Preface

Author(s): Isabel M. Martins, Carina Ulsen, Yury Villagran
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: IV International Conference Progress of Recycling in the Built Environment
Editor(s): Isabel M. Martins, Carina Ulsen, Yury Villagran
ISBN:
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-208-4
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2018
Pages: XXI-XXII
Total Pages: 02
Language : English

Abstract: The construction industry has been in the search of better procedures and applications for
recycling Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) for decades. Significant progress has
been made since the First International Conference on Progress in Recycling in the Built
Environment (PRE). Nevertheless, more work is still needed for sustainable development in
this essential field. The Fourth International Conference Progress of Recycling in the Built
Environment (IV PRE) was conceived as a forum for researchers and practitioners to present
their findings, concerns and recommendations for a better knowledge of the recovered
materials from CDW and better practices in the field.
This event was organised by Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC), that is is a
public research institution working in the main fields of civil engineering. The commitment of
LNEC to improve the knowledge of recovery of CDW materials is clear in its Planned
Research & Innovation during the last two decades.
The conference have had the institutional support of RILEM, of European Demolition
Association, of Smart Waste Portugal, of Portuguese Engineers Order and of EGEAC and was
sponsored by Elevo Group, Tecnovia, Portuguese Technical Engineers Order, Cenfic, Cimpor
– Intercement and Ambigroup. All this support was vital for the success of the event, and as
so we greatly appreciate the efforts made by all parties for giving assistance in the
organisation and dissemination process.
The IV PRE comprised contributions on • Processing Techniques, • Standards, policy and
legislation, • Quality and confidence, • Performance of alternative materials, • Life cycle
analysis and costs, • CDW resources and opportunities, • Efficient use of CDW in concrete,
and • Challenges for the use of fine CDW. This comprehensive range of themes stimulated
very fruitful discussion during the Conference, which was further encouraged during Working
Group meetings and a Roundtable at the end of the event.
A particular urgent aspect that arose from the discussion is the need of conceptualising CDW
differently, and transforming it from a waste to a by-product. Practitioners need tools for
developing confidence and reliability when using recycled materials, and in this sense very
valuable contributions can be found in these Proceedings.
Contributions additionally motivated discussion indicating the need of an appropriate balance
between sustainability and quality of recycled products. Life cycle analysis plays a
fundamental role in the design of the most appropriate strategies, procedures and treatments to
be used when producing materials with CDW with low energy consumption and carbon
footprint. In concrete, for example, reducing cement content seems the most critical aspect to
consider for producing sustainable cementitious materials, and using CDW as a constituent
should not cause modifications in the opposite direction.
Another fundamental question addressed during the Conference is how to develop a more
appropriate processing for low energy consumption, good quality, and competitive costs when
producing aggregates from CDW. Such fundamental link between processing and application
is sometimes neglected, reducing the added value that these products might incorporate. An
integration of the whole producing chain and specialised recycling plants appear to be
appropriate approaches to achieve this aim.
The discussion during the IV PRE was especially enhanced by the input from the Keynote
Speakers: Prof. Anette Müller, Prof. Vanderley John, Prof. Chi-Sun Poon, and Prof. Jorge de
Brito. Each of them conceptualised the themes of the Conference from different points of
views resulting from their particular background. The experience of these well-known
researchers feed the audience with new ideas, challenges and reconceptualization.
We are confident these Proceedings will offer valuable knowledge to the reader in the aspects
mentioned above related with recycling CDW. This entire outcome would not have been
possible without the great inspiration of Prof. Enric Vázquez, Honorary Chair of this Event in
recognition of his great role as promoter for the investigation and application of recycled
CDW.
Therefore, we thank the Honorary Chair, the Keynote Speakers, the Authors and the
Attendants of the Fourth International Conference Progress of Recycling n the Built
Environment, for their participation and contribution in the production of this Proceedings.

Online publication : 2018
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00