Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:36:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcelo Vicente Forestieri Fernandes.pdf: 3433992 bytes, checksum: 0bc6007ed63ec4c257f1064d9e03e6cc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-12-06 / This paper discusses a study to prepare a composite of recycled polypropylene with recycled polyurethane, from manufacturing flexible foam waste, used for making mattresses and upholstery. Searches about using these materials on office chairs design, recycling and about aplying these materials on product design. Are done mechanical, thermal and rheologic tests of pure polypropylene, recycled polypropylene and the new compound with addition of recycled polyurethane in proportions 10%, 20%, 40% and 50% to characterize and compare materials. The results presents PU influences on both compounds, but with higher influence on recycled polypropylene base. PU filler increased composite viscosity related to original polymers and decreased plastic deformation before break. Besides not to contain a detailed economic viability study, this work showed technical possibility to develop a polymer composite using PU from flexible foam waste. / O presente trabalho abordou um estudo de elaboração de um composto de polipropileno reciclado com reciclado de poliuretano, proveniente de retalhos de fabricação de espuma flexível, utilizada para a confecção de colchões e estofados. Foram realizadas pesquisas sobre a utilização desses materiais na confecção de cadeiras de escritório, a reciclagem de materiais e a utilização desses materiais no design de produtos. Foram realizados ensaios mecânicos, térmicos e reológicos, de polipropileno virgem, de polipropileno reciclado, e do composto de polipropileno reciclado com poliuretano e polipropileno virgem com poliuretano, nas proporções 10% e 20%, 40% e 50% a fim de caracterizar e comparar os materiais compostos obtidos. Os resultados indicaram a influência da carga de PU em ambos compostos, porém com maior influência nos de matriz de polipropileno reciclado. A carga aumentou a viscosidade dos compostos em relação às matrizes originais e também diminuíram a deformação plástica antes da ruptura. Apesar de não contar com um estudo detalhado de viabilidade econômica, o estudo aponta a possibilidade técnica de desenvolver um composto polimérico de polipropileno com carga de PU proveniente de retalhos de espuma flexível.

La valorisation de déchets de démolition en tant que granulats à béton présente un double objectif de préservation des ressources naturelles et de désengorgement des sites de stockage. Les granulats recyclés de béton présentent la particularité de contenir du mortier résiduel qui influence certaines de leurs propriétés et, par voie de conséquence, celles des bétons dans lesquels ils sont utilisés. Cette thèse a pour but de développer l’utilisation de bétons de granulats recyclés en remplacement total des matériaux naturels. Elle a été réalisée en partenariat industriel avec l’entreprise CHRYSO.Une étude approfondie des propriétés des granulats recyclés de béton sur plusieurs lots (plateforme industrielle et laboratoire) a conduit à l’identification puis à l’analyse des spécificités de ces matériaux comparés aux matériaux naturels. La validité des protocoles expérimentaux a été testée, et de nouveaux protocoles ont été proposés axés sur ces spécificités. Les granulats recyclés présentent une absorption plus élevée, une résistance à l’abrasion plus faible, une distribution granulaire plus étalée et une circularité moindre que les granulats naturels. La granulométrie, la proportion d’éléments fins et l’absorption d’eau des sables recyclés sont des caractéristiques dépendantes d’une part, du prélèvement des granulats recyclés et d’autre part, de la robustesse des protocoles expérimentaux. Une réactivité des éléments fins a été démontrée pour les lots issus de laboratoire, mais son influence sur les propriétés des bétons peut être considérée de second ordre lorsque les éléments fins sont constitutifs du sable. Enfin, l’absorption et la morphologie des granulats recyclés sont dépendantes de la classe granulaire