RHEOLOGY OF WASTE PLASTIC FIBRE MODIFIED BITUMEN

Abstract

Development of modified asphalt materials to improve the overall performance of pavements has been the focus of several research efforts made over the past few decades. Use of discarded waste plastics construction was one of the steps taken in this direction. Using the waste materials in road construction win not only bring out significant saving in road material costs but also help towards tackling the problems of disposal of such waste materials, which tend to be hazardous in as much as they can cause pollution of both air and water. The Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) is used for determination. of the rheological properties of bitumen in a wide range of temperature. The rheological properties of road bitumen are improved by means of polymer modification as identified by both conventional and more fundamental theological parameters. Although the conventional binder properties, such as softening point and penetration, are able to indicate increases in stiffness and viscosity following polymer modification, they are generally unable to quantify the unique theological characteristics of polymer modified bitumen. Over the past few years, rheology has been extensively used in order to classify and evaluate bituminous binders according to their performance properties. This has led to a better knowledge of bitumen behaviour that occurs when subjected to different thermal and mechanical conditions, as seen during road construction and service in the field. In the present work, rheology has been applied to evaluate the properties of modified bitumen before and after ageing.