Modification of Asphalt Binder by Incorporating Coconut Shell Powder

This research objective is to determine the performance of coconut shell
powder with bitumen comparing with base bitumen of grade 60/70 pen and grade
80/100 pen in terms of strength and stability. Coconut shell is chosen because it is a
natural waste product which can be recycled and cheaper in cost. Besides, this is also
way to reduce the waste product of coconut and to reduce pollution by using natural
product. The coconut shell are crushed into powder of ASTM no.100 or 150 micron.
Then, the coconut shell powder were added to modify the bitumen of grade 60/70 pen
and grade 80/100 pen. The base bitumen and modified bitumen were tested with
different test such as Penetration Test, Softening Point Test and Ductility Test. This
test were carried out for the virgin bitumen and aged bitumen which were aged using
Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT) which simulate short term aging process and
Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV) Test which simulate long term aging process. The
results achieved for base bitumen and modified bitumen are analyzed and compared
to determine the rheological properties and physical properties of modified bitumen
of grade 60/70 pen and modified bitumen of grade 80/100 pen.