Durable and sustainable warm mix asphalt pavement using value-added recycled PET
S. Baradaran, Mahmoud Ameri
Abstract
The growing global concerns over environmental sustainability, particularly with respect to waste plastic accumulation and its impact on global warming, highlight the urgent need for innovative, eco-friendly solutions in civil engineering. Simultaneously, the demand for durable and sustainable infrastructure, especially asphalt pavements, has risen due to increased traffic and population growth. This study addresses these challenges by exploring the potential of warm mix asphalt (WMA) technology combined with recycled plastic waste, specifically from PET bottles, to develop a more sustainable pavement material. Recycled PET was used as an eco-friendly modifier for asphalt binder, alongside Sasobit® as a warm mix additive. Various asphalt mixtures containing 0 %, 1 %, and 2 % recycled PET were prepared and subjected to comprehensive mechanical tests, including dynamic creep (DC), indirect tensile strength (ITS), indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM), and semi-circular bending (SCB) tests. These tests evaluated the mixtures’ resistance to rutting, moisture susceptibility, and low-temperature cracking. The results demonstrated that incorporating 2 % recycled PET significantly enhanced the rutting resistance, moisture resistance, and low-temperature cracking performance of WMA pavements. Two-way ANOVA analysis further validated the effects of recycled PET and Sasobit® additives on the asphalt’s mechanical properties. Additionally, the environmental and cost impacts of using these materials were assessed, highlighting their sustainability. The PET and Sasobit® combination, though initially costly, enhances durability, reduces maintenance, and lowers energy consumption, emissions, and hazardous waste, offering cost-effectiveness and improved sustainability. This study provides a promising, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly approach for developing durable asphalt pavements, offering a valuable solution for the future of road construction.