A risk analysis on a differentiation in the production process of aggregates for concrete

Abstract

This dissertation has to do with the risk that may arise from a differentiation in the production process of concrete aggregates. The essay is divided into two major categories. In the first part an alternative method of concrete production is presented and analyzed. This proposed method will reduce the environmental waste of one of the raw materials (aggregate sand) that is used in the design of concrete mix, while at the same time the cost of the final product will be decreased as well. This will be presented in the following pages through a techno-economic study that will describe the current state of concrete sand production. Questions like how much it costs to the concrete company to buy the sand today , and how much the sand would cost if the process of producing it would change as this thesis proposing will be answered. This is amplified with the presentation of a concrete strength study that indicates that the mix design of concrete with the two different sands (the one used today and the one we suggest to use) has the same results. This is to prove that the quality of the final product is the same in both of the mix designs. In the second part of the thesis a comprehensive risk assessment will be made based on change of the production of sand used to produce concrete. However, for this change to take place, among other threats, a change in the legislation of the Republic of Cyprus is also required. Starting with the identification of stakeholders, which are numerous and cover a large part of the society of Cyprus (Citizens, Owners of sandstone, Limestone and Diabase quarries, Quarries association, Owners of concrete factories, Cement factory, Technical services of the Ministry of Interior Environment Department of Cyprus, Water supply of Famagusta area/Farmers, Mines service, Sovereign Base Areas -U.K). Following that a qualitative Risk identification will be presented choosing tools from the bibliography in order a Risk analysis of both threats and opportunities that may arise from the change of the production process to developed. The risk assessment will follow the basic stepwise process (Risk identification-Risk analysis-Risk treatment) At the end of the risk analysis process, for the risks that will be calculated as important the work will present a thorough risk treatment to mitigate as much as possible the threats and to exploit to the maximum the opportunities.