Microstructural and Chemical Characteristics of Recycled Construction Materials

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2025 | Viewed by 531

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Interests: recycled concrete aggregate; modified cementitious materials; supplementary cementitious materials

Special Issue Information

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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Keywords

  • microstructure
  • chemical
  • recycled
  • construction
  • material

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

27 pages, 2340 KB  
Review
Review and Evaluation of Agricultural Biomass Ashes as Supplementary Cementitious Materials for Sustainable Concrete
by Leila Mirzaei, Tewodros Ghebrab and Clifford B. Fedler
Processes 2025, 13(11), 3571; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113571 - 5 Nov 2025
Abstract
Concrete is the second most consumed material after water, with cement as its primary binder. However, cement production accounts for nearly 7% of global CO2 emissions, posing a major sustainability challenge. This review critically evaluates 35 agricultural biomass ashes (ABAs) as potential [...] Read more.
Concrete is the second most consumed material after water, with cement as its primary binder. However, cement production accounts for nearly 7% of global CO2 emissions, posing a major sustainability challenge. This review critically evaluates 35 agricultural biomass ashes (ABAs) as potential supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for partial cement replacement, focusing on their effects on concrete strength and durability and highlighting performance gaps. Using a systematic methodology, rice husk ash (RHA), sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), and wheat straw ash (WSA) were identified as the most promising ABAs, enhancing strength and durability—including resistance to chloride ingress, sulfate attack, acid exposure, alkali–silica reaction, and drying shrinkage—while maintaining acceptable workability. Optimal replacement levels are recommended at 30% for RHA and 20% for SCBA and WSA, balancing performance and sustainability. These findings indicate that ABAs are viable, scalable SCMs for low-carbon concrete, promoting greener construction and contributing to global climate mitigation. Full article
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