Development of sustainable precast concrete using recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) and carbonated recycled concrete aggregates (C-RCA)

PROJECT COST:

362 053 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

46 389 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

With global production exceeding 25 billion tonnes annually, concrete places enormous demand on natural resources—including over 40 billion tonnes of aggregates—and generates significant end-of-life waste requiring landfill space.
Professor Luca Sorelli from Université Laval is leading a project to develop innovative techniques for recycling non-compliant precast concrete elements into Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) for use in new precast components. This initiative, carried out in collaboration with Fortier 2000 (a precast manufacturer), Rio Tinto, and the City of Québec, focuses on underground infrastructure applications. The primary goal is to reduce the need for virgin concrete production and minimize construction waste sent to landfills.

While the use of RCA has shown promise, challenges persist for its application in Québec’s underground infrastructure due to harsh climate conditions. The research will identify key RCA parameters to ensure long-term durability, with particular attention to the role of air entrainment—a factor that remains underexplored. The potential of carbonation treatment to reduce porosity and enhance durability will also be examined.

By promoting the use of lower impact, recycled concrete materials, this project seeks to engage Québec municipalities and local industries in adopting more sustainable construction practices aligned with circular economy principles.

The project will also contribute to the training of three graduate students, two at the doctoral level and one at the master’s level.