Green asphalt construction with improved stability and dynamic mechanical properties

Green road concept encourages optimum utilization of local resources as one of the important indicators of the sustainable development. The form of re-utilization of material is economic and environmentally friendly. In this research, environmentally friendly green asphalt was prepared for road construction by mixing with waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (WPET). This work starts with glycolysis of WPET followed by synthesis of unsaturated polyester (UP). Different types of glycols, namely diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and propylene glycol, were used and blended with asphalt binder to obtain an eco-friendly modifier of asphalt 60/70. The modifiers were used in percentages of 4% and 8% (wt/wt) to obtain modified asphalt binder with desirable physical and engineering properties. The prepared UPs were characterized using FTIR, GPC and TGA. The prepared modified asphalt samples were evaluated for physical, chemical, colloidal stability, TGA and rutting resistance using dynamic shear rheometer. The results showed an improvement in asphalt properties which became more thermal stable, resistant to rutting and plastic deformation causing the susceptibility of asphalt to operate in different climates which means obtaining eco-friendly green asphalt with enhanced dynamic mechanical properties.