Research in Mississippi is part of a $160 million initiative to produce cleaner, more cost-effective asphalt surfaces
Published on Monday, August 19, 2024, 8:48 am
- Asphalt, commonly used for roads, parking lots and other infrastructure, produces greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Ali Behnood, assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of Mississippi, is using Environmental Protection Agency funding to research ways to make asphalt more environmentally friendly. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is funding a Mississippi professor’s efforts to develop more environmentally friendly asphalt. The project is part of a $160 million initiative to support efforts to capture and reduce air pollution caused by the manufacture of building materials.
Ole Miss professor Ali Behnood is one of 38 recipients across the country receiving support for their work developing sustainable, greenhouse gas-reducing building materials. Behnood, an assistant professor of civil engineering at Ole Miss, received $750,000 for his project.
“As stewards of the future, we are committed to developing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure to meet our responsibilities to the next generation,” said Behnood. “Our efforts are focused on developing systems that not only meet the needs of today, but also ensure environmental sustainability and longevity for the future.”
“This change is crucial to mitigate the impacts of climate change and create a stable foundation for future generations.”
Because of the widespread use of asphalt, Behnood’s project could have far-reaching implications for American building materials manufacturing, said Viola Acoff, dean of the School of Engineering.
“Dr. Behnood’s work has the potential to develop an asphalt that is not only environmentally friendly, but also has better mechanical properties and is less expensive than conventional asphalt,” said Acoff. “His work can lead the University of Mississippi to become a leader in this area of research.”
The building materials used in buildings, roads, and other infrastructure account for over 15% of annual greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and 37% globally.
“The construction industry has a great responsibility to consider its impact on climate change,” said Behnood. “We are actively seeking effective approaches to reduce our contribution to this global problem.”
In asphalt production, most greenhouse gas emissions come from heating the asphalt binder to 280-320 degrees, which requires a lot of energy. Behnood is helping to test the quality and durability of warm mix asphalt, a mixture of old asphalt and a new binder that reduces the heat required by as much as 60 degrees.
“By lowering the mixing and compaction temperatures in asphalt production, we significantly reduce the need for additional energy,” he said. “This reduction not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also leads to significant cost savings.”
What is unknown is how well warm mix asphalt performs compared to its conventional counterpart and which additives make the material most effective and environmentally friendly.
“We are beginning a comprehensive evaluation of a variety of additives to determine their potential benefits in asphalt production,” said Behnood. “Our study will focus on comparing these additives to evaluate their ability to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the mechanical properties of asphalt.”
“The aim of this research is to identify the most effective additives that not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also improve the quality and durability of asphalt pavements.”
To examine each of these variables, Behnood plans to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to test predictive models for warm mix asphalt.
“Construction is an essential activity that will continue as development progresses, and it plays a crucial role in meeting the growing needs of our society and economy,” he said. “That is the demand, but it requires a more responsible development approach. We must ensure that our growth strategies are sustainable and take into account the environmental impact.”
“We can no longer justify contributing unchecked to greenhouse gas emissions. It is imperative that we adopt more responsible and sustainable practices in our activities to reduce our impact on the environment.”
This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Construction Materials and Products program.
