This research focuses on the production and construction stages of the life cycle analysis (LCA) of asphalt mixtures modified with industrial waste and by-products, based on the quantification of methane (CH₄), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced during these processes. A laboratory-designed and calibrated gas measurement system with a microcontroller and MQ sensors is used to compare the emissions (GHG) of a “conventional” asphalt mix with those emitted by waste-modified asphalt mixes (polyethylene terephthalate and nylon fibres) and industrial by-products (copper slag and cellulose ash). The results obtained show that the gases emitted by each type of material can influence the design criteria from an environmental perspective. Methane gas emissions for asphalt mixes made with polymeric materials increase compared to the production phase of a conventional mix (M1) by 21% for PET and 14% for nylon. In contrast, for mixtures made with copper slag and cellulose ash, this emission is reduced by 12%. In addition, the use of copper slag and cellulose ash to replace natural aggregates reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 15% during the production phase and contributes to the creation of photochemical ozone for a shorter period of time. Regarding carbon dioxide emission, it increases considerably for all asphalt mixes, by 26% and 44.5% for cellulose ash and copper slag, respectively. For asphalt mixtures made of polymeric materials, the increase in carbon dioxide emission is significant, 130% for PET and 53% for nylon. In addition, it is noted that for this type of material, not only the emission of the gas must be taken into consideration, but also the time that the volatile particles spend in the atmosphere, affecting climate change and photochemical ozone (smog). The carbon monoxide gases emitted in the production phase of all the asphalt mixes analysed is similar among them.

Porous asphalt (PA) mixtures have become a common and very useful pavement technology for preventing dangerous driving conditions in wet weather and as a permeable surface in permeable pavement systems due to their capacity to filter water. The increased social awareness of sustainability matters has expanded the interest in reducing the impact of construction materials on the environment, mainly by using recycled materials in their composition and, hence, reducing the depletion of raw materials. In this research, two innovative recycled filler materials, namely, cellulose ash (CA) and combustion soot (CS), have been used as a total filler replacement in PA mixtures to look for improved mechanical strengths and characteristics. Four different filler dosages were assessed for each filler material, and the produced PA mixtures were tested for their particle loss, water sensitivity, freeze–thaw durability, Marshall stability, resilient modulus and permeability in order to obtain a full picture of their performance. The obtained results showed that both filler materials, adequately dosed, can generate PA mixtures that significantly overcome reference mechanical values for PA mixtures that maintain adequate infiltration capacities to satisfy the main international standards, proving to be suitable replacements for conventional filler materials commonly used in asphalt mixture production.

Chile is the first Latin American country to begin an “ecological overdraft”, as established by the Global Footprint Network (GFN). This implies that the country’s ecological footprint has exceeded the global average bio-capacity. The consumption of natural aggregates for construction in Chile has grown by around 6.6% in the last year, with around 120 million tons being extracted. Given the above, it is important to seek alternatives that help to minimize the problem of resource scarcity, as well as the recovery of industrial by-products and/or waste. The Chilean forestry sector has also grown in recent years, generating approximately 4000 metric tons of waste in 2018, which was deposited in landfills or disposed of on forest roads. The present research is focused on the reuse and possible recovery of ash from the incineration of cellulose as a filler in bituminous mixtures. We analyze the adhesiveness of the filler/bitumen system in dry and wet states, based on the Cantabro wear loss test. The results obtained show that the limit of the relation between the volumetric concentration and critical concentration (Cv/Cs) is 1 for the addition of ash and that concentrations lower than or equal to this value present controlled losses, with 1.00 being the optimal (Cv/Cs) ratio that allows better behavior against the effect of water.

Styrene–butadiene–styrene copolymer (SBS) can be used to improve the mechanical and deformation properties of the binder used in its manufacture. However, the high cost of and variability in processing limit its performance. A secondary modifier to solve these problems is nano- and micromaterials that allow for the generation of unique properties in polymeric systems. Based on this, this study experimented with fly ash micro-filler (μFA) in low proportions as a binder modifier with SBS for use in PA mixes. The FA residue is considered in 3% and 5% dosages on a base binder with 5% SBS. Rheological results show that μFA improves classical, linear viscoelastic (LVE), and progressive damage properties compared with the modified binder. The PA blends with μFA reduce binder runout, resulting in a thicker film, thus showing better abrasion resistance in dry and wet conditions. Samples with μFA increase the post-cracking energy in indirect tension due to higher ductility. However, they decrease the fracture energy due to higher cracking before failure. In addition, μFA manages to decrease the difference between dry and wet ITS.

Butadiene-Styrene copolymer (SBS) to improve the mechanical and deformation properties of the binder used in its manufacture. However, the high cost and variability of processing limit its performance. A secondary modifier to solve these problems is nano and micro materials that allow the generation of unique properties in polymeric systems. Based on this, this study experimented with fly ash micro filler ((FA) in low proportions as a binder modifier with SBS for use in PA mixes. The FA residue is considered in 3% and 5% dosages on a base binder with 5% SBS. Rheological results show that FA improves classical, linear viscoelastic (LVE), and progressive damage properties compared to the modified binder. The PA blends with FA reduced binder runout, resulting in a thicker film, showing better abrasion resistance in dry and wet conditions. Samples with FA increase the post-cracking energy in indirect tension due to higher ductility. However, they decrease the fracture energy due to higher cracking before failure. In addition, the FA manages to decrease the difference between dry and wet ITS.