Dr. Yuefeng Zhu

Utilizing Recycled Agricultural Plastic Mulch in Asphalt Pavements

Dr. Yuefeng Zhu, Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, California State University, Chico

The increasing use of polyethylene (PE) mulch in specialty crop production has led to significant plastic waste accumulation, with the majority of used mulch disposed of in landfills. To address this issue, this presentation explores the recycling of PE mulch waste into asphalt pavements as a sustainable and performance-enhancing solution. As part of the USDA SCRI project, this presentation evaluates the effects of PE mulch contamination levels on the engineering properties of modified asphalt binders and mixtures. Key performance indicators such as cracking resistance, rutting resistance, fatigue performance, and moisture susceptibility were examined through laboratory testing. Additionally, this presentation will discuss best practices for incorporating recycled PE mulch in asphalt pavements, including dosage considerations and a comparative analysis of wet and dry mixing methods.

Dr. Yuefeng Zhu is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Civil Engineering at California State University, Chico. Before joining CSU Chico, he served as an Associate Professor at Shijiazhuang Tiedao University, China. His research primarily focuses on asphalt material performance evaluation, with an emphasis on sustainable and innovative bituminous materials. His recent work explores the application of recycled materials in asphalt pavements, including the use of post-consumer polyethylene (PE) mulch as a binder modifier, waste-derived additives to enhance asphalt durability, and bio-based solutions for pavement sustainability. His studies aim to improve pavement performance while promoting circular economy principles in infrastructure development. He has published over 30 journal and conference papers on pavement design, construction, and maintenance.