College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah discussed a master dissertation on developing of environmentally friendly semi-flexible paving via using sustainable mortar and polymer-modified bitumen by the postgraduate student, Mrs. Rania Ihsan Ali.

The dissertation aimed at conducting a practical and field study by recycling solid waste such as ceramic waste powder (CWP) and using it to develop sustainable mortar that is used to produce environmentally friendly semi-flexible paving (SFP) that can withstand traffic loads and harsh conditions.

The dissertation reviewed that using 5% of SBS polymer is the optimal percentage for modifying local asphalt based on the results of graded performance tests for pure and polymerized bitumen, also, the use of SBS polymer reduces temperature sensitivity, which in turn allows for increasing the hardness of asphalt bitumen at high temperatures, which reduces from rutting and fatigue cracking.