Abstract:
The first and second international symposia on Demolition and Recycling of Concrete
and Masonry were held in Rotterdam in 1985 and in Tokyo in 1988 under the auspices of
RILEM Technical Committee 37-DRC
These earlier symposia focused primarily on theoretical aspects of demolition and
recycling/reuse of building materials. This work has enabled the necessary knowledge to
be built up, but owing to inadequate communication, the knowledge was not being
translated into practice. It was therefore decided to follow up the work by TC-37-DRC
with recommendations and standards for demolition and reuse of concrete and masonry.
This has been the task of the new RILEM TC-121-DRG on Guidelines for demolition and
reuse of Concrete and Masonry.
The need for demolition, repair and renewal of concrete and masonry structures is
rising all over the world.
Recent years have demonstrated that numerous natural disasters such as earthquakes
and also war activities have caused very extensive damage in urban areas. This has led to
a need for effective methods for site clearance and reconstruction.
For these reasons the third RILEM symposium deals with subjects concerning the
integration of demolition and recycling operations in the construction and housing
industry.
The aim is to bring together specialist from the construction industry, urban
development, disaster mitigation, material scientists, civil engineers and planners to
discuss further aspects of demolition and recycling of building materials.
The conclusions of the third symposium will be brought in a new RILEM report which
is scheduled for completion in 1994
