Life cycle assessment models for road materials and highway pavements

This study adapts the cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave and the cradle-to-cradle Life Cycle Assessment models for the environmental analysis of road materials and highway pavements. To show the usability of the different LCA models, the production of hot mix asphalt (HMA) and a typical concrete mixture for concrete pavements, as well as an asphalt and a concrete highway pavement, were analysed concerning the IPCC Global Warming Potential 2007 (100 years) indicator (GWP), the Non-renewable Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) and the Swiss Ecological Scarcity indicator (EcoScar). The results for the analysed case studies show that “asphalt products” due to the application of bitumen have a higher impact concerning the Non-renewable Cumulative Energy Demand, although they have a lower impact regarding the GWP and the EcoScar indicator as “concrete products”. It is shown that reuse of recycled material does not always cause environmental improvements, due to the fact that the production of recycled concrete has a higher impact concerning the GWP indicator than the production of primary concrete. The study also demonstrates the substantially high influence of the material production processes and the high significance of the material transport to the building site.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/13949-en-Proceedings%20of%20the%20XXIVth%20World%20Road%20Congress,%20Mexico%20-%202011.htm
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Alternate title: Life cycle assessment models for road marterials and highway pavements. Abstract reprinted with permission of the World Road Association – PIARC.
• Corporate Authors:

  World Road Association (PIARC)

  La Grande Arche, Paroi Nord, Niveau 5
  F-92055 La Defense Cedex,   France 
• Authors:
  • Gschosser, F
  • Wallbaum, H
• Conference:
  • 24th World Road Congress
  • Location: Mexico City , Mexico
  • Date: 2011-9-26 to 2011-9-30
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 14p
• Monograph Title: 24th World Road Congress Proceedings: Roads for a Better Life: Mobility, Sustainability and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt concrete pavements; Concrete pavements; Environmental impacts; Highways; Hot mix asphalt; Life cycle analysis; Recycled materials
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Pavements; I15: Environment; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01506093
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 2840602679
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 2014 12:46PM