The Utilization of Recycled Materials for Concrete and Cement Production- A Review

Abstract

The utilization of recycled materials is one of the seven principles of sustainable construction. These principles based on the efficient use of resources were defined by the International Council of Building in 1994. Recycled materials such as recycled concrete aggregate or recycled brick aggregate from construction and demolition waste, waste glass from municipal waste or recycled waste gypsum from gypsum boards are able to use as replacement of primary raw materials in cement and concrete production. Concrete and cement production totally depends on the natural resources. The world production of concrete has been twelve times increased during last six decades. Nowadays, nearly one ton of concrete is produced each year for every human being in the world on average. On one hand, the use of recycled materials in cement and concrete production helps to reduce raw materials and urban land occupation. However, on the other hand, the recycled materials used as partial replacement of raw materials influence properties of final product. This paper reviews the different uses of recycled materials in cement and concrete production and the effect of the properties of these materials to the cement and concrete quality.