Konstantinos Mantalovas | Università degli Studi di Palermo (original) (raw)

Papers by Konstantinos Mantalovas

Research paper thumbnail of Multi-recyclability of asphalt mixtures modified with recycled plastic: Towards a circular economy

Results in engineering, Jul 1, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring the material circularity index of motorways: A case study over Europe

CRC Press eBooks, Jun 3, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring 4D and 5D Analysis in Bim Environment for Infrastructures: A Case Study

˜The œinternational archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences/International archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, Feb 14, 2024

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a focal point in the construction industry, g... more Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a focal point in the construction industry, garnering substantial attention due to its capacity to elevate product quality, facilitate accurate quantity determination, and enhance scheduling efficiency. The inherent complexity of construction projects necessitates the integration of BIM models endowed with automation functionalities for schedules and cost estimation. This integration ensures that updates seamlessly occur throughout the construction process, thereby mitigating project uncertainties and reducing overall costs. While the potential benefits of BIM are recognized, a substantial challenge persists in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) field defining workflows for the automated generation of optimized 4D/5D BIM simulation and analysis. The effective utilization of BIM as a transformative tool requires addressing this challenge to unlock its full potential in project management. BIM serves as a pivotal conduit for project data, providing a structured approach to elevate overall product quality, streamline processes, and minimize contingencies and costs associated with construction projects. Consequently, the successful implementation of BIM with automated 4D/5D simulation and analysis stands as a critical milestone in advancing the capabilities of the AEC industry, ensuring greater efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness in construction projects. According to these aspects, the time-cost analysis (4D/5D) of a project for the North-South railway station in Riyadh, designed by Architect Engineer Dia Hilal, was investigated.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluating the Ageing Sensitivity of the Asphalt Binder via Distinct Ageing Methods

Infrastructures, Nov 16, 2023

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Isim - Infrastructures & Structures Information Modeling: A New Concept of Bim for Infrastructures

The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences

The application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in infrastructure and structural projects,... more The application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in infrastructure and structural projects, known as Integrated Structural and Infrastructure Modeling (ISIM), has gained attention in recent years due to its potential to revolutionize the construction industry. By providing a digital representation of the built environment, BIM allows for improved collaboration and communication between project stakeholders, leading to enhanced project outcomes. The ISIM approach is centered on the creation of a digital twin, a threedimensional model of the infrastructure or structure, which serves as a virtual replica of the physical asset. This digital twin provides a platform for analysis, decision-making, and management throughout the project lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance. One of the key benefits of the ISIM approach is the ability to optimize the construction process, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. The digital twin allows for the identification of potential issues in the design phase, enabling them to be addressed before construction begins. The model can also be used to simulate different scenarios, providing insights into the most effective construction methods, sequencing, and scheduling. Additionally, the use of ISIM can facilitate collaboration and communication among project stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and owners. The digital twin provides a shared platform for all stakeholders to access and contribute to, allowing for real-time feedback and decision-making. This increased collaboration can lead to reduced errors, improved quality, and enhanced project outcomes. In this paper the authors propose the example of the Meier bridge in Alessandria starting from the 2D drawings to create the 3D model and link it to the external context using Autodesk Infraworks software. A virtual reality implementation has been considered as useful tool to improve the maintenance management.

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual Reality and Bim for Infrastructures

The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been widely adopted in the construction industry as a me... more Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been widely adopted in the construction industry as a means of improving project efficiency, reducing errors, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders. However, its potential for the infrastructure sector has not been fully explored. Infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and airports, are often complex and require the integration of multiple systems and disciplines. BIM has the potential to provide a digital representation of the infrastructure project, allowing for improved design, construction, and maintenance. This paper aims to explore the potential benefits of BIM in the infrastructure sector, examine the challenges to its implementation, and discuss best practices for successful adoption. By analysing a case study and industry trends, this paper will provide insights into how BIM can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure projects, ultimately contributing to the development of smarter cities and infrastructure networks. By analysing a case study, this paper will provide insights into how BIM can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure projects, ultimately contributing to the development of smarter cities and infrastructure networks. In particular, a virtual modelling in the BIM context of the North-South railway station of Riyadh designed by Arch. Ing. Dia Hilal has been proposed.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the Multi-Recyclability of Recycled Plastic-Modified Asphalt Mixtures

