World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

International Journal of Civil, Environmental, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013

Utilization of Demolished Concrete Waste for

New Construction
Asif Husain, and Majid Matouq Assas

waste and the significant changes in the environmental rules

Abstract—In recent years demolished concrete waste handling applied.
and management is the new primary challenging issue faced by the When buildings are demolished as a result of disasters, their
countries all over the world. It is very challenging and hectic problem rubble contains fragmented building components, furnishings
that has to be tackled in an indigenous manner, it is desirable to
and organic matter that are difficult to separate. On the other
completely recycle demolished concrete waste in order to protect
natural resources and reduce environmental pollution. In this research hand, it is possible to selectively demolish a building if it is an
paper an experimental study is carried out to investigate the intentional act; in which case, it is possible to reuse most of
feasibility and recycling of demolished waste concrete for new the building materials and components, and recycle much of
construction. The present investigation to be focused on recycling the rubble. According to [1] investigations on the composition
International Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013 waset.org/Publication/8588

demolished waste materials in order to reduce construction cost and of demolition waste in the Netherlands revealed that 20% of
resolving housing problems faced by the low income communities of
the wood, 90% of the steel and 100% of other metals like zinc,
the world. The crushed demolished concrete wastes is segregated by
sieving to obtain required sizes of aggregate, several tests were lead and copper are being removed from the structure, leaving
conducted to determine the aggregate properties before recycling it behind building waste, which on the average is composed of:
into new concrete. This research shows that the recycled aggregate
that are obtained from site make good quality concrete. The Brickwork 62% Concrete rubble 24%
compressive strength test results of partial replacement and full Brick rubble 6.1% Tiles 2.3%
recycled aggregate concrete and are found to be higher than the Bituminous materials 0.2% Wood 4.7%
compressive strength of normal concrete with new aggregate.
Scrap steel 0.1% Other 0.6%
Keywords—Demolished, concrete waste, recycle, new concrete, Total 100%
fresh coarse aggregate.
Although the volume of demolition waste is huge, much of
I. INTRODUCTION it is inert, allowing it to be crushed, processed, and reused as
aggregate in building works. Nevertheless, large amounts still
I NCREASED concern for environmental protection and for
promotion of the principles of sustainable development has
led some governments to introduce legislation to encourage
end up as landfill rather than being recycled. Waste containing
half-used paint pots, discarded solutions, solvents and
chemicals are potentially hazardous, and building waste likely
the use of recycled aggregates. A favored method is to lower
to be contaminated with asbestos must also be treated as
the selling price of recycled aggregates in relation to natural
dangerous [2].
aggregate, and this is largely achieved by increasing landfill
It has been established that materials and components
costs. Demolition sites and restoration schemes are sources of
recovered from demolished buildings are being reused for new
large amounts of solid waste, which today is being used as
construction works as well as renovation projects, especially
mere landfill. On the other hand, building practices are such
by low-income communities in developing countries. It has
that reusable materials also become mixed with rubble, stone
also been noted that material, which was not considered
and soil, reducing their value and making recycling difficult or
worthy of re-use a few years ago, has appeared in the market
uneconomical. This waste material too, is rendered suitable
after the recent global economic crisis. For example, steel
only as infill for construction work, or as landfill. A Building
reinforcement from demolished buildings used to be recycled
waste recycling as aggregates is a modern approach for
back into steel; however, it is now considered worthwhile to
preventing environmental pollution through both reducing the
adopt measures to facilitate its reuse as a building material.
stocks of waste and decreasing the use of natural aggregates.
Meanwhile, demolition contractors have also become
The reuse of building waste is a relatively new issue for the
increasingly aware of the feasibility of recovering as much
world despite the existing considerable quantity of building
material as possible, for new construction works.
Consequently, they are giving considerable importance to the
proper sorting, storing and display of their wares. Rapid
Asif Husain, Associate Professor, is with Civil Engineering Department, industrial development causes serious problems all over the
College of Engineering & Islamic Architecture, Umm al Qura University,
Makkak, KSA (phone: 00966-595420785; e-mail: [email protected] and world such as depletion of natural aggregates and creates
[email protected]). enormous amount of waste materials from construction and
Majid Matouq Assas, Associate Professor, is with Civil Engineering demolition activities. One of the ways to reduce these
Department, College of Engineering & Islamic Architecture, Umm al Qura
University, Makkak, KSA (phone: 00966-504633633; e-mail: problems is to utilize recycled aggregate in the new
[email protected]). construction concrete components [3].

