitumen. The process involves heating the aggregate to the required temperature and then blended with PVC. This ensures uniform distribution of the PVC onto the bitumen. The resulting material was characterized by various analytical techniques such as softening point, ductility, penetration tester, aggregate impact value, and Marshall test. The results showed that the properties like strength, resistance to deformation, etc. have improved with the incorporation of waste PVC onto the bitumen as compared to non-blended virgin bitumen. Implementing this innovative technology promises not only enhanced road construction efficiency but also prolonged road lifespan. On the other hand, this approach also addresses the waste disposal issues.