Infrastructures

Although the benefits of asphalt recycling have been scientifically proven and several best pract... more Although the benefits of asphalt recycling have been scientifically proven and several best practices are being implemented, further research is required in specific and specialized areas. One of these circumstances is the recycling of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAPs) that contain asphalt modifiers such as elastomers and/or plastomers. Following the principles of the circular economy and considering the sustainability implications of asphalt mixtures, this paper deals with the multi-recyclability of asphalt mixtures containing 50% RAP with and without a recycled plastic asphalt modifier and rejuvenating agent. The recycled plastic asphalt modifier was made of hard recycled plastics and was introduced to the mixture via a dry method. The research focuses on the characterization of binders via conventional, rheological, and chemical analysis. To control the consistency and variables of the mixtures, the RAP was produced artificially in the laboratory following an ageing protocol for...

Research paper thumbnail of A Top-Down Approach Based on the Circularity Potential to Increase the Use of Reclaimed Asphalt

Infrastructures

Resource depletion and climate change, amongst others, are increasingly worrying environmental ch... more Resource depletion and climate change, amongst others, are increasingly worrying environmental challenges for which the road engineering sector is a major contributor. Globally, viable solutions that comply with the principles of circular economy (CE) are being investigated that can replace conventional asphalt mixtures in a post-fossil fuel society. The use of reclaimed asphalt (RA) is a widely used and well-established method to reduce the environmental and economic impacts of asphalt mixtures while increasing their circularity. However, RA’s market supply and demand have not yet been systematically analyzed and established. Moreover, the actual circularity potential and the opportunity of re-circulating RA in a closed-loop model have not yet been methodically defined. To address this, a three-layered framework to quantify and assess the circularity potential (Ω) of RA has been developed. To give stakeholders and legislative bodies a simple method to assess the opportunities avail...

Research paper thumbnail of Examining the Critical Factors that Influence the Success of Construction and Demolition Waste Reverse Logistics Operations

International Journal of Environmental Impacts: Management, Mitigation and Recovery

The reverse logistics (RL) performance of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) differs signif... more The reverse logistics (RL) performance of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) differs significantly between countries. Although some countries are successfully circular, other countries are still far behind; with C&DW being largely directed to landfills or being illegally dumped. There is a lack of guidelines on the requirements for transitioning countries towards C&DW diversion, and little attention has been given to the factors that influence the success of C&DW RL and increased circularity. This study aims to develop a framework that helps in structuring and assessing the success of C&DW RL on a regional level and serves as a guide for transitioning developing countries towards implementing such operations. Since the framework should help evaluate where interventions are needed to enhance performance, the exact domains to be used and their priorities should be identified. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the critical factors that affect the outcome of RL operations. After their identification, the interrelationships between the factors and the dependence and driving power of each are examined through interpretive structural modelling. This analysis provides valuable insights and thus, allows for the establishment of a hierarchy of factors that can serve as a guide for decisionmakers. The developed framework can be utilized for enhancing the efficiency of current RL operations as well as for identifying the direction of action and efforts needed to shift developing countries towards the implementation of circular economy in the sector of C&DW.

Research paper thumbnail of Increasing the Use of Reclaimed Asphalt in Italy towards a Circular Economy: A Top-Down Approach

IOCI 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the Viability of Multi-Recycling of Asphalt Mixtures through a Preliminary Binder Level Characterization

IOCI 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Un Approccio Basato Sulla Modellazione 3D e Il Life Cycle Assessment Per Una Gestione Sostenibile Della Manutenzione Stradale

