Impact of using recycled fine aggregate from demolition waste on mechanical properties of cement mortar
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Building and Construction Technology Engineering, Northern Technical University, Iraq
Submission date: 2024-06-17
Final revision date: 2024-07-18
Acceptance date: 2024-09-03
Publication date: 2025-12-01
Corresponding author
Jasim Mohammed Abed
Building and Construction Technology Engineering, Northern Technical University, Iraq
Archives of Civil Engineering 2025;71(4):375-392
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ABSTRACT
The rapid expansion of the construction industry worldwide has led to a significant increase in resource use, hence depleting the existing reserves. Utilizing recycled aggregates might potentially reduce the use of natural raw materials in the production of concrete and mortar. This would further aid in reducing the quantity of waste thrown into the environment due to demolition procedures. This study investigated the feasibility of recycling recycled fine aggregate from construction and demolition waste. Limestone powder was utilized as a filler, together with waste from three different kinds of construction and demolition waste (concrete, clay bricks, and ceramics). Cement mortar mixtures of 1:3:0.5 and 1:4:0.5 were used to design 32 different mortar mixes (cement: fine aggregate: filler). Except for the control mixes, the following replacement ratios were tested: 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% for construction and demolition waste as a partial replacement for natural fine aggregate. Cubes, prisms, and cylinders were all used to measure the physical and mechanical properties of the mortar. In this study, the physical properties (workability, dry density) were analyzed. In addition to investigating the mechanical properties (compressive, flexural, and splitting strength), the experimental results showed that the optimal percentage of natural fine aggregate replacing recycled aggregate from construction and demolition waste was 20%. Additionally, the research demonstrated that, due to its cementitious properties, recycled fine aggregate from concrete waste significantly outperformed the reference mixes in terms of all physical and mechanical properties.