Demolition wastes: data collection and separation studies. Final report

Technical Report · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6878637

Wilson, D G; Davidson, T A; Ng, H T.S.

Data on the principal materials contained in demolition wastes have been collected from many cities and towns across the United States. Such information can serve as a basis for establishing policy for demolition and for assisting private industry in planning, particularly with respect to improved treatment. The program comprised the following: (1) extension of previous data collection to include a larger number of cities and small communities; (2) development of a predictive model for demolition-waste generation in any year; (3) collection of the size characteristics of 'raw' demolition debris; and (4) examination of the economic and engineering feasibility of central reclamation plants for demolition wastes. The study indicates that the quantity of demolition wastes varies widely from year to year but averaged 34 million tons in the mid-seventies. Major components by mass are concrete, wood, and brick, of which only the last is reused in large amounts. Size characteristics of larger demolition pieces were calculated by stereoscopic photography. No combination of indicators is accurate in correlating or predicting the flow of demolition wastes. Economic prospects of a central recycling plant were examined. The report recommends best current practices and needed developments for advanced machinery in demolition and materials reclamation.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
• OSTI ID: 6878637
• Report Number(s): PB-80-179294
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
BRICKS
BUILDING MATERIALS
BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
DATA ACQUISITION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
INDUSTRY
MANAGEMENT
MARKETING RESEARCH
MATERIALS
MATERIALS RECOVERY
NORTH AMERICA
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RECYCLING
SOLID WASTES
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
WOOD