LABOREST, Sep 1, 2021

A causa delle limitate risorse, gli enti proprietari e gestori di infrastrutture stradali incontr... more A causa delle limitate risorse, gli enti proprietari e gestori di infrastrutture stradali incontrano serie difficoltà a garantire la costruzione, la manutenzione e il potenziamento del patrimonio secondo criteri di efficienza e sostenibilità. Alcuni, tra questi, adottano lo strumento del Pavement Management System (PMS), che consente l'allocazione delle risorse in funzione delle soluzioni di manutenzione più economiche per le pavimentazioni in dotazione. [1]. Il PMS, tuttavia, si fonda su dati accurati ed aggiornati sullo stato della pavimentazione e la loro acquisizione è, in genere, un processo costoso. [2]. Diverse sforzi e tentativi sono stati attuati per definire metodologie innovative ed efficaci, implementando tecniche ed utilizzando strumenti automatici per l'identificazione dei degradi [3]. 1.2. L'uso della tecnica Structure-from-motion e modellazione 3D Un metodo di identificazione dei degradi stradali è la modellazione basata su immagini (image-based modelling). L'uso di tale modellazione per la raccolta e classificazione dei degradi stradali non è nuovo [4], ma alcuni recenti avanzamenti e miglioramenti degli algoritmi di programmazione [5] hanno indotto i ricercatori ad applicare la tecnica dello Structure-from-Motion (SfM) per il monitoraggio, l'identificazione e la classificazione dei degradi

Research paper thumbnail of Towards more sustainable airfield pavements using life-cycle assessment of design alternatives

Airports are critical infrastructures and their success is paramount to development through touri... more Airports are critical infrastructures and their success is paramount to development through tourism, trade and connectivity. Within the airport, the runway pavement must always be in a pristine condition. Consequently, pavement design and maintenance decisions are vital. Authorities must make decisions concerning preferred materials for design and maintenance. Decisions should be balanced by both economic and environmental factors. This paper considers a case study at Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO), Palermo, Italy, where air traffic has been steadily increasing. Different pavements are proposed: flexible Asphaltic concrete designs with both traditional Asphaltic concrete and using reclaimed asphalt during maintenance, and a rigid concrete pavement. Environmental and economic impacts are assessed utilizing frameworks of life cycle assessment and life cycle costing analysis on the alternatives. The results highlight impacts material design changes have on the environment for airfield pavements and offer insights for management to help establish sustainable strategies moving forward

Research paper thumbnail of From Buildings’ End of Life to Aggregate Recycling under a Circular Economic Perspective: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Case Study

Sustainability, 2021

The demolition of buildings, apart from being energy intensive and disruptive, inevitably produce... more The demolition of buildings, apart from being energy intensive and disruptive, inevitably produces construction and demolition waste (C&Dw). Unfortunately, even today, the majority of this waste ends up underexploited and not considered as valuable resources to be re-circulated into a closed/open loop process under the umbrella of circular economy (CE). Considering the amount of virgin aggregates needed in civil engineering applications, C&Dw can act as sustainable catalyst towards the preservation of natural resources and the shift towards a CE. This study completes current research by presenting a life cycle inventory compilation and life cycle assessment case study of two buildings in France. The quantification of the end-of-life environmental impacts of the two buildings and subsequently the environmental impacts of recycled aggregates production from C&Dw was realized using the framework of life cycle assessment (LCA). The results indicate that the transport of waste, its treat...

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating Circularity in the Sustainability Assessment of Asphalt Mixtures

Sustainability, 2020

Rising concerns about the impacts that the road engineering industry is imposing to the environme... more Rising concerns about the impacts that the road engineering industry is imposing to the environment have redirected national road authorities to firmly re-consider the sustainability implications of their operations. Lately, though, sustainability has established a forceful correlation with the Circular Economy and its principles. The road engineering industry, therefore, is moving towards more circular approaches. However, this is occurring without the assessment of the potential impacts of such a transition. For this reason, in this study, a composite indicator, namely, Environmental Sustainability and Circularity indicator (ESCi), for investigating the potential effects that increased circularity could have at the environmental sustainability of asphalt mixtures is developed. It can be utilized as a decision-making support tool from stakeholders involved in both asphalt mixture production and road pavement management. In addition, in this study, four asphalt mixtures with differe...

