Civil Construction Materials Research Articles

Characterization of Waste from the Production of Titanium Dioxide (UOW) for Reuse in Other Processes

The reuse of waste generated in several industrial processes through the development of new materials for civil construction has been shown to be a viable alternative to meet environmental issues. New products can be developed that satisfy the expected performance and durability requirements while including this material. The main starting point for the development of projects that seek the safe use of these wastes is an extensive characterization. Unreacted Ore Waste (UOW), a waste generated during the production of titanium dioxide (TiO2), was characterized in terms of its physical, chemical, mineralogical, environmental, and radiological, as well as thermal properties. There is currently no effective reuse plan for UOW and it is disposed of in industrial landfills. From the characterization, possible routes for using UOW are identified, such as its addition to mortars with photocatalytic potential, and its use as a raw material in the production of Portland cement and ceramic materials.

REUSE STUDY OF WASTE IN ECOLOGICAL BRICK

With technological advances, the creation and use of sustainable materials is increasingly sought. One of the most widely used sustainable materials in civil construction corresponds to ecological bricks, thus, the present work aims to carry out a brief bibliographical survey on the reuse of waste in the manufacture of ecological bricks, aiming at sustainability. In this research, the studies presented show exactly different recyclable components, such as: PET bottles, Styrofoam, rubber, etc., precisely to add ecological diversity and impose an appropriate purpose to these resources in a way that motivates sustainable development. This investigation in several materials in the verification of the applicability of ecological brick, in order to submit and understand the behavior of these new materials.

Dynamic Properties of Granulated Rubber Using Different Laboratory Tests

Due to the socio-environmental hazards arising from the stockpiling of disposed scrap tires, the necessity to utilize such material in civil construction and other applications is deemed mandatory. The lightweight of rubber and its high damping capacity are excellent properties of a geomaterial that could be used successfully in seismic isolation and vibration damping applications in civil construction. Scrap tires could be shredded into specific sizes, and their category and application depend on their particle size range. Thus, understanding the dynamic properties and behavior of shredded scrap tires under cyclic loading is of paramount importance. In this study, the dynamic characteristics of granulated rubbers (<12 mm) are investigated using cyclic triaxial and cyclic direct simple shear tests. The effect of using different testing techniques, i.e., cyclic triaxial test (CTT) and cyclic simple shear test (CSST), on the dynamic properties of granulated rubber material is further addressed. Undrained cyclic triaxial and constant-volume direct simple shear tests are conducted on granulated rubber samples under vertical consolidation stresses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 kPa at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. The shear strain amplitude is varied from 0.01% to 10%. Furthermore, the variations of shear modulus and damping ratio with shear strain amplitude are presented. In addition, the obtained dynamic properties from this study are compared with existing experimental data from the literature. It was found that the ranges of shear moduli of granulated rubber from the CTT and CSST are 278 to 2647 kPa and 85 to 2270 kPa, respectively. Moreover, the damping ratios obtained from CTT were higher than those from CSST at shear strains of less than 1%. The damping ratio of granulated rubber was also found to be independent of the vertical consolidation stress.

Service quality dimensions in the context of a civil construction technology laboratory in Brazil

The aim of this research was to compare the service quality dimensions of a civil construction material technology laboratory according to the dimensions’ importance from the perspective of concrete specimen and ceramic brick breaking services customers. Multiple regression analyses were performed from the results of the most important quality dimensions from customers’ perception, which were obtained from four previous studies, applying factor analyses. The values obtained in the factor and regression analyses were correlated aiming to identify similar results found in the analyses. The results point that the attributes related to the personalized attendance, information about the assay results, as well as staff commitment, are considered the most important in the customers’ perception. From that, it was possible to identify fragilities in the service delivered and propose improvements concerning the customers’ perceived quality and, this way, maximize customer satisfaction. As a study limitation, the small sample size is pointed, which could have influenced the results found, by also influencing the methodology procedures in the regression analyses.

