An effective framework for extraction and utilization of recycle materials in road infrastructure.

Typically, the construction of 1 km of a typical 4-lane road highway requires around 36000 tons of stones and sand which are derived from cutting the mountains and mining the rivers. Current methods of utilizing natural resources for road infrastructure is not a sustainable practice, leading to several socio-economic-environmental challenges. Several research on the use of outdated road materials for new road construction have been carried out. However, they were fragmented attempts and there is still no framework for assessing and guiding the extraction and utilization of recycle materials for future road infrastructure. The current proposal aims to develop strategies for extracting high-quality materials from the existing road infrastructure and utilizing them again for the new structure without the use of pristine materials. This will be achieved systematically via three following phases: (a) experimental phase consisting of understanding the issues with recycled road materials and their addressal by developing cost-effective and sustainable techniques, (b) semi-experimental phase wherein the positive and negative effect of the recycle materials on the strength and durability performance of road/pavement layers will be understood through laboratory experiments followed by numerical simulations for in-situ loading condition assessment, and (c) theoretical phase to develop frameworks for effective utilization of road wastes. It is expected that the outcomes from this project will provide a framework for the extraction of sustainable materials for future road infrastructure.