Non-Organic Solid Wastes - Potential Resource for Construction Materials

Abstract

Construction industry consumes natural resources in bulk quantities for various products such as bricks/ blocks, mortar, concrete, etc. Indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources to meet the ever-expanding needs of the construction sector is posing serious environmental concerns and resulting in scarcity of natural raw materials. At the same time, a large volume of non-organic solid waste (NOSW) is being generated through various anthropogenic activities. It is challenging to find environmentally safe and economically viable solutions for handling such waste materials. This article discusses the construction industry scenario in India, some estimates of NOSW and strategies for their utilization. Few case studies of R&D work on the possibilities of utilizing NOSW for construction products are illustrated. In particular, the technical feasibility of utilizing construction and demolition (C&D) waste and iron ore tailings (IOT) as raw materials for construction products is highlighted. Experimental results presented here on the properties of mortar and concrete when C&D waste and IOT are used as an alternative to fine aggregate for replacing the scarce river sand are promising, showing immense potential for utilizing NOSW for the manufacture of construction products and materials.Keywords: Aggregates, construction materials, iron ore tailings, solid waste.CONSTRUCTION sector consumes maximum amount of natural resources and energy. Manufacturing of construction products requires raw materials and energy. Majority of the raw materials are mined from the earth. Natural resources are mined indiscriminately for construction purposes, causing environmental problems. Energy is expended for converting the raw materials into useful construction products. In addition, the construction materials and products are hauled over long distances spending fossil fuel energy. There are many instances where laws have been enforced to preserve precious natural resources and even ban mining of sand from the river beds.Raw material extraction, manufacture of materials, transportation and construction cause environmental damage and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Estimates show that more than 40% of the total energy and 30% of the material resources are consumed by the habitat and related infrastructure 1 . Ruuska and Hakkinen 2 estimate that better construction and use of buildings in the European Union would influence 42% of energy consumption and more than 50% of all extracted materials. There is an urgent need for minimizing the mining of raw materials and reducing energy consumption.Annual per capita consumption of construction materials is estimated at 1.8 and 3.6 tonnes in India and the world respectively 3 . Aggregates constitute about 60% of the total materials consumed. For example, in India per capita annual consumption of aggregates is about 1.0 tonne in contrast to about 0.20 tonnes food grains consumption. Consumption of cement has grown by leaps and bounds since the last three decades. A tonne of cement requires 5-6 ton...

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