ID :
255506
Tue, 09/18/2012 - 09:12
Auther :

Recycled Aggregate Will Spur Sustainable Development in Qatar

Doha, September 17 (QNA) - Qatar's quest for sustainable development of its infrastructure will take a quantum leap once locally produced Recycled Aggregate (RA) is available to the construction industry, an expert said here Monday. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), UK-headquartered Transport Research Laboratory's Regional Manager Dr Khaled Hassan, said, "Aggregates is an environment-friendly viable alternative to using virgin materials in the construction industry." The industry defines RA as an aggregate resulting from the process of material used in a construction work. The construction industry in Qatar currently relies on imported virgin aggregate since there is a shortage of quality aggregate materials, said the researcher who is regional office is based in Qatar Science and Technology Park. "The objective is to produce a good quality aggregate out of recycled materials to support the construction industry here," he said and added that it is viable since it is "converting waste material into a useful product generating income." Dr Hassan spoke to QNA on the sidelines after his address to the gathering of industry experts and decision-makers at the two-day Construction Leaders Forum which opened today at the Hilton Doha. The presentation 'Recycling Materials Back Into Construction' which looked at the current and future demand for aggregates and how the potential use of recycled and secondary aggregate materials could meet this demand was a joint effort of Undersecretary and Chairman of Qatar Standards -Ministry of Environment Dr Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari and Dr Hassan. UK-TRL, in association with Qatar Standards (Laboratories and Standardization Affairs - Ministry of Environment) and Qatar University, are currently carrying out a survey of current and predicted aggregate supply and demand, in a project funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) at the Qatar Foundation. The outcomes of the survey will be announced by end of 2012 and will feed into the aggregate supply chain. The project is looking into the use of recycled and secondary aggregates to replace a significant proportion of virgin materials particularly in concrete and asphalt. Recycled and secondary aggregate materials will be put through rigorous laboratory and full scale trials to give confidence in their use. "The research outcomes will be used in support of making recommendations for enhancements to the Qatar Construction Specifications," said Dr Hassan. There are three core areas where RA can be used in Qatar unbound aggregate applications, asphalt and concrete. (QNA)

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