Use of recycled wall ceramic waste in bituminous mixtures

Various types of recycled waste are used as constituent materials of bituminous mixtures with the aim of promoting environmental sustainability. The paper investigates the possibility of using ceramic wall waste as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in bituminous mixtures of the asphalt concrete (AC) type.
Bituminous mixtures containing 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% ceramic waste were tested for their physical and mechanical properties. Marshall Design and Static-Dynamic Creep Test methods were used in the experimental part. The results of the tests show that increasing the ceramic content reduces the creep stiffness and stability of the asphalt, while at the same time increasing the void content due to the porous structure of ceramic waste. A 20% ceramic content in the coarse aggregate of the bituminous mixture confirms optimal properties, achieving structural stability and resistance to deformations prescribed by the specifications of Turkish Highways. Therefore, the use of ceramic waste in an optimal ratio represents an effective and sustainable alternative to component materials for the construction of asphalt pavements.
The use of previously laboratory-tested types and proportions of recycled wall ceramic waste encourages the practice of a circular economy and the conservation of natural aggregate resources, as well as the sustainability of development in road construction.