| Author: | Ng, Ka-man Dionne |
| Title: | The reuse of construction and demolition material |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2000 |
| Subject: | Construction and demolition debris -- China -- Hong Kong Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies Department of Civil and Structural Engineering |
| Pages: | vi, 98 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Waste is any material that you think you do not need any more. But, if this material can be used for other beneficial purposes or processed (called reuse or recycling) and turn into something that can be used beneficially, it is no longer regarded as waste. The continuous development of Hong Kong has been placing great emphasis on our environment. In 1999, construction activity accounts for 6.5% of the Gross Domestic Product. Everyday construction and demolition (C&D) waste is generated from different types of C&D activities such as roadwork and excavation work. Statistical data shows that there is an increase of 50% of actual expenditure on construction between 1986 and 1999. Despite the economic depression in 1999, the construction industry alone produced more than 36,700 tonnes of C&D material daily. Although a large portion of those C&D material was taken to public filling facilities, there was still 7,890 tonnes of C&D waste dumped at landfills per day. This huge amount of C&D waste being disposed of in landfills has occupied significant portion of our valuable landfill capacity. For many years, the C&D waste produced are filling up the landfills at an accelerating pace that is not foreseeable. If the situation remains unchanged, all the landfills will be filled up in a few years' time. This dissertation aims at identifying the phenomenon of generation of C&D material and the current management strategy adopted in Hong Kong. To evaluate the possible methods in minimizing C&D material generation in Hong Kong, investigations of potential uses of recycled C&D material have to be carried out. These investigations, not only can minimize the volume of final disposal, but can conserve the amount of natural resources. Another aim of this paper is to study the possibility and feasibility of developing draft specifications and standards for recycled aggregates that obtained from demolition debris such as waste concrete, or incorporating the concept of reuse and recycling C&D material into the existing standards and material specifications. In this study, the feasibility of using recycled road pavement materials such as sub-base, road base, base course, as well as paving blocks are examined. On the other hand, I consider my investigations can form a baseline for further study and development on the subject. The inert portion of C&D material such as rock, concrete and soil has been using as fill material in reclamation and earth filling projects. Examples of these projects are Western, Central and Wanchai Reclamation, Aldrich Bay Reclamation, Hung Hom Bay Reclamation and Kowloon Bay Reclamation. However, public concerns and objections have always delayed the implementation of planned reclamation projects. Alternative uses of recycled C&D material will reduce the demand for public filling capacity in long term. Thus, alternative uses of inert C&D material is investigated in this study. This study also reveals the successful demonstrations in Europe, USA and Japan in which concrete and asphaltic waste are recycled and reused for new construction and road rehabilitation projects. In case of reusing construction waste, it is necessary to sort and process the waste to produce recycled materials which meet certain performance requirements and standards. This dissertation would examine the abovementioned options and consider their applicability in Hong Kong. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b15594701.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 7.4 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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