The Production of Sustainable Concrete with the Use of Alternative Aggregates: A Review

The concrete industry is a core element of the building sector, but it has to deal with the increasing attention on the environmental issues related to the production process: increasing energy efficiency and the adoption of alternative fuels or raw materials represent the most relevant solutions. The present work analyses physical, mechanical, and environmental performances of concrete incorporating residues derived from four main sources (construction and demolition waste, residues from waste treatment, metallurgical industry by-products, and others), as substitutes of either fine or coarse aggregates. Fine aggregates showed the highest number of alternatives and replacement level, with the relevant impact on concrete properties; coarse aggregates, however, always reach a complete replacement, with the exclusion of glass that highly affects the mechanical performance. Construction and metallurgical industry categories are the main sources of alternative materials for both the components, with ceramic and lead slag reaching a full replacement for fine and coarse aggregates.

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Influence of High Dosage of Specific C&DW Micro-Fillers on the Fluidity of Concrete

Solid State Phenomena ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/ssp.244.71 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 244 ◽

pp. 71-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alena Sicakova ◽

Karol Urban ◽

Martina Draganovska

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Fine Particles ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Coarse Aggregates ◽

Fine Grain ◽

Treatment Technologies ◽

Standard Limit

Waste valorisation in production of building materials can be improved by their modification using some treatment technologies. Subsequently, products prepared using these optimized raw materials can show better or even new properties. Utilisation of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) for production of building materials is discussed for a longer time world-wide, whether in the form of coarse aggregates or in the fine-grain form as a micro-filler or as a binder. Both of these forms show specific problems have to be solved for increasing the quantities consumed. Fine-grain form can be obtained by techniques like crushing, grinding and sorting as well as by their combinations.This article is aimed on the utilization of specific portion of fine-grain C&DW (ceramics, glass and concrete) for production of concrete mixes of higher fluidity. C&DW were modified by specific process (defined method of crushing followed by sorting of particles under 250 μm). This material was expected as a micro-filler - substitution of natural aggregate (NA) in 0/4 fraction to the extent possible, that the rules allow. Using relevant calculations, 40% dosage was found as complying with standard limit for the maximum content (600 kg.m-3) of particles of less than 250 μm in whole mixture including the relative share of cement and NA. In accordance with these limiting factors, standard recipes were designed. Amount of water, as well as dosage of plasticizer was adjusted during mixing in order to keep the water/cement ratio (max. 0.6) and flow class F5 – F6.Resulting water consumption and dosage of plasticizer are discussed in the terms of influence of tested C&DW on the consistency and bleeding of concrete. Generally positive effect of fine-grain form of brick, glass and concrete was found compared to the reference concrete not containing those additive fine particles.

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Dimensional, Mechanical and LCA Characterization of Terrazzo Tiles along with Glass and Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW)

10.21926/rpm.2101006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Paola Stabile ◽

Francesco Radica ◽

Luigi Ranza ◽

Michael R. Carroll ◽

Carlo Santulli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Double Layer ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Central Italy ◽

Single Layer ◽

Resource Depletion ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Aesthetic Aspect

In this work, two types of wastes were introduced, namely, glass from municipal waste and Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW). The latter, which was obtained from rubble generated by the seismic events occurred in Central Italy in 2016, was introduced in two configurations, the single-layer and the double-layer of the cement-based Terrazzo tiles. A maximum of 77% of waste introduction was proven to be possible, therefore creating the possibility of obtaining construction products including high quantities of secondary raw materials, coupled with a valuable aesthetic aspect. The tiles represent a novel CDW upcycling application and follow the EU recommendations to improve the circular economy in the building sector. In particular, the products obtained showed dimensional conformity in the specifications and mechanical performance in the case of double-layer tiles as required by the envisaged use in the flooring (EN 13748-1). A life cycle analysis (LCA) clarified the possible advantages in terms of reduced resource depletion (RD) and global warming potential (GWP). The evaluation at the aggregate/glass matrix interface indicated good performance of the tiles, demonstrating the readiness for industrial production and market introduction.

