Evaluation of Performance Characteristics of Asphalt Mixture Modified with Waste Plastic Bottle (PET)

Nowadays, the use of recycled waste materials as modifier in asphalt mixtures could have several economic and environmental benefits. This research evaluates the use of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in hot mix asphalt mixtures. For this purpose, plastic bottles were cut to 10×2.5, 20×2.5 and 30×2.5 mm pieces and were added to the mixture, in dry conditions, as 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 % of the aggregates weight. In this research, performance properties of the modified asphalt mixture were evaluated through several experimental tests such as:Marshall Stability, resilient modulus, moisture susceptibility and dynamic creep test. Results indicated that addition of PET to the asphalt mixtures improved the resistance to rutting, but also reduced Marshall Stability and tensile strength of the mixtures. Also, it was revealed that PET fibers with 10 mm length and 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 % substitution weight have better results than other mixtures.