Microstructural and Chemical Characteristics of Recycled Construction Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Recycled materials are often regarded as more sustainable due to their ability to reduce the need for virgin resources and minimize construction waste. However, their performance must be carefully evaluated to ensure they meet the required standards for construction use. The microstructural and chemical characteristics of recycled construction materials significantly influence their mechanical properties. Typically, recycled aggregates may have lower compressive strength and modulus of elasticity compared to natural aggregates, though these properties can be improved with appropriate treatment and mix design.

For the construction industry to fully embrace recycled materials, a thorough understanding of their physical and chemical properties is crucial. The use of recycled materials has been limited by issues arising from the production process, the properties of the parent material, or their initial applications. Analyzing the microstructural characteristics of recycled materials can reveal changes between the parent and the recycled material. Additionally, understanding the chemical properties of recycled materials is essential for optimizing the recycling process and ensuring compatibility with other materials to prevent adverse reactions. Contaminants in recycled materials can also affect their performance, and assessing these effects is important.

This Special Issue on “Microstructural and Chemical Characteristics of Recycled Construction Materials” invites high-quality submissions focused on the latest advances in recycled construction materials. The topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The influence of recycling processes on the microstructure of recycled construction materials.
• Microstructural analysis of recycled construction materials.
• The effect of chemical composition on the performance of recycled content products.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Tewodros Ghebrab
Guest Editor

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