Identifying the influence of adding plastic and paper waste on stabilization of subgrade for toll roads

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.342303

Keywords:

plastic waste, paper waste, soil stabilization, California bearing ratio, toll roads, environmental sustainability, subgrade stabilization

Abstract

This paper discusses soil stability with high water content and low bearing capacity, which can damage the pavement and shorten the lifespan of the toll road. The problem is that high water content and low soil carrying capacity can trigger subgrade instability and decreased pavement performance. Experimental variations using plastic waste with a percentage of 7%, 10%, and 15%, paper waste with a percentage of 4%, 8%, and 10%into the original soil. The results showed that the addition of plastic and paper waste increases soil strength and CBR values significantly compared to conventional stabilizers. Plastic increases shear resistance and decreases development potential, while paper increases cohesion A combination of 10% plastic waste and 8% paper waste provides optimal results that meet the subgrade stabilization criteria, with a CBR value reaching 10.5% on the 11th day. Excessive use of these materials decreases soil density and CBR. This result is caused by a complementary mechanism, where plastic acts as a binder that reduces soil moisture content and plasticity, while paper fibers strengthen the soil matrix through increased cohesion. The synergy of two types of waste in the optimum proportion produces reliable, sustainable, and more economical stabilization performance than traditional alternatives such as cement or lime. Use is suitable for regions with unstable subgrade and high water content, with prerequisites for the availability of waste material, controlling proportions (± 10% plastic, ± 8% paper), homogeneous mixing, and compaction according to technical specifications. This approach offers practical, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions to improve road infrastructure.

Author Biographies

Moch. Khamim, State Polytechnic of Malang

Associate Professor, M. Eng

Department of Civil Engineering

Raden Ajeng Mariyana, State Polytechnic of Malang

Lector, M. Eng

Department of Civil Engineering

Roland Gasenda Suryaningrat, State Polytechnic of Malang

Lector, M. Eng

Department of Civil Engineering

Mohamad Zenurianto, State Polytechnic of Malang

Associate Professor, M. Eng

Department of Civil Engineering

Sugeng Hadi Susilo, State Polytechnic of Malang

Associate Professor, Dr.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Identifying the influence of adding plastic and paper waste on stabilization of subgrade for toll roads

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Published

2025-10-31

How to Cite

Khamim, M., Mariyana, R. A., Suryaningrat, R. G., Zenurianto, M., & Susilo, S. H. (2025). Identifying the influence of adding plastic and paper waste on stabilization of subgrade for toll roads. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 5(6 (137), 23–31. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.342303

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 6 (137) (2025): Technology organic and inorganic substances

Section

Technology organic and inorganic substances

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Copyright (c) 2025 Moch. Khamim, Raden Ajeng Mariyana, Rosoil Gasenda Suryaningrat, Mohamad Zenurianto, Sugeng Hadi Susilo

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