National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU)

Department of Civil Engineering

Master Thesis Proposal

Date: 11.12.2018

Author: Mazaher Abbas Supervisor: Dr. Shahid Ali

E-mail: mazaher5811@gmail.com E-mail: shahid.ali@nu.edu.pk
Phone: 03027436110 Phone: (042) 111-128-128
Ext: 339
Specialization: Transportation Engineering

Proposed Topic:

Use of waste plastic in flexible pavements

Registered in MS Thesis - I: Yes Date of Registration: 28.08.2018

Page 1 of 7
 National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU)
Department of Civil Engineering

Background:
This project will study the use of waste plastic in flexible pavements. Synthetic and natural polymers
have been used in asphalt as a modifier as early as 1843. In the 1930s the project was underway in
Europe and North America began to use rubber latex in 1950s.
Europe was using modified asphalts ahead of the United States which were limited to use PMA
because of its high expenses in the late 1970s. In the mid-1980s, US began to use new developed
polymers and European technologies. Currently in Australia, polymer modified binders is included in
the guides and specifications of National Asphalt Specification.
In the survey of state departments of transportation in 1997, 47 states of US reported that in the near
future they would be using modified asphalts and 35 states reported that they would need bigger
portions. Several investigations all around the world have researched and evaluated benefits of
modifying polymers on the performance of pavement, and developing the specifications and tests for
binders are still continuing. Over the last decade, USA is the country where most of the research is
done, followed by China, Canada and some European countries. Among the companies that have
been filing patents on PMA over the last decade, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC is the leading one.
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Fina Technology, Polyphalt LLC, BASF Corporation and
Ergon Incorporated are also reported. There have been significant movements in the marketing area.
The interest for PMA technology has been increasing, and so the number of companies which
commercialize it, and their earnings. The United States, China, France and Italy are leaders in
polymer modified asphalt (PMA) research and development activities, even though considerable work
has also been done in Japan, Germany, Russia, Great Britain, and Canada
Fluxing agents or diluent oils are sometimes used to soften the asphalt. Another method that can
significantly improve asphalt quality is the addition of polymers. TOSCO (the Oil Shale Company), was
the first company that used polyphosphoric acid (PPA) as a modifier in asphalt without air blowing. A
significant number of researches on PMA (polymer modified asphalt) mixture have been conducted for
the past two decades. The addition of polymers to asphalt for the purpose of enhancing its properties
over a range of different temperatures in paving applications was contemplated a long time ago.
Polymers can significantly improve the asphalt pavements performance at low, intermediate and high
temperatures.
They can increase the resistance of mixture to permanent deformation, thermal fracture and fatigue
cracking at low temperature, decrease plastic flow and increase shear modulus at high temperature.
The researchers found that by modifying bitumen with even small amounts of polymers, the road
pavement life span may be increased.
The main reasons to modify asphalts with polymers could be summarized as follows:
• To obtain softer blends at low service temperatures and reduce cracking
• To reach stiffer blends at high temperatures and reduce rutting
• To reduce viscosity at layout temperatures
• To increase the stability and the strength of mixtures
• To improve the abrasion resistance of blends
• To improve fatigue resistance of blends
• To improve oxidation and aging resistance
• To reduce structural thickness of pavements
• To reduce life costs of pavements.

Literature Review:
Plastics are polymers, a large molecule made of monomers which are joined in a chain by a procedure
called polymerization. The polymers for the most part contain carbon and hydrogen with, at times,

Page 2 of 7
 National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU)
Department of Civil Engineering

