Pavement
- Publication no: AP-R680-22
- ISBN: 978-1-922700-57-5
- Published: 24 October 2022
- PDF (free) Download
This report is Part B of the third report for the APT6305 project. The first report examined road-grade recycled plastics in asphalt pavements and investigated the most suitable types of recycled plastics for incorporation into the asphalt. The second report provided a comprehensive overview of the initial development of various testing frameworks for characterising road-grade recycled plastic, incorporating recycled plastics in bitumen and asphalt via various methods, and studying possible emissions and microplastics release. Part A of the third report detailed the findings from the testing frameworks developed in the second report for what relates to the dry and wet method of plastic incorporation into asphalt. The report also provides additional testing frameworks developed for assessing the future recyclability of plastic-modified asphalt.
This report builds on the findings from Part A of the third report and investigates the mixed method of inclusion of recycled plastic into asphalt. In particular, the physical, rheological and mechanical properties of plastic modified asphalt were evaluated together with emissions and microplastic release. The future recyclability of asphalt containing recycled plastic was also evaluated.
To hear a detailed overview of the findings, watch a webinar with Andrew Papacostas from Department of Transport Victoria, Associate Professor Filippo Giustozzi from RMIT University and his team, including Dr Marie Enfrin, Yeong Jia Boom, and Dr Dai Xuan Lu.
- Summary
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Study Purpose
- 1.2 Study Scope
- 1.3 Methodology
- 2. Recycled Plastics in Asphalt through Partial Binder Modification and Aggregate Replacement (Mixed Method)
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Materials
- 2.3 Mix Design and Asphalt Volumetrics
- 2.4 Asphalt Mixing and Compaction Procedure
- 2.5 Asphalt Compactability
- 2.6 Moisture Damage – Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR)
- 2.7 Stiffness and Asphalt Master Curves
- 2.8 Cracking Resistance
- 2.8.1 Fatigue Resistance – FPBB Test
- 2.8.2 Cracking Tolerance – IDEAL CT Test
- 2.9 Rutting Resistance – Hamburg Wheel-Track Testing
- 2.10 Performance-Based Discussion for Mixed Method
- 3. Potential Emissions from Asphalt Containing Recycled Plastics
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Emissions Testing Framework
- 3.2.1 Asphalt: Mixed Method
- 3.2.2 Testing Procedure and Sample Preparation
- 3.2.3 Emissions Measurement and Analytical Conditions
- 3.2.4 Testing Variables
- 3.3 Results and Discussion
- 3.3.1 Emissions Released by the Mixed Method Asphalt
- 3.4 Analysis of Specific Compounds
- 3.5 Conclusion
- 4. Potential Release of Microplastics from Recycled Plastic-Modified Asphalt
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Methodology
- 4.2.1 Asphalt Specimen Preparation
- 4.2.2 Abrasion Procedure
- 4.2.3 Extraction Procedure
- 4.2.4 Benchmarking
- 4.3 Results and Discussion
- 4.3.1 Impact of the Plastic Type and Content on the Release of Residues
- 4.3.2 Benchmarking Microplastics Release Against A35P and A15E
- 4.3.3 Release of MPs from Plastic-Modified Asphalt via Mixed, Wet and Dry Methods
- 4.4 Conclusions and Outlook
- 5. Recyclability of Reclaimed Plastic-Modified Asphalt
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Materials
- 5.2.1 Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP)
- 5.2.2 Bitumen and Aggregate
- 5.2.3 Mix Design and Asphalt Volumetric
- 5.3 Asphalt Mixing and Compaction Procedure
- 5.3.1 Compactability
- 5.4 Performance Tests
- 5.4.1 Moisture Damage – Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR)
- 5.4.2 Stiffness and Asphalt Master Curves
- 5.4.3 Fatigue Resistance
- 5.4.4 IDEAL CT Test
- 5.4.5 Rutting Resistance – Hamburg Wheel-Track Testing
- 5.5 P-RAP and Performance-Based Considerations
- 5.6 Emissions Analysis from the Recyclability Study of P-RAP
- 5.6.1 Asphalt: Reclaimed Plastic-Modified Asphalt
- 5.6.2 Testing Parameters
- 5.6.3 Emissions Released by Reclaimed Plastic-Modified Asphalt
- 5.6.4 Specific Compound Analysis
- 5.6.5 Summary of Asphalt Recyclability Emissions Analysis
- 5.7 Release of Microplastics
- 6. Overall Discussion and Conclusion
- References
- Appendix A Supplementary Testing
- A.1 Benchmarking the Emissions of Plastic-Modified Asphalt Against A15E
- A.1.1 Comparison between A15E and A35P
- A.1.2 Benchmarking of Plastic-Modified Asphalt
- A.2 Microplastics Release
- A.2.1 Comparison Between A15E and A35P
- A.2.2 Benchmarking of Plastic-Modified Asphalt
- A.1 Benchmarking the Emissions of Plastic-Modified Asphalt Against A15E