Environmental performance evaluation of warm mix asphalt with recycled concrete aggregate for road pavements

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was undertaken to compare the potential environmental impacts associated with use of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) as a partial replacement natural aggregates in production Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), those conventional Hot (HMA). The LCA conducted according ‘cradle-to-laid’ approach, including four pavement phases. Three percentages RCA for coarse WMA were considered: 15, 30 and 45%. results laboratory tests used inputs design structures different typical Colombian conditions. Primary data SimaPro 8.4.0 software modelling processes analysed case study. All life cycle outputs related functional unit characterised impact assessment methodology TRACI v.2.1. show that benefits arising from combined effect reducing consumption reduced mixing temperature are offset by performance increased optimum asphalt content when incorporating WMA. highest relative increase impacts, at 29%, observed Ecotoxicity category.