The Usage of Copper Slag in Bituminous Mix

This report basically discusses the researches done and basic understanding of the chosen
topic, which is 'The Usage of Copper Slag in Bituminous Mix'. Copper slag is produced
as waste from roasting of copper, in which sulphur (as S02
) is eliminated. Disposal of many
million tons of wastes such as copper slag is responsible for health hazards and
degradation of environment. The purpose of the research is to determine the
performance of the asphalt pavement with the existence of copper slag, compared with the
conventional asphalt pavement. The use of copper slag, in hot bituminous mixes is to
enhance the pavement performance, to protect the environment and to provide low cost roads is
the need of hour. There have been researches done where copper slag was used as fine
aggregate (up to 30%) or filler in the design of bituminous mixes like Bituminous Macadam,
Dense Bituminous Macadam, Bituminous Concrete and Semi-Dense Bituminous Concrete.
The addition of copper slag in various bituminous mixes provides good interlocking and
eventually improves volumetric and mechanical properties of bituminous mixes. The research
is conducted by adding the copper slag to substitute the filler in the asphalt mixtures while
finding the optimum mix. The mixes are made to comply with the standards of the pavements
done in the industry set by Jabatan Kelja Raya (JKR) and Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan
(PLUS). Tests are done on the aggregates used for the mix and also on the hot mix asphalt
and based on the result it is found that copper slag can replace the use of cement in
bituminous mix while also increase the quality of the pavement.