Análisis comparativo ambiental de la factibilidad de pavimentos asfálticos con y sin rejuvenecedor.
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Date
2024
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Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
La creciente conciencia ambiental y la imperativa necesidad de adoptar prácticas más sostenibles en el ámbito de la infraestructura vial han impulsado la investigación y desarrollo de tecnologías innovadoras, entre las cuales se destacan los rejuvenecedores de asfalto que desempeñan un papel fundamental en la infraestructura vial al restaurar la flexibilidad y resistencia del pavimento, prolongando así su vida útil y mejorando la seguridad vial. A pesar de su papel fundamental en la infraestructura vial, los pavimentos asfálticos tradicionales, en su proceso de construcción y mantenimiento, no está excepto de impactos ambientales.
En este contexto, el presente estudio se enfoca en realizar un análisis comparativo ambiental de la factibilidad de pavimentos asfálticos, poniendo especial atención en la inclusión de rejuvenecedores en la mezcla asfáltica. Para llevar a cabo esta evaluación, se empleó la herramienta de análisis de ciclo de vida, utilizando la metodología de Recipe 2016, incorporada en el software SimaPro V8.1. La recopilación y análisis de datos se llevaron a cabo para dos escenarios: pavimentos asfálticos convencionales (sin rejuvenecedor) y
pavimentos asfálticos con rejuvenecedor, considerando una unidad funcional de 1 km de longitud de carretera construida y 4 etapas: extracción de materia prima, transporte de materiales, construcción de la carretera y operación (etapa donde se incluye el mantenimiento vial).
Los resultados del estudio indican que el escenario de pavimento asfáltico con rejuvenecedor tiene un menor impacto ambiental durante el ciclo de vida, aunque al analizar por etapas, durante la fase de construcción del pavimento asfáltico con la aplicación del rejuvenecedor de líquido pirolítico conlleva a un aumento en total del 5,25% en las tres categorías de daño (daño a la salud humana, daño al ecosistema y daño a los recursos) teniendo en primer lugar a la categoría de daño en la salud humana. Esto es debido a la adicción del rejuvenecedor considerando tanto su producción como su transporte. Sin embargo, el aspecto más significativo se presenta en la etapa operativa, que incluye el periodo de mantenimiento vial. En este punto, se identifica una reducción promedio del 30% en las categorías de daño (daño a la salud humana, daño al ecosistema y daño a los recursos) para el escenario con rejuvenecedor debido a la acción del rejuvenecedor, ya que logra disminuir el consumo de recursos (como el betún) para el mantenimiento de la carretera.
Este hallazgo subraya la importancia de considerar el ciclo de vida completo al evaluar los pavimentos asfálticos, ya que, considerando el análisis de ciclo de vida se identifican las etapas críticas de los escenarios. Los resultados obtenidos ofrecen información valiosa para la toma de decisiones en proyectos de infraestructura vial, destacando la necesidad de considerar no solo los aspectos constructivos, sino también los impactos a lo largo de la vida útil del pavimento.
The growing environmental awareness and the imperative need to adopt more sustainable practices in road infrastructure have driven the research and development of innovative technologies, among which asphalt rejuvenators play a crucial role. They restore the flexibility and resistance of pavement, thereby prolonging its lifespan and enhancing road safety. Despite their fundamental role, traditional asphalt pavements, during their construction and maintenance processes, are not exempt from environmental impacts. In this context, the present study focuses on conducting a comparative environmental analysis of the feasibility of asphalt pavements, with special attention to the inclusion of rejuvenators in the asphalt mix. To carry out this assessment, the life cycle analysis tool was employed, using the Recipe 2016 methodology incorporated in SimaPro V8.1 software. Data collection and analysis were performed for two scenarios: conventional asphalt pavements (without rejuvenator) and asphalt pavements with rejuvenator, considering a functional unit of 1 km of constructed road and 4 stages: raw material extraction, material transportation, road construction, and operation (a stage that includes road maintenance). The study results indicate that the asphalt pavement scenario with rejuvenator has a lower environmental impact throughout the life cycle. However, when analyzing by stages, the construction phase of the asphalt pavement with the application of the pyrolytic liquid rejuvenator leads to an overall increase of 5.25% in the three damage categories (human health damage, ecosystem damage, and resource damage), with human health damage being the most affected. This is due to the addition of the rejuvenator, considering both its production and transportation. Nevertheless, the most significant aspect arises in the operational stage, which includes the road maintenance period. At this point, an average reduction of 30% in the damage categories (human health damage, ecosystem damage, and resource damage) is identified for the scenario with rejuvenator, thanks to the rejuvenator’s action, which reduces resource consumption (such as asphalt) for road maintenance. This finding underscores the importance of considering the complete life cycle when evaluating asphalt pavements, as the life cycle analysis identifies critical stages in the scenarios. The results obtained provide valuable information for decision-making in road infrastructure projects, highlighting the need to consider not only construction aspects but also the impacts throughout the pavement's lifespan.
The growing environmental awareness and the imperative need to adopt more sustainable practices in road infrastructure have driven the research and development of innovative technologies, among which asphalt rejuvenators play a crucial role. They restore the flexibility and resistance of pavement, thereby prolonging its lifespan and enhancing road safety. Despite their fundamental role, traditional asphalt pavements, during their construction and maintenance processes, are not exempt from environmental impacts. In this context, the present study focuses on conducting a comparative environmental analysis of the feasibility of asphalt pavements, with special attention to the inclusion of rejuvenators in the asphalt mix. To carry out this assessment, the life cycle analysis tool was employed, using the Recipe 2016 methodology incorporated in SimaPro V8.1 software. Data collection and analysis were performed for two scenarios: conventional asphalt pavements (without rejuvenator) and asphalt pavements with rejuvenator, considering a functional unit of 1 km of constructed road and 4 stages: raw material extraction, material transportation, road construction, and operation (a stage that includes road maintenance). The study results indicate that the asphalt pavement scenario with rejuvenator has a lower environmental impact throughout the life cycle. However, when analyzing by stages, the construction phase of the asphalt pavement with the application of the pyrolytic liquid rejuvenator leads to an overall increase of 5.25% in the three damage categories (human health damage, ecosystem damage, and resource damage), with human health damage being the most affected. This is due to the addition of the rejuvenator, considering both its production and transportation. Nevertheless, the most significant aspect arises in the operational stage, which includes the road maintenance period. At this point, an average reduction of 30% in the damage categories (human health damage, ecosystem damage, and resource damage) is identified for the scenario with rejuvenator, thanks to the rejuvenator’s action, which reduces resource consumption (such as asphalt) for road maintenance. This finding underscores the importance of considering the complete life cycle when evaluating asphalt pavements, as the life cycle analysis identifies critical stages in the scenarios. The results obtained provide valuable information for decision-making in road infrastructure projects, highlighting the need to consider not only construction aspects but also the impacts throughout the pavement's lifespan.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniera Ambiental
Keywords
Asfaltos, Infraestructuras del transporte, Sustentabilidad