Abstract:
The construction activity usually generates large amounts of waste from different sources
and processes. Due to the increasing shortage of space for landfill implementation and the
costs associated with waste control regulations, derived from its ever increasing
environmental protection requirements, the most desirable alternative is the reduction of
construction and demolition waste volumes by means of their reuse and recycling.
A research project, SUPREMA - Sustainable Application of Construction and Demolition
Recycled Materials (C&DRM) in Road Infrastructures, is being developed by the National
Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC), and by the University of Lisbon (IST). This project
seeks to contribute to the sustainable implementation of C&DRM in road pavements by
improving the knowledge of the physical, mechanical and environmental behaviour of these
materials when placed as aggregates in unbound pavement layers.
Besides a general presentation of the research project and the construction procedures of a
test pit structure where four different materials were applied, this paper presents some
results related to the characteristics of the studied materials, supported by laboratory and by
in situ tests performed with the FWD in the test pit structure. It was concluded that all
materials demonstrate an acceptable structural performance.
