Improving Consumption of Recycled Aggregate in Australian Construction

This report investigates the potential for improving the consumption of recycled aggregate within the Australian construction industry. It begins with an introduction highlighting the growing importance of sustainable construction practices and the utilization of recycled materials. The results section presents findings on the benefits of recycled aggregate, including waste reduction and resource conservation, along with its applications in concrete and other construction projects. The report also discusses the limitations of recycled aggregate, such as reduced workability and compressive strength compared to natural aggregates, and reviews the current applications and limitations for wider use in Australia. The report explores the classification and performance of recycled aggregates in different countries like America, Japan and Australia, and concludes with recommendations for increasing the use of recycled aggregate in the Australian construction industry to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact. The report is structured to cover key aspects like importance, applications, and limitations of recycled aggregates.

How to improve the consumption of recycled aggregate in
Australian construction industry?

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION...............................................................................3
4.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................3
4.2 Results...................................................................................................................................3
4.3 Discussion...........................................................................................................................12
4.4 Summary.............................................................................................................................14
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION......................................................................................................15
5.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................15
5.2 Main Conclusions................................................................................................................15
5.3 Recommendations...............................................................................................................15
5.4 Further research...................................................................................................................15
5.5 Summary.............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

Topic - How to improve the consumption of recycled aggregate in Australian construction
industry?
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Introduction
Construction industry drive towards the recycling construction, suitability and demolition
of the waste that has become the paramount. The new construction material is composed from
the demolition and recycled construction waste have added to sustainable practices. Activity
across apartment and housing of Australia construction sectors improved the sharply. Utilization
of the materials in waste construction should be concerned to application of the quality guarantee
system in order to attain the effective product properties (Ajayi and et. al., 2015).
Under this chapter, will be mention about the discussion as well as results of this
investigation. In this, analysis aim to improve construction of the recycles aggregate in the
construction industry in Australia. On the other hand, in result part, researcher will present the
findings in the format of dot point and it is necessary that every point is concerned with the
theme of research. All results of this research will be limited to situation of research topic. This
chosen project is related with consumption of the recycled aggregate in Australian construction
industry. This project should be constructed in Australia country and all measures related to
protection shall be followed through Australia. Under this, it is essential that there should be
detailed explanation of every finding and also think how all findings will extend the knowledge
and skills in filed of construction.
The discussion part of this project will be demonstrate high analysis level about
outcomes. On the other hand, the part of discussion is expected for explored and it will highlight
that in what manner research has to be reinforced that has already known in the area of
construction (Arulrajah and et. al., 2012). The main purpose of discussion is to interpret as well
as explain about importance of findings about the research issue being investigated and then
discuss about the new understanding.
4.2 Results
4.2.1 The importance of Concepts of recycle aggregate is that it decreases the amount of
C&D waste along with consumption of raw material.

Recycle aggregates are those which derived from materials of processing used in
construction or product. The construction materials are enhancing judged through their
ecological characteristics. The recycled aggregate is developed through crushing the concrete
and asphalt and also realm aggregate. The recycled granular material is processes from the
deposits of gravel, rock, sand etc. Aggregates are versatile material that is more suitable for
many applications for an instance use in the asphalt production, concrete and also drainage
projects. In context to enhance the natural rock as well as promote the sustainability of
environment, recycle aggregates are developed from the recycle materials which consist brick,
masonry and concrete. In context to this, concrete recycling gain more importance because it
helps in protecting the natural resources as well as neglect requirement for the wastage. In
recycling of concrete included removing, breaking, crushing the available concrete in to material
with specialized quality and size. The recycle aggregate is helpful in saving money for the
purchases, local government, conserve the reducing resources related to urban aggregates,
developing more business opportunities and also saving the energy after completion of recycling
on site.
On the basis of opinion of Azam and Cameron (2012) it has been stated that use of basis
of the recycled material for construction purpose is sustainable move in the construction sector.
It helps in preventing the materials from having to gathered for building while keep refusing
from enter landfill. The process of recycle aggregate can be done easily at demolition site. In
addition to recycle concrete aggregates, it contains not only original aggregates but includes
hydrated paste of cement. This paste is helpful in minimizing particular gravity along with
enhance porosity compared to the same virgin aggregates. The recycled aggregate is regarded as
abundant and also used the secondary aggregate in the concrete manufacturing, other kinds of the
solid wastage that is being used in the concrete for particular objectives and attain the desired
properties. In this, recycle concrete aggregate impact on properties as well as mix concrete
design at hardened stated.
Importance of recycle aggregate
There is economic and environmental advantages in order to recycling the concrete as
comparison to dumping or burying it in landfill. Concrete is used in develop the materials of
building. It is helpful in minimize the tippage as well as freight charges. For 81%, concrete waste
accounts of Construction and Demolition (C&D) that is main part of C& D waste. It is necessary

