Abstract:
Most of the roads in Pakistan are built using bituminous material (asphalt). Bitumen
is susceptible to failures due to increased axle weights, heavy traffic, and harsh climatic
conditions. As a result, bitumen’s performance-related qualities, such as resistance to
permanent deformation, low-temperature cracking, wear, stripping, and ageing need to be
addressed (Abrahim, 2012). It has revealed that bitumen and asphalt can fulfil pavement
requirements by incorporating certain additives. Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen is one
such effort that improves bitumen’s elastic response at higher temperatures (Kamal et al.,
2016).
This research is based on the performance assessment of hot mix asphalt (HMA)
by incorporating different percentages of WCO and WEO in combination with WRT in
place of the ideal bitumen content. Aside from enhancing pavement construction and
exploring innovative ways to improve it, the study also focuses on waste management
which has been a growing problem throughout the world. According to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Pakistan generates about 20 million tonnes of solid waste every
year, with the rate increasing by 2.4 per cent each year (Malik, 2019). It also analyses the
impact on the cost of using the waste materials as possible replacement materials.
To achieve the goals of the research, several laboratory tests including penetration,
ductility, softening point and rotational viscosity test were undertaken on virgin bitumen
and modified bitumen. In addition, Performance tests namely the Indirect Tensile Strength
test for Moisture Susceptibility and Resilient Modulus were calculated. All physical and
performance test result shows that about 16% of bitumen can be replaced with WCO or
ix
WEO and WRT powder. Modified bitumen carrying 4% WEO and 12 % WRT shows
massive resistance to moisture. Cost Analysis of virgin bitumen and modified bitumen
concluded that utilizing modified bitumen can result in the reduction of cost used per Km
by almost 10-15%.
