International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 10, Issue 04, April 2019, pp. 367-372, Article ID: IJCIET_10_04_039
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=04
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed
Neetin Khajuria
Student of M.E, Transportation Engineering, Chandigarh University, Punjab, India
Avani Chopra
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Chandigarh University, Punjab, India
ABSTRACT
Generally, bitumen mix comprises of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, filler and binder material but in order to improve the engineering properties of the mix, the need for the suitable material arises which enhance the properties of the mix. The main motive of this study is to enhance the engineering properties by using banana fibre and zeolite in the bitumen mix against the normal mix. The banana fibre and zeolite is added in the mix at different percentages to find the effect in the bitumen mix by laboratory tests in which stability and flow parameter is analysed. The content of binder ranges from 4% to 6 % with an increment of .5 % and the Optimum Binder Content for bitumen mix were found to be 5%. The percentage of both banana fibre and zeolite ranges from
0.05% to 0.3% with an increment of 0.05%. The use of banana fibre and zeolite proves economical and environmentally friendly as the use of banana fibre improves the stability of the mix and zeolite helps in lowering the mixing and compacting temperatures which ensure highly useful especially for heavy traffic roads and multiaxle loads as the size of the heavy load vehicles are also increased. Marshall Test is carried out in this study.
Keywords : Bituminous mixes, Bituminous Concrete, Banana fibre, Zeolite, Stability,
Flow parameter, Marshall
Cite this Article: Neetin Khajuria and Avani Chopra, Effect of Using Banana Fibre and Zeolite as an Additive on the Engineering Properties of Bituminous Concrete,
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 10(04), 2019, pp. 367-372 http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=04 http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 367 editor@iaeme.com

