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@article{203853,
        author = {KARUMANCHI MEERAVALI and CHALLA SRIHARI and REDDEM VENKATA SIVA RAMI REDDY and PENKE SRINIVASARAO and BONDALA BHANU PRAKASH and Shaik Nayab Rasool and BINGINAPALLI ABDUL RAFFI},
        title = {Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Rigid Pavement Construction: Materials, Performance, and Sustainability Assessment},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {2085-2095},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=203853},
        abstract = {The increasing environmental concerns associated with conventional cement production and large-scale waste generation in India necessitate the development of sustainable alternatives for rigid pavement construction. This study investigates the performance of pavement quality concrete (PQC) incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), and recycled concrete aggregates (RCA). Five different mix proportions were designed, including a conventional control mix and four sustainable blends with varying levels of cement replacement. Experimental evaluation was carried out through workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), and drying shrinkage tests. Results indicate that high-volume SCM mixes achieved superior long-term compressive and flexural strengths while significantly improving durability characteristics by reducing chloride permeability and shrinkage. Although early-age strength showed marginal reduction in some blends, all mixes satisfied rigid pavement design requirements. The incorporation of recycled aggregates demonstrated acceptable structural performance with proper mix optimization. Therefore, the findings confirm that sustainable binder systems and recycled materials can effectively reduce cement consumption and environmental impact without compromising pavement performance, thereby supporting circular economy principles and low-carbon infrastructure development in India.},
        keywords = {Rigid pavement; Sustainable concrete; Mechanical properties; Recycled aggregates; Supplementary cementitious materials; Life-cycle assessment},
        month = {June},
        }