You might have to cope with vast amounts of old concrete after a demolition project is completed. Recycling remains the way if you don’t want to cause environmental problems by throwing this concrete away in a landfill. Recycled concrete aggregate poses many applications in secondary construction projects and provides many benefits over other materials. Check out Komplet America’s concrete crusher to help you proceed with multiple natural rocks, such as concrete, asphalt, and sandstone. This article will determine how to reuse old concrete.
Can you crush concrete and reuse it?
If you doubt can you reuse concrete, you are in the right place. The truth is that concrete can be processed and reused in many ways, even though it greatly depends on the size and shape of the material. You can leverage from recycling concrete by saving you money on expenses associated with construction and preventing environmental issues caused by biodegradable concrete.
Concrete recycling is done by incorporating specific crushing machines. Such crushers are usually equipped with powerful jaws and impactors to proceed with natural rocks and stone materials. At the same time, several screens work to remove particles and coarse aggregate from the concrete. Besides, technicians might use magnets or other methods to remove other additives from the material. It is worth mentioning that a portable crusher remains the most practical choice for concrete recycling. This crushing equipment is often located near the sites of demolition.
How to reuse concrete: the proven ways
1. For new concrete
Reusable concrete is a great component to add to ready-mix concrete. You will save money on concrete production by replacing virgin aggregate with recycled concrete. It is also a more affordable way to make fresh concrete.
2. For landscaping
Well-crushed recycled concrete is excellent for replacing standard gravels used to cover gardens’ ground. Many people utilize this material to coat the surroundings of plants that prefer dry habitats or as river rock.
3. For reef habitats
Once old concrete is analyzed in the chemical content, it can be reused in the ocean or sea habitats. Moreover, placing broken concrete on shorelines will promote coral reef foundations.
4. For outdoor applications
Additionally, recycled concrete aggregate can be utilized for driveway and walkway construction projects. Reuse concrete sidewalk is also the way to go. Since such concrete is prone to gutters on the surface, be careful with using it in driveways with heavy traffic.
5. For asphalt pavement
If you want to get rid of broken concrete, ensure this material can be involved in asphalt road constructions. Breaking down old concrete can serve as an excellent base for new asphalt pavement. This process is known as rubblization.
6. For producing other construction materials
One more application of recycled concrete is participating in creating a material called engineered fill sand. It stands for fine grinding that is suitable for filling and remediation purposes. Apart from that, engineered fill sand can neutralize unsuitable pH levels when used in the environment.