étudiée. Des corrélations entre les propriétés morphologiques/géométriques et l’absorption ont été démontrées. A l’issue de l’analyse de ces propriétés, des corrections ou adaptations aux modèles prévisionnels de performances ont été proposées. La faisabilité de réalisation de bétons de granulats recyclés de béton avec remplacement total des matériaux naturels (BGRB à 100%) a ensuite été démontrée. Pour de tels matériaux, la conservation des éléments fins inférieurs à 63μm est conseillée car nécessaire à l’obtention d’un squelette granulaire correct.Afin de compenser la perte d’ouvrabilité et de résistance mécanique observée avec l’utilisation des granulats recyclés de bétons, une recherche d’adjuvant a été menée et a conduit au choix de superplastifiants de la famille des polycarboxylates. Les interprétations proposées permettent de mieux comprendre la formulation des bétons de granulats recyclés de béton et des mortiers de bétons équivalents (MBE). Ainsi, la complexité des cinétiques d’absorption et de désorption d’eau conduit à une discussion autour de la notion d’eau efficace ; la différence de morphologie des granulats recyclés implique une correction du squelette granulaire ; enfin la fragilité des granulats recyclés à l’abrasion pose la question de sa prise en compte dans la détermination du squelette granulaire optimal.Enfin, une analyse comparative des impacts environnementaux des bétons de granulats recyclés de bétons ouvre des perspectives intéressantes. / Promoting the use of demolition waste as recycled aggregates presents a double objective: first to preserve natural resources and secondly to relieve storage site. In regards to natural aggregates, recycled aggregates contain mortar that influences theirs properties and those of concrete in which they are used. The objective of this thesis is to develop the use of 100 % recycled aggregates in concrete. This study was realised in patnership with the company CHYRSO. Properties of recycled concrete aggregates collected from several sources were studied to identify and analyse their specificities ; results were compared to natural ones. Normalised methods were modified in order to be applied on recycled aggregates and new methods were also proposed. Recycled aggregates present higher water absorption, lower mechanical strength, spreader granular distribution and a less circular shape compared to natural aggregates. The granulometry of recycled sand, fines content and the water absorption are properties that depend on the sampling and the robustness of protocols used. A reactivity of fines obtained from materials made at the laboratory have been established, meanwhile their influence on concrete properties is considered as minor. Finally, the absorption and morphology of recycled aggregate depend on the granular fraction. Correlation between morphological and mechanical properties with water absorption have been demonstrated. After analysing these properties, correction were proposed on mechanical performance forecasting models. It was also shown that the use of fines in recycled aggregate concretes provides better mechanical properties. For such materials, keeping aggregates less than 63μm is advisable because it provides correct granular skeletton. In order to balance the loss of workability and mechanical strength observed with the use of recycled aggregates, studies were carried with several superplasticisers. Polycarboxylates were identified as appropriate superplasticisers. Interpretations facilitate understanding of concrete formulation and concrete equivalent mortar formulation made with recycled aggregates. Thus, the complexity of absorption and desorption kinectics lead to a discusion around effective water definition. The difference between the morphology of recycled aggregates and natural ones involved a correction of the granular skeletton; finally, their weakness during mechanical test modifies the granular skeletton and need to be taken into consideration.Finally, studies on environmental impacts of recycled aggregates concrete were done and compared with those of natural aggregates concrete. This study starts interesting perspectives.

