Rheological Analysis of Modified Bitumen by PVC Based Various Recycled Plastics

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the rheological behavior of bitumen modified by three waste plastics (old window frames, blinds, and cables) which are composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Thus, nine polymer-modified bitumen samples were produced by adding the PVC-based modifiers to bitumen at three different contents (2%, 4%, and 6%).The rheological properties of the pure and modified bitumens were analyzed by means of conventional and rotational viscosity (RV) tests as well as the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test. The DSR test was performed at three different frequencies representing three different traffic speeds on highways. Master curves of complex viscosity and complex modulus of modified bitumens were plotted using the data obtained from DSR test results. After polymer modification, it was observed that all modified binders behaved like Newtonian fluid, especially at lower angular frequencies. The results of the tests indicate that waste blind modification has a certain stiffening effect on bitumen. However, it provides a higher complex modulus and a lower phase angle at all traffic speeds. Modification using waste blinds of more than 4% caused difficult workability of the bitumen. This means that, by using plastic blind waste as a modifier with a 4% usage rate, it is possible to decrease wheel-tracking deformation, which is fundamental for the extension of pavement life.