Project Description:
The escalating worldwide population is leading to a surge in waste generation, with approximately 11 billion tonnes of solid waste produced annually globally. In Australia alone, the annual waste generation reached 75.8 mega tonnes in 2020-21, marking a 20% increase over the past 15 years. The construction industry, a significant contributor to environmental impact, is under scrutiny for its substantial energy consumption and carbon emissions, particularly during material procurement. As over 15% of energy consumption and CO2 emissions are linked to material procurement, adopting a circular economy approach becomes imperative. This strategy involves prolonging material use through reuse and recycling, reducing the industry’s reliance on virgin materials.
This research project addresses these challenges by focusing on sustainable concrete development for compression-resisting elements. Leveraging waste materials, including waste glass powder and rubber products, the project aims to contribute to a circular economy in construction. The current state-of-the-art in this area has been thoroughly reviewed to guide and inform our research efforts. By repurposing waste materials into construction elements, we aim to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry and promote a more sustainable approach to concrete production.
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Duration: January 2023- Ongoing Research Methods:
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