Experimental Investigation on Stability and Flow Characteristics of Sustainable Bituminous Concrete Using Cement as Filler and Waste Plastic as Binder

This study evaluated the Marshall stability, flow, and ultrasonic pulse velocity of bituminous concrete incorporating cement as a filler admixture (4%, 8%, 12% by weight of bitumen) and waste LDPE plastic as a partial binder replacement (10%, 20%, 30% by weight of bitumen). The following conclusions are drawn:   • Use of waste plastic as a partial bitumen replacement produces an eco-friendly bituminous concrete without compromising the mix's ability to meet MORTH specifications, offering a practical route to reducing both bitumen demand and plastic waste. • The combination of 12% cement and 10% plastic gave the highest Marshall stability (1208 kg), satisfying MORTH requirements for heavy traffic roads. • Cement alone (without added plastic) at higher dosages also produced high stability values, with flow values that satisfied MORTH requirements for heavy traffic roads. • The highest ultrasonic pulse velocity was obtained for 8% cement with 10% plastic, indicating the densest mix, though this combination did not coincide with the highest-strength mix — underscoring that density and Marshall stability should be assessed together rather than density alone being used as a proxy for strength. • Overall, the combination of cement filler and waste plastic binder in bituminous concrete can achieve stability and flow values that satisfy MORTH specifications for heavy traffic roads, supporting its use as a sustainable alternative to conventional bitumen-only mixes.

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