Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
The global construction industry, a cornerstone of modern civilization,
faces an existential challenge: to reconcile its immense consumption of natural
resources and significant environmental footprint with the urgent need for
sustainable development. A promising pathway lies in the large-scale
integration of recycled materials, such as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA),
reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and industrial by-products like fly ash and
slag, into new asphalt and concrete. However, this integration is fraught with
technical complexity and economic uncertainty. Traditional mixture design
methods are often iterative, time-consuming, and fail to holistically account
for long-term environmental and financial performance. This review paper posits
that a paradigm shift is underway, driven by the convergence of Lifecycle
Assessment (LCA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
models. We explore how this synergy creates an intelligent, data-driven
framework for designing sustainable asphalt and concrete mixtures. The paper
systematically reviews the application of AI/ML models from fundamental
regression analysis to advanced deep learning and multi-objective optimization
in predicting material properties and optimizing mixture designs incorporating
high volumes of recycled content. Crucially, it extends the discussion beyond
technical performance to integrate LCA findings and financial viability,
translating material science into the language of business management and
finance. By examining the entire value chain from material sourcing and production
to construction and end-of-life this review demonstrates how AI-powered tools
can empower decision-makers to select mixture designs that are not only
mechanically sound but also minimize environmental impact (e.g., carbon
footprint, energy use) and maximize economic return, thereby paving the way for
a truly circular and profitable construction economy.
Country : India
IRJIET, Volume 9, Issue 10, October 2025 pp. 275-283