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Performance Evaluation of Plastic Mixed Asphalt in Both Laboratory and Asphalt Plant for Trial Mix
Summary
Researchers found that mixing recycled plastic waste into road asphalt made roads significantly stronger—up to 40% more durable in lab tests—while also giving discarded plastic a productive second life instead of it ending up in landfills or waterways. This matters because it offers a practical way to tackle Bangladesh's plastic pollution problem, potentially keeping plastic waste out of the environment where it can break down into microplastics that contaminate soil, water, and eventually our food and bodies.
Plastic waste poses a critical environmental challenge in Bangladesh due to its low collection, recycling, and improper disposal. This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating recycled plastic waste as a partial replacement of bitumen in hot mix asphalt (HMA). Both laboratory and plant mixes were prepared, and their performance was evaluated. The performance evaluation included volumetric analysis and Marshall tests. These tests focus on key parameters such as stability, flow, density, and air voids, which are critical indicators of pavement strength and durability. Based on the experimental results, the plastic-modified HMA demonstrated a 40% increase at the laboratory scale for Marshall Stability compared to conventional asphalt mix. However, Marshall stability in plant mix (during trial mix) increased by 30% compared to the conventional mix, and all stability values exceeded the minimum design requirement of 8.0 kN for high traffic volume roads. The air voids were within the acceptable range of 3%–5%, and flow values are between 8 and 14 units. The test results highlight the possibility of using recycled plastic waste for HMA as a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for road construction. These have the potential to reduce plastic pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions for road construction, and finally, promote a circular economy in Bangladesh.