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Technical analysis of full-scale Construction and Demolition Waste treatment plants: case studies of the Lombardy Region, Italy

Detritus ◽

10.31025/2611-4135/2021.14087 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 51-66

Author(s):

Alessandra Diotti ◽

Giovanni Plizzari ◽

Sabrina Sorlini

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Waste Treatment ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Full Scale ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Recycled Aggregates ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Total Chromium ◽

Limit Values ◽

Lombardy Region

Construction and demolition activities in Italy and the Lombardy Region produce a considerable amount of wastes that can be valorised as secondary raw materials. The recovery of construction and demolition wastes is severely limited by the lack of consolidated and sustainable treatment chains and by the strong variability of their environmental characteristics that may generate potentially dangerous effects for the environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and technically define the current treatment chains in the Province of Brescia (Lombardy) by analyzing three full-scale treatment plants in order to highlight barriers to demolition waste recovery and propose possible solutions and improvement strategies. To best represent the entire management and treatment system, the analysis was developed on all the acceptance, treatment, and final quality control phases. Moreover, chemical composition and leaching data on demolition wastes and recycled aggregates were collected from the three treatment plants and statistically analyzed to assess their potential recovery according to the Italian legislation. Mixed non-hazardous waste is the fraction mostly managed by recycling plants and mixed recycled aggregates are the main products obtained from the treatment. These are mostly used in roads and in geotechnical applications. Chemical composition results showed that the pH is generally alkaline and tin and benzene are the most critical elements for both demolition wastes and recycled aggregates with respect to the regulatory limit values. Total chromium was identified as a critical compound in leachates. The results of the statistical analysis confirmed that chromium was mainly released by cement materials.

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Application of Construction and Demolition Waste in Civil Construction in the Brazilian Amazon—Case Study of the City of Rio Branco

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14092247 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 2247

Author(s):

Fernando da Silva Souza ◽

José Maria Franco de Carvalho ◽

Gabriela Grotti Silveira ◽

Vitória Cordeiro Araújo ◽

Ricardo André Fiorotti Peixoto

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Strength ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Amazon Region ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Recycled Aggregates ◽

Federal State ◽

Construction Sites ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Conventional Concrete ◽

Initial Adhesion

The lack of usable aggregates for civil construction in Rio Branco (capital of Acre, a Federal State in the Amazon region) makes the production and use of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste (CDW) an alternative of great interest. In this study, a comprehensive characterization of CDW collected from 24 construction sites of six building types and three different construction phases (structures, masonry, and finishing) was carried out. The fine and coarse recycled aggregates were produced and evaluated in 10 different compositions. The aggregates’ performance was evaluated in four mixtures designed for laying and coating mortars with a total replacement of conventional aggregates and a mixture designed for a C25 concrete with 50% and 100% replacement of conventional aggregates. CDW mortars showed lower densities and greater water retention, initial adhesion, and mechanical strength than conventional mortars. CDW concretes presented lower densities and greater resistance to chloride penetration than conventional concrete, with a small mechanical strength reduction. The recycled CDW aggregates proved to be technologically feasible for safe application in mortars and concrete; for this reason, it is believed that the alternative and proposed methodology is of great interest to the Amazonian construction industry, considering the high costs of raw materials and the need for defining and consolidating a sustainable development model for the Amazon region.

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Crushed Bricks: Demolition Waste as a Sustainable Raw Material for Geopolymers

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13147572 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 7572

Author(s):

Gigliola D’Angelo ◽

Marina Fumo ◽

Mercedes del Rio Merino ◽

Ilaria Capasso ◽

Assunta Campanile ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Building Materials ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Construction Material ◽

Raw Material ◽

The European Union ◽

Total Energy Consumption ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Crushed Brick

Demolition activity plays an important role in the total energy consumption of the construction industry in the European Union. The indiscriminate use of non-renewable raw materials, energy consumption, and unsustainable design has led to a redefinition of the criteria to ensure environmental protection. This article introduces an experimental plan that determines the viability of a new type of construction material, obtained from crushed brick waste, to be introduced into the construction market. The potential of crushed brick waste as a raw material in the production of building precast products, obtained by curing a geopolymeric blend at 60 °C for 3 days, has been exploited. Geopolymers represent an important alternative in reducing emissions and energy consumption, whilst, at the same time, achieving a considerable mechanical performance. The results obtained from this study show that the geopolymers produced from crushed brick were characterized by good properties in terms of open porosity, water absorption, mechanical strength, and surface resistance values when compared to building materials produced using traditional technologies.

