Re:Crete – reuse of concrete elements in new structures: A footbridge prototype

Abstract

Concrete accounts for the largest share of worldwide building material use and waste generation, with cement production being responsible for approximately 9% of global anthropogenic CO 2 emissions. A currently untapped strategy to significantly reduce these environmental impacts consists in reusing reinforced concrete (RC) elements in new load-bearing applications. This paper presents a new design-and-build concept to reuse cast-in-place RC wall and slab elements sourced from obsolete buildings. The applicability of the proposed paradigm is demonstrated through a prototype: a 10-m spanning post-tensioned segmental arch made of 25 reclaimed concrete blocks. The paper illustrates the complete workflow, including the sourcing of the blocks through sawing and the prototype assembly. A comparative Life Cycle Assessment shows that the prototype structure has a significantly lower environmental impact than equivalent designs made of new material.

Re:crete – a Footbridge Made of Reused Concrete Blocks

“…The alternatives meet the same loading requirements and overall dimensions. The system boundary, data collection and calculation details of the LCA are described in Brütting et al [27]. The results show that the construction of the Re:Crete prototype has a 71% lower GWP than the same design in recycled concrete, a 63% lower impact than the monolithic arch, and a comparative impact to the glulam alternative.…”