Research paper thumbnail of Estimation of durability of new surface courses using accelerated load test and expert's opinions

CRC Press eBooks, Jul 7, 2022

There is an increasing interest among road authorities in studying sustain ability assessment of ... more There is an increasing interest among road authorities in studying sustain ability assessment of road infrastructure. The durability of the surface course is a critical factor in these calculations and must be carefully considered in the analysis. New types of asphalt mixes with the potential to improve the results in the sustainability assessment have no proven track record and are thus more likely not to be used until solid perform ance data is available. To bridge the gap and diminish the uncertainty about the durability of Green asphalt mixes for surface courses, a combination of laboratory tests and tests in a circular road simulator were performed. Eight mixes were tested in total, four stone mastic asphalt mixes and four porous asphalt mixes. Each group contained a reference mix with well-established performance. The mixes were characterized with dynamic IDT, com plex shear modulus and water sensitivity using MiST (moisture induced stress test). Part of the loose mixes was oven aged at 85 °C simulate long term ageing. Plates of aged and virgin mixes were then tested in a circular road simulator in a program set up to check their sensitivity towards rutting, raveling, freeze-thaw cycles, polishing and fatigue. A combination of expert's opinion from academia and national road administrations together with the data from the tests were used to estimate the performance of the new Green mixes.

Research paper thumbnail of Pavement life cycle management: Towards a sustainability assessment framework in Europe

Pavement Life Cycle Management is a 2-year international project aiming at supporting European Na... more Pavement Life Cycle Management is a 2-year international project aiming at supporting European National Road Authorities (NRAs) to introduce sustainability in their practices by providing training on Life Cycle techniques and a user-friendly package to support their widespread implementation. The first task in Pavement Life Cycle Management (Pave-mentLCM) project is the creation of a Sustainability Assessment (SA) framework that complies with EN15643-5 and consequently include the three pillars of sustainability, use a life cycle ap-proach and use quantifiable sustainability performance indicators. This paper presents the first steps towards the creation of the framework which includes the following steps: 1) review of the available Product Category Rules (PCRs) related to asphalt mixtures and pavement activi-ties; 2) definition of the object of the assessment; 3) review and survey of NRAs practices of the main research efforts in Europe towards the definition of sustainability perf...

Research paper thumbnail of The Sustainability of Reclaimed Asphalt as a Resource for Road Pavement Management through a Circular Economic Model

The transition of the road engineering industry to a circular way of doing business requires more... more The transition of the road engineering industry to a circular way of doing business requires more efficient and sustainable resources, energy, and waste management. The rates in which reclaimed asphalt is being recycled or reused in the asphalt mixture production process constitutes a crucial parameter in this transition. This paper aims at establishing a further step towards the combined circularity and sustainability of asphalt pavements, by introducing a framework for quantifying their Material Circularity Index. The framework is based on the methodology proposed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and accordingly tailored for the context of asphalt pavements. This study, thus, attempts to provide a thorough analysis of the Reclaimed Asphalt’s recycling rates and trends on a European scale and to identify whether the efficiency of the current recycling practices is adequate or not. Moreover, a case study has been undertaken in order to quantify the Material Circularity index of the...

Research paper thumbnail of European National Road Authorities and Circular Economy: An Insight into Their Approaches

The pavement engineering industry, having realized the significance of the impacts that it impose... more The pavement engineering industry, having realized the significance of the impacts that it imposes on the environment through the production, construction and management of its products and assets, has been driven towards a more sustainable and circular way of operating. This has partly been through asphalt recycling, which is an area that many road authorities have prioritized. However, not all the National Road Authorities (NRAs) and/or sector stakeholders seem to be adequately familiar with the Circular Economy (CE) concept. This paper attempts to assist the transition of NRAs to a more circular way of doing business, by analyzing the current situation of CE within national/regional authorities and NRAs. To do so, a questionnaire was sent to different NRAs and an online search was conducted to identify the ways that NRAs communicate their CE practices. Findings indicate that, although the majority of the NRAs are familiar with CE as a concept, not many actions have been taken so ...

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating Circularity in the Sustainability Assessment of Asphalt Mixtures

Sustainability

Rising concerns about the impacts that the road engineering industry is imposing to the environme... more Rising concerns about the impacts that the road engineering industry is imposing to the environment have redirected national road authorities to firmly re-consider the sustainability implications of their operations. Lately, though, sustainability has established a forceful correlation with the Circular Economy and its principles. The road engineering industry, therefore, is moving towards more circular approaches. However, this is occurring without the assessment of the potential impacts of such a transition. For this reason, in this study, a composite indicator, namely, Environmental Sustainability and Circularity indicator (ESCi), for investigating the potential effects that increased circularity could have at the environmental sustainability of asphalt mixtures is developed. It can be utilized as a decision-making support tool from stakeholders involved in both asphalt mixture production and road pavement management. In addition, in this study, four asphalt mixtures with differe...