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil, Environmental, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013

A. Literature Surve demolished waste by making cubes. The demolished waste

The state of art reports indicate that concrete demolished every year was sieved through a set of IS sieves to obtain a fitness of fine
in European countries and United States is about 50-60 million tons aggregate which was also replaced.
respectively [4, 5]. Very little demolished concrete is currently recycled To study the partial replacement of demolished waste in
in the country. Demolished concrete not even used as stabilized base or fresh (new) concrete, effect of demolished waste has been
sub base in the highway construction. It is being dumped off as fill. It is observed on the strength of concrete, by casting more than
right time to seriously think of reusing demolished concrete for 180 cubes of size 150mm in the laboratory using two nominal
the production of recycled concrete in our country (India) [6]. mixes M15 & M20 (1:2:4 & 1:1.5:3). An effect of partial
Recycling would not only conserve the resources but would replacement of demolished waste has been made here to
also promote safe and economic use of such concrete which is compare the strength of concrete. The same quality and
the need of the hour for a country like India, Saudi Arabia etc. required quantity of cement and fine aggregate have been used
Research work indicates a positive result of rising recycled for both the nominal mixes, replacing fresh coarse aggregate
concrete for pavement construction. However, there are by 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% demolished waste
certain limitations for using it in structure. Comprehensive aggregate concrete for both mixes have been prepared and
research study is in progress to rectify these limitations and cubes were caste. Seven days and 28 days compressive
thereby advocates the safe and economical use of recycled strength of the cubes have been obtained. Ordinary Portland
concrete in future after establishing certain guidelines. Some cement (53 grades) has been used in both the mixes. Locally
International Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013 waset.org/Publication/8588

experimental work has been carried out in the 80’s to available coarse sand has been used as fine aggregate. Locally
investigate the properties of recycled aggregate concrete by [7, available crushed stone aggregate has been used of size from
8] and several other researchers. United States of America [8] 4.75 to 20 mm throughout the experimental study. Potable
currently used the 2.7 billion metric tons of aggregate water is used for concrete mix and curing. Water cement ratios
approximately, the pavements account for 10–15%, whereas 0.60, 0.625 and 0.65 have been used throughout the
other road construction and maintenance work consumes experiments.
another 20–30%, and the bulk of about 60–70% aggregates are 1. Water Absorption
used in structural concrete. Recycled aggregate in the US is
Table I shows the results of absorption capacity of
produced by natural aggregate producers, contractors and
aggregate at different percentage respectively, indicate the
debris recycling centers, which have a share of 50%, 36% and
recycled aggregate showed higher water absorption than
14%, respectively.
conventional concretes. It may be concluded that the water
In some countries, many technologies for recycling concrete
absorption of coarse recycled aggregates is much higher than
wastes have been developed and some recycling specifications
the water absorption of original aggregates. This is due to
have been established as well [8, 9, 10]. In the process of the
higher water absorption of old mortar attached to original
practical reutilization to recycle waste concrete requires
aggregate particles. The porosity of the adhered mortar causes
further breaking and crushing of demolished concrete.
the water to penetrate into the accessible pores and leads to an
Generally, two typical grades of crushed concrete aggregates
increase in the water absorption capacity in comparison with
can be produced and classified by size gradation. One is
crushed aggregate.
coarse recycled concrete aggregates, part of which can be used
in new concrete or road base materials. Other is fine recycled TABLE I
concrete aggregates or recycled mortar from crushed concrete WATER ABSORPTION OF DIFFERENT PERCENTAGE OF RECYCLED & FRESH
waste whose sizes are smaller than 5 mm; recycling, AGGREGATES
evaluation and application of both parts are discussed in
S. No. Material Observed value (%)
different researches [11, 12, 13, 14, 15].
Very little demolished concrete is currently recycled in the country 1. 0% Recycled Aggregate 1.50
(India). Demolished concrete not even used as stabilized base or sub
base in the highway construction. It is being dumped off as fill. It is 2. 25% Recycled Aggregate 2.05
right time to seriously think of reusing demolished concrete for 3. 50% Recycled Aggregate 2.87
the production of recycled concrete in our country. Recycling
would not only conserve the resources but would also promote 4. 75% Recycled Aggregate 3.40
safe and economic use of such concrete which is the need of 5. 100% Recycled Aggregate 4.60
the hour for a country like Saudi Arabia and India.
B. Experimental Techniques 2. Sieve Analysis Test of Aggregates
Concrete waste has been procured from the demolished site. From the sieve analysis test, the particle size distribution of
The demolished waste was transported, crushed and coarse and fine aggregate has been determined. The test is
segregated. Several tests on segregated concretes were performed by using different size of sieves as standardized by
conducted in the laboratory such as water absorption, sieve IS (Indian Standard) code and then pass aggregate through
analysis, crushing value test, impact value test, and abrasion them and collect different size of particles left over different
test, workability and crushing strength of natural & sieve (Fig. 1).

