Use of waste polyethylene in bituminous concrete mixes

Modified Bitumen is one of the important construction materials for flexible pavements. Use of plastic waste(LDPE in the construction of flexible pavement is gaining importance. It is also worth mentioning that, the modifier raw-material has been sourced from disposed waste plastic. This not only allows us to collect modifier raw material at low cost, but also provides a solution towards ecological menace posed by increased use of plastics (non-biodegradable). In India, it is estimated that over 33 lakh kilometers of road exists. The road transport carries close to 90% of passenger traffic and 70% of freight transport. Investigations in India and countries abroad have revealed that properties of bitumen and bituminous mixes can be improved to meet requirements of pavement with the incorporation of certain additives or blend of additives. These additives are called “Bitumen Modifiers” and the bitumen premixed with these modifiers is known as modified bitumen. Modified bitumen is expected to give higher life of surfacing (up to 100%) depending upon degree of modification and type of additives and modification process used.