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Statistical and Reliability Study on Shear Strength of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Reinforced Concrete Beams

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14123321 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 3321

Author(s):

Hyunjin Ju ◽

Meirzhan Yerzhanov ◽

Alina Serik ◽

Deuckhang Lee ◽

Jong R. Kim

Keyword(s):

Reinforced Concrete ◽

Concrete Beams ◽

Construction Material ◽

Safety Margin ◽

Shear Capacity ◽

Reinforced Concrete Beams ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Rc Structures ◽

Coarse Aggregates

The consumption of structural concrete in the construction industry is rapidly growing, and concrete will remain the main construction material for increasing urbanization all over the world in the near future. Meanwhile, construction and demolition waste from concrete structures is also leading to a significant environmental problem. Therefore, a proper sustainable solution is needed to address this environmental concern. One of the solutions can be using recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Extensive research has been conducted in this area in recent years. However, the usage of RCA concrete in the industry is still limited due to the absence of structural regulations appropriate to the RCA concrete. This study addresses a safety margin of RCA concrete beams in terms of shear capacity which is comparable to natural coarse aggregates (NCA) concrete beams. To this end, a database for reinforced concrete beams made of recycled coarse aggregates with and without shear reinforcement was established, collecting the shear specimens available from various works in the existing literature. The database was used to statistically identify the strength margin between RCA and NCA concrete beams and to calculate its safety margin based on reliability analysis. Moreover, a comparability study of RCA beams was conducted with its control specimens and with a database for conventional RC beams.

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Influence of Gradation on Resilient Modulus of High Plasticity Soil-Gravel Mixture

Advances in Civil Engineering ◽

10.1155/2020/8887628 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Chuang Liu ◽

Tian-Zeng Ren ◽

Rui Zhang ◽

Qian-Feng Gao ◽

Jian-Long Zheng

Keyword(s):

Resilient Modulus ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Triaxial Tests ◽

High Plasticity ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Gravel Content ◽

Coarse Aggregates ◽

Mixing Method ◽

Skeleton Structure

Because of low resilient modulus, high plasticity soil is often not allowed to fill road subgrades and is discarded as construction and demolition waste (CDW). To make use of the CDW, this study explored the possibility of improving high plasticity soil with gravel and examined the effect of gravel gradation on the resilient modulus of the soil-gravel mixture. A series of dynamic triaxial tests, tests of voids in coarse aggregate, and X-ray CT scans were carried out on high plasticity soil-gravel mixtures of different gravel contents and gravel gradation types. The test results show that there is a critical gravel content, that is, 44.1%. When the gravel content is less than 44.1%, the mixture shows a dense suspended structure and its modulus increases slowly with increasing gravel content. When the gravel content is greater than 44.1%, the mixture exhibits a dense skeleton structure and the modulus increases rapidly as the gravel content rises. Moreover, as the gravel gradation tends to the lower type, coarse aggregates increase in quantity and contact each other to form a dense skeleton; thus, the modulus increases accordingly. As the gravel gradation approaches the upper type, coarse aggregates decrease in quantity and tend to suspend in the soil, so the modulus decreases. With the increase in contact number, the skeleton structure is continuously improved, and thus the modulus is enhanced progressively. The results indicate that the gravel mixing method with a gravel content of 40%–45% can effectively improve high plasticity soil and shows great environmental and economic benefits.

