Performance characterization of asphalt mixtures containing steel slag, palm oil clinker and high-density polyethylene

Abstract This study was carried out to improve the sustainability of asphalt mixtures by incorporating High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-modified bitumen, steel slag (SS), and palm oil clinker (POC). Three control mixtures (CONT A, CONT B, and CONT C) and two waste-based mixtures (WB 1 and WB 2) were designed using the Marshall method. CONT A, CONT B, and CONT C contained AC-20 bitumen as binder, granite as aggregates, and hydrated lime, ordinary Portland cement, and granite quarry dust, as filler, respectively. WB 1 contained 3% HDPE-modified bitumen, 47% SS, 50% granite, and 3% POC. WB 2 contained 3% HDPE-modified bitumen, 96% SS, and 4% POC. The mixtures’ resistance to cracking, rutting, moisture damage, and abrasion loss were assessed by measuring the Cracking Tolerance Index (CT Index ), Rutting Tolerance Index (RT Index ), Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR), and Cantabro Abrasion Loss (CAL), respectively. There was no significant difference in the CT Index of WB 2 and the control mixtures. However, WB 1 exhibited CT Index values that were 29% and 111% higher than CONT B for short- and long-term aged specimens, respectively. There was no significant difference in the RT Index of the mixtures. The TSR of WB 1 was 14% and 12% lower than CONT A and CONT B, respectively, while WB 2 was 48%, 46%, and 20% lower than CONT A, CONT B, and CONT C, respectively. WB 1 exhibited lower CAL than other mixtures, especially under long-term aging conditions. This study recommends HDPE-modification of AC-20 bitumen, partial replacement of granite with SS, and POC as filler.