How Is Recycled Concrete Made And Used?

Natalie Jaimes | April 18, 2023

Concrete can be broken down into a range of sizes when it is recycled. The material is incredibly versatile because each of these sizes is appropriate for different applications. Recycled concrete is commonly used to make driveways, paths, garden beds, among others. Moreover, using recycled concrete has the added benefit of reducing landfill overcrowding.

Existing concrete can be broken down to exact specifications, refined to remove unwanted debris from the compound, and repurposed to solve a variety of construction related issues. But have you ever wondered how recycled concrete is made and used? If so, you have come to the right place. Continue reading to find out all about recycled concrete and its importance in building projects.

How is Recycled Concrete Made?

There are different techniques to make recycled concrete (commonly called RC). In most cases, companies use heavy machinery to break up the original concrete structure. The crushed concrete is then passed through a secondary impactor. The crushed concrete is subsequently screened to remove dirt and other foreign objects before being crushed to an even smaller size. The concrete is then divided up according to size after this step—as is done with all graded aggregates (CR6 and RC2 being the most common). Pulverization is another technique for recycling concrete. However, pulverizing concrete is not the preferred method. It may make it much harder to separate contaminants, which will lower the eventual quality of the recycled concrete aggregate.

What Projects May Crushed Concrete Be Used For?

Creating Your Walkways

You can reuse crushed concrete as pavement. Do ensure that the RC aggregate pieces you use for your pavements are all the same. Uniform components help to enhance the pavement’s aesthetic appeal. If you are looking to address drainage issues as well, you will need a washed aggregate without fines—CR6 is not permeable.

Landscaping Your Garden Beds

If you are looking to build an above-ground garden bed, you might want to consider using recycled concrete due to its numerous advantages. When spring arrives, compost and warmer soils promote faster growth in your garden. You should layer crushed concrete as the ideal foundation for an elevated flower bed because it provides good stability and strength to the structure.

Creating Your Retaining Walls or Rip-Rap

Bigger pieces of RC aggregate are ideal for building retaining walls, rip rap, and breakwaters to mitigate degradation. This can be done with the help of crushed concrete of various sizes as the concrete is bound together. Additionally, a base layer of smaller, more broken-up crushed concrete will aid in the stability of the wall. To create an even, lovely retaining wall, larger layers of recycled concrete packed with dirt can be added subsequently.

Sustainability Benefits of Using Recycled Concrete

One thing to consider is to construct a wall that does not strain subsequent generations. We should try looking out for concrete construction debris to crush and use as aggregate in concrete production as much as possible. This is just one of the numerous actions we are taking to construct sustainably and responsibly.

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