Analysis of the effect of incorporating construction and demolition waste on the environmental and mechanical performance of earth-based mixtures

Abstract

In recent years, construction industry has been looking for ways to adopt technical solutions towards environmental preservation and conservation of natural resources. With the scarcity of building materials and the consequent increase in construction prices intensified after the Covid-19 pandemic, sustainable development based on the concepts of the circular economy has become increasingly essential. Meanwhile, the environmental impact associated with most conventional building systems has renewed interest in earth as a building material, combining traditional techniques with technological advancement. The main objective of this work is to understand the environmental and mechanical performance of earth-based mixtures incorporating construction and demolition waste (CDW), filling the gap represented by the absence of review articles that address this new material more comprehensively. The outcomes demonstrated the potential of CDW in improving environmental performance and increasing the compressive strength. Key findings include the need to consider the impact of the transport distance from the waste treatment plant to the construction site in environmental feasibility studies. Results describe the concrete prospect of a construction solution that adapts the environmental and functional advantages of earthen construction to the circular economy model. Further studies on the behaviour of CDW as a substitute for chemical binders are encouraged.