SARE4BE

Valorization of concrete recycled sands

The main objective of the project is to find the best possible applications for the recycled sands produced in Wallonia, as well as the optimum sand substitution rate for each application.

The strategic aim is therefore to increase the use of recycled sands in Wallonia in high added value applications ('upcycling'), such as road surfacing and structural concrete. At present, there is virtually no use for this type of recycled product.

An inventory of available recycled sand streams in Wallonia will be drawn up. We need to know what volume of material is available and what its properties are. In this way, it will be possible to identify and target the recovery channels with the highest possible added value and requiring the shortest possible transport distance.

The technical aspect of the research will help to improve production control, particularly with regard to the water absorption kinetics of recycled sands, optimizing the workability time and the optimum substitution rate for recycled materials, depending on the intended application.

At least two experimental projects will be carried out to verify the applicability of the principle and to highlight the possibilities for recycling, the associated difficulties and possible solutions.

Following these practical case studies, recommendations will be published. An LCA analysis will be carried out to provide food for thought on the criteria to be taken into account for more sustainable tendering (TOTEM tool).