A Review of the Influence of Waste Materials as Filler on the Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zana Karimi 1
Pooyan Ayar 2
Ali Soleimani 3
1 M.Sc., Student, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
3 Ph.D., Student, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/road.2026.582821.2489
Abstract
This research presents an analytical review of utilizing waste materials as mineral filler in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA); an approach that simultaneously addresses industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste management while improving pavement performance and durability. The primary gap identified in existing literature is the scattered nature of results and the lack of a coherent framework linking mastic microstructural changes to the functional behavior of the asphalt mix. This paper first elucidates the role of filler in mastic formation, adhesion, and volumetric parameter control. Subsequently, waste materials are categorized into biomass, municipal, and industrial-construction groups, and their effects on moisture susceptibility, permanent deformation, cracking, and fatigue are compared based on experimental data from selected studies. Findings reveal that the efficiency of these materials is highly dependent on their chemical nature, surface texture, particle size distribution, replacement percentage, and processing quality. An optimal replacement range is observed in most cases; excessive filler can neutralize initial benefits by increasing bitumen demand, disrupting volumetric balance, and causing excessive hardening of the bituminous mastic. Furthermore, the review highlights a critical duality: improving one performance index does not necessarily guarantee improvement in others. In some materials, increased stiffness and stability are accompanied by an increased risk of brittleness or reduced moisture resistance. Consequently, engineering decisions must be based on a set of performance indices tailored to specific climatic and traffic conditions.
Keywords
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
Waste Filler
Bituminous Mastic
Moisture Susceptibility
Rutting
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