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Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Assessment of Recycled Aggregates Concrete in the United Arab Emirates

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammed H. Alzard

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates)

  • Hilal El-Hassan

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates)

  • Tamer El-Maaddawy

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

This paper studies the potential environmental and economic impact of replacing natural aggregates (NA) with recycled aggregates (RA) in the production of different sustainable concrete mixes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out according to the methodology proposed by the international standards of the series ISO 14040. The performance of concrete mixes having a similar design compressive strength was evaluated. Results showed that the inclusion of steel fibers (SF) led to an increase in the global warming potential (GWP), whereas mixes with cement replacement by fly ash, slag, or microsilica recorded a reduction in GWP. Furthermore, SF-reinforced mixes created with 100% RA were at least three times more expensive than the NA-based control mix, while the cost of those with cement replacement by mineral additives was generally similar to that of the control. Material transportation was found to be a main contributor to the environmental and economic impacts, only second to cement, and its contribution increased with longer distances and steel fiber incorporation and decreased with RA replacement. To integrate these individual measures and select optimum mixes for various applications, multifunctional performance indices were developed. Research findings highlight the possibility to fully replace NA with RA (100%) while maintaining the performance and improving the economic and environmental impacts of concrete produced in the UAE.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed H. Alzard & Hilal El-Hassan & Tamer El-Maaddawy, 2021. "Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Assessment of Recycled Aggregates Concrete in the United Arab Emirates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:18:p:10348-:d:636756
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hossain, Md. Uzzal & Poon, Chi Sun & Lo, Irene M.C. & Cheng, Jack C.P., 2016. "Comparative environmental evaluation of aggregate production from recycled waste materials and virgin sources by LCA," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 67-77.
    2. Hilal El-Hassan & Jamal Medljy & Tamer El-Maaddawy, 2021. "Properties of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete Made with Recycled Concrete Aggregates and Dune Sand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Peng Zhang & Yonghui Yang & Juan Wang & Shaowei Hu & Meiju Jiao & Yifeng Ling, 2020. "Mechanical Properties and Durability of Polypropylene and Steel Fiber-Reinforced Recycled Aggregates Concrete (FRRAC): A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-38, November.
    4. Aman, M.M. & Solangi, K.H. & Hossain, M.S. & Badarudin, A. & Jasmon, G.B. & Mokhlis, H. & Bakar, A.H.A. & Kazi, S.N, 2015. "A review of Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) issues of solar energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1190-1204.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jamiu O. Eniola & Banu Sizirici, 2026. "Assessing the sustainability of modified biosand filters using life cycle assessment, cost and performance factors," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 8199-8223, April.
    2. Abdulkader El-Mir & Hilal El-Hassan & Amr El-Dieb & Abdelrahman Alsallamin, 2022. "Development and Optimization of Geopolymers Made with Desert Dune Sand and Blast Furnace Slag," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Saeed Morsali & Feriha Yildirim, 2024. "Environmental impact assessment of red mud utilization in concrete production: a life cycle assessment study," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(5), pages 12219-12238, May.
    4. Shahrukh Shoaib & Tamer El-Maaddawy & Hilal El-Hassan & Bilal El-Ariss & Marwa Alsalami, 2022. "Characteristics of Basalt Macro-Fiber Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, November.
    5. Vadim Grigorjev & Miguel Azenha & Nele De Belie, 2025. "Towards Sustainable Masonry Construction Through Natural Aggregate Replacement by Fine Recycled Aggregates in Cement–Lime Mortars," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-19, February.
    6. Husnain Haider & Sulaiman Yousef AlMarshod & Saleem S. AlSaleem & Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali & Majed Alinizzi & Mohammad T. Alresheedi & Md. Shafiquzzaman, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment of Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Saud Alotaibi & Pedro Martinez-Vazquez & Charalampos Baniotopoulos, 2025. "Factors Causing Waste in Construction of Mega-Projects: Case Studies from Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-24, April.
    8. Joud Hwalla & Mahra Al-Mazrouei & Khalood Al-Karbi & Afraa Al-Hebsi & Mariam Al-Ameri & Fatima Al-Hadrami & Hilal El-Hassan, 2023. "Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete Masonry Blocks Subjected to Accelerated Carbonation Curing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-20, September.

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