Research paper thumbnail of Multi-recyclability of asphalt mixtures modified with recycled plastic: Towards a circular economy

Results in engineering, Jul 1, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring the material circularity index of motorways: A case study over Europe

CRC Press eBooks, Jun 3, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring 4D and 5D Analysis in Bim Environment for Infrastructures: A Case Study

˜The œinternational archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences/International archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, Feb 14, 2024

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a focal point in the construction industry, g... more Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a focal point in the construction industry, garnering substantial attention due to its capacity to elevate product quality, facilitate accurate quantity determination, and enhance scheduling efficiency. The inherent complexity of construction projects necessitates the integration of BIM models endowed with automation functionalities for schedules and cost estimation. This integration ensures that updates seamlessly occur throughout the construction process, thereby mitigating project uncertainties and reducing overall costs. While the potential benefits of BIM are recognized, a substantial challenge persists in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) field defining workflows for the automated generation of optimized 4D/5D BIM simulation and analysis. The effective utilization of BIM as a transformative tool requires addressing this challenge to unlock its full potential in project management. BIM serves as a pivotal conduit for project data, providing a structured approach to elevate overall product quality, streamline processes, and minimize contingencies and costs associated with construction projects. Consequently, the successful implementation of BIM with automated 4D/5D simulation and analysis stands as a critical milestone in advancing the capabilities of the AEC industry, ensuring greater efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness in construction projects. According to these aspects, the time-cost analysis (4D/5D) of a project for the North-South railway station in Riyadh, designed by Architect Engineer Dia Hilal, was investigated.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluating the Ageing Sensitivity of the Asphalt Binder via Distinct Ageing Methods

Infrastructures, Nov 16, 2023

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Isim - Infrastructures & Structures Information Modeling: A New Concept of Bim for Infrastructures

The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences

The application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in infrastructure and structural projects,... more The application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in infrastructure and structural projects, known as Integrated Structural and Infrastructure Modeling (ISIM), has gained attention in recent years due to its potential to revolutionize the construction industry. By providing a digital representation of the built environment, BIM allows for improved collaboration and communication between project stakeholders, leading to enhanced project outcomes. The ISIM approach is centered on the creation of a digital twin, a threedimensional model of the infrastructure or structure, which serves as a virtual replica of the physical asset. This digital twin provides a platform for analysis, decision-making, and management throughout the project lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance. One of the key benefits of the ISIM approach is the ability to optimize the construction process, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. The digital twin allows for the identification of potential issues in the design phase, enabling them to be addressed before construction begins. The model can also be used to simulate different scenarios, providing insights into the most effective construction methods, sequencing, and scheduling. Additionally, the use of ISIM can facilitate collaboration and communication among project stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and owners. The digital twin provides a shared platform for all stakeholders to access and contribute to, allowing for real-time feedback and decision-making. This increased collaboration can lead to reduced errors, improved quality, and enhanced project outcomes. In this paper the authors propose the example of the Meier bridge in Alessandria starting from the 2D drawings to create the 3D model and link it to the external context using Autodesk Infraworks software. A virtual reality implementation has been considered as useful tool to improve the maintenance management.

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual Reality and Bim for Infrastructures

The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been widely adopted in the construction industry as a me... more Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been widely adopted in the construction industry as a means of improving project efficiency, reducing errors, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders. However, its potential for the infrastructure sector has not been fully explored. Infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and airports, are often complex and require the integration of multiple systems and disciplines. BIM has the potential to provide a digital representation of the infrastructure project, allowing for improved design, construction, and maintenance. This paper aims to explore the potential benefits of BIM in the infrastructure sector, examine the challenges to its implementation, and discuss best practices for successful adoption. By analysing a case study and industry trends, this paper will provide insights into how BIM can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure projects, ultimately contributing to the development of smarter cities and infrastructure networks. By analysing a case study, this paper will provide insights into how BIM can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure projects, ultimately contributing to the development of smarter cities and infrastructure networks. In particular, a virtual modelling in the BIM context of the North-South railway station of Riyadh designed by Arch. Ing. Dia Hilal has been proposed.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the Multi-Recyclability of Recycled Plastic-Modified Asphalt Mixtures