Classification of the sugarcane residues and their characteristics—an environmental assessment of mortar with addition of sugarcane residues

The use of agro-residue in resource-limited regions can be a smart way for civil construction to reduce costs, reduce emissions of pollutant gases and, at the same time, contribute to the reduction of natural resource extraction. This research focused on an easy and worldwide accessible classification of sugarcane residue as materials for civil construction. The residues were collected from a sugar mill and categorized in bagasse fiber (BF), sand (BS), and ash (BA). The physical and mechanical properties of the BF and the chemical composition of the BA were studied. Afterward, mortar specimens were prepared to obtain the flexural strength. Finally, an environmental assessment was made. This study revealed that the residues of sugarcane in Okinawa are viable to use as material in civil construction since the flexural strength of the mortar added with residues increased when compared with the control mortar, even with the presence of reducing sugars. In addition, with the use of sugarcane residues in mortar, it was possible to decrease the CO2 emissions, reducing around 8% the environmental load.

Enhancing the Engineering Properties of Indian Black Cotton Soil with Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Ash – A Review

The present study is the review of work carried out by various researchers on the improvement of engineering properties of expansive soils namely Indian Black Cotton Soil (BCS), after the addition of MSWI ash to the soil in varying proportions. The findings of study indicate that the optimum content of MSWI ash to be added to expansive soils for improvement in strength characteristics varies between 10% and 30% with best results at 25% of MSWI ash proportion. This content of MSWI ash increases the UCS of expansive black cotton soil from 28.8 kPa to 53.4 kPa and an increase in CBR value from 3.38% to 9.38%. The review suggests the use of MSWI ash in India keeping in view the enormous increase in volumes of municipal solid waste (MSW) due to fast urbanization in the country. The extensive use of such green technology will go a long way in reducing requirement of civil construction materials thereby lowering greenhouse emissions. Simultaneously, cost effectiveness in improvement of weak soils to be used in Highway subgrade civil engineering applications using MSWI ash will result is sustainable construction practices.

Instrumentation of soil columns for time-lapse monitoring of the phenomenon of capillary rise through spontaneous potential, soil moisture sensor, electrical resistivity, and GPR measurements

The continuous monitoring of capillary rise via indirect measures aims to predict and generate alerts regarding the soil mass deformations, transport leachate from landfills to the soil surface, and carry salts that can damage buildings. Through time-lapse monitoring of the electromagnetic wave's electrical potential and speed, it is possible to correlate via petrophysical relations the measures of electrical potential, electrical resistivity, and dielectric permittivity to the volumetric water content and capillary height. For this, four acrylic columns filled with civil construction material were instrumented. Column 1 - silver electrodes to measure the potential difference with a bench multimeter that measures the spontaneous potential generated by water flow. Column 2 - low-cost soil moisture sensors that measured the electrical potential and converted to bits. Column 3 - resistivimeter that measured the voltage and that was later converted to electrical resistivity and, Column 4 - 2.6 GHz antenna that measured the speed of the electromagnetic wave that was later converted into dielectric permittivity. The instrumentation assembled proved to be satisfactory to monitor the phenomenon. The monitoring lasted 187 h, and it was found that the maximum capillary height remained constant for a long time.

Optimizing the Compaction Characteristics and Strength Properties of Gravelly Soils in terms of Fine Contents

Gravelly soils are widely adopted as civil construction materials in engineering practice. Although the influence mechanism of fine contents (FCs) on the mechanical behavior of gravelly soils has been emphasized in the previous studies, few discuss the compaction and strength properties concurrently. Besides, FCs of gravelly soils were discussed separately in many cases regardless of the variation in water content. In this study, modified Proctor compaction test and medium‐sized triaxial test were performed to investigate the mechanical properties of gravelly soils containing different magnitudes of fine contents. It is shown that an optimum FC exists for gravelly soils although the value of the optimum FC varies with grading curves of the coarse‐grained portion. By adjusting FC in the gravelly soils, not only could the maximum dry density ρdmax be improved but also the optimum saturation degree Sropt rises significantly, and synchronously, the minimum air void ratio vamin decreases notably. Besides, fine particles are just right to fill with the voids formed by the coarse‐grained skeleton for the optimum FC sample. The soil structure corresponding to the optimum FC status can be termed as a densely filled skeleton structure, which is the densest and most stable. As fine contents increase or decrease from the optimum value, soil structure will loosen and deteriorate the mechanical properties. In addition, the increase in water content has quite different effects on strength properties of gravelly soils with different FCs in a triaxial test due to the opposite effects of pore water softening and negative pore pressure strengthening. Such results are expected to provide guidance for the preparation of gravelly soils in engineering practices.

