Development of Eco-Friendly Deconstruction Technologies for Recycling Construction Waste

Recently, the intended use and required performance of buildings are rapidly changing with advances in scientific technology and globalization. Furthermore, given the population growth in semi-developed and developing countries, economic growth, increasing waste, and increasing amounts of energy consumption, the industry requires the development of efficient methods to deconstruct old buildings by reducing waste and saving as much energy as possible during periods of urban redevelopment and maintenance. This study develops a technology that can be used to selectively heat, separate, and deconstruct the steel reinforcement inside reinforced concrete, treating the reinforcement as a conductive resistor and applying high-frequency induction heating to the reinforced concrete structure. The technology involves low noise and low pollution levels, and it increases the collection rate of steel reinforcement inside separated reinforced concrete members and the recycling rate of construction wastes; thus, its use is expected to reduce the energy consumption by minimizing secondary processing.