Alternative Aggregates for Sustainable Construction

This paper summarizes the achievements of a long term research programme focused on the exploitation of solid wastes in construction. The objective is to develop an environmental-friendly and economical process for the exploitation of solid wastes in construction. The solid wastes experimented include fly ash, timber industrial ash, rice husk ash and palm oil fuel ash. Other solid wastes include biomass particularly rice husk and palm fiber and paper sludge. Packaging wastes such as recycled expanded polystyrene are also explored. An engineered foamed grout and shear wall system in combination with recycled expanded polystyrene and lightweight concrete has been developed. It provides an environment-friendly and economical solution to construction on soft soil, towards providing affordable quality assured fast track method and to enhance the competitive edge of the construction industry. Obstacles towards achieving commercialization are briefly discussed.