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(1) 2013 38 scholar.waset.org/1999.3/8588
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil, Environmental, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013

TABLE II
IMPACT VALUE OF DIFFERENT PERCENTAGE OF RECYCLE & FRESH
100
90
AGGREGATES
80 0 % R .A .
70 2 0 % R .A .
60 S. No. Aggregates Impact Value (%)
c u m u la tiv e % o f

4 0 % R .A .
p a rtic le

50
40 6 0 % R .A .
8 0 % R .A . 1. 100% F.A. 24.67
30
20 1 0 0 % R .A 2. 20% R.A. 31.41
10 3. 40% R.A. 34.74
0 4. 60% R.A. 36.46
0 5 10 15 20 25 5. 80% R.A. 38.74
S ie v e s iz e 6. 100%R.A. 41.17

Fig. 1 Average sieve analysis test of aggregates

5. Los Angeles Abrasion Test
The principle of Los Angeles abrasion test is to find the
3. Aggregate Crushing Value Test percentage wear due to the relative rubbing action between
The crushing strength of stone may be determined either on aggregates & steel balls, and aggregate which are used as
aggregates or on cylindrical specimens cut out of rocks. abrasion resistance. The Los Angeles abrasion value are
Aggregate is used in road construction should be strong
International Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013 waset.org/Publication/8588

shown in Table III.

enough to resist crushing under traffic wheel load. If the TABLE III
aggregate are weak, the stability of the pavement structure. ABRASION VALUE OF DIFFERENT FRESH AND RECYCLED AGGREGATE
Fig. 2 shows the mean crushing value of aggregate with S. No. Aggregates Abrasion Value (%)
1. 100% F.A. 27.02
different percentage of recycled aggregates.
2. 20% R.A. 28.40
3. 40% R.A. 29.76
Mean crushing value of Aggregate 4. 60% R.A. 31.20
5. 80% R.A. 34.28
60 53.42 54.43 55.49 6. 100%R.A. 35.72
% a ge of M e a n C rus hing

50 6. Workability
40 34.76 While casting specimens, slump test were carried out to
28.15 30.51
V a lue

30 determine the workability of different mixes. The Fig. 3 - 5

20 show the variation of slump with water cement ratio of
10
different percentage of recycled concrete mixes of 1:2:4 and
1:1.5:3. From the Fig. 3 - 5 the scenario of slump observed
0
the fresh concrete has the great slump value. In addition,
100% F.A. 20% R.A. 40% R.A. 60% R.A. 80% R.A. 100%R.A.
increasing partial replacement of demolished waste in
%age of aggregaate
concrete decreasing the slump value which is due to the large
amount of old mortar adhered over the recycled concrete
Fig. 2 Mean crushing value of aggregate for different %age of R.A. which absorbs the greater amount of water. For producing the
same slump, higher water cement ratio has to be maintained
4. Aggregate Impact Test (Toughness of Aggregate) for sample with high percentage of demolished waste.
Toughness is the property of a aggregate to resist impact.
Due to traffic loads, the road stone are subjected to the
w /c = 0 .6 0
pounding action or impact and there is a possibility of stones
breaking into smaller pieces. The resistance of the stones to 25
fractures under repeated impacts may be called an impact test
20 21
for road stones. The aggregate impact value indicates 19
resistance of aggregate to a sudden shock or an impact. Table 17
15 15 M ix 1 5
14
S lu m p (m m )

II shows the Impact value of different percentage of recycle &

10 11 M ix 2 0
fresh aggregates. 9
7
5 65

0
0 25 50 75 100
R e c y c le d A g g r e g a t e ( % )

Fig. 3 Slump value of M15 & M20 concrete with w/c=0.60

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(1) 2013 39 scholar.waset.org/1999.3/8588
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil, Environmental, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013

w /c = 0 .6 2 5 Mix 15 with w/c=0.65

120 120 25
110

S trength(N/m m 2)
100 20
90 7days
80 15 Strength(N/mm2)
M 15
S lu m p (m m )

60 60 10 28days
M 20 strength(N/mm2)
40 5
34
26
20 20 17
1 01 0
0 0 50 100 150
0 25 50 75 100 Recycled Aggregate(%)
R e c y c l e d A g g r e g a te (% )