different components, for example, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine or fluorine. Plastics have been utilized
as a major component in manufacturing automobile and modern applications, medial delivery
systems, and implants and other health applications, water desalination, land and soil preservation,
surge aversion, preservation and distribution of food, construction of houses, communication devices,
security frameworks, and many different uses. With such expansive and diverse applications, plastics
add to a consistently expanding volume in the large amount of wastes. The world's yearly utilization of
plastic materials has grown from around 5 million tons in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tons in 2001.
Amounts of waste plastic have been rising rapidly during recent decades because of rapid
industrialization and the significant change in the ways of life, however shockingly, the dominant part
of these waste amounts is not being reused but instead are wasted causing certain difficult issues, for
example, the misuse of natural assets and environmental contamination. Since the situation of waste
polymers found worse on earth for last two decades, several research studies have been conducted to
reuse various types of waste polymers in road construction replace aggregates or added to the
bitumen to enhance properties of bitumen mixture bitumen has been known as one of the oldest
engineering materials and utilization for different purposes for thousands of years in the field of
engineering such as waterproofing agent, adhesive and binder are on the top uses (Jiqing et al., 2014;
Polacco et al., 2006; Morgan et al., 1995).
Joint survey report of Asphalt Institute and Eurobitumen, (2011) shows statistically available figures for
worldwide bitumen consumption was recorded 1.6trillion metric tons in 2007 and huge amount is use
for the purpose of road pavement. Theory of bitumen modification by using waste polymers is not very
new, Numerous attempts for bitumen modification have been exercised in the past, but among all
polymer modification was the most notable (Jiqing et al., 2014; Amit et al., 2012).
Jiqing et al., (2014); Alaxender, (2012); Amit et al., (2012); Nasker et al., (2012); Vidual et al., (2012);
Kalantar et al., (2010); Al-Hadidy & Yi-Qui ,(2009); Neilson, (2009); Verma, (2008); Huang et al.,
(2007); Lewandowsk, (1994):
All researchers described that waste polymers not only improve properties of asphalt, enhance road
quality, performance, prolong lifetime of the road pavement, reduce the cost and pressure on landfills
and decrease conventional road materials.
Bitumen modified by using Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) polymer better elastic recovery, higher
cracking resistance at low temperatures and higher rutting resistance at high temperatures was
evident in various research studies (Bonemazzi et al., 1996; Elmore et al., 1993 and Wardlaw &
Shuler 1992).
According to Alatas & Yilmaz, (2013); Gorkem & Sengoz, (2009); Tayfur et al., (2007) bitumen
properties could be enhanced in term of higher stiffness at high temperature, cracking resistance at
low temperature, moisture resistance and improve fatigue life by adding plastomers or elastomers
polymers.
Prof.C.E.G. Justo States that addition of 8.0 % by weight of processed plastic for the preparation of
modified bitumen results in a saving of 0.4 % bitumen by weight of the mix or about 9.6 kg bitumen per
cubic meter (m 3) of BC mix. Modified Bitumen improves the stability or strength, life and other
desirable properties of bituminous concrete mix.
Dr. R. Vasudevan states that the polymer bitumen blend is a better binder compared to plain bitumen.
Blend has increased Softening point and decreased Penetration value with a suitable ductility. When it
used for road construction it can withstand higher temperature and load. The coating of plastics
reduces the porosity, absorption of moisture and improves soundness. The polymer coated aggregate
bitumen mix forms better material for flexible pavement construction as the mix shows higher Marshall
Stability value and suitable Marshall Coefficient. Hence the use of waste plastics for flexible pavement
is one of the best methods for easy disposal of waste plastics. Use of plastic bags in road help in
many ways like Easy disposal of waste, better road and prevention of pollution and so on.
According to V.S. Punith, (2001),Some encouraging results were reported in this study that there is
possibility to improve the performance of bituminous mixes of road pavements. Waste plastics
(polythene carry bags, etc.)on heating soften at around 130°C. Thermo gravimetric analysis has
shown that there is no gas evolution in the temperature range of 130-180°C. Softened plastics have a
binding property. Hence, it can be used as a binder for road construction.
Sundaram & Rojasay (2008) studied the Effective blending technique for the use of plastic waste into

Page 3 of 7
 National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU)
Department of Civil Engineering

bitumen for road laying and Polymer-bitumen mixtures of different compositions were prepared and
used for carrying out various tests.
Verma S.S. (2008).concluded that Plastics will increase the melting point of the bitumen. This
technology not only strengthened the road construction but also increased the road life.
Dr. R.Vasudevan and S. Rajasekaran, (2007) stated that the polymer bitumen blend is a better binder
compared to plain bitumen.Blend has increased Softening point and decreased Penetration value with
a suitable ductility.
Mohd. Imtiyaz (2002) concluded that the mix prepared with modifiers shows:-Higher resistance to
permanent deformation at higher temperature.
Sabina et al (2001) studied the comparative performance of properties of bituminous mixes containing
plastic/polymer (PP) (8% and 15% by wt of bitumen) with conventional bituminous concrete mix
(prepared with 60/70 penetration grade bitumen). Improvement in properties like Marshall Stability,
retained stability, indirect tensile strength and rutting was observed in Plastic modified bituminous
concrete mixes. The laboratory studies conducted by CRRI in utilization of waste plastic bags in
bituminous concrete mixes have proved that these enhance the properties of mix in addition to solving
disposal problems. The results indicated that there was an improvement in strength properties when
compared to a conventional mix. Therefore, the life of pavement surfacing using the waste plastic is
expected to increase substantially in comparison to the use of conventional bituminous mix

Hypotheses:
Hypothesis #1: Use of plastic modified bitumen as a binding material improves performance of flexible
pavements.

Hypothesis #2: Using waste plastic in construction of flexible pavement leads to plastic waste utility in
a constructive way to improve environment quality.