Infrastructures

Although the benefits of asphalt recycling have been scientifically proven and several best pract... more Although the benefits of asphalt recycling have been scientifically proven and several best practices are being implemented, further research is required in specific and specialized areas. One of these circumstances is the recycling of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAPs) that contain asphalt modifiers such as elastomers and/or plastomers. Following the principles of the circular economy and considering the sustainability implications of asphalt mixtures, this paper deals with the multi-recyclability of asphalt mixtures containing 50% RAP with and without a recycled plastic asphalt modifier and rejuvenating agent. The recycled plastic asphalt modifier was made of hard recycled plastics and was introduced to the mixture via a dry method. The research focuses on the characterization of binders via conventional, rheological, and chemical analysis. To control the consistency and variables of the mixtures, the RAP was produced artificially in the laboratory following an ageing protocol for...

Research paper thumbnail of A Top-Down Approach Based on the Circularity Potential to Increase the Use of Reclaimed Asphalt

Infrastructures

Resource depletion and climate change, amongst others, are increasingly worrying environmental ch... more Resource depletion and climate change, amongst others, are increasingly worrying environmental challenges for which the road engineering sector is a major contributor. Globally, viable solutions that comply with the principles of circular economy (CE) are being investigated that can replace conventional asphalt mixtures in a post-fossil fuel society. The use of reclaimed asphalt (RA) is a widely used and well-established method to reduce the environmental and economic impacts of asphalt mixtures while increasing their circularity. However, RA’s market supply and demand have not yet been systematically analyzed and established. Moreover, the actual circularity potential and the opportunity of re-circulating RA in a closed-loop model have not yet been methodically defined. To address this, a three-layered framework to quantify and assess the circularity potential (Ω) of RA has been developed. To give stakeholders and legislative bodies a simple method to assess the opportunities avail...

Research paper thumbnail of Examining the Critical Factors that Influence the Success of Construction and Demolition Waste Reverse Logistics Operations

International Journal of Environmental Impacts: Management, Mitigation and Recovery

The reverse logistics (RL) performance of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) differs signif... more The reverse logistics (RL) performance of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) differs significantly between countries. Although some countries are successfully circular, other countries are still far behind; with C&DW being largely directed to landfills or being illegally dumped. There is a lack of guidelines on the requirements for transitioning countries towards C&DW diversion, and little attention has been given to the factors that influence the success of C&DW RL and increased circularity. This study aims to develop a framework that helps in structuring and assessing the success of C&DW RL on a regional level and serves as a guide for transitioning developing countries towards implementing such operations. Since the framework should help evaluate where interventions are needed to enhance performance, the exact domains to be used and their priorities should be identified. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the critical factors that affect the outcome of RL operations. After their identification, the interrelationships between the factors and the dependence and driving power of each are examined through interpretive structural modelling. This analysis provides valuable insights and thus, allows for the establishment of a hierarchy of factors that can serve as a guide for decisionmakers. The developed framework can be utilized for enhancing the efficiency of current RL operations as well as for identifying the direction of action and efforts needed to shift developing countries towards the implementation of circular economy in the sector of C&DW.

Research paper thumbnail of Increasing the Use of Reclaimed Asphalt in Italy towards a Circular Economy: A Top-Down Approach

IOCI 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the Viability of Multi-Recycling of Asphalt Mixtures through a Preliminary Binder Level Characterization

IOCI 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Un Approccio Basato Sulla Modellazione 3D e Il Life Cycle Assessment Per Una Gestione Sostenibile Della Manutenzione Stradale

