Energy Consumption of Asphalt and Reinforced Concrete Pavement Materials and Construction

TLDR

Environmental impact and sustainability are increasingly considered in roadway design, with energy consumption largely driven by cement and steel production for CRCP (≈94%) and by asphalt mixing, aggregate drying (48%) and bitumen production (40%) for asphalt pavement. The study aims to assess the energy consumption of CRCP and asphalt pavements during roadway construction. An abbreviated life cycle inventory assessment was performed, evaluating energy use from raw material extraction to pavement placement for both pavement types. The assessment results highlight where sustainable design efforts to reduce energy consumption can best be directed in the initial phases of a pavement’s life cycle.

Abstract

In addition to traditional economic and technical objectives, environmental impact, and sustainability are increasingly being considered in the design of roadways and other infrastructure projects. This paper presents an abbreviated life cycle inventory assessment of a continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) and an asphalt pavement with respect to the energy consumed by each pavement type for the construction of a roadway. For CRCP, energy is primarily consumed during the manufacture of cement and reinforcing steel, which together account for approximately 94% of the total amount of energy consumed from extraction of raw materials through placement of the CRCP. For asphalt pavement, the major consumption of energy from extraction through placement occurs during asphalt mixing and drying of aggregates (48%) and the production of bitumen (40%). The assessment results highlight where sustainable design efforts to reduce energy consumption can best be directed in the initial phases of a pavement’s life cycle.