Synthetic Lightweight Aggregates: Engineered Solution for Sustainable Material Management
Abstract
This presentation focuses on 1) a fundamental understanding of the physical and mechanical behaviors of a synthetic construction aggregate and 2) other factors (economic, social, and political/regulatory; at multiple geographical scales) involved in realizing the product as an appropriate waste reuse strategy.
Background: In any industrial ecosystem, waste is inevitable. However, the most efficient and sustainable industrial systems strategize ways to optimize their various interacting components to reduce waste via waste reuse strategies. Synthetic lightweight aggregates (SLAs) represent a waste reuse strategy for two large volume waste streams: coal fly ash and mixed thermoplastic wastes. Previous work has evaluated SLAs as a ‘green’ construction material that can also provide unique benefits to the health and sustainability of various infrastructure components. For example, current work has focused on SLAs as an energy-absorptive geo-material with the potential to help infrastructure components weather the impacts of dynamic loadings such as earthquakes and explosions. Additionally, this engineered material provides a clear environmental value in reducing the leaching of contaminants commonly found in coal fly ashes. As such, the SLA technology has been technically shown to be a potentially significant benefit that can enhance an industrial ecosystem and its infrastructure development.
Short bio
Chris Swan is a professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) department in the School of Engineering at Tufts University. He also serves as an Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence (ADIE), representing the school on Tufts University Cabinet on Institutional Inclusive Excellence. This latter title was borne from his own education research on diversifying the audience for STEM education through various pedagogical approaches, including service-learning and entrepreneurship. Additionally, he has a faculty appointment as a professor in the Tisch College of Civic Life and is a fellow in the Center for Engineering Education and Outreach. Previously, he has served as the Dean of Undergraduate Education (2018-2024), the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Curriculum Development (2012-2015) and as CEE department chair (2002-2007) in the school. He has also served as an Associate Dean of Tisch College (2016). He received a Doctor of Science (ScD) degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from MIT and both his Bachelor (BS) and Master (MS) of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to pursuing his ScD, he worked for GZA Geoenvironmental, Inc. as a staff engineer (1986-1989).
Over is 30+ years in academia, he has researched the development/implementation of reuse strategies for waste materials. Most notably, his research efforts have focused on the reuse of fly ash from coal burning facilities mechanically combined with waste plastics. Additionally, he has engaged in research on the teaching and learning in engineering. Specifically, these efforts have focused on a) evaluating the impact of service-based learning in engineering education, b) applying entrepreneurial principles in examining sustainable and scalable pathways for innovations in engineering and engineering education, and c) evaluating faculty perspectives on the inclusion of macroethics in engineering education.
Sandwiches are offered at the end of the seminar.
This presentation focuses on 1) a fundamental understanding of the physical and mechanical behaviors of a synthetic construction aggregate and 2) other factors (economic, social, and political/regulatory; at multiple geographical scales) involved in realizing the product as an appropriate waste reuse strategy.
Background: In any industrial ecosystem, waste is inevitable. However, the most efficient and sustainable industrial systems strategize ways to optimize their various interacting components to reduce waste via waste reuse strategies. Synthetic lightweight aggregates (SLAs) represent a waste reuse strategy for two large volume waste streams: coal fly ash and mixed thermoplastic wastes. Previous work has evaluated SLAs as a ‘green’ construction material that can also provide unique benefits to the health and sustainability of various infrastructure components. For example, current work has focused on SLAs as an energy-absorptive geo-material with the potential to help infrastructure components weather the impacts of dynamic loadings such as earthquakes and explosions. Additionally, this engineered material provides a clear environmental value in reducing the leaching of contaminants commonly found in coal fly ashes. As such, the SLA technology has been technically shown to be a potentially significant benefit that can enhance an industrial ecosystem and its infrastructure development.
Short bio
Chris Swan is a professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) department in the School of Engineering at Tufts University. He also serves as an Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence (ADIE), representing the school on Tufts University Cabinet on Institutional Inclusive Excellence. This latter title was borne from his own education research on diversifying the audience for STEM education through various pedagogical approaches, including service-learning and entrepreneurship. Additionally, he has a faculty appointment as a professor in the Tisch College of Civic Life and is a fellow in the Center for Engineering Education and Outreach. Previously, he has served as the Dean of Undergraduate Education (2018-2024), the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Curriculum Development (2012-2015) and as CEE department chair (2002-2007) in the school. He has also served as an Associate Dean of Tisch College (2016). He received a Doctor of Science (ScD) degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from MIT and both his Bachelor (BS) and Master (MS) of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to pursuing his ScD, he worked for GZA Geoenvironmental, Inc. as a staff engineer (1986-1989).
Over is 30+ years in academia, he has researched the development/implementation of reuse strategies for waste materials. Most notably, his research efforts have focused on the reuse of fly ash from coal burning facilities mechanically combined with waste plastics. Additionally, he has engaged in research on the teaching and learning in engineering. Specifically, these efforts have focused on a) evaluating the impact of service-based learning in engineering education, b) applying entrepreneurial principles in examining sustainable and scalable pathways for innovations in engineering and engineering education, and c) evaluating faculty perspectives on the inclusion of macroethics in engineering education.
Sandwiches are offered at the end of the seminar.
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
- Prof. Olga Fink (IMOS), Prof. Alexandre Alahi (VITA), Prof. Dusan Licina (HOBEL), Prof. Alain Nussbaumer (RESSLab)
Contact
- Tassos Vassilopoulos