En los últimos años existe una demanda cada vez más creciente de infraestructura; actualmente en el Perú el sector construcción ha ido en constante crecimiento; sin embargo, es uno de los más contaminantes debido a la fabricación del concreto y sus componentes, ya que la industria concretera es responsable de la extracción de recursos no renovables; siendo el concreto el material fundamental para los diferentes tipos de proyectos en vías de desarrollo. Frente a este entorno, se propone como alternativa sostenible el uso de residuos de demolición, es decir agregado grueso de concreto reciclado en reemplazo del agregado grueso natural; sin embargo, en investigaciones anteriores el reemplazo de este, presenta una disminución en la resistencia a la compresión y flexión de 10% - 25% y 23.7% respectivamente. Por esta razón, se seleccionó el vidrio triturado proveniente del reciclado de botellas incoloras, este es un material eco amigable y de características que contribuyen en la resistencia del concreto. En consecuencia, se propone el uso de estos agregados reciclados en reemplazo total y parcial del agregado grueso y fino respectivamente. Los resultados de estos ensayos indicaron un aumento en las propiedades mecanicas del concreto y el porcentaje óptimo de reemplazo de vidrio triturado es 20%, en donde se obtuvo un incremento de 12.33% en la Resistencia a la compresión, 17.19% en la Resistencia a la flexion y 1.98% en la Resistencia a la tracción. / In recent years there is an increasingly growing demand for infrastructure; Currently in Peru the construction sector has been in constant growth; However, it is one of the most polluting due to the manufacture of concrete and its components, since the concrete industry is responsible for the extraction of non-renewable resources; concrete being the fundamental material for the different types of projects under development. Faced with this environment, the use of demolition waste is proposed as a sustainable alternative, that is, coarse aggregate of recycled concrete to replace the natural coarse aggregate; However, in previous research, its replacement shows a decrease in compressive and flexural strength of 10% -25% and 23.7%, respectively. For this reason, the crushed glass from the recycling of colorless bottles was selected since it is an eco-friendly material and features that contribute to the strength of the concrete. Consequently, the use of these recycled aggregates is proposed in total and partial replacement of the coarse and fine aggregate respectively. The results of these tests indicated an increase in the mechanical properties of the concrete and the optimum percentage of replacement of crushed glass is 20%, where an increase of 12.33% in Compressive Strength, 17.19% in Resistance to Compression was obtained. flexion and 1.98% in tensile strength. / Tesis

En este artículo se analiza la influencia de un aditivo a base de nanosilice en el concreto elaborado con agregado a partir de concreto reciclado. Para lo cual, se ha realizado un programa de laboratorio donde se analizan las propiedades físicas de los materiales y las propiedades en estado fresco y endurecido del concreto a distintas edades. El objetivo principal del estudio es demostrar las mejoras cuantitativas de resistencia a compresión y tracción del concreto con ACR empleando nanosilice. Asimismo, el diseño óptimo para los casos propuestos es la mezcla M4 (100% ACR y 1% nanosilice) con el cual se logra mejorar en 21% respecto a la muestra M3 (100% ACR) a 28 días. Finalmente, el diseño M4 tiene una mayor resistencia a compresión comparado con la mezcla M0 (1) concreto convencional sin nanosilice. Por consiguiente, la utilización del concreto con ACR es factible en términos de resistencia. / This article discusses the influence of a nanosilize based admixture on concrete made with aggregate from recycled concrete. For which, a laboratory program has been carried out where the physical properties of the materials and the properties in the fresh and hardened state of concrete at different ages are analyzed. The main objective of the study is to demonstrate the quantitative improvements of resistance to compression and tension of concrete with ACR using nanosilice. Likewise, the optimal design for the proposed cases is the M4 mixture (100% ACR and 1% nanosilize) with which it is possible to improve by 21% compared to the M3 sample (100% ACR) at 28 days. Finally, the M4 design has a higher compressive strength compared to the conventional concrete mix M0 (1) without nanosilize. Therefore, the use of concrete with ACR is feasible in terms of strength. / Tesis

