ecologiQ
is the future of reusing, recycling, and repurposing waste materials on road and rail infrastructure across Victoria. The aim of this Victorian Government initiative is to integrate recycled and reused content into every corner of Victoria’s $90 billion Big Build by incorporating waste products wherever possible.
The ecologiQ Innovation Showcase series provides a platform for the industry to pitch their emerging products and gain the attention of key government decision-makers as well as receive feedback.
At the showcase event on 28 April 23, Renolith’s Managing Director, Thurstan Williams, presented the Renolith 2.0 nanopolymer admixture. This innovative product enables pavement (road) base and sub-base layers to be constructed from 100% recycled materials and/or in-situ soils. Thurstan explained how Renolith nanotechnology substantially improves the results achievable from cold-recycling processes using cementitious binders. He presented two case studies where Renolith has been used very successfully; the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the Brenner Autobahn Reconstruction. He then outlined the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road construction by using the Renolith 2.0 admixture in combination with lower-carbon binder blends in lieu of cement. Finally, he touched on the severe damage to Australia’s road network from recent extreme wet weather (water + cracks + traffic = potholes) and explained how Renolith can help create a much more durable road network (impermeable + crack-free = no potholes).
The expert panel and audience asked some insightful questions, including:
- Q: Compatible with extant standards/specifications?
- A: Yes. Refer Department of Transport & Planning Section 307: In Situ Stabilisation of Pavements with Cementitious Binders.
- Q: Compatible/effective with reactive soils?
- A: Yes, Renolith works with any soil (Classes: A, S, M, H1, H2 & E per AS 2870-2011). However, highly & extremely reactive soils typically require high quantities of binder to achieve adequate strength. Further, Section 307 imposes limits on soil grading, plasticity, and binder content. This may limit the potential applications in Victorian government projects. RMIT is undertaking a PhD project to further explore the potential of the Renolith 2.0 admixture, including its utility in reactive clays.
- Q: Utility in rail applications?
- A: Probably yes, but this has not yet been assessed.
- Q: Can pavements be recycled at end-of-life?
- A: Yes. Renolith pavements can be recycled using conventional cold-recycling methods. However, Renolith pavements are exceptionally durable, so the usable life tends to be much longer than alternate construction methods. For example, pavements constructed from high plasticity clay soils for the Sydney 2000 Olympics remain in good condition decades later.
Renolith looks forward to strengthening ties with fellow travelers in the ecologiQ community on our collective journey toward a circular economy.