Sustainable Silicon Waste Material Utilization for Road Construction: An Application of Modified Binder for Marshall Stability Analysis

Abstract

Across the globe, sustainable infrastructure development—in context of road networks, and recycling waste material and production—are the two predominant factors associated with the construction industry in making roads and developing transportation networks. Globally, millions of tons of basic hot mix asphalt are produced, which are being utilized to generate large volumes of the finished road material. This study deals with the method of modifying bitumen by adding a silicon mobile cover waste material in a cost-effective manner, that can yield improved characteristic properties to bitumen, in a sustainable way to save material, improve quality/performance and reduce costs. In this investigation, globally produced and used mobile silicon cover accessories were utilized as a partial replacement (at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) with bitumen. A large quantity of used silicon phone covers are thrown in the garbage and dumped in grounds as a waste material worldwide. Modifying bitumen with up to 40% silicon, using a potentially viable waste available in large quantities, was proven to be stabilized according to ASTM Marshall Test criteria of stability (>9) and flow(within range 2–4) in road construction. The results of the investigation are promising, and the use of silicon waste could mark a significant impact on the economics of road construction industry for sustainable infrastructure development by saving bitumen, which is a costly resource.