Performance evaluation of stone mastic asphalt reinforced with shredded waste E-cigarette butts

The recycling of waste materials in asphalt pavements is pivotal for advancing the road industry, offering numerous environmental, economic, and societal benefits. This study explores the recycling potential of waste electronic cigarette butts (E-CBs) within stone mastic asphalt (SMA) mixtures, serving as a substitute for cellulose fibres and enhancing mechanical performance. Considering the critical role of fibre size in asphalt mixtures, two different E-CB shredding sizes (10 and 15 mm) were selected for examination. Additionally, the influence of the plastic component within E-CBs was investigated. The stabilizing effects of using the shredded E-CBs were evaluated via drain-down tests, followed by a series of standard laboratory tests aimed at assessing physical and mechanical properties. Results demonstrate acceptable drain-down properties, volumetric properties, and moisture susceptibility for all four shredded E-CBs. Among the four mixtures incorporating the waste fibres, the utilization of 15 mm shredded E-CBs without plastic constituents yielded the highest values for indirect tensile strength (ITS) and indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM), coupled with excellent water susceptibility and rutting performance. It can be considered a promising alternative to the traditional cellulose fibre. Larger shredded E-CBs exhibited potential for improving mechanical properties, encompassing cohesion, stiffness modulus, and rutting resistance. Although plastic inclusion can enhance rutting resistance, the higher thermal susceptibility associated with plastic warrants careful consideration. Future research may focus on investigating the fatigue and low-temperature cracking properties, as well as the reinforcing mechanisms of shredded E-CBs in asphalt mixtures using micro-characterization techniques.