IndexAbstractIntroductionRoad Laying ProcessEconomics of Road ConstructionConclusionAbstractToday Plastic is everywhere in today's lifestyle. Plastic waste disposal is a big problem. These are non-biodegradable products due to which these materials lead to environmental pollution and problems such as breast cancer, reproductive problems in humans and animals, genital abnormalities and even a decline in the number and quality of human sperm. In recent years, applications of waste plastics have been considered in road construction with great interest in many developing countries. The use of these materials in road construction is based on technical, economic and ecological criteria. Several million tonnes of plastic waste are generated in India every year. If these materials could be appropriately used in the construction of highways, pollution and disposal problems could be partially reduced. Keeping in mind the need for massive use of this waste in India, it was deemed appropriate to test these materials and develop specifications to improve the use of plastic waste in road construction, where higher economic returns may be possible. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay The possible use of these materials should be developed for low-volume road construction in different parts of our country. A review of various plastic wastes for use in road construction has been discussed in this paper. Keywords: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS), plastic waste, bitumen, asphalt, etc. Introduction Plastic is everywhere in today's lifestyle. It is used to package, protect, serve and even dispose of all types of consumer goods. With the industrial revolution, mass production of goods began and plastic seemed to be a cheaper and more effective raw material. Today, every vital sector of the economy, from agriculture to packaging, automotive, construction, communication or infotech, has been virtually revolutionized by plastic applications. The use of this non-biodegradable product (according to recent studies, plastic can remain unchanged for up to 4500 years on earth) is growing rapidly and the problem is what to do with plastic waste. Studies have linked improper plastic disposal to problems as far away as breast cancer, reproductive problems in humans and animals, genital abnormalities, and even a decline in the number and quality of human sperm. If the use of plastic were banned for emotional reasons, the real cost would be much higher, the inconvenience much greater, the possibility of damage or contamination much greater. The risks to the health and safety of the family would increase and, above all, the environmental burden would be multiple. So the issue is not “plastic vs non-plastic” but is more about the judicious use and reuse of plastic waste. In recent years, applications of waste plastics have been considered in road construction with great interest in many developing countries. The use of these materials in road construction is based on technical, economic and ecological criteria. The lack of traditional road materials and environmental protection make it imperative to carefully investigate the possible use of these materials. India has a vast network of metropolitan cities located in different parts of the country and many more are planned in the near future. They come to India every yearproduced several million tons of plastic waste. Traditionally, earth, stony aggregates, sand, bituminous cement, etc. are used for road construction. Since natural materials are exhaustible in nature, their quantity gradually decreases. Furthermore, the costs of extracting good quality natural material are increasing. Concerned about this, scientists are looking for alternative materials for highway construction, and plastic waste is one of these category. If these materials could be appropriately used in the construction of highways, pollution and disposal problems could be partially reduced. With no other outlets, this solid waste has taken up several acres of land around plants across the country. Keeping in mind the need for massive utilization of this solid waste in India, it was deemed appropriate to test these materials and develop specifications to enhance the use of this plastic waste in road construction, where higher economic returns may be possible. The possible use of these materials should be developed for low-volume road construction in different parts of our country. Necessary specifications should be formulated and attempts should be made to maximize the use of solid waste in different layers of road pavement. By heating to 100 - 160°C, plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene soften and have good binding properties. Mixing the softened plastic with bitumen results in a mixture suitable for road installation. The mix has been used to build roads up to 1,500 km long in the state of Maharashtra. Other states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh have also constructed test roads. These roads withstood loads from heavy traffic, rain and temperature variations Preparation