ABSTRACT
The benefits of using recycled materials in highway pavements have been the focus of highway agencies for many years. Partial or full replacement of virgin materials in highway applications has often improved pavement structural behavior, material performance, and eventually can reduce highway construction cost and produce great benefits to the society and the environment producing thus sustainable pavement structures. The impact of using Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP), and Foundry Sand (FS) in asphalt and concrete pavements was examined in this study in terms of life-cycle assessment, social and environmental benefits. Several case studies were used for comparative analysis. The economic impact assessment was carried out considering among other: initial materials, processing and transportation costs; design life and performance prediction; maintenance and rehabilitation costs; and other economic factors. The LCA analysis were then combined with a sustainability metrics assessment system, BE2ST-in-Highway™, a green highway rating system. Overall the results indicated that there are significant economic and sustainability benefits on using recycled materials in pavements. Furthermore, since this approach provides a quantifiable numerical score for each alternative, it can be used for identifying the optimum recycled alternative for each pavement design case. The methodology identified in this study it is transferable to other conditions.