to find an effective method to recycle the concrete wastage that can minimize more Construction
and Demolition wastage as well as raw material consumption. For resolve problem of shortage of
natural resource and generate the concrete waste, recycle the concrete aggregates is required.
4.2.2.There is a crucial need of sustainable construction and concrete recycling for
Australian market.
In context of environment, sustainability implies natural resource balance. It refers to
meeting requirements of existing generation without any compromising ability of the future
generation in context to meet with their needs to prevent environment from irreparable damage.
The main aim of sustainable construction is to meet needs of present time for working
environment, infrastructure and housing without compromising ability of the future generations
for meet with their own requirements. Australia is forefront of the sustainable and green building
practices by using the planning process as well as design that is resource and environmentally
effective. The Construction and Demolition (C&D) develops more affect on environment which
require the more attention. On the other hand, natural resources are consumed at alarming rate
for new construction materiel production rather than the reusing and recycling the current
materials. So, requirement for the recycling of Construction and Demolition waste become more
crucial for sustainability of construction industry. Australian Environment Protection authority of
the New South Wales conduct an analysis of Construction and Demolition waste and also its
impacts on the landfills. With the concrete constituting, C
& D waste developed with being main by- product of the RAC (Recycle Aggregate Concrete),
use of the recycle aggregate that has been explored in order to lead more sustainable future.
As per opinion of Biswas (2014), Recycling concrete gives many advantages for an
instance requirement of natural resources, utilize C&D waste and minimize production or
transportation cost. In context to this, concrete recycling is helpful in reduce the damages on
environment through using disposal technique related to concrete wastage. In concrete, use of
Recycle aggregate is limited to the certain applications because of its lowered propertied when
concrete using the natural aggregate. On the other hand, recycling of demolition and construction
waste seems the feasible solution in new construction and rehabilitation after natural disaster of
the old structure.
4.2.3. Current recycle aggregate applications and limitations for wider applications in
construction in Australia

In concrete, use of the recycle aggregate has been shown to sustainable as well as
economical alternative to the natural aggregate as well as effective in the non- structure element
where the capabilities is not critical. In construction industry, recycle aggregate has been used to
give sustainable and economic alternative to natural aggregates. There is range of the economic
and environmental advantages in recycling the concrete as comparison to dumping or burying on
landfill. The more use of the recycle material minimized requirement for the gravel mining.
For an example- China is using the proportion of concrete mix by employing 50% of recycle
aggregate content that have meet similar needs as the concrete pavements by using natural
aggregates. According to view point of Calvo, Varela-Candamio and Novo-Corti, (2014),Use of
the recycled concrete aggregate is concerned with annual manufacturing of the recycled concrete
aggregate that is concerned to proper amount of wastage of recycled wastage in Australia per
year. In context to determine usage of concrete aggregate in every country, it is necessary to
search recycled concrete amount.
The recycle aggregate have more absorption and the minimum particular gravity as
comparison to the natural aggregate and develop concrete with more creep and drying shrinkage.
Limitations for wider applications of recycle aggregate in construction
 The recycling aggregate enhance the absorption capacity of water ranging from 3% to
9%.
 It reduce the concrete workability.
 There is reduction in the compressive concrete strength.
 There is minimum durability of RAC (Recycle Aggregate Concrete) but through mixing
this with any special materials there can be chance of improvement.
In application of the recycled aggregated can be used for the purpose of constructing pavements,
utters and many others. There is large size pieces of the crushed aggregate that can be used for
developing revetments which are useful in control the soil erosion.
4.2.4.There has been improvement in performance due to structure and classification of
recycled aggregates in different countries.
Under this aggregates are explained as materials and they can be manufactured or natural
with the binding agent in order to form products for an instance fluxed material, ballast, railroad
and filter beds. The common forms of the concrete are developed by using the asphalt and
Portland cement as the binding agents.

