| Abstrakt: |
Pure water sachets made of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) with other plastic waste are dumped indiscriminately and thereby constitute environment nuisance. The large volume per unit mass of the dumped LDPE coupled with their non-biodegradable nature posses overwhelming challen ges. This study investigated the possibility of reducing this challenge and cost of road constructio n by modifying Asphalt with LDPE. Samples of LDPE wastes were collected randomly from So uthwest Nigeria, the samples were washed, sun-dried and shredded into bits. An economical blen d of bituminous mix was obtained through trial mix proportion of 1, 3 and 5% of the shredded L DPE. Samples were produced with the addition of these waste proportions to the Optimum Binde r Content (OBC) of the asphalt mix and replacement of the bitumen within the OBC with LDPE waste in the same proportion. Marshall Stability (MS) test, Marshall Flow (MF) tests, Bulk Dens ity (BD), Void in Total Mix (VTM), and Void Filled with Bitumen (VFB) were determined for t he asphalt concrete mix produced. The results were compared with national and international sta ndards. Cost analysis was also carried out to determine the cost implication of this modification. The maximum LDPE content acceptable was found to be 1% replacement of OBC by weight of a ggregate with BD, VTM, VFB, MF, and MS of 2.39 kg/m,³ 4.06%, 81.25%, 3.82 mm and 27.75 KN respectively. With the 1% replacement BD, VTM, VFB, MF, and MS were within the standa rd. 7.37% reduction in cost of asphalt when modified with LDPE waste was also obtained. This s tudy concluded that application of 'Pure water' sachet is a means of reducing environmental nuis ance in our society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
