Assessment of Asphalt Binder Characteristics Enhanced by Wheat Straw Ash (WSA) and Waste Engine Oil (WEO)

Abstract

Every year, tons of agricultural waste ash from crop residues (such as Wheat straws) are generated through energy production activities. The disposal of this ash in landfills and through open dumping poses serious environmental and health problems, primarily due to groundwater contamination. Additionally, the lack of available land for further dumping exacerbates the issue. The disposal of large amounts of waste products such as Wheat Straw Ash (WSA), and Waste Engine Oil (WEO) presents significant environmental risks, including air and water pollution, along with the challenge of limited space for safe disposal. Utilizing these waste materials in asphalt binder not only enhances asphalt properties but also mitigates environmental issues. In this study, WSA at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6% were mixed with 2% WEO to modify virgin bitumen. The modified binder specimens were evaluated using the Bitumen Bond Strength test and Rolling Bottle test, along with conventional testing methods, to assess adhesion and moisture susceptibility. The experimental results indicate that bitumen modified with 2% WEO by weight of virgin binder exhibits better adhesion and moisture susceptibility compared to the control binder.