Geogrid Mechanical Damage Caused by Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste (RCDW): Influence of Grain Size Distribution

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that recycled construction and demolition waste (RCDW) can be used as backfill material in geosynthetics reinforced soil (GRS) structures. However, besides the environmental and economic benefits of this practice, it is necessary to evaluate the mechanical damages that RCDW could cause to the reinforcement elements. This study aims to investigate the influence of RCDW grain size distribution on short-term geosynthetic mechanical damages. The RCDW used in this investigation was collected at a recycling plant and the geosynthetics consisted of geogrids usually employed in GRS structures. In order to simulate the mechanical damages, a steel box was used and the applied loads within the magnitudes of values normally observed in this type of engineering work. The results showed no significant reduction for tensile strength of geogrids. On the other hand, it was possible to notice the effects of loading process on strain at rupture and stiffness. However, the reduction factors obtained from the damaged geogrids could be applied during GRS design stage. This study concludes that the damages caused by RCDW to geogrids would not prevent the use of this new composite in several engineering works.