Asphalt concrete modification with waste PMMA/ATH

This paper presents recycling of waste PMMA/ATH powder in asphalt concrete mixture. Waste PMMA/ATH is generated in large amounts during shaping process of acrylic sheets. Recycling waste polymers rationally and efficiently has become one of the priorities of road pavement industry in recent years. Therefore, in this study waste PMMA/ATH powder was incorporated in an asphalt mixture. In one case waste PMMA/ATH was used as an asphalt binder modifier and in other case as a partial replacement for fine aggregate fraction. Basic performance characteristics of asphalt mixtures were evaluated by measuring material properties such as rutting potential and stripping resistance. Binder characteristics were determined also on artificially aged samples. With both modification methods, improved performance characteristics of asphalt mixture were achieved which can increase road pavement durability. Finally, waste PMMA/ATH allowed us to prepare an asphalt mixture that had strongly enhanced mechanical properties regarding to the wheel tracking test and could also have less negative effects on the environment as indicated by moisture susceptibility test results.