SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND RECYCLING OF CONCRETE AGGREGATE

The concept of sustainable development includes prudent usage of natural resources as one of the important strands in the context of housing and construction. Construction of concrete framed buildings contributes to the sustainable development, providing economy of construction and benefits to the environment through low energy demand in making of concrete and through its inherent insulation properties during the service life of the building. However, the contribution of concrete construction could be enhanced further in the long term through research and development in the field of alternative sources for the constituents of concrete. It is widely recognised that there is a limit on the availability of natural minerals used for making cement and producing aggregates. In the long term, rapid depletion of this resource may contravene the principles of sustainable development, which require the needs of the present to be met without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. Solutions to this problem are sought through research on binders using optimum combination of cement and waste materials like pulverised fuel ash and also on recycling of concrete to produce aggregates for use in new construction. This paper discusses the issues concerning the present expectations of safety in construction and feasibility of introducing the change in practice in the short-term, in relation with the long term potential for use of recycled concrete aggregate in the future.

• ABSTRACT

• INTRODUCTION

• SCOPE FOR USE OF RCA IN STRUCTURAL CONCRETE

• CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PLANS

• REFERENCES