The Utilization of Reclaimed Waste-to-Energy Aggregates as Lightweight Sand in Concrete Masonry Units and Precast Concrete
Open Access
- Author:
- Soliman, Martina
- Area of Honors:
- Civil Engineering
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Grady F Mathews, IV, Thesis Supervisor
Grady F Mathews, IV, Thesis Honors Advisor
Shashidhara S Marikunte, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- Waste-to-Energy
Lightweight aggregate
Concrete Masonry Units
Internal curing
Precast Concrete - Abstract:
- In the United States, solid waste is being generated and disposed of in landfills at an alarming rate of 50-60% due to a lack of technology and regulations in place to reuse the waste. Municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) plants process this waste by burning the waste to ash thus, reducing the volume by 80-90%. Typically, this ash is disposed of in landfills which is unsustainable practice. Additionally, with China’s new anti-pollution stringent regulations set in place, the recycling market in the United States is continuing to grow unstable. A process has been developed to refine solid waste ash into a lightweight sand-like material known as reclaimed sands. Reclaimed sands are a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved material, and a 100% post-consumer product allowing it to potentially qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation. This work investigates the utilization of reclaimed sands in two different applications. First, this paper discusses the use of reclaimed sands as a lightweight fine aggregate replacement in concrete masonry units (CMU). The production, structural performance and analysis of the blocks were assessed per the corresponding ASTM standards where it was found that some of the block mixes meet physical properties and strength requirements. In addition, reclaimed sands were analyzed in internally cured precast and cast-in-place mixes. Mix designs were tested for compressive strength and permeability of the concrete samples. It was concluded that the addition of reclaimed sands in combination with proper proportioning of admixtures, can reduce the permeability of precast concrete mixes and that precast concrete mixes containing pre-wetted reclaimed sands can maintain a high compressive strength over time.