LABOREST, Sep 1, 2021

A causa delle limitate risorse, gli enti proprietari e gestori di infrastrutture stradali incontr... more A causa delle limitate risorse, gli enti proprietari e gestori di infrastrutture stradali incontrano serie difficoltà a garantire la costruzione, la manutenzione e il potenziamento del patrimonio secondo criteri di efficienza e sostenibilità. Alcuni, tra questi, adottano lo strumento del Pavement Management System (PMS), che consente l'allocazione delle risorse in funzione delle soluzioni di manutenzione più economiche per le pavimentazioni in dotazione. [1]. Il PMS, tuttavia, si fonda su dati accurati ed aggiornati sullo stato della pavimentazione e la loro acquisizione è, in genere, un processo costoso. [2]. Diverse sforzi e tentativi sono stati attuati per definire metodologie innovative ed efficaci, implementando tecniche ed utilizzando strumenti automatici per l'identificazione dei degradi [3]. 1.2. L'uso della tecnica Structure-from-motion e modellazione 3D Un metodo di identificazione dei degradi stradali è la modellazione basata su immagini (image-based modelling). L'uso di tale modellazione per la raccolta e classificazione dei degradi stradali non è nuovo [4], ma alcuni recenti avanzamenti e miglioramenti degli algoritmi di programmazione [5] hanno indotto i ricercatori ad applicare la tecnica dello Structure-from-Motion (SfM) per il monitoraggio, l'identificazione e la classificazione dei degradi

Research paper thumbnail of Towards more sustainable airfield pavements using life-cycle assessment of design alternatives

Airports are critical infrastructures and their success is paramount to development through touri... more Airports are critical infrastructures and their success is paramount to development through tourism, trade and connectivity. Within the airport, the runway pavement must always be in a pristine condition. Consequently, pavement design and maintenance decisions are vital. Authorities must make decisions concerning preferred materials for design and maintenance. Decisions should be balanced by both economic and environmental factors. This paper considers a case study at Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO), Palermo, Italy, where air traffic has been steadily increasing. Different pavements are proposed: flexible Asphaltic concrete designs with both traditional Asphaltic concrete and using reclaimed asphalt during maintenance, and a rigid concrete pavement. Environmental and economic impacts are assessed utilizing frameworks of life cycle assessment and life cycle costing analysis on the alternatives. The results highlight impacts material design changes have on the environment for airfield pavements and offer insights for management to help establish sustainable strategies moving forward

Research paper thumbnail of From Buildings’ End of Life to Aggregate Recycling under a Circular Economic Perspective: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Case Study

Sustainability, 2021

The demolition of buildings, apart from being energy intensive and disruptive, inevitably produce... more The demolition of buildings, apart from being energy intensive and disruptive, inevitably produces construction and demolition waste (C&Dw). Unfortunately, even today, the majority of this waste ends up underexploited and not considered as valuable resources to be re-circulated into a closed/open loop process under the umbrella of circular economy (CE). Considering the amount of virgin aggregates needed in civil engineering applications, C&Dw can act as sustainable catalyst towards the preservation of natural resources and the shift towards a CE. This study completes current research by presenting a life cycle inventory compilation and life cycle assessment case study of two buildings in France. The quantification of the end-of-life environmental impacts of the two buildings and subsequently the environmental impacts of recycled aggregates production from C&Dw was realized using the framework of life cycle assessment (LCA). The results indicate that the transport of waste, its treat...

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating Circularity in the Sustainability Assessment of Asphalt Mixtures

Sustainability, 2020

Rising concerns about the impacts that the road engineering industry is imposing to the environme... more Rising concerns about the impacts that the road engineering industry is imposing to the environment have redirected national road authorities to firmly re-consider the sustainability implications of their operations. Lately, though, sustainability has established a forceful correlation with the Circular Economy and its principles. The road engineering industry, therefore, is moving towards more circular approaches. However, this is occurring without the assessment of the potential impacts of such a transition. For this reason, in this study, a composite indicator, namely, Environmental Sustainability and Circularity indicator (ESCi), for investigating the potential effects that increased circularity could have at the environmental sustainability of asphalt mixtures is developed. It can be utilized as a decision-making support tool from stakeholders involved in both asphalt mixture production and road pavement management. In addition, in this study, four asphalt mixtures with differe...

Research paper thumbnail of Estimation of durability of new surface courses using accelerated load test and expert's opinions

CRC Press eBooks, Jul 7, 2022

There is an increasing interest among road authorities in studying sustain ability assessment of ... more There is an increasing interest among road authorities in studying sustain ability assessment of road infrastructure. The durability of the surface course is a critical factor in these calculations and must be carefully considered in the analysis. New types of asphalt mixes with the potential to improve the results in the sustainability assessment have no proven track record and are thus more likely not to be used until solid perform ance data is available. To bridge the gap and diminish the uncertainty about the durability of Green asphalt mixes for surface courses, a combination of laboratory tests and tests in a circular road simulator were performed. Eight mixes were tested in total, four stone mastic asphalt mixes and four porous asphalt mixes. Each group contained a reference mix with well-established performance. The mixes were characterized with dynamic IDT, com plex shear modulus and water sensitivity using MiST (moisture induced stress test). Part of the loose mixes was oven aged at 85 °C simulate long term ageing. Plates of aged and virgin mixes were then tested in a circular road simulator in a program set up to check their sensitivity towards rutting, raveling, freeze-thaw cycles, polishing and fatigue. A combination of expert's opinion from academia and national road administrations together with the data from the tests were used to estimate the performance of the new Green mixes.

