Vahidi, A (2025) Towards circular concrete: The implementation of circular concrete in the construction industry. PhD thesis, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands.
Abstract
The construction industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation, primarily through concrete production, which accounts for substantial CO₂ emissions, resource depletion, and waste generation. This dissertation investigates the use of recycled aggregates within a circular economy framework as a sustainable alternative to natural aggregates. It employs innovative recycling technologies to enhance aggregate quality and validate the feasibility of fully replacing natural aggregates while ensuring comparable mechanical and durability properties under both laboratory and industrial-scale conditions. Additionally, it examines the impact of residual mortar on the performance of recycled coarse aggregates and analyzes the influence of contaminants on aggregate classification and concrete performance. A novel aspect of this research is the introduction of RFID-based material passports to enhance traceability, transparency, and quality control in the circular supply chain. By demonstrating the technical feasibility and industrial applicability of recycled aggregates, this dissertation advances circular construction practices. Ultimately, it contributes to reducing resource depletion and carbon emissions in concrete construction, aligning with global sustainability goals.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Rem, P C and Hartmann, L |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular economy; recycled aggregates; concrete; sustainability; construction materials; recycling; material passports; traceability |
| Index terms: | laboratory, traceability, concrete construction, recycled aggregate, mortars (material), environmental degradation, carbon emission, waste generation, aggregate, recycling, durability, circular economy, construction material, depletion, dissertation, construction industry, quality control, implementation, transparency |
| Subjects: | building materials, material degradation and durability, supplier oversight, project delivery, professional development, industry analysis, research dissemination and communication, materials science, environmental impact, waste management, climate science, environmental resource management, contractual arrangements, sustainable design, health safety and environment, research management, building construction |
| Topics: | Construction Materials, Information Management, Research Practice, Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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