Análisis del efecto de la adición de partículas de tereftalato de polietileno (PET) en mezclas asfálticas en frío

Abstract

Due to an increase in environmental pollution regarding the use of plastic, we proceeded to conduct this research where recycled plastic was incorporated into a cold asphalt mixture in order to identify its mechanical behavior. This research was based on incorporating recycled plastic into a cold asphalt mix using stone aggregates from the Ambato canton and comparing its mechanical properties with a traditional asphalt mix. The behavior of an asphalt mixture was studied by progressively modifying it with the addition of the following percentages of PET of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 percent by weight; ASTM D 1559 and AASHTO T 225 were used for this purpose; 100 samples were made, of which 20 corresponded to conventional asphalt mixtures and 80 to mixtures with different percentages of (PET/PE/PP). Finally, the maximum and optimum percentage of recycled polymers to be added to the asphalt mixes was established in order to meet and improve the design requirements according to the regulations. It was determined that in cold asphalt mixes the quality of the pavement does not improve in high traffic, but for medium and light traffic it presents flexible and durable characteristics, thus obtaining an optimum percentage of polymer addition for the design of flexible pavements that can be used in the country's roads.