Waste Powder Materials as Byproduct from Mosaics Tiles Polishing towards Sustainable Filler in HMA Mixtures

Abstract

Waste powder materials (WPM) is a by-product of mosaic tile polishing facilities in Iraq. The use of WPM has a positive impact on both economic and environmental issues. The current study investigates the potential of using WPM as a filler in asphalt mixtures. For the investigation, hot mix asphalt (HMA) combinations, which were made of waste powder materials and 40–50 penetration grade asphalt binder, were built and tested, then compared with the CaCO3–HMA virgin mix. While the WPM mass in the HMA mixes between 4.0% and 6.0% (by aggregate mass), the CaCO3 dosage in the HMA mixtures was selected as 5.0%. The mechanical properties of CaCO3 and WPM/HMA mixes were tested using the Marshall stability and Marshall rigidity, besides the unconditional and conditional tensile strength and the tensile strength ratio (TSR). The HMA combinations consisting of 5% and 6% WPM have slightly higher tensile strength, stability, TSR, flexibility index, cracking resistance index, Jc-integral, and deformation resistance values than the CaCO3-HMA mixture. All WPM-HMA mixes agree with the minimal limits of ASTM of 8 kN stability, 2–4 mm flow, and 3–5 percent air voids when the optimal binder concentration is used. This study found that 5–6 percent of the aggregate by weight can be replaced with the WPM as a green mineral filler for paving construction. WPM is available and cheaper than CaCO3 filler materials.