23–26 Jul 2024
Europe/Lisbon timezone

Environmental assessment of two road rehabilitation processes: Full-Depth Reclamation vs. Mill and Fill

Speaker

Jessica Souza (VINCI Construction – Technical Department)

Description

Abstract: This study provides a comparative environmental assessment of two pavement rehabilitation strategies: Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) and Mill and Fill (M&F). The analysis includes two FDR treatments, each containing bitumen emulsion in combination with a distinct hydraulic binder (active filler). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology principles are applied to quantitatively assess advantages and disadvantages associated with these techniques. However, the scope of the study is limited to the environmental assessment of the base layer rehabilitation stage, from raw materials extraction until in situ operations requested by the two rehabilitation strategies. The comparative analysis is based on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and energy consumption of the rehabilitation processes. Results indicate that FDR significantly outperforms M&F, with a 51% reduction in GHG emissions and a substantial 64% decrease in energy consumption. Regarding FDR solution, the absence of the heating process at the asphalt plant is essential for achieving this performance since it constitutes 53% of GHG emissions in the M&F solution. Choice of sustainable materials may also improve the environmental impact of the FDR opting for a stabilized material with bitumen and low clinker binder. This may lead to even more substantial reductions compared to M&F.

Co-authors

Alan Ezaoui (VINCI Construction – Technical Department) Mustapha Masdan (VINCI Construction – Technical Department)

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