Crushed concrete – everything is useful in construction

In the building sector, crushed concrete is growing in popularity. This material is currently being reused in a number of construction projects. It originates from demolished buildings and other structures. The advantages it provides in terms of cost, sustainability, and performance are what are driving the trend.

The affordability of utilizing crushed concrete is one of its main benefits. Conventional concrete can be costly, particularly if big amounts are needed. However, because crushed concrete is made from recycled materials, it is typically less expensive. For building projects with limited funds, these cost reductions can be quite advantageous.

Crushed concrete is not only an affordable option, but it’s also eco-friendly. Reusing items that would have otherwise ended up in landfills helps us save natural resources and cut down on waste. By reducing the environmental impact of building projects, this recycling process helps to create a more sustainable construction industry.

Crushed concrete’s performance is another factor contributing to its rising appeal. It can be added to new concrete mixes, backfill, and road bases, among other applications. Because of its adaptability, it is a useful tool for contractors and builders searching for durable and effective materials.

All things considered, using crushed concrete in building is a wise and environmentally friendly decision. Its many advantages over conventional concrete make it a desirable substitute. The use of recycled materials, such as crushed concrete, will probably become even more common as the industry develops, helping to make construction a more economical and environmentally friendly endeavor in the future.

What is crushed concrete

Old reinforced concrete can be recycled to create crushed concrete, a secondary raw material for construction. Please be aware that this material is made with it.

When preparing "raw materials" for crushed concrete, cellular concrete, old FBS blocks, cinder blocks, expanded clay concrete products, polystyrene concrete, and broken paving slabs are all considered construction waste and are not taken into consideration.

And this makes perfect sense, as none of the aforementioned artificial stone varieties are strong and long-lasting enough to be utilized again in the creation of complete construction processes, let alone last for ten years or longer.

Composition of concrete recycled materials

Only "written-off" reinforced concrete wall panels, beams, columns, crossbars, trusses, floor slabs, and other load-bearing components of demolished buildings are utilized for the aforementioned reason. Additionally, leftover waste from cleaning truck mixers and concrete pumps, as well as rejected goods from precast concrete plants, are recycled.

Except for ready-mixed concrete, full-fledged frame reinforcement and premium concrete were used in the production of these goods. Should you accept the findings of scientists demonstrating that concrete only gradually increases in strength over time while retaining additional grade units, secondary precast concrete presents a highly viable substitute for natural stone.

Not the sole element, but the primary constituent of these secondary building raw materials is crushed concrete.

Mixtures of sand and crushed stone consist of:

  • sand of different modulus of size and far from perfectly clean, which is usually used for the manufacture of concrete products and structures;
  • Various types of cries – here everything that is not sorry for, and everything that is cheaper or completely dead;
  • pieces of old asphalt obtained during repair and other dismantling work;
  • other components of a similar nature – it is difficult to say what materials this item includes, since each manufacturer, naturally, at will, adds what is available and inexpensive to him. For example, glass, broken bricks, linoleum, roofing felt, cardboard, thermal insulation materials and even wood.

Not all producers use leftover construction materials to create their "cocktails." Additionally, crushed stone and sand produced from crushed reinforced concrete are available.

And if we think about which is preferable, plain broken concrete or a combination, it is advisable to use common sense and consider the following inquiries:

  1. Will the additional components be as durable as recycled concrete?
  2. How quickly will the added wood rot, and how quickly will broken brick crumble under the influence of static loads?
  3. Why pay for a volume that can simply “melt” after some time?

You should not "bother" with such issues if they are not very important for your construction; instead, you should think about them more.

Technical characteristics of crushed concrete

In construction, the use of secondary raw materials is always viewed with suspicion. Although it looks like you could save money, you are plagued with concerns about the caliber of the material you have to buy. You can rest easy knowing that GOST 32495-2013, a comprehensive set of guidelines and specifications, has been created specifically for crushed concrete.

The document lists the following quality indicators as characteristics of secondary concrete:

  • grain size;
  • strength and content of elements with a strength of less than 20 MPa;
  • percentage of dust particles;
  • frost resistance;
  • flakiness;
  • percentage of contaminating impurities and harmful components;
  • bulk density.

Take note! For this kind of material, the final parameter is not necessary. Additionally, it is only measured upon the customer’s request.

That’s a pretty good list, and it nearly exactly matches the specifications for crushed granite. This gives us hope for the acquisition of recyclable materials of a relatively high quality, which the GOST under consideration states should be defined by the following parameters.

Fractions of this type of crushed concrete can be produced:

  • 5 – 10 mm;
  • 10 – 20 mm;
  • 20 – 40 mm;
  • 40 – 80 mm;
  • mixtures can have fractions of 5 – 10 mm and 10 – 20 mm.