On the basis of this diagram, in construction, it is flow of the aggregate materials. In this,
many natural aggregated are derived from the crushed sand, gravel and stone which are
recovered from the widespread and occurring from the mineral deposits. There is a vertical arrow
that shows losses to environment that occur by flow system. There are more than 2 billion metric
tons crushed sand, gravel and stone which were consumed as the aggregates in United States in
year 1996. It was used in the construction as well as maintenance of road. Under this, the
recycled material us used to manufacture the construction aggregates for the concrete comes
from the two primary sources such as demolition debris and structural construction and road
construction.
Illustration 1: Construction aggregate flow system

On the basis of mention graph, most of demand for the aggregates is to be supplied
through crushed stone producers and sand. Under this, aggregates derived from the crushed stone
is consumed in the concrete of cement, asphalt concrete, road base and some other applications
where half of aggregated derived from gravel and sand is to be consumed in the cement concrete.
At present, there are more than 50% of all cement concrete debris and also around 20% of
asphalt pavement debris end in landfills. On the basis of estimation, there are about 85% of
concrete of cement debris that is to be recycled for use as road base with minimum amount that
used in asphalt concrete and fill the materials. There is around 90% asphalt pavement in which
the recycled is to be reused in order to make the asphaltic concrete.
As regulations, social acceptance and costs are practices of the sustainable natural
resource which have more affect on industry of natural aggregated, enhanced recycling of
aggregated in the urban areas that is to be occur.
Illustration 2: Consumption of aggregate by source and market sector

Classification of recycled aggregates in different countries
America- In united States, concrete recycling has been used since 1970. In this country,
recycled aggregate is produced through natural aggregate producers, contractors and recovery
centers. Specification restriction is a common problem to promote RCA in US. Without
management, production of RCA is not permitted through specifications.
Japan- It has more than 25 years of the concrete recycling in Construction and demolition
concrete waste. In Japan, recycling concrete ratio is 45%. under this, Former Ministry of
Construction undertake the activities to encourage concrete recycling and use of RCA.
Australia- Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) is national body in
Australia represent interests six billion dollar heavy construction material. Use of the recycled
concrete aggregates in structural applications is more scarce.
4.2.5. The Consumption of recycled aggregate in construction industry of Australia have
improved and further help in controlling the intake of constricted resources to save
environment.
On the basis of opinion of De Brito and Saikia, (2012), in concrete, use of the recycled
aggregate can be useful for the protection of environment. For future, recycled aggregated are
most useful materials. Applications of the recycled aggregated has been began in large size
construction projects of several countries for an instance Asian, European etc. These all countries
are providing the infrastructural legislation for enhancing use of recycled aggregated. On the
other hand, essence of the modern development is concerned with the natural resources
conservation with the help of preventing degradation of environment as the construction
materials which are judged through ecological characteristics. In context to construction in
Australia, concrete is versatile material and it plays a necessary role in development of the
industrial or infrastructural segments but it is not environmental friendly material because of
destructive resource consuming.
By recycle the waste material again and again, wastage will be reduced and with the help
of this environment will be save. There is more potential for recycling as well as reuse of
wastage of construction since the most of components have high resource value. There is reuse
of recycle aggregate from construction and demolition wastage in road construction, concrete,
landscaping and cementitious mortars. As high priority of recycling as well as waste
management through government of Australia, the recycled aggregated has been used in the

different applications of construction for an instance unbound materials, sub- grade and road
work. Recycling is helpful in protect environment and it minimized requirement for refining,
extracting and also processing the raw materials. Through recycle, the used material will be
converted in to the new goods, minimizing requirement to consumer the natural resources. On
the basis of opinion of Evangelista and et. al., (2015) it has been stated that Recycle helps in
save energy and it will reduce the emissions of green house gas that aids in tackle the climatic
change. Through recycle the wastage, reputation of construction industry of Australia will be
enhanced because through this it can attract more people, improve loyalty of consumers through
demonstrating environmental responsibility by recycling efforts.
4.2.6. It has been identified that waste recycling is a crucial method of RCA and can be
effectively promoted for controlling limited resources.
Recycling is a better method to get rid of wastage even when it is exported. The Recycled
Concrete Aggregate (RCA) is made from the waste concrete which is not effective for structural
material as it has the more cement mortar absorption. At the time of using RCA made from the
waste concrete, there is a add more water with concertmaster and loss of slumps when
transporting. As enhances the recycling of the construction materials, building contractors,
aggregate producers and also road paving contractors are to be recycling more material every
year. RCA is an aggregate that derived from materials processing used in construction. The
Recycled Concrete Aggregate is developed from crushing the concrete pavements, bridges,
buildings and structures.
According to opinion of Knoeri, Sanyé-Mengual and Althaus (2013) it has been stated
that requirement for production and also use of RCA is necessary because it helps in reduce high
volume of wastage of concrete. Waste concrete from the construction site may contain the other
materials for an instance timber, metal, plastic and bricks. On the other hand, concrete
composition mat vary that can alter performance related to recycle aggregated. More water
absorption related to the Recycled Concrete Aggregate caused complexity to use in Australia
since the shortage of water in this country. In Australia, construction industry is biggest user of
that natural resources and it uses the more water. In addition to this, recycling of wastage is
essential in the construction industry because through this environment will be save and it will
help in Recycled Concrete Aggregates. The promotion related to Recycled Concrete Aggregate
helps in controlling the limited resources which are mention below:

