Waste materials in highway applications: An overview on generation and utilization implications on sustainability
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The rate at which the construction industry explores and consumes non-renewable
natural aggregates and other industrial products such as bitumen, lime, and cement
during construction and rehabilitation of road pavements has over time proven to be
environmentally degrading and non-sustainable. This, alongside the issues of high solid
waste generation and inadequate disposal, has led to series of studies by various
researchers to find methods to integrate these solid wastes as alternative materials in
road construction and maintenance. This paper provides a simple yet detailed review of
recent relevant studies conducted to understand the alarming rate of generation and the
effects of reusing these waste materials in both flexible and rigid pavements. The review
further outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the selected waste materials and
compare the results with that of conventional materials in accordance with relevant
standards while highlighting the performance, and life cycle environmental and
economic sustainability implications. The study shows that the adoption of these
materials offers efficiency in waste disposal while reducing the demand for natural
aggregates and consequently, significantly reducing life cycle impacts and costs. The
challenges limiting the effective practical implementation of these waste recycling
techniques in the construction industry were discussed and possible solutions were
suggested to encourage and ensure its utilization in road construction.
Keywords
TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)