Particle breakage in Construction Waste (CW) induced by compaction

Abstract In recent decades, the generation of construction waste (CW) has become a significant issue throughout the world. Therefore, the reuse of this material is becoming increasingly important, particularly in projects with high material demand, such as road works. However, the application of these waste products depends on knowledge about the chemical and mechanical properties of the material. One parameter of crucial importance is the susceptibility to particle breakage, since it directly influences the behaviour of the material in terms of resistance and permeability. This study evaluated particle breakage in CW, induced by compaction through the application of standard and modified energy. In order to do that, the material was divided into fractions of different particle sizes. Then, the influence of each of the following factors was analysed: energy, grain size, mineralogy, moisture content and the density of the sample. The results indicated that the occurrence of particle breakage is directly related to the mineralogical composition, and that the largest fraction studied was the one that suffered the smallest particle breakage. Additionally, the results indicated that the density of compaction of the sample also has significant influence on the process of particle breakage.