Page 1 of 6

European Journal of Business &

Social Sciences

Available at https://ejbss.org/

ISSN: 2235-767X

Volume 07 Issue 03

March 2019

Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 55

A Feasibility study to understand the effectiveness of recycled

aggregates

Ms. J.D. Kanna

Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Architecture (M. Arch-Construction Management), Akurdi,

Pradhikaran, Pune

Abstract: Use of recycled aggregate in construction provides a promising solution to the

problem of construction & demolition waste. Recycled aggregates not only stays out of landfills,

but it also replaces other materials such as gravel which should be mined and transported for use.

In all initiatives to recover aggregates, a full life cycle analysis is needed. The major quantity of

recycled aggregate at present is used in lower end applications. Often the drive is to achieve

complete recycling; however, the overall impact and best use of the materials should always be

considered. Refining the recovery may result in less-grade product but at an environmental

processing cost. At present, most recovered aggregate is used for road sub-base and civil

engineering projects. From a sustainability viewpoint, these relatively low-grade uses currently

provide the optimal outcome. Conservation of natural resources, saving of energy in production

and transportation, and reduction of pollution are also the advantages of recycling.

Keywords: Recycled aggregates (RA), Natural aggregates (NA), Recycle, Demolition,

Environment

Page 2 of 6

European Journal of Business &

Social Sciences

Available at https://ejbss.org/

ISSN: 2235-767X

Volume 07 Issue 03

March 2019

Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 56

INTRODUCTION:

The pattern of Indian economy of last fifty years shows that construction work amounts to

around 40% of development investment. Approximately 16% of Indian working population

depends on construction for its living. The Construction Industry in India is the second largest

after agriculture. It accounts for about 11 % of India as GDP. Aggregate production and

recycling are defined in the form of crushing and in the central and the mobile plant types the

population growth, the rates of construction and C&D generation, and energy demand are closely

correlated and can affect the stability of a country’s budget and market. Since the aggregates are

one of the basic materials in construction projects, the total cumulative energy demand in the

production of aggregates will have a significant impact on the completed construction cost as

well as energy price. However, little attention has been paid to RA. Investigating the

environmental potential of the combination of NA and RA aggregates, this study could act as a

minimum effort to encourage the standards’ officials to pay attention to the combination of NA

and RA aggregates. Most recycled concrete is used as aggregate in road subbase, and most

commonly in unbound form. The quality of aggregate produced depends on the quality of the

original material and the degree of processing and sorting. Contamination with other materials

also affects quality. More refined aggregate may produce a product of higher value use but may

also have a greater environmental impact in production. When well cleaned, the quality of

recycled coarse aggregate is generally comparable to virgin aggregate and the possibilities for

use are equally comparable although some limitations as to strength may exist. A common

misperception is that recycled concrete aggregate should not be used in structural concrete.

Guidelines and regulations often consider the physical limitations of recycled concrete aggregate,

but ideally they should also promote its use. A study by the National Ready Mixed Concrete

Association (NRMCA) in the US has concluded that up to 10% recycled concrete aggregate is

suitable as a substitute for virgin aggregate for most concrete applications, including structural

concrete. Utilizing recycled aggregate is certainly an important step towards sustainable

development in the concrete industry and management of construction waste. Recycled

aggregate (RA) is a viable alternative to natural aggregate, which helps in the preservation of the

environment. One of the critical parameters that affect the use of recycled aggregate is variability

of the aggregate properties. Quality of the recycled aggregate is influenced by the quality of

materials being collected and delivered to the recycling plants.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE:

The aim is to study & analyse the methodology of recycled aggregates & encourage to use it for

construction to minimize the earth pollution. The main objectives is as follows

1. To study the different methods & uses of recycled aggregates.

2. Analyse the process & equipment to reproduce the recycled aggregates to make available

for construction.

3. Make sustainable & environment friendly project for healthy living.

Page 3 of 6

European Journal of Business &

Social Sciences

Available at https://ejbss.org/

ISSN: 2235-767X

Volume 07 Issue 03

March 2019

Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 57

4. The main objective of this report is to promote aggregate recycling as an issue and

encourage thinking in this area. It provides some discussion of key issues without going

into significant technical details. The report ultimately promotes a goal of “zero landfill”.

THE SCOPE OF THE WORK

Many construction projects involve the demolition of concrete structures like foundation,

driveways, bridges, ramps walkways, which can leave a contractor with a sizable volume of

heavy, dense materials to deal with. Fortunately, concrete can be recycled and reused in many

ways. Reusing concrete can a good way to reduce construction costs while providing some

benefits to the environment. To initiates to recover recycled aggregates, a full life cycle analysis

is needed. At present, most recovered concrete is used for road sub-base and civil engineering

projects. From a sustainability viewpoint, these relatively low-grade uses currently provide the

optimal outcome.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Questions:-

1. What are aggregates?

2. What are different types of aggregates?

3. What are recycled aggregates?

4. Why recycled aggregates?

5. Sources of recycled aggregates

6. Difference between Natural/Virgin aggregates & Recycled aggregates

7. Manufacturing Process of Recycled aggregates

8. Environmental impact of manufacturing of natural & recycled aggregates

Construction aggregate, or simply "aggregate", is a broad category of coarse to medium grained

particulate material used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, recycled

concrete and geosynthetic aggregates. Aggregates are the most mined materials in the world.

There are, however, aggregate characteristics other than strength, such as the size, shape, surface

texture, grading (particle size distribution), and mineralogy which are known to affect concrete

strength in varying degrees. Recycled aggregates is a term used to describe crushed concrete or

asphalt from construction debris that is reused in other building projects.