Det pågår just nu ett arbete inom byggindustrin att allt mer gå över till en cirkulär ekonomi för att hushålla på världens naturliga resurser. För betongtillverkningen innebär det att försöka ersätta naturballast med återvunnen betong som ballast. Men för tillfället finns det lagkrav som förhindrar att naturballast helt ska kunna ersättas av återvunnen betong som ballast. Det är för att det finns vissa fysikaliska egenskaper, så som att porositeten ökar, som gör att de mekaniska egenskaperna blir sämre när naturballast ersätts med återvunnen betong som ballast. Detta examensarbete utfördes genom experimentella studier. Undersökningen utfördes i mekanik- och betonglaboratorium på Högskolan i Borås. Det utfördes en storskalig gjutningsserie där betongavfall från Ulricehamns Betong AB (UBAB) och Hedareds Sand & Betong AB (HEDA) prövades som ballastersättare till 50 och 100 %. För samtliga försök uppmättes både sättmått och betongens mekaniska egenskaper. Resultaten från betong med återvunnen betong som ballast (RAC) jämfördes med referensbetongen. Referensbetongen är baserad på ett känt- och beprövat originalrecept från UBAB respektive HEDA. Betongen med återvunnen betong som ballast är baserad på modifieringar som gjorts på referensrecept. Målet med studien var att undersöka hur återvunnen betong som ballast i betongblandningen påverkar betongens mekaniska egenskaper så som tryckhållfasthet, spräckhållfasthet och elasticitetsmodul. De testerna utfördes på gjutna cylindrar efter 28 dygn, tryckhållfastheten var också testad efter 7 dygn. Böjdraghållfasthet testades på balkar efter 28 dagar. Sedan utvärderades dessa resultat för att se hur de mekaniska egenskaperna förändras när en större del återvunnen betong som ballast används i recepten. Resultaten varierar litegrann för de olika provningarna. Denna studie styrker tesen att minskningen av tryckhållfastheten, efter 28 dagars härdning, som sker när återvunnen betong som ballast (RCA) används är inom intervallet 5–24 %. Provningarna av elasticitetsmodulen uppvisar liknande tendenser som tidigare forskning då betongen blir lite mindre styv när naturballast (NA) ersätts av RCA. Den styrker även tidigare forskning där böjdraghållfastheten är större vid ökade RCA-mängder. Då det för HEDA-recepten uppvisades en ökning med 9 procentenheter när all NA ersattes med RCA. Spräckhållfastheten uppvisade samma tendenser som böjdraghållfastheten. Det resultatet är däremot inte i linje med vad som har visats i tidigare forskning, då spräckhållfastheten har i de studierna minskat vid högre ersättningsandelar. / Work in the construction industry is currently underway to move to a circular economy to preserve the world’s natural resources. For concrete production this means trying to replace natural aggregate with recycled concrete aggregate. But for the time being there are standard allows that prevent natural aggregate from being completely replaced by recycled concrete aggregate. This is because there are certain physical properties, such as an increase in porosity, which have a negative impact on the mechanical properties when natural aggregate is replaced with recycled concrete aggregate. This thesis is carried out through experimental studies. The study was carried out in the mechanical and concrete laboratory at the University of Borås. Large scale castings were done where concrete waste from Ulricehamns Betong AB (UBAB) and Hedareds Sand & Betong AB (HEDA) were tested as aggregate replacers. For all experiments, both the measurement dimensions and the mechanical properties of the concrete was measured. The results from the recycled aggregate concrete were compared with the reference concrete. The reference concrete is based on an industrially active recipe from UBAB and HEDA. The Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) is based on modifications made on reference recipes. The aim of this study was to investigate how recycled concrete aggregate in the concrete mix affects the mechanical properties of the concrete, such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and the modulus of elasticity. They were performed on cylinders at 28 days, the compressive strength was also performed at 7 days. The flexural strength was also tested. Those tests were performed on beams. Then these results were evaluated to see how the mechanical properties change when a greater replacement ratio is used in the recipes. The results vary slightly for the different tests. This study confirms that the decrease in compressive strength, after 28 days hardening, that occurs when Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) is used is within the range 5–24%. The tests of the modulus of elasticity show similar tendencies as previous research because the concrete becomes a little less stiff when Natural Aggregate (NA) is replaced by RCA. It also corroborates previous research where the flexural strength is greater with increased RCA amounts. When the HEDA prescriptions showed an increase of 9 percentage when all NA was replaced with RCA. The splitting tensile strength exhibited the same tendencies as the flexural strength. On the other hand, this result is not in line with what has been shown in previous research, as the splitting tensile strength in those studies has decreased at higher replacement ratios.

