Senaratne, S; Mirza, O; Lambrousis, G and Fernandez-Soncini, A (2018) Structural applicability of steel fibre-recycled aggregate concrete in construction. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 16(6), pp. 959-972. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The use of recycled aggregates (RA) has been explored to lead to a more sustainable future. The paper investigates on a sustainable concrete mix incorporating steel fibres (SF) and RA to provide an alternative to traditional natural aggregate concrete for structural applications. This paper aims to explore the feasibility of combining RA and SF in structural applications in terms of strength, cost and industry perspectives. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed research approach is established with two phases. Phase 1 aims to identify an optimum material combination that satisfies the structural strength requirements and to identify the costs in its optimum combination. Phase 2 involves qualitative interviews with key industry parties to explore their perspective and identify various enablers and barriers for this material. Findings: The optimum combination of 30 per cent RA replacement and 0.3 SF volume content has been identified through laboratory testing. It was noted that there would be a direct additional cost because of SF addition. However, when other benefits such as reduction in transportation costs and landfill dumping fees were considered, an overall cost saving could be achieved. Consequently, the key industry practitioners' perspectives for this material have been gathered through qualitative interviews. Several enablers and barriers were identified through these interviews. Originality/value: Even though, there are various research attempts on improving RA for structural purpose by adding different additives, a holistic study that incorporate cost effects and the industry perspectives was lacking and is addressed in this current study. In particular, industry perspectives lead to refocus research directions and get closer to the realisation of a sustainable construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | recycled aggregate; steel fibre; sustainable materials |
| Index terms: | laboratory, interview, sustainable construction, sustainable material, recycled aggregate, replacement, landfill, methodology, practitioner, aggregate, testing, cost saving |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, practitioner, waste management, materials science, sustainable materials, professional practice, research methods, economics, sustainable construction, health safety and environment, research management |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here