New composites from waste: iron ore, pulp, lime, and concrete

This research aimed at the development of new composites for civil construction using only industrial waste, namely, iron ore tailings (IOT), pulp production waste (PPW), lime production waste (LPW), and concrete waste (CW). The characterization of raw materials was carried out through particle size, specific mass, hydrogen potential (pH), loss on ignition (LOI) tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM); and, it was analyzed axial compression resistance and SEM in the developed composites. The specimens for the resistance test were molded, always using the same four types of residues in the mixture, with only water addition and no other type of binder. The residues proportions used were, in percentage, 10% to 40% of IOT and PPW, 25 to 30% of the LPW, and 15% to 25% of CW, distributed in 19 different compositions, that is, the proportions' variation of the residues in each specimen. The specimens were tested at the ages of 3, 7, 14, 28, 60, 90, 180, 365, and 720 days of cure. The results indicated a slight increase in resistance with increasing curing time, with emphasis on compositions 16 and 17, whose 28-day axial compression resistance reached 4.07MPa and 6.92MPa, respectively. In these two compositions (16 and 17), the formation of new structures was observed in the materials due to the neutralization and dissolution of the surfaces, as the alkalinity gradually decreased over time, with the hydrogen potential (pH) around 7.50 that, consequently caused the synthesis of new amorphous and crystalline formations. In this context, the studies allowed to conclude that the association of industrial residues has potential use as civil construction materials, for instance, in concrete artifacts, besides contributing to the reduction of finite natural resources extraction. It also provides a correct destination for the waste disposed of inappropriately, that constantly menaces the environment and the society that lives around it.

Análise das propriedades tecnológicas da cinza do caroço de açaí na cerâmica vermelha

Os materiais de construção civil têm ganhado cada vez mais exigências para se tornarem mais sustentáveis, tanto pela ciência como também pelo mercado, principalmente por se tratar de um ramo que consome grande quantidade de matérias primas, gerando também muito resíduo. A buscar por soluções que possibilitem o reuso ou a reciclagem de resíduos sólidos devem agregar soluções práticas e econômicas, que gerem benefícios para a sociedade e o meio ambiente. No presente estudo foi incorporada a cinza do caroço do açaí proveniente da queima dos produtos da própria indústria na massa da cerâmica vermelha para avaliar o melhor teor de substituição de cinzas (nos teores de 0%, 10%, 15% e 20%) na composição cerâmica, buscando subsidiar tecnicamente e ambientalmente o descarte desse resíduo sólido. Os resultados demonstraram que mesmo com a incorporação dos teores de Resíduos do Caroço de Açaí - RCA, as propriedades de resistência mecânica, porosidade aparente e absorção mantiveram-se dentro dos padrões mínimos. Destaca-se que o teor de 10% de cinza como substituto parcial da argila vermelha foi a que apresentou melhor desempenho nas propriedades tecnológicas avaliadas. Constatou-se que a cinza do caroço do açaí possui viabilidade técnica e ambiental quando inserido de forma parcial, possibilitando zerar o RCA através das indústrias cerâmicas, pois o resíduo da cinza que era gerado após a queima nos fornos, poderá ser incorporado como matéria prima nos próprios produtos cerâmicos.

Possibility to use waste tire waste in the composition of mixtures for the manufacture of cement blocks

The modern lifestyle has led to an increase in the amount of solid waste in the world, and waste tires are one of the most generated. Annually billions of tons of waste tires are produced, so in this study, we sought to reuse them to make materials for civil construction. For this, a laboratory research was carried out where samples were made in 50 x 100 mm cylinders with traces of 0, 10, 15 and 20% (by weight) of waste, in addition to cement, natural sand and water. The granulometric distribution of waste tires and sand was also carried out. And, with the samples in cylinders, the physical and mechanical properties were evaluated, such as water absorption and apparent density, in addition to the analysis of the mechanical resistance to compression and the modulus of elasticity. The results showed that the granulometric distribution of the tire residue fits as a fine aggregate, similar to the sand granulometry. The water absorption rate of the waste specimens was less than 10%. However, the mechanical resistance decreases proportionally as the amount of tire waste has increased. However, when analyzing the behavior of the stress x strain curves, the specimens containing residues, became more flexible, as they are capable of supporting loads beyond the maximum stress. In this way, the resistance and the ability to absorb energy were increased. We concluded that it is possible to incorporate certain quantities of waste tires in blocks for civil construction, but without a structural function.

