Six road construction projects applying sustainable techniques and materials received via scrap tire recycling have been commenced by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM). The authoritative body decided to run the initiatives following careful research by University of Sharjah that tried to determine whether the materials will be suitable for the local climate. Prior to the start, performance tests and several pilot projects for nine infrastructure initiatives in Abu Dhabi took place.

To produce a road, DPM uses crushed concrete aggregates – an asphalt mix combined with polymer materials. This method advanced concrete waste recycling. Additionally, a project that relies on recycled crumb rubber to improve asphalt layers was used by the researchers. This method was found to cut traffic noise. The initiative was conduced in accordance with ASTM International guidelines.

DPM released a statement in which it noted that asphalt pavement that rely on geo-grids resulted in less thick paving layers and geo-grids could cut the quantity of raw materials that went into road construction. In addition, the environmental technique of paving showed greater road durability, cut carbon footprint, reduced average time spent for road development and turned out to be more cost-efficient than conventional paving methods.

Article by Construction Week Online.