Special Issue "Recycled Aggregate Concrete and Alternative Binders for Sustainable Building Engineering"

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Miguel Bravo
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CERIS, IST-ID, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georresources, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, 1049–001 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: materials science; sustainability in construction; recycled aggregate concrete; cementitious materials from industrial by-products; supplementary cementitious materials; alkali-activated materials
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Rui Vasco Silva
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CERIS, IST-ID, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georresources, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: materials science; civil engineering; sustainability in construction; recycled aggregate concrete; alkali-activated materials; supplementary cementitious materials
Prof. Dr. António P.C. Duarte
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CERIS, IST-ID, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georresources, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: materials science and technology; recycled aggregate concrete; sustainability of construction; structural and computational mechanics; steel-concrete composite structures; composite materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The construction industry is considered one of the most important sectors of socio-economic development. However, its dynamism gives rise to two major environmental issues: (i) a significant increase of construction and demolition waste (CDW), which represents more than 30% of the solid waste generated by all economic sectors, and (ii) an increase in the production of Portland cement concrete, which is the most widely used construction material in the world and, through the production of cement alone, constitutes about 7% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, it is essential to find, on the one hand, solutions for discarded CDW, in addition to their use as recycled aggregates, and, on the other hand, alternative sustainable binders that can replace Portland cement.

This Special Issue focuses on the development of sustainable cementitious composites, either by the replacement of natural aggregates with recycled aggregates or by the use of sustainable binding technologies that constitute a viable alternative to Portland cement.

The main topics covered in this Special Issue are (but not limited to) the following:

  • Experimental characterization (rheological, physical, mechanical, durability-related, thermal, etc.) of cementitious composites containing recycled aggregates (from all origins);
  • Experimental characterization of new sustainable alternative binders and cementitious composites containing them;
  • Development and implementation of analytical methods, numerical models, and optimization algorithms applied to the characterization of sustainable materials and structures produced with them;
  • Development of inspection and diagnostic methodologies and techniques for evaluating the performance of sustainable materials and structures containing them;
  • Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCC) of sustainable materials and structures with them;

Work on subjects other than the aforementioned that contribute to advancing knowledge of sustainable materials and their applications are also welcome in this Special Issue.

Further information on this Special Issue may be obtained at the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/Recycle_Aggregate_Concrete_Alternative_Binders_Sustainable

We kindly invite you to submit a manuscript(s) for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews presenting and discussing the most recent trends in the field are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Miguel Bravo
Prof. Dr. Rui Vasco Silva
Prof. Dr. António P.C. Duarte
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable construction
  • recycled aggregate concrete
  • sustainable alternative binders
  • supplementary cementitious materials
  • construction and demolition waste
  • carbon dioxide
  • alkali-activated materials
  • low environmental impact

