Abstract Coarse natural aggregates are widely used in vibro column techniques and in reinforced concrete during construction.

The environmental impact and the cost associated to obtaining natural aggregates compelled the construction industry in the UK in particular to look for alternative materials for these engineering applications. Recycle construction waste is considered suitable in the industry and hence this project work was undertaken to examine the suitability of recycle construction waste and their possible application in vibro column techniques and in reinforced concrete. Three waste material were look at : crushed concrete, crushed bricks and recycle crushed glass. The physical, mechanical, and chemical properties were determined in accordance with international testing codes and the results obtained compared with natural aggregates control sample and recommended industry standard. The materials were also tested in a direct shear box under various conditions of dry and smear with clay slurry and the results compared to that of the natural control river washed aggregates.

INTRODUCTION Ground improvement techniques involves the compacting or densification of a weak or loose formation using an appropriate technique or draining soil in-place in order to increase its bearing capacity and shear strength, reduce settlements, and to reduce the potential of liquefaction. By improving the soil, structures, can be supported on shallow foundations. Until the development of ground improvement techniques, the conventional method employed when uncounted weaker grounds or compacted fills on construction sites was to abandoned such sites as marginal sites, undercut and replace those materials or to bypass them with deep pile foundations which were not cost effective. (www.ellingtoncross.com) Vibro column techniques have been identified as the most cost effective way of achieving the densification of weak soil to reduce settlements and improves their load bearing characteristics. (www.keller-foundations.co.uk). The rising demand for sustainable infrastructure development is the driving force behind the development of sites previously considered uneconomical to develop. In an attempt to develop these marginal sites, the construction industry, came up with innovative solutions like vibro columns techniques which proves successful over the years and thus solving problematic soil conditions. (www.nicholoconstruction.com) In Vibro-stone column, vertical columns of compacted aggregates are formed through weaker soil which results in considerable vertical load carrying capacity and improves the shear resistance of the soil mass. Besides the above importance of stone columns, they also serve as vertical drains which reduce excess pore water pressure build up caused rapid shear loading or earthquakes thus making the subsoil less likely to liquefy during a seismic event. The construction industry in the UK uses substantial amounts of fresh or primary aggregates obtain from quarrying of intact rock for the construction of roads, buildings, bridges and in ground improvement techniques hence there is high demand for natural aggregates. The quarrying for aggregates comes with high financial and environmental cost which means it will not be sustainable if the industry will depend solely on this primary or natural aggregates for it survival. On the other hand, the industry is one of the largest producers of waste to landfill sites producing around 110million tonnes yearly

mainly originating from construction and demolition activities (WRAP 2010). Protection of the environment and the conservation of the fast depletion of natural resources is seen as one the reasons for sustainable development. With the concept of sustainable development embarked on by the UK Government, it has put in place tighter legislative control and continuous to increase landfill tax year by year hence there is spiralling disposal cost of construction waste and this has called for the industry to look to reduce their environmental impact through waste reduction to landfill sites by turning to recycle and re-use of this construction waste. By turning to recycle the waste, the industry will conserve the natural resource by reducing the demand for primary or fresh aggregates, conserves energy and water since the process of recycling material requires less water, minimizes waste disposal volume and cost, cut landfill tax payment, potential gain revenue from waste material, reduce haulage distance and carbon foot prints and above all protect our health and the environment. It is against this background that, this project work seeks to assess the sustainability of this recycle aggregates in meeting the requirements to be used as vibro stone column techniques for sustainable ground improvements in the UK construction industry.

Aim This project work seeks to investigate the potential of using recycle construction and demolition waste as coarse aggregates for vibro column techniques. The awareness of Sustainable development in the construction industry in the UK exposed the potential application of coarse recycle aggregates in ground improvements techniques. The use of recycled aggregates in the UK construction industry has increase rapidly over the years the UK Government sustainable procurement group in 2007 directed that a minimum of 10% of the total material valve of a construction project should come from a sustainable source or have recycle content. (www.ogc.gov.uk). About 275million tonnes of aggregates are used as raw construction material each year and out this, 25% comes from, or is derived from recycled and secondary sources and

has the potential to expand further. (www.storyrail.co.uk/recycle-aggregates). It is now generally accepted that, there is the need for reclaiming, recycling and re-use of construction and demolition waste. However, by accepting the need to use recycled material in engineering applications including vibro-column techniques, the material must meet the standards for the relevant specifications (M C Limbachiya et al, 2004) and must be fit for purpose.

