Effect of waste concrete with different strength on mechanical properties of recycled fine aggregate mortar

The influence of source concrete (SC) with different compression strengths on the workability and mechanical properties of recycled mortar made with river sand substituted by 100% fine recycled concrete aggregates (FRCA) is experimentally investigated. The basic physical performance test shows that with the increase in SC strength, FRCA exhibit lower water absorption and crushing index, meanwhile keeping higher densities. Mechanical property tests, including compressive strength, flexural strength and uniaxial compressive stress-strain tests, show that compressive strength,flexural strength and elasticity modulus of recycled sand mortars increase roughly with the increase in SC strength. The proposed mixture design method demonstrates that all of the components can be kept as the same as those in natural mortar mixture design and FRCA must be pre-wetted before making mortar mixture. Meanwhile, the reuse of higher strength SC can ensure that recycled mortar mixtures are able to achieve similar mechanical performance when compared to natural mortar designs.

Mathematical models for properties of mortars with admixtures and recycled fine aggregates from demolished concretes

In order to expand the engineering application of recycle aggregate mortars （RAM） with aggregates from demolished concretes, the models for the properties of RAM and the replacement rate of these recycled fine aggregates were proposed. First, different kinds of mathematical models for the basic properties （compressive strength, water retention rate, and consistency loss） of RAM with two kinds of admixtures, thickening powders （TP） and self-made powdery admixtures （SSCT） designed for RAM, and the replacement rates were established, while the average relative errors and relative standard errors of these models were calculated. Additionally, the models and their error analyses for the curves of drying shrinkage and curing time of RAM ＋ SSCT at different replacement rates were put forward. The results show that polynomial functions should be used to calculate the basic properties of RAM ＋ TP and RAM ＋ SSCT at different replacement rates. In addition, polynonfial functions are the most optimal models for the sharp shrinkage sections in the curves of drying shrinkage-curing time of RAM ＋ SSCT, while exponential functions should be used as the models for the slow shrinkage sections and steady shrinkage sections.

Effects of admixture on properties of recycled aggregate mortar

Compared with strengthening the recycled fine aggregate(RFA)from construction and demolition waste,which is time-consuming and complex,adding admixture into the mixtures directly is more efficient and effective to expand the application of recycled aggregate mortar(RAM).The admixture(named as SSC),mixed with sodium hexametaphosphate,sodium ligninsulfonate and citric acid,was directly added into the RAM.First,the compositions and physical properties of the RFA and reference aggregate were studied,respectively.The properties of fresh and hardened mortars were then investigated.The results show that there is a clear difference between the RFA and reference aggregate,and the properties of RAM without SSC are not as good as those of normal mortar.However,the consistency value,water retention rate,compressive strength and setting time values of RAM increase by 5%,7%,66%and 67%,and its consistency loss and density values decrease by 42%and 4%after the SSC is added into the RAM.Therefore,improving the properties of RAM through adding admixture is an effective and efficient approach to expanding its application.

Experimental study and assessment of thermal energy storage mortar with paraffin/recycled brick powder composite phase change materials

Thermal energy storage recycled powder mortar(TESRM)was developed in this study by incorporating paraffin/recycled brick powder(paraffin/BP)composite phase change materials(PCM).Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetric analysis results showed that paraffin/BP composite PCM had good chemical and thermal stability.The onset melting temperature and latent heat of the composite PCM were 46.49°C and 30.1 J·g−1.The fresh mortar properties and hardened properties were also investigated in this study.Paraffin/BP composite PCM with replacement ratio of 0%,10%,20%,and 30%by weight of cement were studied.The results showed that the static and dynamic yield stresses of TESRM were 699.4%and 172.9%higher than those of normal mortar,respectively.The addition of paraffin/BP composite PCM had a positive impact on the mechanical properties of mortar at later ages,and could also reduce the dry shrinkage of mortar.The dry shrinkage of TESRM had a maximum reduction about 26.15%at 120 d.The thermal properties of TESRM were better than those of normal mortar.The thermal conductivity of TESRM was 36.3%less than that of normal mortar and the heating test results showed that TESRM had good thermal energy storage performance.