Utilization of Domestic and Automobile Waste Materials in the Application of Bituminous Concrete Mixes

Domestic and automobile waste materials such as polyethylene (PE) and waste tyres in the form of crumb rubber (CR) have been used as bitumen modifiers. Different percentages of PE (1–5%) and CR (5–15%) by weight bitumen are taken to prepare the modified binder. The strength properties of the mixes with modified binder were determined in terms of Marshall stability, Indirect tensile strength, tensile strength ratio, and wheel tracking tests. The bituminous concrete mixes using Polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) and Crumb rubber-modified bitumen (CRMB) have increased the Marshall stability by 69.65% and 53.67%, respectively, to that of mixes with the unmodified binder. The indirect tensile strength of the bituminous mixes with 3% PE and 10% CR is 70.44% and 48.60% higher than the mixes with unmodified binder. Additionally, the rutting resistance of the mixes using PMB and CRMB is 68.75% and 53.75% higher than the mix made with the unmodified binder. The results showed that usage of PMB and CRMB exhibited significantly higher strength and durability, making the bituminous pavement more economical as it increases the pavement life, thereby lowering the maintenance cost. The modification of virgin bitumen with waste PE and CR not only showed better performance as pavement material but also mitigated the issues related to waste disposal.