Enhancing flexible pavement performance through the incorporation of waste engine oil, crumb rubber, and polyethylene in bituminous mixes

Abstract

This current investigation was conducted to improve performance of traditional pavement by reusing/utilizing industrial waste materials in bituminous concrete mixtures for flexible pavements, thereby promoting waste management practices. The optimum mix was found to be at 3% L.D.P.E. with 4% W.E.O., &5% crumb rubber, and having bitumen percentage content of 4.5%. A higher content of waste incorporationwas found to enhance brittleness and deformation. This study assessed the optimalmixes or optimal mix ratios for their dissemination, brittleness, ductility, and specific gravity characteristics. Best/optimal results were identifiedwhile using ratios of 3% L.D.P.E., 4% W.E.O., &5.0% C.R. with 4.5% bitumen. This ratio was found to result leading to a max. stability of 730.5 kg & 17.25 of flow rate. Thesefindingssuggest that industrial waste can be successfully blended with bituminous construction mixes thereby improving pavement performance and supporting waste management at parallel. Thus reusing industrial waste materials in bituminous construction mixes in optimal ratios can lead to better pavement performance in comparison to traditional pavement but for that the exact ratios must first be calculated for obtaining desired characteristics.