of the polymer-aggregate-bitumen mixture Cleaned and dried plastic waste (e.g. disposed transport bags, films, cups and thermocoles) with a maximum thickness of 60 microns are shredded into small pieces (dimensions 2.36 mm - 4.75 mm). PVC is not suitable for this process. The aggregate is heated to 165°C in a mini hot mix plant. Shredded plastic is added to the hot mixture. The plastic softens and covers the surface of the aggregate giving an oily appearance in 30 - 60 seconds. Hot bitumen is immediately added (heated to a maximum of 160°C to ensure good binding) and the contents are mixed well. The mixture, once cooled to 110 - 120°C, can be used for road laying using an 8 ton road roller. Since the plastic is heated to a maximum temperature of 165°C, no gas development occurs. When heated to temperatures above 270°C, plastics decompose and at temperatures above 750°C they are burned producing harmful gases. Improved properties of the mixture The plastic coating on the aggregate in the amount of 10 - 15% by weight of bitumen improves the binding properties of the mixture: higher softening point and lower penetration point due to the intertwining of the polymer molecule with the bitumen. Less moisture absorption capacity due to the plastic coating on the surface. Better ductility, higher Marshall stability value. Better stripping value (no stripping when immersed in water for 72 hours) High compressive strength (> 100 mpa) and high flexural strength (> 450 Kg /cm with respect to bonding property) Roads are twice as strong as normal roads and resistant to water stagnation and minorbleeding. Polymer-blended bitumen exhibits a higher softening point, lower penetration point and better ductility. The polymer-coated aggregate mixed with bitumen shows a higher Marshall value and better stripping value, proving that the mixture is more suitable for road laying.Road laying processUsing polymer-aggregate-bitumen mixture Plastic waste ( bags, cups, thermocoles) made of PE, PP and PS are separated, cleaned if necessary and shredded into small pieces (passing through a 4.35 mm sieve). The aggregate (granite) is heated to 170°C in the Mini Hot Mix Plant and shredded plastic waste is added, which softens and coats on top of the aggregate. The hot bitumen (160°C) is immediately added and mixed well. When the polymer and bitumen are in the molten state (liquid state), they mix and the mixture forms on the surface of the aggregate. The mixture is transferred to the road and the road is laid. This technique is also extended to the central mixing plant. Salient Features of Polymer-Waste-Bitumen Mixed Road The resistance of the road is twice stronger than normal roads; Resistance to water stagnation, i.e. absence of potholesformed; Less bleeding during the summer; Burning of plastic waste could be avoided, it does not involve the use of additional machinery; does not increase road construction costs; and helps reduce asphalt consumption versus cost reduction. It is observed that the addition of plastic waste up to 10 - 15% by weight of bitumen resulted in higher softening point values ​​and lower penetration values, appreciable improvements in the binder properties. This resulted in and withstood a higher traffic load and high temperature variations. Several experimental sections have been laid at more than 15 locations in Tamilnadu using both Mini hot mix plants and central mixing plants. Economics of Road Construction Laying of Bituminous Roads – Indian Roads Congress (IRC) Specifications There are different types of bituminous roads. They are: Dense Bituminous Macadam, Bituminous Macadam. These streets differ in 3 directions, namely 1. Composition of the aggregate; 2. Type of bitumen used; and 3. Layer thickness. Bitumen is a useful binder for road construction. Different grades of bitumen such as 30/40, 60/70 and 80/100 are available based on their penetration values ​​and these grades can be used as IRC specifications. For these different types of bituminous roads, waste plastic can be used (10% instead of bitumen). The road laying technology is very similar to that prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress Specifications (Section 500, IV Revision). A detailed description of the material required for laying a 25 mm Semi Dense Bituminous Concrete (SDBC) road (on an existing road) is given below: Conventional bituminous road affected by heavy rain a) Materials: Road 1000 M x 3.75 M (25 mm): 11,250 tons of bitumen (grade 60/70) are required. Shredded plastic required: 10% by weight (passes through a 4.74 mm sieve and retains 2.36 mm). Bitumen replaced (saved) by 10% plastic: 1,125 tonnes Actual bitumen required: 10,125 tonnes Aggregate (11.2 mm): 70,875 m³ Aggregate (6.7 mm): 43,125 m³ Aggregate dust: 23,625 m³ b) Cost: the total cost including the above mentioned material, labor etc. (in Madurai) is approx. 5.00 lakh, however, the cost may vary from place to place and needs to be calculated accordingly. The cost breakdown is as follows: Collection of abandoned plastic: Rs. 0.50 lakh Cost of shredder and other equipment: Rs. 0.50.