Canadian study finds recycled concrete often outperforms conventional concrete

Recycled concrete was found to have comparable strength and durability as conventional concrete, after five years of being used as part of a building foundation and a municipal sidewalk. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia in Okanagan, Canada.

Shahria Alam, lead investigator of this study and co-director of UBC's Green Construction Research and Training Centre said :"Waste materials from construction and demolition contribute up to 40% of the world's waste."

The performances of recycled concrete would help Construction companies shift from having to use conventional concrete which is typically produced by combining aggregate with an adhesive such as cement. The research found that recycled concrete can be a 100% substitute for non-structural applications.

After testing its compressive strength and durability, Alam's researchers found out that "the composition of the recycled concrete gives that product additional flexibility and adaptability. Typically, recycled concrete can be used in retaining walls, roads and sidewalks, but we are seeing a shift towards its increased use in structures."

"As innovations continue in the composition of recycled concrete, we can envision a time in the future where recycled concrete can be a substitute within more structural applications as well."

Read more about this study on Passive House + and Construction and Building Materials journal

To find out more about IMS' Greenstone, Ireland's only recycled aggregate solution, visit our website or contact our team on info@imsirl.ie.