Literary Review of Incorporation of Plastic Waste in Pavement Layers

Leandra A.S.A.; Ismael L.L.M. · Civil Engineering and Architecture (2025) · DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130128

Resumen

This review article explores the utilization of plastic waste as an environmentally conscious alternative in road construction projects. It mentions several countries that have implemented plastic waste management mechanisms to incorporate them into pavement, thus promoting a circular economy. The aim of this review is to offer an up-to-date synthesis of the application of plastic waste in various pavement layers and the corresponding benefits. Research was compiled from several authors from different countries that applied plastic waste in subgrade, bitumen, asphalt and rigid pavement. These studies evaluated the behavior of standard and modified samples through different tests to determine how pavement properties are affected by the incorporation of polymer wastes. In addition, different types of plastics and their physical properties, such as melting point, which is important in determining the method of incorporating waste plastics into asphalt, are described. A table is included that provides information on the recycling of plastics, their acronyms, densities, biodegradability and applications in daily use, which facilitates the visual identification of the types of plastics. The plastics examined in this analysis include low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The conclusions of this review are related to the application of the flooring. The conclusions of this review are related to the application of the pavement in different layers and how this can improve its properties depending on the layer where the polymer is applied.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica Sedes Sapientiae