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The diploma thesis deals with the design of an asphalt mixture for an abrasive layer with a standard R-material content (20 %) without the use of other softening additives, while the properties of the aged asphalt binder in the mixture were compensated by dosing "softer binder 70/100". Asphalt mixtures type ACO 11+ are designed to meet the requirements ČSN 73 6121: 2019. The aim of the work is to verify the expected properties of the asphalt mixture performed functional and empirical tests according to the standards for asphalt mixtures of the ČSN EN 12697 series.

Finding innovative technologies for building our roads has always been of paramount importance. From moving to warm mix asphalt to decrease our indulgence in high energy consumption to substituting fly ash for asphalt binders to reduce dependence on pure asphalt binders from petroleum, engineers have painstakingly tried to develop new ways to improve the ways that flexible pavements are made. The major problem facing the next generation of civil engineers is sustainable practices on the field. Over the years, significant progress has been made in this regard on the impacts of building pavements on the environment. Characterizing these improvements tends to be difficult, and that is where Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comes in. LCA is a technique used to analyze and quantify the environmental impacts of a product, system, or process. LCA shows where the significant impacts occur and how improvements can be made while recommending better practices. Even with its many advantages, its use is very constrained, especially in the United States, as it is still a very novel approach in design coupled with limited datasets and protocol for its operation. With modern technologies of substitute materials for binders like bio-oil from food waste, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and fly ash, there is a need to understand their environmental impacts. Furthermore, in this regard is where LCA can help using three significant areas: selection of materials, normalization, and characterization. Characterization refers to the identification and quantification of the relationships between the life cycle results and the environmental impacts. This research explores the environmental impacts of substituting other materials for asphalt binders using LCA. With variations in modifying levels of substitutes, results show promising levels in emissions of harmful gasses to both the air and water. This study explores ways used in normalizing this process as well as setting up a pathway for other asphalt binder substitutes. / Civil Engineering

Reclaimed wood is material salvaged from old, abandoned buildings that offers sustainable living to communities. There have been previous studies on reclaimed wood, but a limited amount linking reclaimed wood to consumerism. In August 2021, an online survey was conducted to gauge consumers’ knowledge of the industry and attitudes on reclaimed wood practices. Consumers are U.S. citizens 18 years of age or older. Study results indicate that respondents have little knowledge regarding reclaimed wood. Of the 1,516 respondents, 44% seem knowledgeable of reclaimed wood. Most respondents are not aware that reclaimed wood is a separate industry. Respondents believe there should be better marketing practices. Respondents also believe reclaimed wood to be environmentally friendly, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. The reasons respondents would purchase reclaimed wood are sustainability, aesthetics, and to exercise a need. Respondents acknowledge the importance of the origin of wood products. Respondents also acknowledge the importance of the industry.

This thesis investigates the possible utilization of reclaimed bricks within the framework of circular economy (CE) and sustainable construction approaches, with a particular emphasis on Pakistan's construction industry. The research is based on the theoretical foundations of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and Resource Efficiency concepts. Qualitative methods were used to collect data, and a thematic framework was employed to analyse the results. The findings indicate that Pakistan's reclaimed brick sector aligns with the principles of the TBL theory, supporting sustainability in its social, economic, and environmental aspects. Through waste reduction, material reuse, and resource conservation, the industry demonstrates its commitment to environmental preservation. Furthermore, it plays a significant role in the economy by providing affordable infrastructure solutions and contributing to the growth of the construction industry. Additionally, the industry promotes social well-being by providing employment opportunities and financial stability. The study illustrates how Pakistan's reclaimed brick operations effectively integrate social, economic, and environmental factors to create a more environmentally friendly built environment. In summary, reclaimed bricks present a sustainable and resource-efficient alternative for the construction industry, in line with the principles of resource efficiency, preserving resources, minimizing waste, and promoting circular economy practices. The adoption of reclaimed bricks can help Pakistan and other countries achieve their sustainability objectives, reduce environmental impact, and construct structures that are longer-lasting and resource-efficient.

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När priset på naturtillgångar ökar samt att industrier måste ställa om till en mer hållbar verksamhet innebär detta även en omställning för asfaltsindustrin. Ett sätt för att använda mer återvunnet material i asfaltsindustri är att använda bindemedlet från gammal asfaltsmassa (eng.: reclaimed asphalt pavement, RAP). Detta kan dock inte göras utan komplikationer och därför måste bindemedlet föryngras innan för att kompensera för faktorer så som hög styvhet, låg krakning och trötthetsförmåga samt dålig anti-åldring förmåga hos RAPen. I det här projektet har två olika typer av föryngringsmedel använts; ett växtoljebaserat och ett petroleumbaserat mjukbitumen. Detta för att se om det var möjligt att använda förnybart och återvunnet material i bindemedlet men fortfarande uppnå samma prestanda som konventionellt bindemedel. Två blandningar gjordes hjälp av de två olika föryngringsmedlen och RAPen och analyserades parallellt med ett referensmaterial. Analyserna delades upp i två kategorier: reologi och kemi. Analyserna som föll under reologikategorin var mjukpunkt- och penetrationsanalyser, samt analyser med en dynamisk skjuvning reometer (eng.: dynamic shear rheometer, DSR) och en böjbalksreometer (eng.: bending beam rheometer, BBR). Under kemikategorin fanns analysmetoderna tunnskiktskromatografi med flamjoniseringsdetektor (TLC-FID) och Fourier transform infraröd spektroskopi (FTIR). Resultaten påvisar att åldring påverkas mycket av vilket föryngringsmedel som används, vilket blev tydligt när den reologiska förmågan testades. De kemiska analyserna gav stort sett liknade resultat oberoende av bindemedel. Blandningen som innehöll RAP och mjukbitumen visade sig vara mer mottagligt för åldring jämfört med den andra blandningen som innehöll växtolja, trots att den blandningen innehåller längre halt av RAPen. Vidare visar resultaten att blandningar kan prestera likt referensmaterialet när det kommer till reologi. Från den kemiska aspekten, uppvisar alla bindemedelsmaterial liknande egenskaper. Därför kan slutsatsen att RAPen var återvunnen med framgång när växtolja och mjukbitumen användes. / In recent years there has been a lot of focus on reduction of carbon footprint and sustainable development. For the asphalt industries, a way of doing this is to use reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) binders. This cannot be done without any complications and therefore, the RAP binder is normally rejuvenated to compensate for its high stiffness, and other poor properties like susceptibility to low temperature cracking and fatigue damage. In this project, two different ways of using RAP binder are investigated: one vegetable oil-based rejuvenator and one soft bitumen. Using the rejuvenator and soft bitumen together with a RAP binder, two different blends were made and compared to a reference bitumen which is commonly used in Sweden. The blends were made in such a way that the penetration values were close to the reference sample. Aging tests were performed by RTFOT and PAV. The testing of the non-aged and aged binder materials was divided into two sections: rheology and chemistry. The rheology testing included softening point, needle penetration, analysis with dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR) whereas the chemistry testing included thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detector (TLC-FID) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that the ageing resistance of the binder materials is affected by the type of rejuvenator used which especially affects the rheological performance. The chemical performance was almost the same in each blend. The blend containing RAP binder and soft bitumen was more susceptible to ageing compared to the other blend containing oil-based rejuvenator even though the blend contained less of the RAP binder. The results also shows that the blends can perform equal to the reference sample for a rheological point of view. From a chemical point of view, the binders, including the reference, have the same properties. Therefore, the RAP binder was successfully recycled using both a bio-oil rejuvenator and soft bitumen.

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