A Generative Design Model for Demolition Waste Reuse: Recycled Aggregate Incorporated Rammed Earth Structures

Inefficient resource management and excessive consumption of resources have led to the depletion of natural resources and increased waste in landfills, as the construction industry being a major contributor to global waste with construction and demolition waste making up a significant portion of it. It is critical to find alternatives for reintegration and reuse of the construction. By incorporating recycled aggregates from demolition waste with rammed-earth, it is possible to generate a durable, healthy, highly reusable and sustainable alternative to the common building materials that have serious environmental impacts. This study takes previous research about the recycled aggregate incorporated rammed earth further with a design approach that uses a generative system that follows the rules based on the function, context and material. Final design is chosen from the generated design alternatives and the modules required for the production are prepared with the mixture of recycled-aggregate, cement and fly ash. Then the modules are combined with an interlocking system that offers a convenient, laborless production process. We aim to promote the wider use of the earthen structures by re-interpreting the design and production process by generating design alternatives with modules driven by shape grammars for the recycled-aggregate based rammed earth.