Research paper thumbnail of Pavement life cycle management: Towards a sustainability assessment framework in Europe

Pavement Life Cycle Management is a 2-year international project aiming at supporting European Na... more Pavement Life Cycle Management is a 2-year international project aiming at supporting European National Road Authorities (NRAs) to introduce sustainability in their practices by providing training on Life Cycle techniques and a user-friendly package to support their widespread implementation. The first task in Pavement Life Cycle Management (Pave-mentLCM) project is the creation of a Sustainability Assessment (SA) framework that complies with EN15643-5 and consequently include the three pillars of sustainability, use a life cycle ap-proach and use quantifiable sustainability performance indicators. This paper presents the first steps towards the creation of the framework which includes the following steps: 1) review of the available Product Category Rules (PCRs) related to asphalt mixtures and pavement activi-ties; 2) definition of the object of the assessment; 3) review and survey of NRAs practices of the main research efforts in Europe towards the definition of sustainability perf...

Research paper thumbnail of The Sustainability of Reclaimed Asphalt as a Resource for Road Pavement Management through a Circular Economic Model

The transition of the road engineering industry to a circular way of doing business requires more... more The transition of the road engineering industry to a circular way of doing business requires more efficient and sustainable resources, energy, and waste management. The rates in which reclaimed asphalt is being recycled or reused in the asphalt mixture production process constitutes a crucial parameter in this transition. This paper aims at establishing a further step towards the combined circularity and sustainability of asphalt pavements, by introducing a framework for quantifying their Material Circularity Index. The framework is based on the methodology proposed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and accordingly tailored for the context of asphalt pavements. This study, thus, attempts to provide a thorough analysis of the Reclaimed Asphalt’s recycling rates and trends on a European scale and to identify whether the efficiency of the current recycling practices is adequate or not. Moreover, a case study has been undertaken in order to quantify the Material Circularity index of the...

Research paper thumbnail of European National Road Authorities and Circular Economy: An Insight into Their Approaches

The pavement engineering industry, having realized the significance of the impacts that it impose... more The pavement engineering industry, having realized the significance of the impacts that it imposes on the environment through the production, construction and management of its products and assets, has been driven towards a more sustainable and circular way of operating. This has partly been through asphalt recycling, which is an area that many road authorities have prioritized. However, not all the National Road Authorities (NRAs) and/or sector stakeholders seem to be adequately familiar with the Circular Economy (CE) concept. This paper attempts to assist the transition of NRAs to a more circular way of doing business, by analyzing the current situation of CE within national/regional authorities and NRAs. To do so, a questionnaire was sent to different NRAs and an online search was conducted to identify the ways that NRAs communicate their CE practices. Findings indicate that, although the majority of the NRAs are familiar with CE as a concept, not many actions have been taken so ...

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating Circularity in the Sustainability Assessment of Asphalt Mixtures

Sustainability

Rising concerns about the impacts that the road engineering industry is imposing to the environme... more Rising concerns about the impacts that the road engineering industry is imposing to the environment have redirected national road authorities to firmly re-consider the sustainability implications of their operations. Lately, though, sustainability has established a forceful correlation with the Circular Economy and its principles. The road engineering industry, therefore, is moving towards more circular approaches. However, this is occurring without the assessment of the potential impacts of such a transition. For this reason, in this study, a composite indicator, namely, Environmental Sustainability and Circularity indicator (ESCi), for investigating the potential effects that increased circularity could have at the environmental sustainability of asphalt mixtures is developed. It can be utilized as a decision-making support tool from stakeholders involved in both asphalt mixture production and road pavement management. In addition, in this study, four asphalt mixtures with differe...