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

Article
Eurocode Shear Design of Coarse Recycled Aggregate Concrete: Reliability Analysis and Partial Factor Calibration
Materials 2021, 14(15), 4081; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14154081 - 22 Jul 2021
Viewed by 329
Abstract
This paper contributes to the definition of design clauses for coarse recycled aggregate concrete. One of the main reasons for scepticism towards recycled aggregate concrete is the perceived notion that the heterogeneity of recycled aggregates may increase the uncertainty of the behaviour of [...] Read more.
This paper contributes to the definition of design clauses for coarse recycled aggregate concrete. One of the main reasons for scepticism towards recycled aggregate concrete is the perceived notion that the heterogeneity of recycled aggregates may increase the uncertainty of the behaviour of concrete. Therefore, the paper uses structural reliability concepts to propose partial factors for recycled aggregate concrete’s design for shear failure. The paper builds upon a previous publication by the authors, in which the model uncertainty of recycled aggregate concrete elements designed for shear, with and without shear reinforcement, was compared with that of natural aggregate concrete elements. In that paper, the statistics of the model uncertainty for recycled aggregate concrete shear design were indeed found to be less favourable than those of natural aggregate concrete. Therefore, a partial factor for recycled aggregate concrete design is needed to ensure safety. This paper presents partial factors calibrated with explicit reliability analyses for different cases of design concerning beams (in the case of shear design of elements with shear reinforcement) and slabs (for the design of elements without shear reinforcement). For full incorporation of coarse recycled concrete aggregates and the design of elements without shear reinforcement, the calibrated partial factor reduces the design value of shear resistance by 10% (design with EN1992) or 15% (design with prEN1992) in comparison to natural aggregate concrete’s design. For the shear design of elements with shear reinforcement, the partial factor decreases resistance by 5% but a sensitivity analysis showed that the reduction might be, under pessimistic expectations, of up to 20%. Full article
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Article
An Experimental Study of Possible Post-War Ferronickel Slag Waste Disposal in Szklary (Lower Silesian, Poland) as Partial Aggregate Substitute in Concrete: Characterization of Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties
Materials 2021, 14(10), 2552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14102552 - 14 May 2021
Viewed by 472
Abstract
Aggregates derived from waste, due to the growing awareness of global warming, are more and more often used in the concrete production process. This way, their disposal not only reduces the pollution of the Earth but also lowers the consumption of natural aggregates, [...] Read more.
Aggregates derived from waste, due to the growing awareness of global warming, are more and more often used in the concrete production process. This way, their disposal not only reduces the pollution of the Earth but also lowers the consumption of natural aggregates, which are limited. One of the new “eco” aggregates may be a ferronickel slag waste (FNSW), which was generated in post-war metallurgical processes and stored in Szklary (Lower Silesian, Poland). In order to determine the possibility of using ferronickel slag waste aggregate (FNSWA) in the concrete production process, new concrete mixtures were designed and tested. Physical properties (cone slump, air content, pH, and density), mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength), and thermal properties (thermal conductivity) were assessed for all new laboratory recipes. Moreover, the modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio were determined. This study includes five different contents of FNSWA in the amount of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% of the mass of natural aggregate as its partial substitute. The final results were compared to the base sample (BS) containing 100% natural aggregate, which was granite. Full article
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Article
Characteristics of Waste Iron Powder as a Fine Filler in a High-Calcium Fly Ash Geopolymer
Materials 2021, 14(10), 2515; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14102515 - 12 May 2021
Viewed by 424
Abstract
Geopolymer (GP) has been applied as an environmentally-friendly construction material in recent years. Many pozzolanic wastes, such as fly ash (FA) and bottom ash, are commonly used as source materials for synthesizing geopolymer. Nonetheless, many non-pozzolanic wastes are often applied in the field [...] Read more.
Geopolymer (GP) has been applied as an environmentally-friendly construction material in recent years. Many pozzolanic wastes, such as fly ash (FA) and bottom ash, are commonly used as source materials for synthesizing geopolymer. Nonetheless, many non-pozzolanic wastes are often applied in the field of civil engineering, including waste iron powder (WIP). WIPs are massively produced as by-products from iron and steel industries, and the production rate increases every year. As an iron-based material, WIP has properties of heat induction and restoration, which can enhance the heat curing process of GP. Therefore, this study aimed to utilize WIP in high-calcium FA geopolymer to develop a new type of geopolymer and examine its properties compared to the conventional geopolymer. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were performed on the geopolymers. Mechanical properties, including compressive strength and flexural strength, were also determined. In addition, setting time and temperature monitoring during the heat curing process were carried out. The results indicated that the addition of WIP in FA geopolymer decreased the compressive strength, owing to the formation of tetrahydroxoferrate (II) sodium or Na2[Fe(OH)4]. However, a significant increase in the flexural strength of GP with WIP addition was detected. A flexural strength of 8.5 MPa was achieved by a 28-day sample with 20% of WIP addition, nearly three times higher than that of control. Full article
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Article
Stabilized High Clay Content Lateritic Soil Using Cement-FGD Gypsum Mixtures for Road Subbase Applications
Materials 2021, 14(8), 1858; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14081858 - 08 Apr 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 498
Abstract
With a lack of standard lateritic soil for use in road construction, suitable economical and sustainable soil-stabilization techniques are in demand. This study aimed to examine flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, a by-product of coal power plants, for use in soil–cement stabilization, specifically [...] Read more.
With a lack of standard lateritic soil for use in road construction, suitable economical and sustainable soil-stabilization techniques are in demand. This study aimed to examine flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, a by-product of coal power plants, for use in soil–cement stabilization, specifically for ability to strengthen poor high-clay, lateritic soil but with a lower cement content. A series of compaction tests and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were performed in conjunction with scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses. Therefore, the strength development and the role of FGD gypsum in the soil–cement–FGD gypsum mixtures with varying cement and FGD gypsum contents were characterized in this study. The study results showed that adding FGD gypsum can enhance the strength of the stabilized substandard lateritic soil. Extra FGD gypsum added to the cement hydration system provided more sulfate ions, leading to the formation of ettringite and monosulfate, which are the hardening cementitious products from the cement hydration reaction. Both products contributed to the strength gain of the soil–cement–FGD gypsum material. However, the strength can be reduced when too much FGD gypsum is added because the undissolved gypsum has a weak structure. Examinations of FGD gypsum in the soil–cement–FGD gypsum mixtures by SEM confirmed that adding FGD gypsum can reduce the cement content in a soil–cement mix to achieve a given UCS value. Full article
