The recent European and International strategies encourage the use of low-emission technologies and waste materials for construction. The reduction of emissions and the improvement of air quality are the cornerstone of this policy, given that air pollutants can lead to different types of damages. Furthermore, from the sustainability point of view, the aim is to optimize the use of waste materials contributing to the decrease of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and promoting the transition towards cleaner and safer transportation systems. To this end, it is noted that the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a widespread tool that allows estimating the life-cycle environmental impacts of a pavement from materials extraction to end-of-life phases. Even if many LCA studies were carried out, further studies are needed when setting up new products or processes. Based on the above, the objectives of this study have been confined into the comparison among two innovative solutions. LCA has been employed to systematically compare three alternative mix designs (two innovative solutions and a reference one) with the general purpose of assessing the GHG emissions of each solution. The selected mixtures (friction course) include 1) A solution with mineral aggregates, crumb rubber (dry method) and bitumen. 2) A mixture of aggregates and bio-binder comprising colophony rosin, crumb rubber (wet method), and waste olive oil (no longer suitable for human consumption). 3) A traditional mixture. Environmental impacts were estimated from materials supply to the construction phase (cradle-to-gate approach), including materials production and the transportation of the materials to asphalt plant/worksite. The three solutions were evaluated and compared in terms of their contribution to global warming. Results demonstrate the importance of materials and processes to improve the balance between expected life and carbon footprint. The potential of crumb rubber and bio-binders is discussed and highlighted.
Bio-binders and crumb rubber for friction courses: A study from a LCA perspective
Rosolino VaianaSupervision
;Perri GiusiInvestigation
;De Rose ManuelData Curation
2023-01-01
Abstract
The recent European and International strategies encourage the use of low-emission technologies and waste materials for construction. The reduction of emissions and the improvement of air quality are the cornerstone of this policy, given that air pollutants can lead to different types of damages. Furthermore, from the sustainability point of view, the aim is to optimize the use of waste materials contributing to the decrease of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and promoting the transition towards cleaner and safer transportation systems. To this end, it is noted that the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a widespread tool that allows estimating the life-cycle environmental impacts of a pavement from materials extraction to end-of-life phases. Even if many LCA studies were carried out, further studies are needed when setting up new products or processes. Based on the above, the objectives of this study have been confined into the comparison among two innovative solutions. LCA has been employed to systematically compare three alternative mix designs (two innovative solutions and a reference one) with the general purpose of assessing the GHG emissions of each solution. The selected mixtures (friction course) include 1) A solution with mineral aggregates, crumb rubber (dry method) and bitumen. 2) A mixture of aggregates and bio-binder comprising colophony rosin, crumb rubber (wet method), and waste olive oil (no longer suitable for human consumption). 3) A traditional mixture. Environmental impacts were estimated from materials supply to the construction phase (cradle-to-gate approach), including materials production and the transportation of the materials to asphalt plant/worksite. The three solutions were evaluated and compared in terms of their contribution to global warming. Results demonstrate the importance of materials and processes to improve the balance between expected life and carbon footprint. The potential of crumb rubber and bio-binders is discussed and highlighted.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