Absorption- The natural concrete aggregate and water absorption of the recycled
aggregated both are varied. Under this, water absorption in the recycled concrete aggregate differ
from 4% to 13% and in this actual percentage is based on kind of concrete that is used to produce
aggregate.
Shrinkage- Due to high adsorption of aggregates, use of recycled aggregation in the
concrete caused the large shrinkage. According to view point of Lachimpadi and et. al., (2012) it
has been stated that shrinkage can be 0.55-0.8 mm/m in 80 days after the manufacture while
same natural aggregate concrete value is around 0.30 mm/m.
Compressive strength- Under this, there is reduction in compressive RAC strength. On
the other hand, degree of reduction is concerned to parameters for an instance kind of concrete
that is used to develop the recycle aggregate, moisture situation, water rate and replacement rated
of aggregates.
After measuring properties related to Recycled Concrete Aggregate, the recycled
aggregate does not perform in better manner and it can impact the promotion of using the
Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) in order to controlling the limited resources.
4.2.7 Barriers that promoted RA and RAC and pushed Australian constructing sites in
reaching to a whole new level
Construction and demolition waste is enhance seen as valuable source related to
engineering materials for construction industry. According to opinion of Lovato and et. al.,
(2012), Acceptability of the recycled material is hampered because of bad reputation related with
recycling the activity, minimum confidence in the finished products which are developed from
the recycled materiel. There are some problems act as the barriers in order to promoting use of
the concrete and recycled aggregate mention below:
Absence of technology- There are less viable technologies for the purpose of demolition
wastes and recycling construction which can be used to crush the concrete and demolition waste
on commercial scale are more needed. In context to this, technology is established and some
other problems for an instance quality control of the raw material and the finished goods can be
taken.
Lack of government support- Commitment towards development and lack support of
government towards development of the recycle industry is seen. In this, developing the proper
policy supported through effective framework of regularization can give important impetus. It

will be helpful in documentation, control over the disposal of waste material and data
compilation.
Lack of located recycling facilities- Demolition and construction waste is to be generated
in minimum quantities at the locations which can be separated. Under this, portable equipment is
required that can be set up close and used to demolition site. Transporting the waste over the
large distances make proposition of the using the Concrete and Demolition wastage
uneconomical. In area of C&D waste management, minimum plants is a main issue for
‘Newcomers’.
Lack of awareness- It is towards recycling the environmental implications and
possibilities of using the fresh minded aggregated which are major issue because of which the
concrete wastage is disposed in landfills. In addition to this, dissemination of information and
developing awareness concerned with all barriers and also properties of the concrete developed
with the recycle aggregate that is necessary to mobilize the opinion of public and also install the
confidence in context to recycling the option. There is requirement to develop market for
recycled goods through including construction sector as well as motivating it to use the recycled
materials in its projects.
4.3 Discussion
This section is an action of discussing about something in regards to reach at decision.
This part is related with the study that requires as well as measured most necessary methods as it
is vital for the whole research to finished in particular period of time. Improve the consumption
of recycled aggregate is a main concern for construction industry of Australia. Recycled concrete
is related to processing inorganic material that has been already used in the construction. The use
of wastage as recycled aggregate in concrete can be usable for economical and environmental
aspects in construction industry. Under this report, it is found that there was several advantages
which will assess an organization to focus on many areas.
According to view point of Lu and Tam, (2013) recycled aggregated helps in providing
the economic along with environmental benefits in recycle the concrete than dumping it. On the
other hand, in construction industry recycled aggregated helps in minimized the tippage and
fright charges. The recycle aggregated aids in reduce amount of Construction and demolition
waste with effective consumption of the raw material. The recycled concrete aggregate is helpful
is helpful in replace the natural stone aggregates. Through use of recycled aggregate in better