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Analysis of incombustibles in the feedstock to incineration facilities in Republic of Korea for optimum sorting and management

Waste Management & Research ◽

10.1177/0734242x20962682 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 0734242X2096268

Author(s):

Kyuyeon Kim ◽

Suyoung Lee ◽

Wonseok Yang ◽

Gyunggoo Choi ◽

Wonseok Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Waste Treatment ◽

Waste Incineration ◽

Proximate Analysis ◽

Optimal Operation ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Institutional Management ◽

Treatment Facilities ◽

To Receive

The Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea has implemented the “Framework Act on Resource Recirculation” to activate waste resource recovery. However, industrial waste treatment facilities have some problems related to diversity of waste received for proper management of wastes. Waste incineration facilities are required to receive and process combustible waste and are forbidden to re-consign waste to other waste treatment facilities without any processing. In reality, a large quantity of incombustibles is injected into the incinerator because it is impossible to completely separate the incombustible materials. Therefore, it is necessary to develop additional management criteria for optimal operation of the incineration facility. This study was conducted to improve institutional management of incineration facilities in Korea. Through a literature review and statistics study, incombustible waste management trends were investigated. The characteristics of waste entering incineration facilities were surveyed. Physical composition and proximate analysis of incoming waste were conducted, and properties of the incombustibles mixed in feedstock to waste incineration facilities were examined. As a result of this study, incombustibles mainly consisting of the construction and demolition waste, such as soil, glass, and metals should be separated from feed sent to incinerators. A mechanical screening technique that sorts particles of 30–40 mm in size can be used to separate the incombustibles. Also, management criteria could be proposed to sort and re-consign the incombustibles.

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Selection of Sites for the Treatment and the Final Disposal of Construction and Demolition Waste, Using Two Approaches: An Analysis for Mexico City

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11154077 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 4077 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Juan Antonio Araiza-Aguilar ◽

Constantino Gutiérrez-Palacios ◽

María Neftalí Rojas-Valencia ◽

Hugo Alejandro Nájera-Aguilar ◽

Rubén Fernando Gutiérrez-Hernández ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Network Analysis ◽

Mexico City ◽

Waste Treatment ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Evaluation Technique ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Final Disposal ◽

Multi Criteria Evaluation ◽

Analysis Technique

This paper proposes a solution to the current problems of Mexico City (Ciudad de México) with respect to construction and demolition waste, through a spatial analysis to locate a waste treatment and disposal infrastructure. Two analysis methodologies, specifically the multi-criteria evaluation technique and network analysis, are used with the support of geographic information systems. The results of the multi-criteria evaluation technique indicate that the most suitable places for this infrastructure location are in the south and southeast of the study area, in the Tlalpan, Milpa Alta, Xochimilco and Cuajimalpa boroughs. The results of the network analysis technique indicate that four facilities strategically located in Miguel Hidalgo, Gustavo A. Madero, Tlahuac and Tlalpan boroughs would permit the provision of service to almost all waste generation points in the study area. Decision makers in Mexico City can use either of the two approaches. If the objective is to find the best location of a single place for the treatment or disposal of huge amounts of waste, the results obtained with the multi-criteria evaluation technique should be used. On the other hand, if waste treatment is favored over final disposal, decision makers should use the results of the network analysis technique.

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Environmental and economic advantages of adopting reverse logistics for recycling construction and demolition waste: A case study of Brazilian construction and recycling companies

Waste Management & Research ◽

10.1177/0734242x18816790 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 176-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Geraldo C Oliveira Neto ◽

José MF Correia

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Reverse Logistics ◽

Waste Treatment ◽

Economic Assessment ◽

Construction And Demolition Waste ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Construction Companies ◽

Solid Waste Treatment

The aim of this study was to assess the economic and environmental advantages of implementing reverse logistics to recycle solid waste from construction companies. The adopted research method was based on a systematic literature review and two case studies. For the economic assessment, the return on investment, the internal rate of return, and the discounted payback factors were considered, while the material intensity factor was used for the environmental impact assessment. This study shows that there are economic and environmental advantages associated with the use of reverse logistics for solid waste treatment and recycling. In 2016, the purchase of recycled blocks resulted in a profit of over US$45,000 for one company, and another company earned almost US$250,000 in the same year by recycling solid waste from manufacturing blocks and selling iron, wood, paper, and plastics. Furthermore, the environmental impact was reduced. This paper contributes to the dissemination of knowledge regarding the advantages of adopting reverse logistics for recycling construction and demolition waste, and creates new opportunities for companies.

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