El objetivo de la presente investigación es diseñar concreto con agregado grueso reciclado con resistencia a la compresión de f´c = 210 kg/cm2 y demostrar su viabilidad para construcción de muros prefabricados de viviendas modulares con el método ACI en el distrito de Villa María del Triunfo, Lima. Basándose en ello, se busca incentivar el reciclaje para la fabricación de viviendas modulares que ofrezcan una mejor calidad de vida. Se desarrolló una investigación de tipo aplicada y experimental, realizado con una muestra de 280 probetas y 10 vigas de concreto natural y reciclado. Como técnica principal se utilizó el estudio de campo y como instrumento, el análisis de datos cuantitativos. Se recolectó un conglomerado de 5 m3 de material de demolición de una acera de concreto y se realizó el proceso de transformación para obtener agregado grueso reciclado en tamaño nominal de 1”. Se diseñó mezclas de concreto con agregado natural y agregado reciclado al 25%, 50%, 75% y 100% de sustitución, realizándose ensayos por resistencia a la compresión, flexión y tracción al concreto endurecido. Asimismo, se realizó un análisis de costos sobre la producción por m3 entre el concreto con agregado reciclado versus el concreto con agregado convencional. Además, se diseñó un módulo familiar con concreto reciclado y se analizó su comportamiento estructural en un software. Finalmente, el agregado grueso de concreto reciclado puede sustituir al 100% la piedra natural triturada y con ello disminuir la explotación de la corteza terrestre para la extracción de piedra natural. / The research objective is to design concrete with recycled coarse aggregate with compression resistance of f´c = 210 kg/cm2, and to demonstrate its viability for the construction of prefabricated walls of modular homes with the ACI method in the district of Villa María del Triunfo in Lima. According to this, it seeks to encourage the use of recycled materials in modular homes manufacturing which also offers a better quality of life. Applied experimental research was carried out with a sample of 280 specimens and 10 beams of natural and recycled concrete. The main technique used was the field study, and the instrument, quantitative data analysis. A conglomerate of 5 m3 of demolition material was collected from a concrete sidewalk and the transformation process was carried out to obtain recycled coarse aggregate in nominal size of 1". Mixtures of concrete with natural aggregate and recycled aggregate at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% replacement levels were designed, performing tests for resistance to compression, bending and traction to hardened concrete. In addition, a cost analysis on the production per m3 was carried out, comparing concrete with recycled aggregate versus concrete with conventional aggregate. Furthermore, a module with recycled concrete was designed and its structural behavior was analyzed in a structural design software. In conclusion, the coarse recycled concrete aggregate can replace 100% crushed natural stone and can thereby reduce the earth's crust exploitation for the extraction of natural stone. / Tesis

[pt] Nas últimas décadas, o setor da construção tem procurado mitigar os efeitos da sua atividade desenvolvendo novas formulações de materiais mais sustentáveis. Diversos estudos têm analisado a viabilidade do uso de agregado reciclado a partir de resíduos de construção e demolição, em substituição ao agregado natural. As normas internacionais restringem o uso de agregados reciclados em concreto estrutural, geralmente limitando-se a agregados reciclados compostos apenas por fragmentos cimentícios. Entretanto, a utilização de agregado reciclado com certo teor de fragmentos cerâmicos simplificaria o processo de separação antes da reciclagem, tornando-a mais viável e barata. Neste trabalho, observou-se que mesmo a substituição de 100 por cento do agregado natural por agregado reciclado misto não causou impacto significativo nas propriedades do concreto fresco e endurecido. Os resultados experimentais também mostraram que o Modelo do Empacotamento Compressível pode ser aplicado com sucesso para a dosagem de concretos produzidos com agregado reciclado misto até a classe de resistência C50. Por fim, os resultados à flexão de vigas curtas de concreto armado mostraram que as prescrições da norma brasileira ABNT NBR 6118:2014 para concretos convencionais também podem ser aplicadas a vigas de concreto com