Report rep022 : Sustainable Raw Materials - Construction and Demolition Waste - State-of-the-Art Report of RILEM TC 165-SRM

The reuse of recycled materials derived from construction and demolition waste (C&D waste, or CDW) is growing all over the world. Current application is based on an ever-increasing knowledge concerning design, behaviour, durability and sustainability of construction with these materials. Until now very successful results are realised with the use in road constructions, in asphalt and in concrete. The reuse as a raw material for brick production is still under investigation. In general, the environmental impact of the total construction process is improved by applying secondary or reused materials. This is mainly due to a decrease for the need of primary materials, thus conserving natural landscape and existing ecological values. In some densely populated areas, with a limited supply of natural materials, also economics play a key role in increasing the use of alternative raw materials.

This volume consists of two parts. Part one contains a state-of-the-art report concerning demolition, upgrading and applications of CDW. In the second part a review is given of the present situation (up to about 1998) in a number of countries. All members of RILEM TC 165-SRM 'Sustainable Application of Mineral Raw Materials in Construction' contributed. Furthermore, also the members of the recently established European Thematic Network (ETN) on recycling in construction contributed to this publication.

The aim of this book is not to provide an exhaustive overview of technical aspects related to the application of C&D waste. Those who are interested are encouraged to refer to previous RILEM books on this aspect [e.g. 1; 2], to the results of the 1998 London conference [3], and of course to international literature. Last but not least, the European Thematic Network (ETN) on recycling in construction will maintain a website containing several databases on C&D waste management, processing and applications [4], from early 2000.

This book will be of particular interest to construction engineers, consultants, architects, contractors, manufacturers and authorities who are or intend to be active in the field of recycling.

Contents

Part I - General survey

Part II - National contributions

Annexes