ORCID Identifier(s)

0000-0002-2829-3576

Graduation Semester and Year

2021

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

Department

Materials Science and Engineering

First Advisor

Maria S Konsta-Gdoutos

Abstract

There is a renewed interest from federal and state transportation agencies as well as the asphalt industry in developing successful utilization of recycled plastics in asphalt pavements. By incorporating a third material into the asphalt/plastic blend, a stimulation of enhanced compatibility between the waste plastics and asphalt can be observed. In this thesis, the need for increased stability and improved mechanical performance of asphalt blends, at low and high temperatures, are addressed through the use of dispersed/exfoliated organic montmorillonite nanoplatelets a.k.a. nanoclay (NC). Previous studies with non-dispersed NC as a modifier in asphalt (AS) and polyethylene (PE) blends reported the addition of NC may have the potential to modify the natural viscoelastic behavior, thus affecting the thermal stability. This project aims to introduce an innovative technology for the production of a novel asphalt blend that is an environmentally friendly, viable, and more economical alternative for pavement construction. The stability and enhanced cracking/rutting resistance at cold and hot temperatures of the product will contribute to improving the safety and serviceability of roadways while reducing the maintenance/repair costs. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses conducted showed evidence of new chemical interactions between the dispersed nanoparticles and asphalt/plastic blend, suggesting a better-blended phase morphology. The indirect tensile (IDT) strength test was performed on AS/PE blends with and without reinforced NC, both dispersed and non-dispersed. The results showed an increase in tensile strength and the stress-strain ratio of the proposed material that indicates a higher modulus of elasticity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to examine the fracture surface of the AS/PE/NC-d sample to identify the presence of NC.

Keywords

Asphalt, Recycled plastics, Nanoclay, Nanomodification, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Indirect tensile strength

Disciplines

Engineering | Materials Science and Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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