Economical Assessment of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Aggregate for Structural Concrete Production in Italy

Abstract

Structural concrete aggregate can be substituted with sustainable alternatives from construction and demolition waste, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). This contribution assesses the RAP aggregate production chain and aims to investigate the economic aspect of RAP aggregate, evaluating the costs associated with its production and comparing them with the ones necessary to produce NA and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). This analysis aims to provide additional information on the possible advantages of RAP aggregate use in order to promote sustainable construction. The evaluation was developed using a four-step methodology consisting of (i) determining the RAP aggregate production procedure; (ii) selecting a case study; (iii) defining the mix design; and (iv) performing a cost evaluation and comparing it to the cost of NA and RCA production. The results of the cost analysis of three concretes containing different RAP percentages (0%, 30%, and 45%) demonstrated that RAP’s presence led to more expensive admixtures, with the RAP unit cost being higher than NA (+155.39%). Some strategies were proposed to diminish RAP’s cost, resulting in a reduction of −39.64% with respect to NA’s cost and ranging from 45.13% to 67.30% when compared to RCA’s cost.

Optimizing Rural Pavements with SBS-Modified Asphalt Binders and Petroleum Resin

“…Rural pavements face unique challenges like adverse weather [5] and heavy agricultural machinery traffic, leading to accelerated deterioration and impacting safety and transportation efficiency [6]. Recognizing the economic importance of rural areas, systematic upgrades are essential to address degradation and yield profound economic benefits [7], fostering development and enhancing the quality of life for these communities [8]. Upgrading rural pavements is not just a technical necessity but a pivotal step towards sustainable development, ensuring the resilience and vitality of these transportation networks [9].…”