Integrative Benefits of Carbon Emission and Economic Cost for Self-Healing, Ultra-Thin Overlay Contained Steel Fiber

Fusong Wang, Xiaoqing Li, Chao Huang (), Wangwang Zhou and Dongxing Luan
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Fusong Wang: School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Xiaoqing Li: School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Chao Huang: School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Wangwang Zhou: School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Dongxing Luan: School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: In recent years, self-healing, ultra-thin overlay has been recognized as an advanced technology and gradually applied in asphalt pavement maintenance, but its sustainability has not been well addressed quantitatively regarding practical maintenance projects. This study utilizes steel fiber as a media-induction material for self-healing, ultra-thin overlay and verifies its integrative benefits in terms of carbon emissions and economic costs from a six-year life-cycle perspective. The system framework and research boundary were developed to include the material extraction, on-site construction, later maintenance, and demolition phases. Meanwhile, carbon emissions and economic cost inventories were established through investigations of the test section of a maintenance project. The results indicated that self-healing, ultra-thin overlay could have benefits, with a reduction of 59.43% carbon emissions and 73.15% economic costs in the six-year life cycle, during which the material extraction phase generated over 50% of the carbon emissions and economic costs in self-healing, ultra-thin overlay due to the addition of steel fiber. Comparatively, the later maintenance phase caused the most environmental and financial impacts, with over half of the carbon emissions and costs. The obtained results could act as significant reference material for the sustainable maintenance implementation of asphalt pavement.

Keywords: asphalt pavement; steel fiber; ultra-thin overlay; self-healing; carbon emission; economic cost (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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