FTUI Doctor Presents Innovation Using Buton Asphalt and Used Oil

A doctor from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia (DTSL FTUI), Andi Muhammad Ifrad, has successfully developed an innovative modified asphalt mixture formula. The research utilises local natural asphalt material from Buton Island combined with waste engine oil to strengthen national road infrastructure. “Through this research, I want to demonstrate that Buton Island’s natural asphalt has great potential to be developed as a national superior material,” said Andi Muhammad Ifrad at the UI Campus in Depok on Thursday (3/7). This innovation offers a road infrastructure solution that is more durable and adaptive to Indonesia’s tropical climate. In addition to improving road pavement performance to reduce maintenance costs, the use of waste engine oil also supports the principles of a circular economy and environmental sustainability. Indonesia is known to have the world’s largest natural asphalt reserves, located on Buton Island. However, to date, these resources have not been optimally utilised. Andi’s research aims to address this challenge while reducing the construction industry’s dependence on imported asphalt materials. The core of this innovation lies in combining Buton asphalt with elastomeric additives and waste engine oil. The addition of the waste oil serves to increase flexibility, stability, and resistance to deformation. As a result, this asphalt mixture is superior in withstanding heavy traffic loads and remains stable under the high temperatures typical of tropical regions. During his open doctoral promotion hearing, Andi presented his dissertation titled “Response Surface Methodology in Modelling the Rheological Characteristics of Modified Buton Island Natural Asphalt Based on Rutting and Resilient Modulus Review.” Thanks to research combining laboratory testing with computer simulations based on the Finite Element Method (FEM), Andi successfully earned his Doctorate degree with a perfect GPA of 4.00 and the distinction of Summa Cum Laude. He is recorded as the 92nd Doctor in DTSL and the 661st Doctor in FTUI. The Dean of FTUI, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, expressed high appreciation for this achievement. According to him, this research is a clear example of how engineering research can make a concrete contribution to the independence of the construction industry and strengthening the nation’s competitiveness.