Article

Received 30.12.2024

Revised 19.05.2025

Accepted 24.06.2025

Retrieved from Iss. 117, P. 2, 2025

Pages 41 -50

Bondarenko, L., & Kriukovsky, O. (2025). LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF WARM ASPHALT CONCRETE. Automobile Roads and Road Construction, (117.2), 41-50. https://doi.org/10.33744/0365-8171-2025-117.2-041-050

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF WARM ASPHALT CONCRETE

Liudmyla Bondarenko Oleksandr Kriukovsky

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a systematic methodology used to assess the potential environmental impact associated with all stages of the production of a product or system. The main purpose of LCA is to comprehensively study and document the environmental aspects and potential impact of a product, process, or service on the environment throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. This allows opportunities for reducing impact to be identified, the environmental profile of the product to be improved, eco-certification to be supported, and informed decisions to be made. The article considers the assessment of the life cycle of warm asphalt concrete as a modern alternative to traditional hot asphalt concrete. To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of warm asphalt concrete technologies, the entire life cycle of road pavement is analyzed, including its main stages: extraction and transportation of raw materials, mixture production, transportation and laying, operation, maintenance, and disposal or recycling of the material. The paper examines the main processes of the warm asphalt concrete life cycle and identifies the advantages and disadvantages at each stage. Particular attention is paid to the advantages of warm asphalt concrete technology in terms of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Thermodynamic equilibrium equations are presented to determine energy consumption during the production of asphalt concrete mixtures. The impact of the main stages of the asphalt concrete life cycle on the environment has been analyzed. Factors hindering the widespread introduction of warm asphalt concrete technologies in Ukraine have been identified. A comparison of existing asphalt concrete manufacturing technologies has been carried out, the main problems have been identified, and recommendations for the introduction of warm asphalt concrete in road construction have been formulated. The life cycle assessment confirmed that the introduction of warm asphalt concrete allows for a significant reduction in the overall carbon footprint of road pavement without losing its operational properties

Asphalt concrete mix, warm asphalt concrete, hot asphalt concrete, life cycle, environmental assessment, energy efficiency, road pavement, CO₂ emissions, decarbonization of road construction, reuse of materials, recycling
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https://doi.org/10.33744/0365-8171-2025-117.2-041-050