Residual Cementing Property in Recycled Fines and Coarse Aggregates: Occurrence and Quantification
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 4
Abstract
The adhered cement mortar in coarse aggregates and fines from demolished concrete has the potential to induce a residual cementing property upon recycling. A procedure for quantifying the contribution of recycled fines to the strength gain within the new mortar matrix is proposed. The strength gain is found to be more significant in recycled aggregates and fines from brick aggregate concrete than in those from stone aggregate concrete. Isothermal calorimetry measurements indicate the existence of large heat flows immediately after wetting and a prolonged initial reaction period during the hydration of recycled fines because of the presence of unreacted cement compound fractions and depleted amounts of gypsum. This phenomenon has been further confirmed, particularly in recycled fines from brick aggregate concrete, through electron microscopy observations of the formation of new gel structures caused by rehydration. The chemical compositions determined using two independent methods indicated possible interactions between CH (the hydration product) and pozzolan (from brick) to induce strength gain in new mortars and new concrete obtained by recycling brick aggregate concrete. This explanation is consistent with the strength test results and the evolution of the heat events observed calorimetrically.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to the members and staff of the Concrete Laboratory, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, and Transportation Laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineering and the Materials Characterization Laboratory of the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, for their support and cooperation in conducting the tests. The authors are very grateful to Prof. Dr. M. A. Ali for assisting in measurements of the chemical compositions of recycled fines samples using different methods. Mr. S. A. J. Shamsuddin and Dr. S. Islam, who substantially helped the authors by commenting on the manuscript, are sincerely appreciated.
References
Adams, L. D. (1976). “The measurement of very early hydration reactions of portland cement clinker by a thermoelectric conduction calorimeter.” Cem. Concr. Res., 6(2), 293–307.
Akhtaruzzaman, A. A., and Hasnat, A. (1983). “Properties of concrete using crushed brick as aggregate.” Concr. Int., 5(2), 58–63.
Arm, M. (2001). “Self-cementing properties of crushed demolished concrete in unbound layers: Results from triaxial tests and field tests.” Waste Manage., 21(3), 235–239.
ASTM. (2007). “Standard test methods for chemical analysis of hydraulic cement.” ASTM C114-07, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2013). “Standard test method for compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube Specimens).” ASTM C109/C109M-13, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2014). “Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens.” ASTM C39/C39M-14, West Conshohocken, PA.
Bakolas, A., Aggelakopoulou, E., and Moropoulou, A. (2008). “Evaluation of pozzolanic activity and physico-mechanical characteristics in ceramic powder-lime pastes.” J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 92(1), 345–351.
Baronio, G., and Binda, L. (1997). “Study of the pozzolanicity of some bricks and clays.” Constr. Build. Mater., 11(1), 41–46.
Baronio, G., Binda, L., and Lombardini, N. (1997). “The role of brick pebbles and dust in conglomerates based on hydrated lime and crushed bricks.” Constr. Build. Mater., 11(1), 33–40.
Buck, A. D. (1977). “Recycled concrete as a source of aggregate.” ACI J., 74(5), 212–219.
Bullard, J. W., et al. (2011). “Mechanisms of cement hydration.” Cem. Concr. Res., 41(12), 1208–1223.
Cachim, P. B. (2009). “Mechanical properties of brick aggregate concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater., 23(3), 1292–1297.
Casuccio, M., Torrijos, M. C., Giaccio, G., and Zerbino, R. (2008). “Failure mechanism of recycled aggregate concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater., 22(7), 1500–1506.
Debieb, F. and Kenai, S. (2008). “The use of coarse and fine crushed bricks as aggregate in concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater., 22(5), 868–893.
Dittrich, S., Neubauer, J., and Goetz-Neunhoeffer, F. (2014). “The influence of fly ash on the hydration of OPC within the first 44 h—A quantitative in situ XRD and heat flow calorimetry study.” Cem. Concr. Res., 56, 129–138.
Dove, P. M., Han, N., and De Yoreo, J. J. (2005). “Mechanisms of classical crystal growth theory explain quartz and silicate dissolution behavior.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 102(43), 15357–15362.
Florea, M. V. A., and Brouwers, H. J. H. (2012). “Recycled concrete fines and aggregates: The composition of various size fractions related to crushing history.” 18th Ibausil Int. Conf. on Building Materials (Internationale Baustofftagung), Bauhaus Universität Weimar, Weimar, Germany, 1034–1041.
Florea, M. V. A., and Brouwers, H. J. H. (2013). “Properties of various size fractions of crushed concrete related to process conditions and re-use.” Cem. Concr. Res., 52, 11–21.
Florea, M. V. A., Ning, Z., and Brouwers, H. J. H. (2014). “Activation of liberated concrete fines and their application in mortars.” Constr. Build. Mater., 50, 1–12.
Forster, S. W. (1986). “Recycled concrete as aggregate: Properties & use of an alternative aggregate in concrete pavement.” Concr. Int., 8(10), 34–40.
Franzini, M., Leoni, L., Lezzerini, M., and Sartori, F. (1999). “On the binder of some ancient mortars.” Mineral. Petrol., 67(1–2), 59–69.
Frondistou-Yannas, S. (1977). “Waste concrete as aggregate for new concrete.” ACI J. Proc., 74(8), 373–376.
Fu, Y., and Beaudoin, J. J. (1996). “Mechanisms of delayed ettringite formation in portland cement systems.” ACI Mater. J., 93(4), 327–333.
