Mechanical performance and environmental assessment of porous asphalt mixtures produced with EAF steel slags and RAP aggregates.

[Display omitted] • Laboratory study of porous asphalt concrete made with electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag and RAP. • With the use of 30% of RAP and/or 30% of artificial aggregates it is possible to obtain suitable porous asphalt materials. • The results showed the technical feasibility of the experimental porous mixtures. • The environmental assessment compared the porous asphalt mixture to enhance the use of artificial and recycled aggregates. • The LCA analysis proved that RAP and EAF steel slag improve the environmental performances of the porous asphalt mixtures. Porous asphalt mixtures play a remarkable role in road pavement thanks to their advantages to drain water and reduce noise. To meet the always-increasing environmental needs, new porous asphalt mixtures are being developed with the addition of recycled materials. The present paper investigates the physical, mechanical, and functional characteristics of two porous mixtures made with electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). The properties of the two recycled mixtures are compared with conventional porous asphalt produced with natural aggregates. An LCA analysis is performed with a cradle-to-gate approach to evaluate and compare the possible environmental benefits connected to the production of the experimental porous asphalt. The results coming from the laboratory investigation demonstrated higher mechanical and functional performances related to the use of EAF steel slag and RAP aggregates. The environmental assessment established a reduction of up to 25% of potential impact for the mixture produced with both artificial and recycled aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]