Neetin Khajuria and Avani Chopra
In the present modern era in which more and more traffic is increasing day by day due to which the need for good roads are also increasing at a rapid rate. For constructing good roads, the requirement of durability and stability in bituminous mixes also needs to be improved. As the
Axle loads of heavy vehicles are increased so the need for the improvement in the properties of paving material is also increased. Now a days the highways authorities are continuously finding solutions for providing smooth, safe and reasonable pavements which have the ability to carry heavy loads. For achieving this goal, many researchers are continuously doing their efforts to increase the durability and strength of the bitumen mixes. In this research, study aggregates are used as per MoRTH specifications. Preparation of samples is created using different aggregate gradation, bitumen VG 40, filler and banana fibre and zeolite. In this study, the fibres are used as an additive in the mix. In this study the banana fibre and zeolite help in enhancing the stability and properties of the bitumen mix. In this present study, a comparison of BC mix with and without using banana fibre and zeolite is made. The zeolite releases the water after heating which helps in lowering the mixing and compacting temperature which helps in saving of fuel consumption which proves to be economical. These materials are also cheaper and are easily available.
2.1. Bitumen
VG 40 grade is used in this present study to prepare the samples for the experiments according to (IRC: 111-2009)
2.2. Coarse aggregates
Coarse aggregates of various sizes are used according to MoRTH specifications.
2.3. Fine aggregates
Fine aggregates are also used as per MoRTH specification. The aggregates should be clean, dry, durable and free from dust.
2.4. Fillers
Fillers are a necessary requirement in the Marshall test as the fillers fill the voids. Fillers are as per MoRTH specification. Stone dust is used as a filler in this study.
2.5. Banana Fibre
Banana fibre is used according to different percentages used by the weight of the total mix.
2.6. Zeolite
The zeolite is in powdered form and lite grey in colour and is used according to different percentages by total weight of the mix.
2.7. Emulsion
The slow setting emulsion is used in this study to protect banana fibre from burning during mixing as the mixing temp is high.
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Effect of Using Banana Fibre and Zeolite as an Additive on the Engineering Properties of
Bituminous Concrete
To prepare samples the following procedure is followed
First of all, aggregates are graded according to their gradation as per MoRTH specification.
After that 3 reference samples in which binder content ranges from 4% to 6% of each were prepared with an increment of .5%. On the basis of this optimum binder content is calculated.
After that on the basis of OBC modified samples are prepared in which bitumen content remains the same according to OBC but an additive is used in which both coated banana fibre and zeolite is used with different percentages. Banana fibre coated with emulsion is placed in an oven for 24 hrs at a temp of 110 ℃ to make sure that fibre is not burnt during mixing. Both banana fibre and zeolite are used at an increment of .05% ranging from 0.05% to 0.2%. Zeolite is used in powdered form. After gradation is done aggregates are mixed with each other to get a sample of the weight of 1200gms. After mixing samples are placed in an oven for 3 to 4 hrs at a temperature of 150 ℃ to 180 ℃ .VG 40 grade bitumen was heated in high temperature to get liquified so that it will mix with all the aggregates and fibre easily. All components are mixed thoroughly to prepare a homogeneous mix sample. A mould is used which is cylindrical in shape and made up of iron and has a diameter of 100mm. Mould is also heated before use.
After heating all the required component, the mixture which is prepared is put into mould and hammering was performed with the help of a hammer. Hammering was performed by giving
75 blows to each side of the specimen. After hammering is done samples are left in room temperature to cool down for 24 hrs. After removing samples from the mould and name according to their binder content and modified material percentages are glued to sample to recognize it later. The weight of all individual samples is taken both in room temperature and in water. After weighing the samples, samples are placed in a water bath for 40 minutes at a temperature of 60 ℃ . After 40 minutes samples are placed in the Marshall apparatus and the readings are taken carefully.
The procedure is followed according to (ASTM D 6927-15).
Table 1 Marshall stability, flow, VA, VMA, VFB values for banana fibre and zeolite modified bitumen mix at optimum bitumen content 5%.
Percentage Fibre VA (%)
0 5.67
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
4.08
4.06
5.69
6.12
7.34 0.3
Range as per
MoRTH specification
3-6
VMA (%)
17.44
16.38
16.03
17.46
18.17
17.46
Min 11
VFB (%)
67.38
75.09
74.67
67.41
66.31
57.96
65-75
Stability(kN) Flow(mm)
22.3
21.3
24.1
26.9
21.53
19.8
>900
2.65
2.79
3.46
2.70
2.45
2.92
2-4
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Neetin Khajuria and Avani Chopra
30
27.5
25
22.5
20
17.5
15
22.3
21.3
24.1
26.9
21.53
19.8
0 0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.3
Fibre Content (%)
Stablity (kN)
Figure.1 Effect of fibre content on Stability
4
3
2
1
0
2.65
2.79
3.46
2.92
2.7
2.45
0 0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.3
Fibre Content (%)
Flow (mm)
Figure.2 Effect of fibre content on Flow
6
5
4
3
8
7
2
1
0
5.67
0
4.08
4.06
0.05
5.69
6.12
0.1
0.15
Fibre Content (%)
0.2
7.34
0.3
VA
Figure.3 Effect of fibre content on Air Voids (VA)
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Effect of Using Banana Fibre and Zeolite as an Additive on the Engineering Properties of
Bituminous Concrete
18.5
18
17.5
17
16.5
16
15.5
15
14.5
17.44
0
16.38
16.03
17.46
18.17
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
Fibre Content (%)
17.46
0.3
VMA
Figure.4 Effect of fibre content on VMA
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
67.38
0
75 74.67
67.41
66.31
0.05
0.1
0.15
Fibre Content (%)
0.2
57.96
0.3
VFB
Figure.5
Effect of fibre content on VFB

After adding the banana fibre and zeolite powder into the mix it is found that the presence of fibre in BC mixture enhancing the stability values, which means a growth in toughness of the BC mixture.

It is found that stability of the modified mixture increases firstly and after reaching the maximum value it decreases with the increase in fibre content.

Zeolite allows us to reduce the mixing and compaction temperatures.

It also saves fuel energy required for heating and compaction because it lowers temperature for mixing and compaction. The maximum stability is found to be at
0.15% fibre content.

In this study, only VG 40 bitumen is used but the other grades are also needed to be evaluated.

Some other natural fibres are also present in nature they are also to be evaluated and compared
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Neetin Khajuria and Avani Chopra

Various gradation is suggested by MoRTH they are also to be evaluated.

Stone dust is used as a filler in this study but the use of some other fillers is also to be evaluated.
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