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Article
Microstructure and Durability Performance of Mortars with Volcanic Powder from Calbuco Volcano (Chile) after 4 Hardening Years
Materials 2021, 14(7), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14071751 - 02 Apr 2021
Viewed by 344
Abstract
One of the most popular ways to lessen the impact of the cement industry on the environment consists of substituting clinker by additions. The service life required for real construction elements is generally long, so it would be interesting to obtain information about [...] Read more.
One of the most popular ways to lessen the impact of the cement industry on the environment consists of substituting clinker by additions. The service life required for real construction elements is generally long, so it would be interesting to obtain information about the effects of new additions after a hardening period of several years. Analyzed here are the effects of the incorporation of volcanic ashes, coming from Calbuco volcano’s last eruption (Chile), as clinker replacement, in the durability and pore structure of mortars, after approximately 4 hardening years (1500 days), in comparison with reference specimens without additions. The substitution percentages of clinker by volcanic powder studied were 10% and 20%. The microstructure was characterized with mercury intrusion porosimetry and impedance spectroscopy. In order to evaluate the pozzolanic activity of the volcanic powder after 1500 days, differential thermal analyses were performed. Water absorption after immersion, steady-state diffusion coefficient and length change were also studied. In accordance with the results obtained, the 10% and 20% substitution of clinker by volcanic powder from the Calbuco volcano showed beneficial effects in the mortars after 4 years, especially regarding the microstructure and chloride diffusion, without noticeable influence in their water absorption. Full article
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Article
Recycled Mortars with Ceramic Aggregates. Pore Network Transmutation and Its Relationship with Physical and Mechanical Properties
Materials 2021, 14(6), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14061543 - 21 Mar 2021
Viewed by 578
Abstract
The porosity of mortars with recycled ceramic aggregates (10, 20, 30, 50, and 100% as a replacement of natural aggregate) was evaluated and analyzed using three different techniques. The results of gas adsorption (N2), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image analysis and [...] Read more.
The porosity of mortars with recycled ceramic aggregates (10, 20, 30, 50, and 100% as a replacement of natural aggregate) was evaluated and analyzed using three different techniques. The results of gas adsorption (N2), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image analysis and open porosity allowed establishing the relationship between the recycled aggregate content and the porosity of these mortars, as well as the relationship between porosity and the physical and mechanical properties of the mortars: absorption, density, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and drying shrinkage. Using the R2 coefficient and the equation typology as criteria, additional data such as Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface area (N2 adsorption) established significant correlations with the mentioned properties; with SEM image analysis, no explanatory relationships could be established; and with open porosity, revealing relationships were established (R2 > 0.9). With the three techniques, it was confirmed that the increase in porosity is related to the increase in the amount of ceramic aggregate; in particular with gas adsorption (N2) and open porosity. It was concluded that the open porosity technique can explain the behavior of these recycled mortars with more reliable data, in a simple and direct way, linked to its establishment with a more representative sample of the mortar matrix. Full article
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Article
Influence of Cement Replacement with Fly Ash and Ground Sand with Different Fineness on Alkali-Silica Reaction of Mortar
Materials 2021, 14(6), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14061528 - 20 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 548
Abstract
The alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is an important consideration in ensuring the long-term durability of concrete materials, especially for those containing reactive aggregates. Although fly ash (FA) has proven to be useful in preventing ASR expansion, the filler effect and the effect of FA [...] Read more.
The alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is an important consideration in ensuring the long-term durability of concrete materials, especially for those containing reactive aggregates. Although fly ash (FA) has proven to be useful in preventing ASR expansion, the filler effect and the effect of FA fineness on ASR expansion are not well defined in the present literature. Hence, this study aimed to examine the effects of the filler and fineness of FA on ASR mortar expansion. FAs with two different finenesses were used to substitute ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at 20% by weight of binder. River sand (RS) with the same fineness as the FA was also used to replace OPC at the same rate as FA. The replacement of OPC with RS (an inert material) was carried out to observe the filler effect of FA on ASR. The results showed that FA and RS provided lower ASR expansions compared with the control mortar. Fine and coarse fly ashes in this study had almost the same effectiveness in mitigating the ASR expansion of the mortars. For the filler effect, smaller particles of RS had more influence on the ASR reduction than RS with coarser particles. A significant mitigation of the ASR expansion was obtained by decreasing the OPC content in the mortar mixture through its partial substitution with FA and RS. Full article
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Article
Influence of Nano-SiO2 on the Mechanical Properties of Recycled Aggregate Concrete with and without Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Fiber
Materials 2021, 14(6), 1446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14061446 - 16 Mar 2021
Viewed by 550
Abstract
In recent years, recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has become a research hotspot in the field of urban construction because of its resource utilization of construction waste. However, compared with original concrete, its strength is still low, which requires additional nano-SiO2 (NS) and [...] Read more.
In recent years, recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has become a research hotspot in the field of urban construction because of its resource utilization of construction waste. However, compared with original concrete, its strength is still low, which requires additional nano-SiO2 (NS) and fiber. In order to study the mechanism of strength improvement of RAC, this paper takes NS and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber as variable parameters; uniaxial and triaxial compression tests were carried out on RAC with PVA fiber and NS, and the mechanical properties of RAC were investigated The result shows that within the range of 3% NS content, an increase in the NS substitution rate causes the mechanical properties of RAC to improve significantly. The compressive strength of RAC increases again after adding PVA fiber; through a SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analysis of the specimen, it was found that the NS filled the micro-pores and micro-cracks in the RAC, and the PVA fiber changed the contact range between recycled aggregate and mortar, so the microstructure of the material was more compact. The mechanism of RAC strength improvement is explained in the microcosmic view. Full article
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