O uso da Pesquisa Operacional como instrumento fundamental para maximização do rendimento financeiro

O presente artigo tem como objetivo principal apresentar uma proposta de aplicação da Pesquisa Operacional com recurso a programação linear para maximizar o rendimento financeiro da empresa de material para construção civil de Malanje. O estudo foi realizado com base na utilização do método quantitativo. Entretanto, depois de formulado o problema, foram definidas as variáveis de decisão, formação das restrições, seguidamente se identificou a função objetivo de acordo os lucros estimados em cada produto da empresa. Com auxílio do algoritmo gráfico permitiu formular um problema Matemático com modelagem probabilística, das quais seis iterações foram realizadas para encontrar a melhor solução ótima que maximizasse o rendimento financeiro da empresa. Por meio do estudo realizado concluiu-se que, a solução ótima de um problema de programação linear para maximizar o rendimento da empresa é a solução admissível ou ponto fatível que apresenta valor máximo para a função objetivo. A partir desta pesquisa é possível compreender que as empresas que tendem permanecer competitivas no mercado devem fazer um conjunto de esforços para satisfazer a demanda do cliente.

Mineralogy and Microstructural Aspects of Raw and Calcined Sewage Sludge: Considerations for Its Use in Composite Materials

Municipal sludge is being increasing considered as a source of raw material in the modern sustainable model policies. This kind of waste exhibits a complex composition mainly due to the sewage water source and the treatment processes. The aim of this work was to study the mineralogy and microstructural aspects of the raw sludge and its mineralogical transformations with calcination in order to obtain a better understanding of its behavior as a raw material in civil construction. Samples of raw sludge and sludge calcined at 700 °C, 800 °C and 900 °C were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Previously, chemical, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis were performed. The results revealed that sewage sludge is a chemically complex material, resulting in a structurally complex mineralogical composition with a strongly contribution of phosphate group. During the calcination, changes appear in the sewage sludge mineralogical phases. Notably, aggregates of Ca-Na-silicon-phosphate can be observed at the highest calcination temperatures.

Use of waste collected from wind turbine blade production as an eco-friendly ingredient in mortars for civil construction

Most countries worldwide are making efforts to diversify their energy supplies, employing alternative sources of energy that can minimize environmental impacts. Wind power is especially attractive in countries with abundances of territory and wind, such as Brazil. One of the main components of wind generators is the turbine blade, which is essentially composed of a metal structure enveloped in glass fiber and epoxy resin, together with wood and adhesive. The aim of this work was to incorporate a solid waste composed of a mixture of glass fiber embedded in epoxy resin, which was produced during the manufacture of wind turbine blades, into mortar based on Portland cement (cement:aggregate ratio of 1:3). The waste replaced part of the aggregate (sand), consequently reducing the use of a natural resource (sand), and providing a suitable route for the disposal and use of the wind blade waste. The solid waste was collected and converted to a powder with granulometry similar to that of sand, employing a turning process. The powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), granulometry, contact angle measurements, and determination of the inorganic content, enabling evaluation of the behavior of the waste in the cementitious matrix. After the characterizations, test specimens of mortar (40 × 40 × 160 mm) were produced with 0 (waste-free), 7.5, 15, 22.5, 30, and 37.5% of the aggregate (sand) replaced by the powdered waste. The prepared specimens (in the hardened state) were used in assays of mechanical resistance (compression and flexion), voids index, and specific mass, as prescribed in Brazilian standards (NBR), envisaging the use of the materials in civil construction. The results showed that the cementitious composites produced with replacement of up to 15% of the sand complied with relevant technological criteria, such as compression resistance (8 MPa). The mortars containing the waste also presented lower specific mass, offering advantages for civil construction applications. The results demonstrated the viability of incorporating this waste into cementitious matrices.

Определение теплофизических свойств керамики с добавкой пиролизного остатка твердых отходов

