The Effect of Crumb Rubber and Ceramic Waste Filler on the Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt

In curtailing the effects of scrap tires and ceramic waste in the environment, this study evaluates the effect of crumb rubber as bitumen modifier and ceramic waste as filler on the performance of hot mix asphalt. Bitumen was modified with crumb rubber in increasing percentages of 0%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15%, by the weight of bitumen, while limestone filler was replaced with ceramic filler at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% proportions by the weight of total filler. Five asphalt mix types were produced and evaluated, based on Marshall mix design method for heavy traffic. The physical and chemical characterization of crumb rubber and ceramic filler showed that their properties were within the specified range and could be potentially applied in hot mix asphalt. In comparison to other variations, the modified mix which contained 6% crumb rubber and 25% replacement of limestone filler with ceramic filler, gave better resistance to deformation and rutting, cracking and moisture susceptibility, from the obtained Marshall flow of 2.92 mm, stability of 32.57 KN, Marshall quotient of 11.15 KN/mm, indirect tensile strength (dry) of 884.2 KN and tensile strength ratio of 90.36 % KN/m2. The combination of 6% crumb rubber and 25% ceramic filler effectively enhanced the performance of hot mix asphalt, thereby offering as a sustainable approach for recycling these waste materials.