The findings from a research project investigating maximising the circularity of Asphalt have been published in the Construction and Building Materials Journal.
Eman Lafta Omairey, Gordon Airey and colleagues have been researching how to maximise the recyclability of bitumen used in asphalt, including the use of waste plastic and sewage waste. Their published paper is titled “Recovering the properties of aged bitumen using bio-rejuvenators derived from municipal wastes”.
The research aimed to enhance the sustainability of bitumen by exploring the feasibility of rejuvenating aged samples with bio-based rejuvenators synthesised from municipal wastes. Findings reveal that these rejuvenators effectively enhance the fatigue resistance of aged bitumen and reduce binders’ temperature sensitivity. However, the project team observed increased strain sensitivity in rejuvenated bitumen compared to its virgin counterpart, which points to the need for further research into the thermal stability of these rejuvenators. The work contributes to advancing the understanding of recycling agents produced via a technique called pyrolysis processes, and their impact on aged binders.
The published paper can be found via this link.
You can read their summary report here.
