Characterization of hot bituminous-asphalt mixtures with recycled polyurethane foam

Abstract

Introduction: The use of polymer wastes in pavement as road is an increasing trend in the road construction sector. Those new pavements reduce the amount of solid waste disposed into landfills and provide more sustainable construction due to the use of in-situ materials. Polyurethane foam waste is a thermostable polymer being used in the form of a grey-coloured foam, a by-product of the automobile industry. Aim: The focus of this work centers on the exploitation of polyurethane foam waste in full or partial substitution of the fines and the mineral powder that form the bituminous mixtures to produce a sustainable alternative for bituminous asphalt used in pavement construction. Methods: A series of specimens were manufactured and tested for the Marshall test, with different percentages of polyurethane foam waste aggregates (50% and 100%), calculating their apparent densities. Results: The results show acceptable compatibility between the elements of bituminous concrete and the polyurethane waste, producing a reduction in both the apparent density and Marshall stability, as well as an increase in volume and an increase in deformation with higher volumes of waste in the mixture. © 2017 Gutiérrez-González et al.