INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete (HMAC) are widely used today in

construction industry, be it roadways, highways or bridges for it is economical.

Asphalt is gaining popularity these days because of its availability and as a

byproduct of crude oil. Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) consists of a combination of

aggregates (fine and coarse), mineral fillers, bitumen and other additives for

improving its engineering properties. Asphalt concrete pavement is known for

its durability and resilience but are susceptible to many factors that tend to

lessen its strength and cause deterioration like all paved surfaces. Distresses

that leads to early failure are affected by different factors associated with

traffic loading and varying environmental conditions. These distresses must

be carefully considered in the design and during the construction.

The application of fibers and polymers has been studied for over five

decades in order improve the performance of HMA, having fiber

reinforcement gained much attention for its improving effects. Generally, fiber

change the viscoelasticity of mixture and reduce reflective cracking of asphalt

mixture and pavement (Abtahi et al., 2009).

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Significance of the Study

With the increase in traffic volume and significant variation in daily and

seasonal temperature, it is important that pavements meet the requirements

for durability and security, providing ease and comfort to the users. High

traffic intensity demands improvement to road characteristics. HMA with high

durability lessens the cost of maintenance, rehabilitation and operational cost

throughout the pavement service life.

Environmental problems regarding plastic pollution is now a major

global concern. Plastics are cheap, strong and deliver significant benefits to

the society and have become a part of people’s daily life. Because of the

steady growth of human population, the production of waste plastic greatly

increases with limited ways of disposal. If not recycled, it is being incinerated

or through land-fills which has great impact in the environment. Due to the

problems regarding waste plastic, researchers thought of solutions that might

solve these problems. Because plastic is flexible, water resistant and heat

combustible material, it is highly suitable to become a component of asphalt

of asphalt mix.

Effective use of waste plastic will help reduce its harmful effects to the

environment. It will be recycled and turned into usable material instead of

being incinerated and dump in landfills and would economically improve

selected properties of HMA. Motorists would benefit from the improved road
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conditions because the need for vehicle repairs due to beat-up road is

reduced. Also, with

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fewer repairs and reconstruction needed, traffic disruption would also lessen

and reduce inconvenience to the commuters.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to reinforce Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)

with of Polypropylene (PP) fibers. It also aims to investigate the selected

physical and mechanical properties of HMA reinforced with varying amount p

PP fibers. Specifically:

1. to determine the stability of HMA reinforced with PP fibers in

accordance to the Marshall Mix Method

2. to determine the flow value of HMA reinforced with PP fibers in

accordance to the Marshall Mix Method

3. to determine the air void content of HMA reinforced with PP fibers

in accordance to the Marshall Mix Method

Expected Output

After the conduct of the study is an Hot mix Asphalt (HMA)Reinforced

with Polypropylene (PP) Fibers with improved physical and mechanical

properties.
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Scope and Limitations of the Study

The Study will focus only on the use of waste Polypropylene (PP),

specifically waste banana twine, as fiber reinforcement to determine the

specific physical and mechanical properties of HMA.

Time and Place of the Study

The study will be conducted at the Provincial Engineers Office- Asphalt

Laboratory Plant at Isulan, Sultan Kudarat January 2019. The physical

evaluation of aggregate, bitumen and testing will be performed at the same

office. The gathering, cleansing, and cutting of waste PP twine will be

performed at Tulunan, North Cotabato.

Operational Definition of Terms

This gives the definition of terms that are used in the study.

Aggregates are composed of coarse and fine aggregates that would serve

as the major component of the HMA and meet the specification for

Grading D set by Department of Public Works and Highways

(DPWH).

Bitumen is a black or brown petroleum-like material that would act as the

binding agent of HMA samples.

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Flow is the total vertical deformation when no load is applied to HMA samples

and when it the maximum load is reached during the Marshall stability test

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) must be thoroughly heated during mixing using dry

process and during compaction of specimens.

Stability is the maximum load capacity of HMA reached during the Marshall

stability test

Conceptual Framework

Fig.1 shows the conceptual framework of the study. It illustrates the

independent and dependent variables of the study.

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Varying percentage of PP Physical and Mechanical

fibers to be added to Properties of HMA
HMA
 Stability
0.0% Fiber Content
 Flow Value
0.3% Fiber Content

0.5% Fiber Content

 Air Void Content
1.0% Fiber Content

Fig. 1. Conceptual Frameworkof the study.