Concrete Recycling Methods

What should be done with the crushed concrete during the structure’s demolition? Concrete, fortunately, can be recycled and reused in a variety of ways. This procedure often entails crushing or grinding concrete debris and leftovers. As a result, the optimum concrete recycling procedure is frequently determined by the size and shape of the concrete fragments to be recycled.

Reusing concrete can reduce construction expenses while providing numerous environmental benefits. Not only does recycled concrete keep waste out of landfills, but it also replaces materials such as sand. However, what is the methods for recycling concrete? Join us for the response.

What is recycled concrete?

Concrete recycling comprises breaking, extracting, and crushing existing concrete and then reusing it to make a new, reusable material. Numerous advantages and applications exist for recycled concrete, which is often the best option for removing concrete waste. Typically, a building materials company either transports the material to a recycling plant or performs the process on-site with a mobile Jaw Crusher.

Importance of concrete recycling

To make place for new constructions, demolition generates a substantial amount of waste. Commonly, these wastes are dumped in landfills, which can cause air and water pollution. This has encouraged more countries to recognize the significance of concrete recycling.

In general, recycling concrete is crucial for the following reasons:

• Compared to sand mining, it utilizes natural resources. By recycling one ton of cement, it is possible to save 1,360 gallons of water and 900 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
• Reduction of the environmental impact of transporting waste to landfills.
• Decreases in transportation costs for waste materials.
• It helps to save landfill space.
• It provides job opportunity

Benefits of Recycling Concrete

In the preliminary phase of many construction projects, demolition is required. This may involve the demolition of concrete foundations, roads, walkways, walls, and other structures. This procedure generates vast volumes of concrete waste, which is typically disposed of.

Numerous materials, including concrete, can be recycled and reused in numerous ways. The size and shape of the recycled concrete scraps will determine the optimal recycling technique for each project. Reusing concrete helps reduce construction costs because it eliminates the expense of transporting it to a landfill.

Recycling will help cut disposal expenses while lowering the project’s environmental impact. Recycled concrete will not end up in landfills and may even be used as a substitute for raw materials. For instance, it can be utilized for sand.

Recycling concrete reduces construction waste, extends landfill life, and lowers disposal costs. This further reduces transportation costs because concrete may frequently be recycled close to demolition and construction sites.

Environmental factors are the most significant benefit of concrete recycling. Thus, concerns associated with the environmental damage caused by chemicals (particularly cement) are eliminated, and recycled concrete is always reused in the construction cycle.

Is it possible to recycle concrete?

It is nearly hard to imagine a structure without at least one concrete element. This material is the most widely used building material in the world due to its numerous applications, resistance, workability, accessibility, beauty, and other properties.

Concrete is a dense, heavy material made up of cement, water, sand, and gravel (aggregates). So, after the concrete has been broken, disposed of, and widely buried as waste, is it possible to reuse it sustainably?

The answer is yes! Even though it is difficult to recycle concrete, its waste can be used to create new components while retaining the strength of concrete. First, it is essential to recognize that sand mining for fine and coarse concrete aggregates has a significant environmental impact, even if the aggregates are used locally.

Even though cement emits the most carbon dioxide during production compared to other comparable materials, conserving natural resources by reducing sand mining is already a significant environmental achievement, especially considering the quantity of concrete produced worldwide.

After the destruction of structural parts, the concrete can be crushed with specialized equipment so that the resulting fragments can be sorted by size. Large magnets can separate and eventually recycle metals such as rebars. Concretes containing pollutants such as colors, calcium sulfate, chlorides, and oils can cause harm and should therefore not be utilized as a raw material.

If at all possible, the most efficient technique of recycling is to undertake crushing operations at the construction site, which minimizes construction costs and pollution generated by transporting materials to a specific mine. About sixty percent of the crushed material can be used for various purposes.

There are currently regulations and critical considerations for using recycled concrete. Material experiments in Switzerland in 2006 revealed that high-quality concrete may be manufactured with more than 90% aggregates derived from concrete waste.

How concrete is recycled?

Utilizing industrial equipment with powerful jaws and impacts, the recycling process is carried out. After the concrete is broken, the resulting fragments are often sieved to remove contaminants and particles and to separate coarse and fine aggregates.

To remove particular materials from crushed concrete, additional processes and equipment such as submersible pumps, separators, and magnets can be utilized. The concrete powder is an alternate solution, but it is not always the ideal option because it makes the separation process more difficult to complete and may result in higher contamination of the by-products.

Recycling Equipment

When recycling concrete, various crushing alternatives should be considered. A mobile crusher that can be transported to particular areas or even on the project site would be the most practical choice. It is often preferable to place a mobile crusher in a central position near the demolition site. Consider the following factors while selecting processing equipment:

• The apparatus must be equipped with an electromagnet, a strong submersible pump, or an air separation system capable of separating steel from concrete.
• Separate hydraulic legs facilitate the adjusting process.
• Control systems might be automated, manually operated, or remote.
• Systems using conveyors, jaws, and cones can allow extensive concrete processing, from demolition to usable material.

Use of recycled concrete

• Sewerage system: Pervious concrete is used to reduce storm sewer runoff in driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks. Such concrete also aids in groundwater recharge. Crushed concrete can be used in this system in some places.
• New Asphalt Pavement: Through a process known as abrasion, existing concrete pavement can be crushed on-site and reused as a subbase for road and highway paving.
• Civil trenches: These trenches are coated with sand to aid with drainage, and recycled concrete can be used as an alternative.
• Concrete aggregate: Recycled concrete can be used instead of new aggregates in the concrete mix. Here, crushed concrete is substituted for sand.
• Erosion control of riverbanks: Crushed concrete applied along stream edges, shorelines, coral reef bases, or susceptible canyons can aid in erosion control.
• Landscaping with mulch: If crushed and sorted appropriately, recycled concrete can replace river rocks and sands used as ground cover and mulch.
• Gabion fence: To create decorations and a protective wall, wire fence or gabions filled with crushed concrete can be used.

Conclusion:

When considering sustainable development, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the elements and aspects that influence the final result. Numerous experts view concrete as a sustainable material, and recent studies seek the optimal conditions for concrete recycling.