ECO-FRIENDLY ROAD PAVING COMPOSITION AND METHOD

Abstract

An eco-friendly road paving composition and method are disclosed, designed to reduce the environmental impact of road construction. The composition comprises a high percentage of recycled materials, such as recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), crushed glass, rubber particles, or agricultural by-products, combined with a bio-based or hybrid binder derived from renewable resources like plant oils, modified natural polymers, or recycled plastic polymers. Additives, including anti-cracking agents, UV stabilizers, anti-leaching agents, and reflective pigments, enhance the durability, weather resistance, and heat reflectivity of the paved surface. The composition can be mixed and applied at a temperature of 80–120°C, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption compared to conventional paving methods. The method involves preparing the eco-friendly composition, applying it to a roadbed, and compressing it to form a durable, recyclable surface suitable for urban and rural infrastructure. This invention offers a sustainable alternative to traditional road paving materials, contributing to reduced emissions, increased recyclability, and improved urban cooling potential.

Specification

Description:In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address all of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein.

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
The word "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," "has," "contains," and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an instance" or "one instance" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The present invention describes an eco-friendly road paving composition and method designed to reduce the environmental impact of road construction. The composition comprises recycled aggregates, bio-based binders, and specially selected additives to enhance durability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote recyclability. This composition is particularly suited for applications where sustainability and performance are paramount, such as urban roadways, parking lots, and pedestrian walkways. The invention also includes a method of application that reduces energy consumption by allowing the composition to be processed at lower temperatures than conventional paving materials.
The following embodiments illustrate various formulations and methods of application for the eco-friendly paving composition, each tailored to achieve different performance characteristics or address specific environmental considerations.
In the first embodiment, the paving composition utilizes recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) as the primary aggregate component, comprising at least 60% of the total weight of the composition. The recycled asphalt aggregate provides structural integrity and reduces the need for new raw materials. A bio-based binder, derived from soybean oil and modified with lignin (a natural polymer obtained from wood pulp processing), is used to bind the aggregate particles.
The bio-based binder is designed to mimic the performance characteristics of traditional petroleum-based binders but with a lower environmental impact. The binder formulation also includes small amounts of bio-resin additives, enhancing flexibility and adhesive properties, ensuring that the surface is resistant to cracking under heavy traffic loads.
To further improve durability, anti-cracking and anti-leaching agents are added to the composition. These agents, derived from recycled rubber and natural mineral fillers, enhance the composition's resistance to weathering, UV radiation, and chemical degradation. This embodiment can be applied at a reduced temperature of 100-120°C, lowering energy costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional asphalt applications, which typically require temperatures of 150-180°C.
The second embodiment focuses on a composition formulated with crushed glass and recycled rubber from used tires, providing a sustainable alternative to virgin aggregates. Crushed glass adds rigidity and reflective properties to the surface, which can help reduce urban heat island effects by reflecting solar radiation. Recycled rubber particles contribute flexibility, which can improve the surface's resilience against temperature fluctuations and heavy vehicle loads.
In this embodiment, the binder is a hybrid formulation composed of bio-based oils and a low-percentage polymer modifier synthesized from recycled plastic. This hybrid binder is engineered to increase the elasticity and wear resistance of the road surface, providing a long-lasting and sustainable pavement option. The hybrid binder formulation also enhances bonding with the glass and rubber aggregate, minimizing aggregate dislodgement and improving the surface's resilience.
A reflective pigment is added to the composition to further reduce heat absorption, enhancing the pavement's suitability for high-temperature regions. The method of application for this embodiment involves mixing the aggregate and hybrid binder at a temperature of 90-110°C, allowing for significant energy savings and reducing emissions. This composition is ideal for urban areas where both durability and heat reduction are important, such as parking lots and bike lanes.
In the third embodiment, the composition uses agricultural by-products, such as rice husk ash and ground nutshells, as aggregate materials. These by-products provide a lightweight yet robust aggregate that is readily available and cost-effective. Using these materials not only reduces the demand for traditional aggregates but also offers a new application for agricultural waste that would otherwise contribute to environmental pollution.
The binder in this embodiment is formulated from modified cellulose, a plant-based material derived from agricultural sources such as corn stalks or straw. Modified cellulose is blended with a small amount of natural rubber to create a flexible and durable binder that is fully biodegradable. This binder provides excellent adhesion to the agricultural aggregate materials and ensures that the composition remains stable under temperature variations and mechanical stress.
To enhance durability, natural mineral-based additives are incorporated to improve the composition's resistance to moisture and UV exposure. This formulation is particularly suitable for rural roads and pathways, where cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits are prioritized. The method of application involves mixing at a lower temperature of 80-100°C, which minimizes energy consumption. After the application, the composition can be compacted and cured to create a smooth and resilient surface.
Each embodiment described offers a unique approach to sustainable road paving, emphasizing different recycled and renewable materials and binders tailored for specific environmental and performance goals. All embodiments achieve reduced greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact through lower-temperature processing and the use of eco-friendly materials. Additionally, the compositions are designed to be recyclable, allowing the paved surfaces to be reclaimed and reused at the end of their life cycle. These eco-friendly paving compositions and methods thus contribute to a more sustainable infrastructure solution with long-lasting performance, adaptability to various climates, and compliance with green construction standards.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented merely as illustrative of the invention and not as limitation. , Claims:1.An eco-friendly road paving composition comprising:
an aggregate component including at least 50% recycled material by weight, selected from the group consisting of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), crushed glass, rubber particles, or agricultural by-products;
a bio-based or hybrid binder that includes a blend of plant-derived oils or resins, modified natural polymers, or recycled plastic polymers to bind the aggregate particles together; and
one or more additives selected from the group consisting of anti-cracking agents, UV stabilizers, anti-leaching agents, or reflective pigments, wherein the composition is configured for application at a temperature of 80-120°C to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during paving.

2.The eco-friendly road paving composition of Claim 1, wherein the aggregate component comprises at least 60% recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) by weight, enhancing the structural integrity and reducing the need for virgin aggregates.

3.The eco-friendly road paving composition of Claim 1, wherein the bio-based binder is derived from a mixture of soybean oil and lignin, providing improved adhesion and flexibility to prevent cracking under traffic load.

4.The eco-friendly road paving composition of Claim 1, wherein the hybrid binder includes a low-percentage recycled plastic polymer modifier to enhance elasticity and durability of the composition.

5.The eco-friendly road paving composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition further includes reflective pigments that reduce heat absorption from sunlight, thereby minimizing the urban heat island effect.

6.The eco-friendly road paving composition of Claim 1, wherein the aggregate component comprises a mixture of crushed glass and recycled rubber particles to enhance reflective properties and surface flexibility.

7.The eco-friendly road paving composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition includes anti-cracking and anti-leaching agents derived from recycled rubber and mineral fillers, providing resistance to weathering, UV exposure, and chemical degradation.

8.The eco-friendly road paving composition of Claim 1, wherein the composition is recyclable at the end of its service life, allowing for reuse in future paving applications.

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