engleski

Recycled aggregate concrete –sustainable use of construction and demolition waste and reduction of energy consumption

The construction sector consumes vast amount of natural resources and produces significant quantity of construction and demolition waste (CDW), e.g. it counts for more than 30% of waste generated in the European Union (EU). By recycling and reusing CDW in concrete industry it would gain added value, thus it could open unexplored area of possibilities for improvement of concrete industry and its reorientation towards sustainability. This paper presents comprehensive research on recycled aggregate concrete, particularly on application of recycled concrete and brick aggregates as replacement of natural aggregates in concrete mixtures. Based on conducted mechanical, durability and thermal testing of recycled aggregate concrete, replacement ratio of natural aggregates by 50% was determined as optimal. Intensive research activities that have been carried out in recycling and reusing of CDW, have resulted with development of an energy and resource efficient product ECO-SANDWICH® - an innovative ventilated prefabricated concrete facade wall panel with integrated Ecose® mineral wool insulation. ECO-SANDWICH® wall panel allows very low energy design and retrofit of buildings ; therefore, it can be coupled with an exigent need to improve energy performance of the building stock in the EU and neighbouring countries. Exigent need derives from the fact that the most buildings are ‘sub-standard’ in terms of energy efficiency, comfort and health. Buildings account for the largest share of the total EU final energy consumption producing about 36% of greenhouse gas emissions during their service life. Prefabricated ventilated concrete wall panel, produced by using recycled aggregate, is a benchmark construction product that unites reduction of energy consumption and sustainable use of construction and demolition waste. Within this paper, future directions in research on recycled aggregate concrete, i.e. program of experimental monitoring of hygrothermal performance (combined heat, air and moisture transfer) of a building envelope constructed with presented panels will be indicated.

construction and demolition waste (CDW); recycled aggregate concrete; energy efficiency; ECO-SANDWICH®; prefabricated concrete wall panel; hygrothermal performance

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