agregado reciclado misto com até 15 por cento de fragmentos cerâmicos. / [en] In the last decades, the construction sector has tried to mitigate the adverse effects of its activity by developing new formulations for more sustainable materials. Several studies have analyzed the feasibility of using recycled aggregate from construction and demolition waste in concrete to replace natural aggregate. International standards restrict the use of recycled aggregates in structural concrete, usually limiting to recycled aggregates composed only of cement-based fragments. However, using recycled aggregate with a certain content of ceramic fragments would simplify the separation process before recycling, making it more feasible and cheaper. In this work, it was observed that even replacing 100 percent of the natural aggregate with mixed recycled aggregate did not cause a significant impact on fresh and hardened concrete properties. The experimental results also showed that the Compressible Packing Model could be successfully applied for the mix design of mixed recycled aggregate concrete up to strength class C50. Finally, the results regarding the flexural behavior of short reinforced concrete beams showed that the prescriptions of the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 6118:2014 for the bending behavior of conventional concrete beams could also be applied to beams made with concrete with mixed recycled aggregate up to 15 percent of ceramic fragments.

Abstract: - This Master’s Thesis explains the relevancy of sustainable marketing, sustainability, e-commerce, circular economy of recycled paper packaging in the correlation of consumer perception, consumer decision making factors towards recycling and sustainability benefits. Although the paper discusses sustainable marketing in a circular economy aspect potential in regards to recycled paper parcels, the research will mainly focus on the postal carrier company named PostNord based in Nordic countries; the paper will emphasise how the double-sealing recycled paper could increase the number of customers and sustainability ofthe company and consumer perception towards these type of packaging as a parcel. The concept of Sustainability Marketing and Consumer Behaviour has been around for awhile. Since its emergence in the 1980s, the idea has evolved. Much research has been done regarding sustainability marketing, also known as green marketing. As the world is becoming environmentally polluted, many industries propagate it, and consumers need more sustainable products and services. Due to this reason and other respective consumer needs, companiesfrom the manufacturing and service industry have made a strategy to implement short andlong-term to become sustainable companies by becoming carbon-free. Accordingly, postal carrier companies worldwide have developed various sustainable marketing strategies and technological tools to reduce carbon emissions. They simultaneously promote sustainability marketing based on consumer behaviour and perception. The research paper mainly focuses on sustainable marketing, sustainable marketing in the circular economy, and consumer perception and factors affecting consumers’ purchase intention regarding the broad applicability and benefits of double-sealing recycled paperparcels for packaging in the postal service industry. For this particular Master’s thesis paper, the research has taken PostNord as a case study and developed an alternative sustainablemarketing and consumer perspective concerning: Circular economy through the use of recycled paper parcels, organisational resource utilisation, increased current & new customer,consumer perception towards recycled paper parcels, Consumer purchase intention towardsRecycled paper parcels & E-commerce with packaging. The research paper is developed and has referred to various scholarly articles such as Escursell (2021), Kotler (2012) and several other scholars, including yearly sustainability reports of PostNord. The annual sustainability reports of PostNord have mainly focused on increasing its sustainability through technological tools, transportation systems, service and customer relations. This research paper is developed through a cross sectional research method study provided that PostNord is the case study related to using double-sealing recycled paper parcels as an alternative product to its current and potential consumers while increasing their sustainability.

