JOHOR BAHRU, 28 October 2014 – Researchers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has managed to find ways to utilize recycled materials from various sources to be used in road construction.
The use of recycled materials is estimated to be able to reduce half of the road construction cost and decrease the use of natural resources which help to maintain environmental sustainability.
Head of Department of Geotechnical and Transportation, Faculty of Civil Engineering UTM, Prof. Dr. Mohd Rosli Hain said that this discovery could reduce government expenditure in financing the construction of roads. Any savings made could then be channeled to other more crucial areas.
“This effort is conducted by replacing stone aggregate used in a mixture of warm and cold asphalt mix, with recycled waste materials such as oil palm ash (OFA), used engine oil, steel slag (waste steel) and copper tailings (waste ore).
“This method is capable of contributing to recycling activities. Additionally, it helps to reduce global warming and damage to the natural environment,” he said.
Prof. Rosli was met after his Professorial Lecture Session entitled ‘Green Technology in Pavement Engineering’ which was delivered in UTM Johor Bahru.
His expertise is related with pavement materials, design, construction and rehabilitation. Prof. Rosli holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Clemson University, USA and a Master of Civil Engineering with specialization in Highway Engineering from Kansas University, USA followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), Auburn University, Alabama, USA.
In addition to academic excellence, Prof. Rosli is also a prolific researcher, having been involved in more than 35 research projects worth RM3 million.
Among his highest achievement was winning the Gold Award in the 2013 International Innovation and Exhibition (ITEX) organized by the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS), Bronze Award at the 2013 International Conference and Exhibition (PECIPTA) and Bronze Award at the 2013 Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF).
Prof. Rosli is also a member of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT), USA, Technical Committee of Pavement for Road Engineering Association of Malaysia (REAM) and executive member of the International Committee of Pavement Technology (CPT).
