Recycling of fines from waste concrete: Development of lightweight masonry blocks and assessment of their environmental benefits. (20th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nežerka, V.; Prošek, Z.; Trejbal, J.; Pešta, J.; Ferriz-Papi, J.A.; Tesárek, P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 385(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-20
• Subjects: Construction and demolition waste -- LCA -- Recycling -- Masonry blocks -- Aerated concrete; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135711
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: A significant body of research has been carried out to find suitable waste materials or industrial by-products that could replace portland cement and reduce the environmental footprint of the concrete industry. Many studies focus on technical aspects, lacking an assessment of environmental impacts associated with using these alternative materials, and the contribution to the sustainability of the sector remains unclear. In this paper, we present the development of lightweight blocks containing the finest fractions of waste concrete along with a holistic study of the developed product's structural and environmental performance. The results demonstrate the feasibility of such a recycling strategy and its environmental benefits. However, despite replacing 60 wt.% of portland cement in the developed lightweight blocks, their carbon footprint is not negligible, and to reduce CO 2 emissions in the construction sector significantly will require holistic measures that promote the reuse of whole building elements instead of their disintegration and subsequent recycling.