Background Modernization of cities, population growth and traffic congestions has led to the expansion and developments of urban areas. Governments and developments agencies therefore have no alternative than to develop marginal arrears or sites that were seen as uneconomical to develop because of weaker soils or the presence of fill material. However, increasing awareness of sustainability have compelled engineers to provide solutions using recycle construction and demolition waste to develop cost effective and environmental friendly vibro column techniques to overcome the problems of weaker soils encountered during development, and at the same time meeting the requirement of the design specification of the foundations.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Quarrying intact rock has been the main source of obtaining aggregates for the construction industry in the UK over the years and this has had environmental and economic quensequencies hence the drive to find alternative sources of aggregate including those from construction and demolition waste. Furthermore, the industry disposes demolition and construction waste in very large quantities and all these have adverse effects on the environment and pose lots of financial treats to the industry and therefore no longer considered sustainable. Since environmental responsibility, social awareness and economic profitability are the main challenges in this 21 st century for any

business to survive, it means that development that meets the needs of the present taking into consideration the future generation own needs is encourage. Governments all over the world are promoting policies aimed at reducing the use of natural resource and encouraging reuse and recycle. This increasing awareness for sustainable development and construction is leading to a greater desire for the use of recycle aggregates or material consisting mainly of old or rejected precast concrete and slabs, broken

concrete pavements and building rubbles in the construction of vibro concrete, vibro stone column, reinforced earth walls and other civil engineering works. It is against this back ground that this project is carried out to examine the recycle aggregates use and hence whether it can replace the fresh or primary aggregates for sustainable development. The sustainability of recycle aggregates for vibro- stone columns and concretes have been investigated by many. In general, concrete containing some proportion of recycle aggregates have been found to have a slightly decrease in mechanical properties in comparison to material incorporating purely primary aggregates Brett Tempest et al (2010).Sivakumar and Glynn (2004) investigated the reuse of construction and demolition waste. Laboratory test was carried out on the recycle aggregates material under various conditions of dry, wet and mix with slurry using large shear box test. Most of the samples tested attained peak shear stress at a shear strain of 10%. The results also showed a decrease in internal friction angle of the recycle aggregates materials. Worked completed by A E Richardson et at (2009) determined the strength of concrete made from 100% ungraded recycle aggregates. The results showed lower average compressive strength compared to concrete made from primary aggregates control sample. The research team replaced 100% primary aggregates by 100% recycle construction and demolition waste and ungraded ground glass. The results obtained showed a decrease average compressive strength when compared to the control sample made with primary aggregates. Overall, the quensequency of replacing primary aggregates with recycle aggregates has resulted in 10-30% decrease in compressive strength, with the least impact being found in mixes that include recycle coarse aggregates (Yong and Teo 2009; How-Ji Chen et al 2003; Brett Tempest et al 2010; D Mckelvey et al 2002; M C Limbachiya et al 2004; Leelawat et al 2000; C J Serridge 2005;

and 2006; Xiao et al 2005) Jos Manuel Gmez-Sobern (2002) explored the creep of concrete with substitution of normal aggregates by recycle concrete aggregates. The replacement factor of primary aggregates by recycle concrete aggregates were 0 % 15% 30% 60% and100%. Test was carried out for ages up to 270 days. The results reveal considerable increase in creep when the amount of replaced recycle concrete aggregates is increased. V. Vytlacilova` (2011) carried out research on fire reinforced concrete using recycle aggregates. Construction and demolition rubbles were used as replacement for primary aggregates was in the fire reinforced concrete. The mechanical and physical characteristics of the recycle aggregates concrete was determined and compared with the primary aggregate control sample. The results showed a lower strength values for recycle aggregates fire reinforced concrete when compared with the primary aggregates control sample. Similar results have been reported by other researchers elsewhere. Whiles these studies suggest the potential for use of general demolition material and building debris as recycle aggregates in the use in vibro stone columns, reinforce earth walls and vibro concrete columns, issues relating to the suitability and durability or long term performance, relevant to practice have never been considered. This project work will examines the potential use of recycle aggregates from general demolition works and building debris in use in vibro stone columns and the performance of Portland-cement concrete produce with normal and these recycle aggregates.