Denna kandidatuppsats undersöker livscykeln för återvunnen litium i elbilsbatterier, med fokus på återvinningsprocessen och dess miljöpåverkan vid olika stadier i dess livscykel. Målet är att få insikt i miljöeffekterna från främst litium, men också andra värdefulla material i elbilsbatterier, samt hur deras utvinning, användning och återvinning påverkas av politiska riktlinjer och regler. Olika tekniker för återvinning av batterimaterial undersöks, såsom pyrometallurgi, hydrometallurgi och direktåtervinning. Dessa jämförs sedan med avseende på miljökonsekvenser, effektivitet och säkerhet. Påverkan av politik och regleringar på batteriåtervinning analyseras, mer specifikt de riktlinjer som ges av Europeiska unionen inom ramen för Green Deal. Resultatet från vår litteraturstudie bekräftades av en intervju med en representant från Northvolt. Litteraturstudierna har bidragit med mycket information då det finns omfattande forskning inom området, men då många av dessa artiklar har liknande perspektiv fanns det brist på mer nyanserade studier. Intervjun med Northvolt gav också värdefulla insikter i hur företag arbetar med att minska miljöpåverkan. Sammanfattnings visar studien på att de vanligaste återvinningsmetoderna medför både positiva och negativa konsekvenser på återvunnet litiums livscykel. Den har också visat på att det finns politiska direktiv som har fått företag att prioritera sitt hållbarhetsfokus. Följaktligen har företag som redan integrerat hållbarhet som grundvärdering en fördel gentemot de konkurrenter som istället behöver anpassa sig till nya riktlinjer och policys. / This bachelor's thesis explores the lifecycle of recycled lithium in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, with a focus on lithium recycling and its environmental impact at different stages of recycled lithium's lifecycle. The objective is to gain insight into the environmental effects of primarily lithium but also other valuable materials in EV batteries as well as how their extraction, usage and recycling is influenced by political guidelines and regulations. The extraction process of lithium is examined, along with its impact. Additionally, various techniques for battery material recycling are investigated, such as pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and direct recycling. These are then compared with each other in terms of environmental consequences, efficiency, and safety. The impact of policies and regulations on battery recycling is analyzed, specifically the guidelines provided by the European Union in the Green Deal. The literature review work was reinforced by an interview with a representative from Northvolt. These reviews have been beneficial due to the extensive research in the field, although a limitation is the lack of diverse perspectives in the articles. The interview with Northvolt provided insights into how companies are working to reduce environmental impact. In conclusion, this thesis shows that the most commonly used extraction methods of lithium have both positive and negative consequences on the life cycle of recycled lithium. Furthermore, findings of this thesis shows that there are political directives which have prompted companies to prioritize their sustainability focus. Consequently, companies that have already integrated sustainability as a core value have a competitive advantage over their counterparts who need to adjust to new guidelines and policies.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this research is to investigate the potential use of coarse recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a material in structural concrete. The lack of knowledge and specifications in South Africa are the main reasons for this research of RCA. By increasing the database of research of RCA in South Africa the possibility of specifications for this alternative building material can be initiated. The implications of such specifications would lead to RCA acceptance in concrete design and therefore reducing the amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste accumulating at landfill sites and decreasing the extraction of depleting natural aggregates. The objectives that are achieved through this research project are firstly, what is the percentage replacement of RCA to a concrete blend that will produce a material that achieves similar or better results than a concrete blend containing natural aggregates. Secondly, what aggregate properties and limits should be defined in the specification of RCA for it to be accepted as a material in concrete mixtures. The objectives were assessed through examining the geometrical, physical and chemical properties of the aggregate as a material