Characteristics of Construction Waste for Highway Materials

Construction activities generate a significant volume of waste, much of which possesses properties suitable for reuse in highway infrastructure. This study examines the physical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics of common construction waste materials, including concrete debris, reclaimed asphalt pavement RAP , bricks, and mixed demolition waste, to evaluate their viability as alternative highway construction materials. Key parameters such as particle size distribution, compressive strength, abrasion resistance, and contaminant levels were analyzed to determine performance and compliance with roadway specifications. Findings indicate that processed concrete and RAP exhibit high structural integrity and can effectively substitute traditional aggregates in base and sub base layers, contributing to reduce demand for natural resources. Brick and mixed waste materials, while more variable in composition, demonstrate acceptable performance when properly graded and stabilized. The reuse of construction waste offers substantial environmental benefits by lowering landfill volumes, minimizing extraction of virgin aggregates, and reducing carbon emissions. However, challenges remain regarding heterogeneity, contamination, and quality control, which necessitate standardized processing and testing methods. Overall, the study highlights the potential of construction waste as a sustainable resource for highway material applications, promoting circular economy practices in infrastructure development. Arsalan Zahoor | Er. Ajay Vikram "Characteristics of Construction Waste for Highway Materials" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-9 | Issue-6 , December 2025, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd99900.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/engineering/civil-engineering/99900/characteristics-of-construction-waste-for-highway-materials/arsalan-zahoor