RMIT University builds Road Material Out Of Construction Waste
Construction, renovation and demolition account for about half the waste produced annually worldwide, while around one billion scrap tyres are generated globally each year. The team at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, say this is the first time recycled rubble and rubber have been combined in a mix that meets road engineering safety standards. Designed to be used for base layers, the recycled blend is more flexible than standard materials, making roads less prone to cracking. Lead researcher Dr Mohammad Boroujeni said the rubble-rubber mix could deliver both environmental and engineering benefits whereas Traditional road bases are made of unsustainable virgin materials - quarried rock and natural sand. “Our blended material is a 100 per cent recycled alternative that offers a new way to reuse tyre and building waste, while performing strongly on key criteria like flexibility, strength and permanent deformation.” Most roads are typically made up of four layers: a subgrade, base and sub-base, with asphalt on top. All the layers must be strong enough to withstand the pressures of heavy vehicles, while being flexible enough to allow the right amount of movement so a road doesn’t easily crack. Processed building rubble, otherwise known as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), can potentially be used on its own for road base layers, but adding recycled rubber can significantly enhance the finished product.
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