Dissolved Pure Water Sachet as a Modifier of Optimum Binder Content in Asphalt Mixes

Abstract

The Marshall properties of bitumen modified asphalt mix for wearing course of a flexible pavement were determined in the laboratory. The bitumen modification was achieved with dissolved pure water sachet in a petroleum bye product as a partial replacement of and additions to the optimum bitumen content. The variation of the Marshall Stability, flow and Voids in Mix (VIM), voids filled with binder (VFB) and voids in mineral aggregates (VMA) were monitored as the proportion of the emulsified dissolved sachets increased. The respective Marshall Stability values of 1,400 kg for unmodified bitumen binder; 1,150 kg at 15% partial replacement (1% dissolved pure water + 5 % optimum bitumen content = 6 % binder) and 1200 kg at 25 % addition (2% dissolved: pure water + 6 % optimum bitumen content = 8% binder) were recorded; which were both higher than the desired stability for heavily trafficked pavement. The dissolved pure water sachet modified asphalt through the two methods of application are equally effective to carry heavy traffic and still liberate the environment from the health hazards of the pure water waste sachets in rural and urban settlements. However, the modification method of additions to the optimum bitumen should be preferred because of its more consumption of the unwanted flying pure water sachet and save in quantity of bitumen in the production of asphaltic pavement mixes.