Mechanical Performance and Durability of Concretes with Partial Replacement of Natural Aggregates by Construction and Demolition Waste

Thamires Alves da Silveira, Rafaella dos Passos Nörnberg, Marcelo Subtil Santi, Renata Rabassa Morales, Alessandra Buss Tessaro, Hebert Luis Rosseto, Rafael de Avila Delucis () and Guilherme Hoehr Trindade
Additional contact information
Thamires Alves da Silveira: Post-Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
Rafaella dos Passos Nörnberg: Civil Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
Marcelo Subtil Santi: Civil Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
Renata Rabassa Morales: Civil Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
Alessandra Buss Tessaro: Post-Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
Hebert Luis Rosseto: Graduate Program in Civil Engineering, Engineering Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
Rafael de Avila Delucis: Post-Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
Guilherme Hoehr Trindade: Graduate Program in Civil Engineering, Engineering Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil

Waste, 2025, vol. 3, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: This study investigated the mechanical performance and durability of concretes produced with varying proportions of recycled coarse aggregate from construction and demolition waste (CDW), ranging from 0% to 100% replacement of natural coarse aggregate, using recycled aggregates derived from crushed concrete and mortar debris, characterized by lower density and high water absorption (~9%) compared to natural aggregates. A key contribution of this research lies in the inclusion of intermediate replacement levels (20%, 25%, 45%, 50%, and 65%), which are less explored in the literature and allow a more refined identification of performance thresholds. Fresh-state parameters (slump), axial compressive strength (7 and 28 days), total immersion water absorption, sorptivity, and chloride ion penetration depth (after 90 days of immersion in a 3.5% NaCl solution) were evaluated. The results indicate that, up to 50% CDW content, the concrete maintains slump (≥94 mm), characteristic strength (≥37.2 MPa at 28 days), and chloride penetration (≤14.1 mm) within the limits for moderate exposure conditions, in accordance with ABNT: NBR 6118. Water absorption doubled from 4.5% (0% CDW) to 9.5% (100% CDW), reflecting the higher porosity and adhered mortar on the recycled aggregate, which necessitates adjustments to the water–cement ratio and SSD pre-conditioning to preserve workability and minimize sorptivity. Concretes with more than 65% CDW exhibited chloride penetration depths exceeding 15 mm, potentially compromising durability without additional mitigation. The judicious incorporation of CDW, combined with optimized mix design practices and the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), demonstrates technical viability for reducing environmental impacts without significantly impairing the structural performance or service life of the concrete.

Keywords: construction and demolition waste; durability; recycled aggregate; mechanical performance; water absorption; chloride ion penetration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0391/3/4/32/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0391/3/4/32/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jwaste:v:3:y:2025:i:4:p:32-:d:1761447

Access Statistics for this article

Waste is currently edited by Mr. Sumail Li

More articles in Waste from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().