Lukas Grabowski, Jason King and Ricardo MarianoJason King, Lukas Grabowski, and Ricardo Mariano won first place at the second annual Student Research and Innovation Day for their work in investigating the use of recycled materials in concrete production.

London’s TRY Recycling is always seeking new markets for recycled goods, and had a suspicion recycled glass and shingles might have a place in London’s building industry as concrete additives. But they needed research to back up their hunch.

Fanshawe’s School of Building Technology was happy to oblige. Professor Amneh Kalloush and Dr. Solomon Asantey, along with a team of three students, began a project to investigate whether recycled glass could be substituted for some of the solid matter (aggregate and sand) in concrete production.

The preliminary results are promising. “Concrete made with a percentage of recycled-glass aggregate would be fairly soft, as concrete goes,” says Professor Kalloush. “But it could be very helpful in making pavement, sidewalks, curbs, and more.”

The students performing the research presented their work at the 2013 Student Research and Innovation Day, and won first place for their efforts.

The second phase of this project researched substituting recycled shingles for part of the sand used in concrete production.

Using recycled materials this way could benefit both the recycling and construction industries, by providing new markets for recycled materials and reducing our dependence on mined aggregate for new construction projects.