Rheological Study of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate with Bitumen Mix in Pavement Construction

Abstract

Plastic bags which are composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is commonly used as for soft drink, water bottles and many other applications. However, disposal of this waste PET in large quantities constitutes an environmental problem, as it is considered as non-biodegradable materials. This study investigated rheological study of waste PET to be mixed with bitumen use as a raw material for pavement construction. The effect of temperature was varied from 140 to 160 oC, composition of PET from 4 to 12 % and mixing time also from 20 to 60 minutes with increment of 10 oC, 4% and 20 minutes, respectively. Based on these effects, the bitumen with PET mix for penetration test result was investigated. The experimental design was done by using Design Expert 7.0.0 software of three factors, three replicates and three levels General Factorial Design with full factorial type in optimization study. From the analysis of the experimental results the minimum amount of PET with bitumen mix of penetration result was found to be 43.67(0.1mm) under selected optimal condition of temperature (150oC), composition (8%) and mixing time (40 min). Temperature, composition and mixing time had a significant effect on penetration test results. The influences of these process variables on characteristics of the qualitative test of PET with bitumen mix were also investigated. The ductility, softening point, flash and fire point test obtained under an optimum conditions were found to be 42.67cm, 58.34oC, 351oC and 358oC respectively. Hence, this study indicated that the rheology of waste PET with bitumen in pavement construction is considered not only as a positive option in terms of sustainability, but also, as an attractive option in means of given that enhanced performance in service life of the pavement.
Keywords: Penetration test, Bitumen, Polyethylene terephthalate