Use Of Recycled Plastic In Asphalt Mixtures For Road Construction

Abstract

With increasing attention to plastic waste globally, new ideas for recycling have emerged, including utilizing recycled plastics for asphalt mixture in road construction. The objective of this study is to assess the influence of recycled plastics on the performance, environmental sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of asphalt mixtures. In addition, specifically, the research focuses on how various kinds of recycled plastic affect high-temperature performance, low-temperature flexibility, cracking resistance and overall durability. The environmental benefits (reduction of plastic waste and carbon footprint) as well as the economic feasibility of plastic-modified asphalt are also assessed. The results show that recycled plastics like PE and PP have great advantages in improving the high-temperature stability and rutting resistance of asphalt. However, the remaining challenge of low-temperature flexibility and cracking resistance still exists especially with plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, plastic-modified asphalt greatly reduces plastic waste, carbon emissions and long-term costs in maintenance. Taken as a whole, this study represents a path for the use of plastic-modified asphalt as an environmentally friendly option for road construction, improving performance while dealing with environmental concerns that present themselves. Recycled plastics can be further researched to develop optimal blending methods, plastic content, and mixing temperatures to fully reap the benefits of recycled plastics in asphalt mixtures.