Other fractions can be produced upon customer request. In other words, all these restrictions are completely arbitrary, and any whim can be satisfied in a perfectly legal manner, according to GOST. The primary concern is that the reinforced concrete crusher satisfies all specifications.

And here’s another brief rundown of qualities that are indisputable:

  • bream grains should be no more than 5% by mass;
  • Frost resistance brand F15 – F50 depending on the climatic area of ​​its application;
  • Mark of electoralization in the shelf drum – I 3, I4;
  • The content of sulfur, sulfates and sulfites – no more than 1.5% by weight, chlorides – 0.1% by weight, asbestos (mean fibers) – not more than 0.15% by mass.
Mativity brand The content of dusty particles, no more, % Grain content, with a strength of less than 20 MPa by weight, %
M300 3 15
M400 4 10
M600 2 5
  • Sand characteristics, more detailed norms for crushed stone and mixtures, are also represented in GOST 32495-2013.
  • It also states that when acquiring such recyclables, the supplier must necessarily accompany each batch with documents certifying quality – as a rule, this is a quality passport.
  • Naturally, the certification of these products cannot talk about. But even a quality passport is a powerful document that can reassure anyone who doubts the quality of the products being sold.

How to do it

Concreting concrete includes several stages:

  • Delivery of recyclables to the production site, where reinforced concrete will be crushed.
  • Visual inspection, selection and sorting of suitable battle.
  • Primary grinding by hydraulic boards and hydraulic low. If there is the necessary equipment, at this stage there is also a partial excavation of reinforced concrete reinforcement, which is also sent for secondary processing.
  • Then a concrete crusher is used.
  • Removal of foreign inclusions is all an automated process carried out by a concrete crushing and sorting installation.
  • Grain distribution.

I want to point out right away that not all companies, nor even all regions, have secondary crushed stone that is out of date from companies whose concrete structures have outlived them. This is because, to put it nicely, the cost of a concrete crusher is "bite."

  • In addition to them, it is also necessary to purchase whole installations for the sorting of recyclables. Again, investments and considerable ones. Accordingly, they should pay off due to the constant volume of reinforced concrete.
  • Not every region can have such. As a rule, such business is carried out by large construction or manufacturing companies that have access to defective or scrapped reinforced concrete.
  • If you really want to do something in this area, then a more profitable investment is a shot blasting machine for concrete, which processes surfaces, increasing their operational period several times.

Watch the video in this article to learn how a concrete crusher operates and how the entire secondary crushed stone manufacturing process goes.

When it comes to construction, crushed concrete is an adaptable and sustainable material that has many advantages, both financially and environmentally. We can cut waste, preserve natural resources, and cut carbon emissions by recycling old concrete. Crushed concrete is a versatile material that can be used in new concrete mixes, landscaping projects, and as a base for driveways, walkways, and roads. This method is a useful tool in contemporary building projects because it not only promotes environmentally friendly building practices but also strengthens and lasts longer in newly constructed buildings.

Benefit Description
Recycling Crushed concrete helps reduce construction waste by reusing old materials.
Cost-effective It"s often cheaper than new concrete, making it a budget-friendly option.
Eco-friendly Using crushed concrete reduces the need for new raw materials, helping the environment.
Durability Crushed concrete is strong and long-lasting, suitable for various construction projects.
Versatility It can be used for roads, driveways, foundations, and more.

It’s becoming clear that crushed concrete is a very useful material in construction. It provides a reasonably priced and environmentally friendly substitute for conventional building materials. Concrete recycling helps us preserve natural resources and cut down on waste, which makes our building methods more ecologically friendly.

Crushed concrete not only has environmental advantages but also offers exceptional durability and versatility. It can be applied to many different things, such as road bases, drainage systems, and landscaping tasks. Because of its durability, structures made of crushed concrete are able to endure a variety of strains and stresses over time.

Furthermore, using crushed concrete in construction projects can result in significant cost savings. Because it can be obtained locally from demolition sites, recycled concrete is frequently less expensive than new materials and its use can save transportation expenses. This aids in reducing construction projects’ overall budgets without sacrificing their quality.

It is a wise decision for the construction industry and the environment to embrace the use of crushed concrete. It provides dependable performance, lowers expenses, and encourages sustainability. In the future of construction, crushed concrete will surely be essential as we prioritize eco-friendly practices and keep innovating.

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Marina Petrova

Candidate of Technical Sciences and teacher of the Faculty of Construction. In my articles, I talk about the latest scientific discoveries and innovations in the field of cement and concrete technologies.

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