Mechanical Performance and Life Cycle Assessment of Semiflexible Pavement Using Sustainable Grout

Al-Nawasir, R ORCID: 0009-0003-6351-0745, Al-Humeidawi, B, Malik, MI ORCID: 0000-0001-8896-723X, Shubbar, A ORCID: 0000-0001-5609-1165, Khan, N, Khan, MI, Mir, MS and Mohanty, B ORCID: 0000-0003-3733-1746 (2026) Mechanical Performance and Life Cycle Assessment of Semiflexible Pavement Using Sustainable Grout. Journal of Structural Design and Construction Practice, 31 (3). ISSN 2996-5136

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Abstract

The efficient utilization of construction waste in road engineering is essential for advancing sustainable infrastructure development. This study explores the application of ceramic waste powder (CWP) in cementitious grout for semiflexible pavement (SFP) surfaces. Cement was partially replaced with CWP at proportions ranging from 15% to 50%, and its effects on SFP performance and environmental impact were evaluated using compressive strength testing, life cycle assessment (LCA), and statistical analysis. The obtained SFP mixtures were assessed for volumetric and mechanical properties through Marshall stability and wheel tracking tests. Experimental findings revealed that 20% cement replacement with CWP was the optimal level, leading to an 80% reduction in rutting depth and increases of 50% and 23% in compressive strength and Marshall stability, respectively, at 28 days of curing. These improvements are attributed to CWP’s superior fluidity in filling the voids within the porous asphalt skeleton and its effective bonding capacity with aggregates, which densifies the microstructure, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. LCA results indicated that higher CWP replacement levels reduced both global warming potential and fossil fuel depletion, thereby enhancing the grout’s sustainability. Statistical analyses, including quadratic regression, ANOVA (p<0.05), and the Tukey HSD test, confirmed significant improvements in strength properties with CWP incorporation, whereas box plots effectively illustrated data trends and variations. In summary, this study underscores the dual environmental and performance benefits of incorporating CWP in SFP systems and supports its adoption in sustainable road construction aligned with circular economy goals.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TE Highway engineering. Roads and pavements
Divisions:	Civil Engineering and Built Environment
Publisher:	American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Date of acceptance:	14 August 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	10 April 2026
Date Deposited:	09 Apr 2026 10:03
Last Modified:	10 Apr 2026 00:50
DOI or ID number:	10.1061/jsdccc.sceng-1848
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28316

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