Application of Sustainable Self-compacting Concrete as Future Road Base Material in Pavement Construction

In the current circumstance of road construction, sustainability and social impact present significant challenges. Despite numerous pavement infrastructure projects, including new construction and rehabilitation, environmental impacts have escalated due to excessive consumption of natural aggregates and conventional Portland cement. This study aims to address these challenges by developing an alternative road material through the integration of sub-standard fine crushed rock (SFCR) and low carbon cement (LCC) into self-compacting concrete (SCC), promoting eco-friendliness. The research focused on incorporating SFCR, a by-product from a commercial rock quarry in Northern Thailand, into SCC. Particle size distribution (PSD) modification of SFCR facilitated waste management. Proportions of LCC and water in SCC mixes were systematically optimized, then evaluated their impact on fresh workability and unconfined compressive strength. Results showed that SCC mixes with coarser PSD exhibit higher strength and resilient modulus than finer mixtures. The selected SCC mixture demonstrated favorable flexural modulus and tensile fatigue resistance, surpassing traditional cement-treated natural gravel. Mechanical-empirical pavement design analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA) revealed that the chosen SCC mixture reduced total construction costs by approximately 7% and achieved over 30% savings in greenhouse gas emissions during road base construction. Eventually, this innovative material and concrete technique would align with sustainable development goals in civil engineering, offering a promising solution in waste management, and contributing to high eco-friendliness in infrastructure development industry.