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Chapter 68
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-9619-8.ch068
Alternative, Environmentally
Acceptable Materials in
Road Construction
ABSTRACT
Environmental conservation and energy savings, as the fundamental assumptions for sustainable
development, and fnancial savings are possible through the use of new, non-standard materials and
technologies in the building and maintenance of roads. Diferent types of waste materials and industrial
by-products may be used in road construction as an alternative to standard materials. In order to be ap-
plicable, alternative materials must meet certain engineering characteristics, show an acceptable level
of execution, and be economical in comparison with traditional materials. The reasons for the use of
alternative materials are many and largely outweigh the possible shortcomings. The use of alternative
materials is signifcant from both the ecological and economic perspectives. Ecologically, the use of
alternative materials means a lesser need for the exploitation of natural resources and the quantity of
waste accumulated in landflls is reduced. Economically, the use of alternative materials reduces total
construction costs. This chapter explores the use of alternative materials.
INTRODUCTION
Construction uses very large quantities of natural
aggregates (gravel, sand, crushed stone) from exca-
vation, and a considerable part of those quantities
is used for the needs of road construction. Such
continuous demand for natural materials depletes
natural sources, and, in the areas lacking quality
natural aggregates, the purchasing and transport
costs increase the construction costs considerably.
Exploitation of natural aggregates represents a
loss, not only of aggregates themselves, but of the
Sanja Dimter
University of Osijek, Croatia
Tatjana Rukavina
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Barišić
University of Osijek, Croatia