Asphalt Heat with Additive Plastic Waste Type Low Density Polithylene (LDPE) as a Mixture on AC-WC Layer in the Road of Pasteur Road, Bandung City

Abstract

The accumulation of non-biodegradable Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) plastic waste presents a significant environmental challenge. Concurrently, enhancing the durability of road pavements, particularly the Asphalt Concrete-Wearing Course (AC-WC) layer on high-traffic roads like Pasteur Road in Bandung, is a continuous engineering goal. This research investigates the feasibility and effect of using shredded LDPE plastic waste as an additive in AC-WC hot mix asphalt. This study employed an experimental laboratory methodology. Several asphalt mixture variations were produced, incorporating different percentages of LDPE (e.g., 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%) by weight of bitumen, using the dry mix process. The performance of each mixture was systematically evaluated using standard Marshall tests. Key parameters analyzed include Marshall Stability, Flow, Marshall Quotient (MQ), Voids in Mix (VIM), Voids in Mineral Aggregate (VMA), and Voids Filled with Bitumen (VFB). The results indicate that the addition of LDPE up to an optimal percentage significantly increases Marshall Stability and the Marshall Quotient (stiffness), suggesting enhanced resistance to permanent deformation (rutting). The optimal mix, while utilizing waste material, successfully meets the technical specifications for an AC-WC layer. This study concludes that LDPE plastic waste can be a viable additive for polymer-modified asphalt, offering a sustainable solution that both diverts plastic from landfills and improves pavement performance.