A promising environmentally friendly method for processing municipal solid waste is pyrolysis. Pyrolysis allows obtaining a combination of solid, liquid and gaseous products in various proportions due to changes in process parameters. A promising area for the use of solid pyrolysis products is the production of various materials for industrial, civil and road construction. There are some known methods for producing cement, concrete and foam glass with improved properties on pyrolysis basis. In modern building technologies, ceramic materials are widely used. Their production requires various expensive additives such as quartz sand, dolomite, coal, coal mining rocks, etc. Thus, it seems relevant to use the residue of the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste as a free of charge structure-forming additive for the production of ceramic material. To determine the scope of the material application and to perform subsequent thermotechnical calculations, the data on its thermophysical characteristics is required. To determine the thermophysical characteristics of the ceramic material, the experimental method of the cylindrical layer and the calculation-experimental method of inverse heat conduction problem are used. The experimental studies of thermophysical properties of the new ceramic material have allowed obtaining the dependence of the average specific heat capacity and thermal diffusivity of the ceramic material on temperatures in the range of 30–90 оС, and the coefficient of thermal conductivity on the temperatures in the range of 30–500 оС. These characteristics enable to perform calculations of thermal processes that occur in the material during its industrial use. The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the material varies from 0,3 to 0,65 W/m×K, thermal diffusivity varies within (1,8–2,3)×10–7 m2/s, and the average specific heat capacity changes from 780 to 1300 J/kg×K, which is comparable with the thermophysical characteristics of known ceramic materials. It is advisable to use the pyrolysis residue of municipal solid waste as a free raw material instead of expensive additives to obtain ceramic material. It is recommended to use the new ceramic material in the production technology of building products for various purposes.

Preface

After successfully held for four times, the 2020 5th International Conference on Minerals Source, Geotechnology and Civil Engineering (MSGCE 2020) was also a big success by holding via online platform on April 17-19, 2020. Organized by AEIC Academic Exchange Information Centre and supported by Sichuan University, MSGCE 2020 was held online due to the pandemic of COVID-19. In light of the prevention and control of COVID-19 and travel restrictions worldwide, the organizer could not hold the conference physically, that’s why we have to adjust the format to online meeting to avoid personnel gatherings, so that the conference could go ahead as scheduled. Online MSGCE 2020 aims to provide a flexible platform for experts and practitioners in the field of Minerals Source, Geotechnology and Civil Engineering to disseminate the latest research achievements, discuss the industrial challenges, and enhance the cooperation between them.We were honored to invite Prof. Zhengshan Luo from Xi’an University of Architecture &Technology to chair this international conference. Prof. Luo does a wide range of research areas, covering (1) Risk assessment theory, evaluation system, modeling and technical research of oil and gas pipeline; (2) Management information system theory, data storage technology and methods study of safety management; and (3) Mining systematic engineering. The rest of the committee was composed of around twenty experts in this field around the globe. During the conference, we invited two sophisticated professors to present their excellent talks. Prof. LIEW, Kim Meow from City University of Hong Kong talked about Nanomaterials and Their Use as Civil Construction Materials. Prof. Jian-Guo Dai, representing Hong Kong Polytechnic University, held a speech on Innovative Materials and Structural Systems for Sustainable Concrete Structures. Both of their marvelous speeches gained applaudable compliments and triggered a heated discussion.The model adopted during this virtual conference included plenary and delivery talks with allocated time. The conference was divided into two parts. In the first part, keynote talks and oral presentations were delivered in 30 and 20 minutes respectively, all of which were conducted via Zoom. The second part was held through a communication group via WeChat for experts and scholars to discuss more about the talks and presentations.Here we would like to present this excellent proceeding compiled by a bunch of qualified papers. These papers were solicited from the conference, covering the following topics but are not limited to: Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Architecture Design, Construction Technology, Structural Engineering, Engineering Materials, Mineral and Mineralogy, and other related topics. All the papers have been through rigorous review and process to meet the requirements of International publication standard.We were happy to have 106 participants attended the conference. The virtual format of the conference was a first and novel attempt in this difficult time, but we are glad that we have made it a great success. Although there are some difficulties, for example, unstable network might occur, we have minimized the challenges, so that the conference was not interrupted. Thanks to the supports of all distinguished speakers, Chairman, and participants, this conference was a big success. We hope this conference can greatly promote research and developmental activities in Minerals Source, Geotechnology and Civil Engineering and make it an ideal platform for people to share views and experiences in these fields. We hope readers who are interested in these areas could enjoy and gain what they want in this proceeding.The Organizing CommitteeList of Committee member are available in the pdf.

