Assessing recycled polyvinyl chloride reinforced modified asphalt mixtures for sustainable paving applications

Abstract

In order to reduce plastic waste, this study compares six different percentages of recycled polyvinyl chloride (rPVC), ranging from 0% to 15%, in asphalt mixtures. The Marshall method, which is essential for creating an ideal mixture in terms of asphalt durability, was employed by the researchers to assess the stability and flow properties of each mixture formulation in order to determine the ideal bitumen content. The results revealed that a weight content of 12.5% rPVC significantly enhanced road durability by increasing stability to 952.33 kg and reducing the flow value to 3.5 mm. Furthermore, the integration of rPVC improved resistance to high temperatures and increased the softening point by 29%, making modified HMA with rPVC more effective than conventional HMA. These findings are vital as they provide a foundation for the production of sustainable asphalt mixtures from plastic waste and promote cost-effective road construction with minimal environmental impact.