Performance evaluation of asphalt binders modified with waste engine oil and various additives

Annually tons of waste engine oil is wasted or dumped in environmentally unfriendly ways. Asphalt binder has been modified with waste engine oil previously and showed, lower consistency, lower moisture damage resistance at higher dosages, and impaired high-temperature performance. In the current study, three different additives were added to solve these issues associated with waste engine oil-modified bitumen. Elvaloy, polyphosphoric acid (PPA), and hydrated lime (H-L) were used as polymer, chemical, and filler-type additives. Waste engine oil-modified bitumen combined with all three types of additives was evaluated using conventional viscosity, moisture susceptibility, dynamic mechanical, and chemical testing. Results showed that waste engine oil inclusion decreased the consistency of binder, reduced viscosity, and impaired high-temperature performance. Elvaloy’s addition to waste engine oil-modified bitumen made it less sensitive to temperature changes, increased the performance grade, improved the stiffness, and enhanced the resistance against rutting and moisture-induced damages. Polyphosphoric acid addition refined the consistency of binder modified with waste engine oil. It drastically increased the complex modulus values and decreased phase angle values by stiffening the binder. PPA enhanced the moisture susceptibility of asphalt and improved its high-temperature performance. Hydrated lime improved moisture resistance and bonding strength but showed less effectiveness in improving high-temperature performance at lower dosages. The results conclude that binder modification with waste engine oil can be effective with other additives like polyphosphoric acid, Elvaloy, and hydrated lime.