A percepção inicial da Etnomatemática no ensino PROEJA em dois contextos profissionais

Este artigo tem como finalidade apresentar os resultados preliminares da pesquisa em desenvolvimento, na área em Educação Matemática pela Universidade do Minho (Portugal). Faz-se um estudo de caso em dois contextos profissionais, com um viés sobre a Etnomatemática em dois cursos da modalidade de ensino PROEJA: Técnico em Edificações e Técnico em Reciclagem, do Instituto Federal de Brasília. Verificando o uso do conhecimento informal nas profissões de alguns alunos que atuam na construção civil e catadores de materiais recicláveis. O objetivo da investigação é averiguar o efeito de uma intervenção didática que contemple o conhecimento matemático adquirido pelos alunos do PROEJA em atividades profissionais na aprendizagem da matemática. Baseia-se na metodologia qualitativa, por meio de um estudo de caso, obteve-se os dados por observação, questionamentos, registros, relatórios e recursos audiovisuais. Os resultados preliminares identificaram ausência da Etnomatemática na práxis docente e, observou-se na análise dos relatórios dos 12 alunos do curso Técnico em Edificações, que 7 deles trabalham na construção civil, sendo que apenas 4 descreveram o uso da matemática informal nas atividades laboral. Em relação aos resultados do curso Técnico em Reciclagem, fizeram parte da investigação 12 alunos, 6 deles trabalham como catadores de galpão e identificaram o uso da matemática, de forma limitada. Ressalta-se que não houve critério para o número total de alunos de ambos os cursos.

Thermal performance assessment of alkali-activated mortar boards

The development of building materials for civil construction with good thermal performance is essential, mainly in tropical climate countries such as Brazil. A material with growing interest is the alkali-activated binder (AAB), which has been seen as an alternative to Portland cement with lower carbon footprint. However, thermal performance of AAB-based products under natural exposure to natural sunlight is still unknown. This paper evaluates the thermal performance of an alkali-activated mortar (AAM) exposed to the environment, comparing its results with a conventional Portland cement mortar (PCM). The AAB was comprised of rice husk ash and metakaolin as precursors, and NaOH as the activator. Mortar boards were produced and exposed to sun under the same environmental conditions. Thermocouples and infrared thermal equipment registered the temperature of the materials. Thereafter, the boards were white painted to evaluate the color influence. The results showed that mortar board thickness influences the thermal performance – the higher the thickness, the lower the temperature registered. Unpainted board results showed that AAM heated more than PCM ones, what is related to the dark color of material. However, painted board results showed that AAM had a similar or better performance than PCM. The use AAM as an alternative material to PCM can provide material with similar thermal performance when the board is previously white painted.

A Review of Hybrid polymer Bio-composites

There is a large scope for polymer composites in various fields of allocations like automotive, aerospace, civil construction materials, marine applications and many more. Developing a biodegradable industry based green materials, sustainable technology and optimal processes with low ecological impact is a general societal objective but this remains a considerable challenge to achieve. Various researchers worked for development of green or bio composites which may include use of bio waste materials like coconut shell, palm fruit, egg shell, sugarcane bagasse, banana fibers, bamboo fibers, etc. There has been less progress in the application of combination or hybridization of bio waste materials as reinforcement materials for producing polymeric composites of desired characteristics. In this paper, review of hybrid polymer Bio composites is carried out in order to identify future scope to develop novel hybrid Polymer Green composite (HPGC) for industrial applications.

Recovered plastic and demolition waste blends as railway capping materials

Abstract The sustainable utilization of plastic and demolition waste as an alternative civil construction material has garnered increasing interest in recent years. Usage of these sustainable recycled products in the civil construction industry will reduce the demand for quarry materials, costs associated with landfilling as well as reducing the carbon footprint of future infrastructure projects. This study is focused on the usage of recovered plastic (RP) blends with demolition aggregates, namely recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) and crushed brick (CB) as railway capping materials. RP used in this research is the mixture of various types of waste plastics, which neither can be separated nor recycled into new products. The influence of RP inclusion in RCA and CB was evaluated based on tests that incorporated the evaluation of particle breakage, compressibility behavior, stiffness and strength parameters of the blends. Resilient modulus, (Mr) of the recycled products was determined based on a proposed Repeated Load Triaxial (RLT) testing protocol, based on the range of relevant applied stresses to capping materials. Two types of conventional capping materials (CCMs) currently used as railway capping materials were also evaluated under similar testing conditions. The responses of the blends were evaluated against the range of results of CCMs to determine the optimum percentage of RP. It was determined that the inclusion of waste plastic in demolition aggregates could enhance the degradation resistance and energy absorption characteristics of blends. Inclusion of RP with 5% in RCA and 3% in CB was found to be the optimum blend, which furthermore was found to enhance the energy-absorbing capacity of this alternative recycled railway capping layer product.