Fig. 7 Compressive strength at 7days & 28 days of M15 concrete

Fig. 4 Slump value of M15 & M20 concrete with w/c=0.625 with w/c=0.65
International Science Index, Civil and Environmental Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013 waset.org/Publication/8588

140 120 M20 with w/c… Mix 20 with w/c =0.60

120
100 90 90 25
Slump(mm)

75
80 Strength (N/mm2) 20
60 7days strength
15 (N/mm2)
40
20 10 10 28days strength
(N/mm2)
0 5
0 % R.A 25% R.A. 50% R. A. 75% R.A. 100 %
0
R.A.
%age Aggregates 0 50 100 150
Recycled Aggregate (%)

Fig. 5 Slump value of M20 concrete with w/c=0.650

Fig. 8 Compressive strength at 7days & 28 days of M20 concrete
with w/c=0.60
II. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE
The concrete was mixed in high capacity tilting drum
mixer. The minimum 30 specimens were cast for each w/c 20
M 20 With w/c=0.65
ratio i.e. 0.60, 0.625 and 0.65 for the two mixes (M15 & 18
16 7days
M20), thereby making more than 180 specimens. Five sets of 14 Strength
Strength (Mpa)

cubes were cast replacing fresh aggregate by coarse aggregate (Mpa)

12
from demolished waste @ 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by 10
weight. 0% demolished waste means only fresh concrete has 8
been used in both the mixes. All the specimens were 6
4
remoulded after 24 hours and cured by putting in water. 2
Compressive strength of cubes has been determined using the 0
compression testing machine as shown in (Fig. 6 – Fig. 9). 0 2 4 6
Recycled Aggregate( %)
25
20.52 Fig. 9 Compressive strength at 7days & 28 days of M20 concrete
19.07
Comp. Strength(Mpa)

20 7 days Comp. with w/c=0.65

15.55
13.04 13.55 Strength (Mpa)
15
10.89 28 days III. CONCLUDING REMARKS
8.15 8.22 Comp.Strength(Mpa)
10 7.63
Concrete recycling will become one of the most important
5 2.96 elements for construction sustainability. Concrete in which
0
binders, additives and aggregates are all made of cement or
materials of cement, and all of these materials can be used as
raw materials of cement after hardening. Concrete which
Percentage Aggregates contains waste products as aggregate is called ‘Green’
concrete. This paper focuses on the feasibility of construction
Fig. 6 Compressive strength at 7days & 28 days of M15 waste aggregate to making new green concrete. Various
concrete with w/c=0.60

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil, Environmental, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013

standard tests were carried out using recycled aggregate such resulting from production of aggregates (dust pollution) and
as water absorption, sieve analysis, impact value, abrasion transportation of aggregate from mining to consumption point
value, crushing value, workability and compressive strength of (vehicular pollution).
the mixes using 150mm standard cubes. The study suggested 8. Thus, study shows that dismantled concrete is not solid
the use of alternative material (demolished or recycled waste) waste but useful material to be recycled to prepare fresh
for new construction which is beleaguered with normal waste concrete, which saves the cement and make the concrete
in terms of debris, dust, rubbish etc. in place of conventional economical.
material. Tests were conducted by using 0%, 25%, 50%,
75%, 100% replacement of fresh aggregate with recycled IV. REFERENCES
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[2] McHarry, J., Reuse, Repair, Recycle: A Mine of Creative Ideas for
The following conclusions are drawn on the basis of this Thrifty Living, London: Gaia Books, Ltd., 1993, pp. 110-117.
study: [3] Khalaf FM and DeVenny AlanS, Recycling of demolished masonry
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new aggregate) to 4.6% (for 100% dismantled aggregate) Eng (2004), pp. 331-340.
[4] Kawano H., The state of using by-products in concrete in Japan and
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higher w/c ratio for making concrete mix, while large Proceedings of the 1st FIB Congress on recycling, USA, 2003, pp. 245–
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percentage of dismantled coarse aggregate is to be used, which 53.

