Evaluation of Polymer Binder Technisoil G5® in Concrete Mixture

Plastic is everywhere, and with its increasing use in so many everyday materials, the production and demand of plastic has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the accumulation of a mammoth amount of plastic waste and adverse effects on the environment. To optimize the huge amount of materials required by the pavement industry each year and reuse recycled plastics, the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has been common practice. This research studied the use of a binder completely made from recycled waste plastic named Technisoil G5® and compared it with performance grade PG 70-22 mix containing virgin aggregates and RAP aggregate. The study compared the mechanical properties, including fracture resistance and rutting resistance, and performed IDEAL Cracking Test (IDEAL CT) to evaluate the fracture resistance of samples. Results included that the fracture cracking resistance of Technisoil G5® samples is significantly lower than the PG 70-22 samples. Meanwhile, the peak load of Technisoil G5® samples is higher than PG 70-22 and can take a higher load before failure. Further testing is needed, but these and other results of this study are first steps toward testing and implementing sustainable development to conserve the environment.