RMIT University and Macedon Ranges County Council are experimenting with the strength of coffee waste concrete. This experiment was carried out with the repair of a sidewalk in which they used this new concrete method. The world-first trial could be a breakthrough for the streets of Victoria, Australia, by transforming coffee grounds (called coffee grounds in other countries) into biochar, a valuable material for construction.
Australia produces 75 million kg of ground coffee waste each year and most of it ends up in landfills. This biochar could replace up to 655 million kg of sand in concrete due to its higher density.
Strength of concrete with coffee residues
Organic waste, including coffee grounds, accounts for 3% of greenhouse gas emissions when deposited in landfills. However, Dr. Rajeev Roychand and his team at RMIT are determined to turn this waste into a useful resource for the construction industry.
On the other hand, organic wastes cannot be incorporated directly into the concrete, as they will decompose over time, weakening the structure. To solve this problem, the team has developed a technique that strengthens concrete by 30% using coffee biochar created in a low-energy, oxygen-free process at 350° Celsius, giving the admixture a “double life” and reducing landfill waste.
In addition, they apply a similar technique to convert other organic waste, such as wood chips, into biochar, which can also be used to make stronger concrete.
The technique strengthens concrete by 30%. Source: RMIT University
Use of biochar in construction
Globally, 10 billion kg of leftover coffee are generated annually, which could replace up to 90 billion kg of sand in the manufacture of concrete. According to Roychand, biochar from coffee and wood chips can replace some of the river sand traditionally used in concrete construction.
Importantly, Shane Walden, the Council’s Director of Assets and Operations, expressed his pleasure at working with RMIT on this innovative project. He stressed that the experiments are being applied on concrete trails and RMIT will conduct tests to evaluate their resistance.
Finally, this collaboration between the Council and RMIT not only enhances the knowledge of contractors and staff, but also offers multiple benefits to the community, including the reduction of landfill waste and the promotion of a circular economy.
Additional research indicates that the use of biochar in construction improves the strength of concrete and may also help mitigate climate change. climate change . The conversion of organic waste into biochar captures carbon that would otherwise be released as carbon dioxide into the environment. Therefore, this innovative technology offers significant structural and environmental benefits.
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Source and photo: rmit
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