[5] Gilpin Robinson Jr R, Menzie DW, and Hyun H., Recycling of
is supplemented by slump observations for the mixes as shown construction debris as aggregate in the Mid Atlantic Region, USA., J. of
in (Fig. 3 - 4). Resource Conserve Recycle, 42(3), 2004, pp. 275-94.
2. The higher percentage of recycled aggregate increases [6] Chandra S., Implications of using recycled construction and demolition
waste as aggregate in concrete., International Conference on
the crushing value of the aggregates (Fig. 2).In Saudi Arabia Sustainable Waste Management and Recycling, Kingston University,
the general specifications for roads and bridges are mentioned London, Chandra S. Conference report. Cem Concr Compos
in the fifth section (Nov. 1998), Indian Roads Congress and 27(6):73841, 2005.
[7] Kishor Ravande, Recycled concrete-An alternative material of the
ISI have specified that the aggregate crushing value of the twenty first century for construction,. Int. seminar on civil Engg.,
coarse aggregates used for cement concrete pavement at Practice in the twenty first century, Roorkee, India, 1996, pp.964-973.
surface should not exceed 30%. For aggregates used for [8] Khater HM, Utilization of construction and demolition wastes for the
production of building units, Master Theses, Zagazig University,
concrete other than for wearing surfaces, the aggregate Zagazig, Egypt, (2006).
crushing value shall not exceed 45%, according to the IS [9] Poon CS, Kou SC, Lam L., Use of recycled aggregate in molded
(Indian Standard) code. concrete bricks and blocks, Construction and Building Materials, 16(5),
3. Impact value tests on aggregates allow only 20% of (2002), pp. 281–289.
[10] Shui Z, Xuan D, Wan H, Cao B., Rehydration reactivity of recycled
dismantled aggregate (Table II). This implies that roller mortar from concrete waste experienced to thermal treatment,
compaction of concrete to be employed in cement concrete Construction and Building Materials, 22(2008), pp. 1723–1729.
pavement construction having more than 20% recycled [11] Works Bureau of Hong Kong, Specifications facilitating the use of
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aggregate of total coarse aggregate should not be used. [12] Ryu JS, An experimental study on the effect of recycled aggregate on
Abrasion values obtained, permits 30% replacement of concrete properties, Mag. Concrete Res., (2002), pp. 54: 7–12.
aggregate by dismantled aggregate for concrete to be used in [13] Khatib JM, Properties of concrete incorporating fine recycled
aggregate, Cement Concrete Res., 35(4), (2005), pp.763–769.
roller compacted concrete pavement construction as shown in [14] Nagataki S, Gokce A, Saeki T, Hisada M., Assessment of recycling
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[15] Khater HM, Utilization of demolished concrete, grog, hydrated lime and
compressive strength of mix increases by 26.75% when fresh cement kiln dust in building materials, Journal of Mechanical
aggregate is replaced by 75% dismantled aggregate, however Engineering Research Vol. 3(8), (2011) pp. 279-285.
slump decreases to 2/3rd value. Increasing w/c ratio from 0.60
to 0.625 i.e. by 4.16%, slump increases from 21mm to 60mm Asif Husain, Associate Professor (20.11.1968) Since 4 July 2007—
when fresh aggregate is replaced by 75% dismantled with Cont.,working with Department of Civil Engg., Umm Al-Qura University,
12.68% increase of compressive strength of the mix (Fig. 6 & Makkah, Saudi Arabia,
7). Graduated in Civil Engineering from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi,
with First class distinction in 1992, and obtained M. Tech. degree in Structural
5. For 0.65 w/c ratio (IS 456-2000) compressive strength of Engineering from Z. H. College of Engineering and Technology, A. M. U.,
M15 & M20mix replacing fresh aggregate by 75% dismantled Aligarh in the year 1995. He awarded Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D) from IIT,
aggregate (Fig. 8 & 9), increases up to 40%, however slump Delhi. His areas of interest include Structural Engineering, Finite Element
Analysis, and Miniature specimen test technique etc. Author has more than 17
decreases to half (20mm to 10mm) (Fig. 3-5). years teaching experience and published 35 research papers in National
6. The use of dismantled aggregate in making fresh concrete Journal, International Journal and National, International conferences.
will also help in reduction of solid waste dumping on existing Dr. Husain has a membership of many social and professional societies at
National and International level.
landfill sites.
7. The reuse of dismantled concrete will help in Majid Assas, Associate Professor Since 12sept 2012—Cont.,working
improvement of overall environment of the region. Firstly by with Department of Civil Engg., Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi
Arabia, Graduated in Civil Engineering from King abdulaziz university,
reduction in mining and secondly reduction in air pollution

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(1) 2013 41 scholar.waset.org/1999.3/8588
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Civil, Environmental, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering Vol:7, No:1, 2013

Jeddah, Master degree in Structural Engineering from King Abdulaziz, Jeddah

in the year 1988. He awarded Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D) from Cairo
University in structural engineering. Author has more than 5 years teaching
experience and published 12 research papers in National Journal, International
Journal and National, International conference.
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International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(1) 2013 42 scholar.waset.org/1999.3/8588