The influence of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) polymers on the characteristics of local asphalt binder was analyzed to characterize the rheological properties. The results indicated that the SBR or LDPE increased the softening point. The softening point was enhanced by around 35% when 9% of SBR was used in comparison to the unmodified asphalt, while there was a 15% increment when LDPE was used. The results also indicated that the SBR or LDPE decreased the penetration rate. The penetration decreases by around 36% when 9% of SBR is used compared to the neat asphalt, while a significant increment was 89% when 9% of LDPE is used. Additionally, when 9% SBR was employed, the ductility of the asphalt binder rose by roughly 73%, but 64% less ductility was seen when 9% LDPE was utilized. Finally, the addition of the additive has improved the penetration index, thus reducing the temperature sensitivity. Due to said above, SBR and LDPE are practical and promising modifiers that will be useful in enhancing the performance of the asphalt binder straightforwardly and efficiently.

Fluid petroleum catalyst residue (FPCR) is a by-product material produced in the industry of petroleum. This research presents an experimental work to investigate the effect of FPCR as a partial replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in five replacement levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% from the dry weight of cement. For this purpose, the setting times and compressive strength were examined at ages of 3, 7, and 28 days to assess the performance of mortar samples concerning reference mix (mix with zero replacement). The findings exhibited that the compressive strengths of mortar with 10% FPCR replacement at early and later ages increased compared with the control OPC. The 10% replacement level of FPCR has almost the same initial setting time to that of OPC, while there was a slight reduction in the final setting time. The developed mortars had significant changes in their microstructures with time, as observed by the imaging from SEM. The cost of the cement industry and its negative impacts, including CO2 emissions, can be reduced considerably as a result of this study.