Karbala Polytechnic College Workshop Explores Sustainable Asphalt Concrete Production for Road Construction

As part of the scientific activities of the Building and Construction Engineering Technology Department at Karbala Polytechnic College, a workshop titled “Production of Sustainable Asphalt Concrete for Use in Road Works” was held. The session was presented by Assistant Lecturer Duaa Falah Rasool.

The workshop provided a detailed presentation on the latest technologies used to develop asphalt mixes that achieve both environmental and economic sustainability. It highlighted applied models from advanced countries, such as India and the United Kingdom, which have successfully adopted innovative solutions in sustainable road paving.

The session covered several critical topics, most notably:

• Recycling Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and utilizing recycled plastic to enhance paving performance and reduce bitumen consumption.
• The benefits of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA) in lowering energy consumption and emissions, as well as improving field working conditions.
• Applying Cement Stabilization technology in base layers to increase resistance and reduce the need for fill material.

The lecturer also addressed the mechanical impact of recycled plastic on asphalt mixes, explaining that it significantly improves resistance to rutting and cracking, extending the service life of roads by up to 40%.

In conclusion, the workshop emphasized the vital importance of shifting toward sustainable infrastructure. This approach balances performance, cost-efficiency, and environmental protection, aligning with modern development trends in the civil engineering sector.