Sayed, N; Badawy, A; Attia, T and Ahmed, A (2025) Cost-benefit analysis of recycled materials in road asphalt layer: A case study in Egypt. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 15(4), pp. 791-807. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating recycled construction and demolition waste (CDW) materials, specifically Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), into asphalt layers for road construction in Egypt. It aims to compare the economic and environmental impacts of using raw materials versus partially replacing them with recycled materials. The study follows Egyptian code requirements to assess the viability of using recycled CDW in asphalt road construction. It compares two scenarios: exclusive use of raw materials versus partial replacement with recycled RAP. A new decision-support tool, Cost Impact of using Recycled Materials in Roads (CIRMR), was developed using visual basic application and validated through a real-road case study in Egypt, which involved replacing 50% of raw materials with RAP. The case study demonstrated a 70.1% economic cost reduction, primarily from the value gained by reducing landfill area usage. Environmental impact improved by 230.3%, mainly due to lower carbon emissions. The partial use of RAP and recycled bitumen met quality standards, highlighting the feasibility of sustainable materials in road construction. This research addresses a gap in the application of recycled materials in road construction in Egypt. The CIRMR tool offers an innovative decision-making approach, validated through practical case studies, and promotes sustainable construction practices. The findings provide a framework applicable to similar contexts globally.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cost-benefit analysis; economic and environment impact; Egypt; recycled materials |
| Index terms: | decision-making, environmental impact, sustainable material, cost reduction, landfill, asphalt road construction, sustainable construction practice, asphalt pavement, construction and demolition, bitumen, partial replacement, road construction, recycled materials, Egypt, case study, quality standard, carbon emission |
| Subjects: | building materials, data collection methods, infrastructure and transport systems, decision analysis, specialized materials and systems, economics, civil engineering, environmental impact, waste management, sustainable materials, climate science, quality assurance, health safety and environment, Geography, sustainable construction |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Quality Management, Construction Materials, Research Practice, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here