and the fresh and hardened concrete properties of concrete which contains RCA as a constituent. RCA which was processed by a commercial recycling facility which produces concrete masonry units was collected at three different instances. This material was reprocessed in the laboratory to control the grading and amount of fine material not guaranteed by the recycling process. The RCA is then combined with natural aggregate (NA) at the replacement percentages: 0, 15, 30, 50 and 100% which is then used to examine the aggregate properties. It was determined that the physical properties of RCA were dependent on the geometrical properties, while taking into consideration that the geometrical properties are dependent on the source and method of recycling of the original C&D waste. The chemical properties were established as dependent on the physical properties of the RCA. The RCA is then mixed with NA at the same replacement percentages together with other concrete constituents to produce the concrete used to examine fresh and hardened concrete properties. The fresh concrete properties investigated were: slump, slump loss, air content and fresh compacted density. The hardened concrete properties studied were: compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, oxygen permeability, water sorptivity, chloride conductivity, modulus of elasticity, shrinkage and creep. The concrete properties were not significantly influenced by the inclusion of RCA. According to the aggregate and concrete properties examined in this investigation, the full replacement of NA in structural concrete is possible and will improve the sustainable development of the construction industry. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om ondersoek in te stel na die potensiele gebruik van growwe herwonne betonaggregaat (RCA) as ‘n materiaal in betonstruktuurontwerp. Die gebrek aan kennis en spesifikasies in Suid Afrika is die vernaamste rede vir hierdie navorsing van RCA. Deur die vermeerdering van die databasis van hierdie navorsing van RCA in Suid-Afrika kan die moontlikheid van spesifikasies vir hierdie alternatiewe boumateriaal geïnisieer word. Die implikasie van sodanige spesifikasies sou lei tot RCA aanvaarding in betonontwerp en dus die vermindering van die hoeveelhede konstruksie en sloping (C&D) van afvalversameling by stortterreine en om die ontginning van natuurlike aggregate te verminder. Die doelwitte wat deur hierdie navorsingsprojek bereik word is eerstens, wat is die vervangings persentasie van RCA in 'n betonmengsel wat produseer word wat dieselfde of beter resultate sal lewer as 'n betonmengsel wat uit natuurlike aggregate bestaan. Tweedens, watter aggregaat eienskappe en beperkings moet gedefinieer word in die spesifikasie van RCA sodat dit aanvaarbaar is as ‘n materiaal in betonstruktuur ontwerp. Die doelwitte word geassesseer deur die ondersoek van die geometriese, fisiese en chemiese eienskappe van die aggregaat as ‘n wesenlike materiaal en die vars en verharde betoneienskappe van RCA as ‘n bestanddeel in struktuurbetonontwerp. RCA monsters was geneem by ‘n kommersiele herwinningsfasiliteit wat RCA gebruik om betonsteen eenhede te vervaardig, is op drie verskillende tydperke ingesamel. Hierdie materiaal is herverwerk in die laboratorium om die gradering en die hoeveelheid van fyn materiaal wat nie deur die herwinningsproses beheer is nie. Die RCA was dan gekombineer met NA teen vervangingspersentasies van: 0, 15, 30, 50 en 100 % wat dan gebruik was om die eienskappe van die aggregaat te ondersoek. Daar is vasgestel dat die fisiese eienskappe van die RCA afhanklik van die geometriese eienskappe, met inagneming dat die geometriese eienskappe afhanklik is van die bron en metode van die herwinning van die oorspronklike C&D afval. Dit is gestig dat die chemise eienskappe is afhanklik van die fisiese eienskappe van die RCA. Die RCA is toe gemeng met NA teen dieselfde vervangingspersentasies saam met ander beton bestanddele om beton te produseer wat dan vergelyk kan word met vars en verharde beton eienskappe. Die volgende vars betoneienskappe is ondersoek: insinking, insinking verlies, luginhoud en vars gekompakteerde digtheid. Die volgende verharde betoneienskappe is bestudeer: druksterkte, trek die splintsing van krag, suurstofpermeabiliteit, water sorptiwiteit, chloride geleidingsvermoё, modulus van elastisiteit, krimp en kruip. Die beton eienskappe was nie beduidend beïnvloed deur die insluiting van RCA nie. Volgens die aggregate en beton eienskappe wat in hierdie navorsing ondersoek is, blyk dit dat die volle vervangingswaarde van NA in strukturele beton moontlik is en die volhoubare ontwikkeling van die konstruksiebedryf sal verbeter.