Methodology:
Collect the Waste plastic bags from roads, garbage trucks, dumpsites and compost plants. The
collected Plastic waste was sorted as per the required thickness. Generally, polyethylene of 60 micron
or below is used for the further process. Less micron plastic is easily mixable in the bitumen at higher
temperature (160°c-170°c). It is clean by de-dusting or washing if required. Collected Plastic was cut
into fine pieces as far as possible. The plastic pieces will sieved through 4.75mm sieve and retaining
at 2.36mm sieve will collected. Firstly, Bitumen will heated up to the temperature about 160°c170°c
which is its melting temp. Pieces will added slowly to the hot bitumen of temperature around 160-
170°c.The mixture was stirred manually for about 20-30 minutes. In that time period temperature will
kept constant about 160-170°c. Polymer-bitumen mixtures of different compositions will prepared and
used for carrying out tests i.e. Penetration test, Ductility test, Flash point test & Fire point test, Ring
and ball test and Marshall Stability value test.
There are two important processes namely dry process and wet process used for bitumen mix flexible
pavement.
1. DRY PROCESS
2. WET PROCESS
In dry process waste plastics are used as coating materials by softening the plastic and not by
burning. For a flexible pavement hot stone aggregate (170’C) is mixed with hot bitumen (160’C) and
the mix is used for road laying. The aggregate when coated with plastics improved its quality with
respect to voids, soundness and moisture absorption and decreases porosity and thus the
performance of the pavement is increased. In wet process, plastic waste is ground and made into
powder 6 to 8%. Plastic is added to the bitumen at 160’C.

Page 4 of 7
 National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU)
Department of Civil Engineering

TIME FRAME
THESIS DEFENCE

SUBMISSION & CORRECTIONS

WRITE UP

TESTING & RESULTS

LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

1-Sep-18 21-Oct-18 10-Dec-18 29-Jan-19 20-Mar-19 9-May-19 28-Jun-19

SUBMISSION
INTRODUCTI LITERATURE TESTING & & THESIS
WRITE UP
ON REVIEW RESULTS CORRECTION DEFENCE
S
start date 1-Sep-18 16-Oct-18 14-Jan-19 16-Mar-19 16-Apr-19 16-May-19
no of days to complete 45 69 30 30 30 1

Outline:

Chapter No Chapter Title

01 INTRODUCTION

02 LITERATURE REVIEW

03 EXPERIMENTATIONS

04 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

05 CONCLUSION

06 RERENCES

Page 5 of 7
 National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU)
Department of Civil Engineering

References / Bibliography:
1. Subagio, B.S., Kosasih, D., Busnial, and Tenrilangi, D.
Awwad, M. T., and Shbeeb, L. “The use of polyethylene in hot asphalt mixtures”. American
Journal of Applied Sciences 4 (6): pp. 390-396, 2007.

2. Coplantz, J.S., Yapp, M. T., and Finn, F. N. “Review of relationships between modified asphalt
properties and pavement performance”. SHRP-A-631, Strategic Highway Res. Program, National
Res. Council Washington, USA, 1993.

3. Al-Hadidy, Yi-Qiu and Tan, 2009 “Effect of polyethylene on life of flexible pavements,”
Construction and Building Materials, vol. 23(3), pp. 1456-1464.
4. Ahmadinia E, Zargar M, Karim MR, Abdelaziz M, Ahmadinia E. Performance evaluation of
utilization of waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) in stone mastic asphalt. Construction and
Building Materials, 2012, 36, p. 984-989.

5. Casey D, McNally C, Gibney A, Gilchrist MD. Development of a recycled polymer modified binder
for use in stone mastic asphalt. Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2008, 52, p. 1167-1174.

6. Costa LMB, Silva HMRD, Oliveira JRM, Fernandes SRM. Incorporation of Waste Plastic in
Asphalt Binders to Improve their Performance in the Pavement.
7. Randolph S., & Jeremiah.(2009). The foot prints of Plastic bags. Environmental Protection
Society, Malaysia.
-.
8. Giavarini C, Filippis P, Santarelli M, Scarsella M. Production of stable polypropylene-modified
bitumens. Fuel 1996;75(6):681–6.

9. Naskar M, Chaki TK, Reddy KS. Effect of waste plastic as modifier on thermal stability and
degradation kinetics of bitumen/waste plastics blend. Thermochim Acta 2010;509:128–34.

10. Garcia-Morales M, Partal P, Navarro FJ, Gallegos C. Effect of waste polymer addition on the
rheology of modified bitumen. Fuel 2005;85(11):936–43.

11. Lu X, Isacsson U. Rheological characterization of styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer modified

bitumens. Constr Build Mater 1997;11(1):23–32.

12. Zielinski J, Bukowski A, Osowiecka B. An effect of polymers on thermal stability of bitumens.

Therm Anal 1995;43:271.

13. Beker Y, Mendez PM, Rodriguez Y. Polymer modified asphalt. Vis Techlo 2001;9(1):39–48.

14. Martin J-V. Polyphosphoric acid use in asphalt more than 40 years’ experience.
Asphalt 2006;21:14–6.

________________________
(Author’s Signature)

Page 6 of 7
 National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU)
Department of Civil Engineering

Approval:

The Graduate Studies Committee in its meeting held on ___________ approved the MS

research proposal of ___________________ titled “___________________________”.

Graduate Studies Committee Members:

Sr. Name Signatures

1. Dr. Javaid Ahmad (HOD) ________________________

2. Dr. Shahid Ali ________________________

3. Dr. Mansoor Ahmed ________________________

4. Dr. Mubashir Aziz ________________________

Page 7 of 7