Abstract:
The flexible roads are the roads which are mainly constructed by using bitumen and
asphalt. Flexible roads have problems due to their lack of durability, lack of strength
etc. Therefore, this research was conducted to identify the possibility of using polymermodified
bitumen as a solution for those problems. The research methodology used was
literature review. Plastic waste can be used to prepare polymer-modified bitumen. The
applicability, cons and pros; the environmental aspect and economical aspect of the
polymer-modified bitumen were identified in this research. Moreover, polymer-modified
bitumen is identified as a solution for the flexible roads’ problems. Using the polymermodified
bitumen in the road construction, addresses the problems of the flexible roads,
by, increasing the roads’ strength, avoiding breakage, facing the environmental
conditions more effectively etc. Furthermore, it brings benefits such as the roads
becoming more comfortable for the passengers. The most effective way of constructing
the plastic roads is the dry process, over the wet process. Preparing the plastic roads is
an environmentally friendly method, if only thermoplastics such as Low Density
Polythene, High Density Polythene, Polyurethane and Polythene Terephthalate are
used. So, the plastics which are recycled few times, Polyvinyl Chloride and thermosetting
plastics usage needs to be avoided. This method is economical, because the bitumen
content used in the road construction can be reduced and in long term, although the
initial cost of implementing the method is high, the maintenance cost is reduced. Sri
Lanka will be benefited, if this method is implemented in the construction industry.
