Production of Synthetic Lightweight Aggregates from Locally Available Material

In Kuwait, the quarrying of natural aggregate resources (such as clay) for construction purposes is banned by the government making its availability on the market both costly and often inconsistent. This project was initiated by the CBM Program to investigate the possibility of using local materials to supply the construction industry’s demand for aggregate materials. During the investigation, researchers developed a method to turn waste sand wash — a byproduct of concrete manufacturing — into a synthetic lightweight aggregate, a useful product for creating building materials such as lightweight concrete, bricks, and paving stones. It was also found that the new method has a positive influence on the environment as it allows for the reuse of several waste streams. In 2016, the innovative method developed by the research team was awarded a USPTO Patent. KISR is currently working with the private sector to explore the best way to integrate this new material into the manufacturing process and industry to create more affordable building materials.