Recycling Of West African Cashew Nut Shells Waste In Asphalt Concrete: Impact On The Physico-Mechanical Properties Of Asphalt Concrete

The global cashew nut production worldwide has reached about 4 million tons in 2017. West Africa, with about one third of cashew raw nuts worldwide production, is the largest cashew nut production region. This cashew production generates large quantities of cashew nut shells (CNS) waste that must be disposed. This study aims to valorize CNS ashes in asphalt mixtures. Different proportions of ashes were added as partial replacements to the very fine sand element in the asphalt concrete. The physico-mechanical properties of the mixtures were tested using the Marshall test. The results show that CNS ashes can replace fine sand in asphalt concrete. The best characteristics of the asphalt concrete were obtained with a 15% ash composition.