Preliminary Study of Porous Asphalt Concrete Stabilized with Plastic Waste and Biochar in Thailand
摘要
This paper aimed to investigate approaches for reducing plastic waste by integrating waste PE bags as binder replacements in porous asphalt concrete (PAC), fortified with corn-based biochar as a filler. The inclusion of 2% biochar, derived from the pyrolysis of agricultural residues, aimed to offset the carbon footprint associated with raw material consumption. Results indicated that the PAC incorporating biochar necessitated a 1.62% plastic-to-binder ratio (PBR), representing the proportion of plastic waste replaced in the total binder, with the optimal binder content set at 4.7% of the total aggregate weight. The formulated PAC mixture demonstrated satisfactory performance in pavement engineering properties, meeting the standards set by the Department of Rural Roads, Thailand. Specifically, the selected PAC with 20% air void exhibited a favorable water infiltration rate of 2.30 mm/s, effectively addressing stormwater concerns in a site-specific study conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Additionally, the utilization of biochar and waste PE bags yielded a reduction in carbon emissions by approximately 25.4 kgCO2eq per ton of asphalt concrete, showcasing sustainable construction practices and environmentally friendly waste management. Consequently, the integration of this new PAC presents an innovative opportunity for future road infrastructure, providing both carbon removal capabilities and resilience to climate change through biochar utilization.