UKI students recognize the strong need for information about recycled materials. Recycling was studied in real infrastructure sites.
Text: Sari Okko
Photo: Petri Juntunen
Eija Multanen works as the environmental manager of the E18 Hamina-Vaalimaa highway, or Hava construction project, at YIT. Experience with recycled materials has been gained from the noise barrier, which was implemented using ash and slag from the energy industry.
"I wanted to learn more about using recycled materials so that I can better take them into account in future projects when comparing the implementation options of different structures," says Multanen.
So far, the use of recycled materials has depended on individual properties. In the future, new materials are intended to be used more widely, more systematically and systematically - based on information and safely.
"In order to increase usage, we need more information from life cycle assessments, so that we can also compare the environmental effects of different materials when making material choices."
According to Multanen, misgivings about recycled materials often stem from a lack of knowledge and experience.
"When we learn more about the matter, it can be shown that the use of recycled materials makes sense. It's also about values, i.e. saving virgin aggregate and reducing waste."
"Ten Points"
In the study course on recycled construction, Multanen is part of a small group whose training task was to choose recycled material for the structures of the light-traffic corridor that will be connected to the Sammonkatu tramway in Tampere. Out of the alternatives, waste incineration slag was chosen as the most suitable.
In the same group as Multanen, there is one who works at SM Maanpää in Turku and who studies geotechnics at Aalto University juho Singer. Laulajainen already has a civil engineering degree from the University of Applied Sciences and years of work experience.
"I didn't know how to expect anything from the training and I didn't know much about the theme of the training from the start, but during the course I have gained a lot of new information. There is a need for studies in new building construction and new materials," describes Laulajainen.
Experience in the use of recycled materials has been gained from the filling materials needed in yard constructions, such as foam glass, tire scrap and crushed concrete.
"The more recycled materials are used, the more expertise is accumulated. With experience, the use of recycled materials in design becomes easier without the fear of taking risks," says Laulajainen and gives ten points for organizing the course.
"Good for the environment"
Graduate student at Tampere University of Technology Joel Heiskan the main subject is infrastructure construction.
"During my studies, new home construction has been covered in some courses, but quite superficially. When I heard about this special study course, I immediately decided to apply. The use of recycled materials is increasing all the time, which is good for the environment."
Heiska especially values the fact that the course allows you to collaborate with industry professionals, which is not possible at school. For the best part, Heiska reads teamwork.
The wide and varied spectrum of the course's experts has also made an impression. "A high-quality implementation all in all", thanks Heiska.
The training work of Heiska's group is related to the widening project of VT9, which is implemented
median overtaking lane for the section between Yliskyläntie and Orituva. For the implementation, recycled materials, crushed concrete, blast furnace sand and waste incineration slag were compared.
Crushed concrete was chosen because it was considered to be the most suitable for the road structure. Crushed concrete was also a cost-effective option and was available in the nearby area.
"Appropriate boots in clay"
Construction manager Tommi With tears has more than 20 years of experience in waste management in various roles. The employer Rosk´n Roll jätehuoltopalvelut takes care of municipal waste management obligations, from planning to recycling of waste materials.
"We are asked for solutions for, for example, the treatment of waste land, for which we constantly strive to develop new alternatives. The special study course in new building construction meets this crying need, offering much-needed additional information," states Itkonen.
"New earth construction is needed all the time, when new products processed from waste are brought to the market. In order for the circular economy to take off properly, demand must be created in the market, and competent expert networks are needed for that."
The training has met Itkonen's expectations. "The trainers are professionals and the content of the training is versatile. The approach is sufficiently practical, i.e. we study with our boots in the clay - that's what land construction is in practice."
Itkonen's small group's exercise task is to plan street renovations using recycled materials. Various material options are weighed, from crushed asphalt through excavated soil to the utilization of ferrochrome slag.
Itkonen has done a lot of recruiting in his career, so he appreciates training from that point of view as well. "Completing this type of training draws attention to the student's CV."
Facts on the table
New construction special study course UKI 2017–2018:
- for professionals and degree students (extent of study course 5 ECTS)
- the training consists of six short days, group assignments, exercises and exams
- the training is organized by Aalto University, Tampere University of Technology and the UUMA2 program; material producers and other players in the field also participate in the content
- the price of the package for professionals is €900 + VAT (or a single day €300 + VAT), for students the training is free.
Read more about the backgrounds of UKI education >
The story was previously published in Infra magazine 1/2018
The magazine is a member benefit of INFRA members >