ASSESSING PERFORMANCE OF BIO-BITUMEN PRODUCED USING SUGARCANE MOLASSES

Abstract

Bio-bitumen has immense potential to replace and meet the requirement of conventional bitumen. The conventional bitumen is a petroleum product and India presently imports almost 86% petroleum products from outside and cost of the same is increasing at a drastic rate. Whereas availability of the petroleum resources is non-renewable and are available in limited quantity. The bio-bitumen is prepared by partially or by completely replacing a base binder (bitumen VG 30) with biomass or bio oil. In this report the performance of bio bitumen produced using sugarcane molasses (SM) was studied, investigated, and practically implemented to check its effectiveness. However, SM on other side being a by-product of sugarcane industry, it is easily available and at a lower cost. Apropos, usage of bio-bitumen produced using SM will have tremendous advantages over a conventional binder in terms of environmental impact, economic benefits, ease of availability and overall development of roads construction industry. The laboratory investigation obtained the optimum dosage of sugarcane molasses as 25% by weight of bitumen. The rutting (MSCR) and fatigue (LAS) performance of SM modified binders were found comparable to that of base binder. Further, mixes were subjected to rutting, fatigue, moisture, and stiffness tests to ascertain the performance. Finally test sections were laid to assess its field applicability.