Hydrodemolition of bridge decks has proven to be an economical and efficient way to remove deteriorated concrete so as to facilitate the installation of a new concrete surface thereby prolonging the life of the bridge. One of the remaining difficulties with hydrodemolition is how to deal with the large quantities of runoff (HRW) or wastewater generated during the process. This project will investigate the possibilities of using the wastewater in the concrete recycling industry and applying it to land in NC DOT right-of-ways. Potential use in the concrete recycling industry will be assessed by characterizing the HRW and interviewing industry personnel. Land application in NC DOT right-of-ways will be assessed by a combination of small scale greenhouse studies and field site evaluations including soil, vegetation, and topography measurements. These data will then be used to develop a protocol for NC DOT to determine when and how much HRW can be safely applied to a section of highway right-of-way.