Giergiczny, Z. (2004). “Effect of some additives on the reactions in fly ash- system.” J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 76(3), 747–754.
Hansen, T. C., and Angelo, J. W. (1986). “Crushed concrete fines recycled for soil modification purposes.” ACI J., 83(6), 983–987.
Hansen, T. C., and Narud, H. (1983). “Strength of recycled concrete made from crushed concrete coarse aggregate.” Concr. Int., 5(1), 79–83.
Hoque, M. M. (2009). “Statistical grading of concrete produced in Bangladesh.”, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Dhaka Univ. of Engineering and Technology, Gazipur, Bangladesh.
Hu, X. Z., and Wittmann, F. H. (1992). “Fracture energy and fracture process zone.” Mater. Struct., 25(6), 319–326.
Huda, S. B., and Alam, M. S. (2014). “Mechanical behavior of three generations of 100% repeated recycled coarse aggregate concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater., 65, 574–582.
Islam, M. M., Choudhury, M. S. I., and Amin, A. F. M. S. (2015). “Dilation effects in FRP-confined square concrete columns using stone, brick, and recycled coarse aggregates.” J. Compos. Constr., 04015017 .
Jansen, D., Goetz-Neunhoeffer, F., Lothenbach, B., and Neubauer, J. (2012). “The early hydration of ordinary portland cement (OPC): An approach comparing measured heat flow with calculated heat flow from QXRD.” Cem. Concr. Res., 42(1), 134–138.
Katz, A. (2003). “Properties of concrete made with recycled aggregate from partially hydrated old concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res., 33(5), 703–711.
Khatib, J. M. (2005). “Properties of concrete incorporating fine recycled aggregate.” Cem. Concr. Res., 35(4), 763–769.
Kou, S. C., Zhan, B. J., and Poon, C. S. (2012). “Properties of partition wall blocks prepared with fresh concrete wastes.” Constr. Build. Mater., 36, 566–571.
Kumar, M., Singh, S. K., and Singh, N. P. (2012). “Heat evolution during the hydration of portland cement in the presence of fly ash, calcium hydroxide and super plasticizer.” Thermochimica Acta, 548, 27–32.
Lerch, W. (1946). “The influence of gypsum on the hydration and properties of portland cement pastes.” Proc., American Society for Testing Materials, Portland Cement Association, Philadelphia.
Lothenbach, B., Scrivener, K., and Hooton, R. D. (2011). “Supplementary cementitious materials.” Cem. Concr. Res., 41(12), 1244–1256.
Mansur, M. A., Wee, T. H., and Cheran, L. S. (1999). “Crushed bricks as coarse aggregate for concrete.” ACI Mater. J., 96(4), 478–484.
Mehta, P. K., and Monteiro, P. J. M. (2006). “Microstructure, properties and materials.” 3rd Ed., McGraw-Hill Professional, New York.
Mohammed, T. U., Hasnat, A., Awal, M., and Bosunia, S. (2014). “Recycling of brick aggregate concrete as coarse aggregate.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng., B4014005.
Neville, A. M. (1995). Properties of concrete, 4th Ed., Pearson Education, England, U.K.
Poon, C. S. (1997). “Management and recycling of demolition waste in Hong Kong.” Waste Manage. Res., 15(6), 561–572.
Poon, C. S., and Chan, D. (2007). “The use of recycled aggregate in concrete in Hong Kong.” Resour. Conserv. Recycl., 50(3), 293–305.
Poon, C. S., Qiao, X. C., and Chan, D. (2006). “The cause and influence of self-cementing properties of fine recycled concrete aggregates on the properties of unbound sub-base.” Waste Manage., 26(10), 1166–1172.
Poon, C. S., Shui, Z. H., and Lam, L. (2004). “Effect of microstructure of ITZ on compressive strength of concrete prepared with recycled aggregates.” Constr. Build. Mater., 18(6), 461–468.
Rashwan, M. S., and AbouRizk, S. (1997). “The properties of recycled concrete.” Concr. Int., 19(7), 56–60.
Shui, Z., Xuan, D., Wan, H., and Cao, B. (2008). “Rehydration reactivity of recycled mortar from concrete waste experienced to thermal treatment.” Constr. Build. Mater., 22(8), 1723–1729.
Silva, J., de Brito, J., and Veiga, R. (2008). “Fine ceramics replacing cement in mortars partial replacement of cement with fine ceramics in rendering mortars.” Mater. Struct., 41(8), 1333–1344.
Tam, V. W., Gao, X. F., and Tam, C. M. (2005). “Microstructural analysis of recycled aggregate concrete produced from two-stage mixing approach.” Cem. Concr. Res., 35(6), 1195–1203.
Tam, V. W., Gao, X. F., Tam, C. M., and Ng, K. M. (2009). “Physio-chemical reactions in recycle aggregate concrete.” J. Hazard. Mater., 163(2), 823–828.
Tam, V. W., Tam, C. M., and Le, K. N. (2007a). “Removal of cement mortar remains from recycled aggregate using presoaking approaches.” Resour. Conserv. Recycl., 50(1), 82–101.
Tam, V. W., Tam, C. M., and Wang, Y. (2007b). “Optimization on proportion for recycled aggregate in concrete using two-stage mixing approach.” Constr. Build. Mater., 21(10), 1928–1939.
Taylor, H. F. (1997). Cement chemistry, 2nd Ed., Thomas Telford, London.
Topçu, I. B., and Günçan, N. F. (1995). “Using waste concrete as aggregate.” Cem. Concr. Res., 25(7), 1385–1390.
Ubbriaco, P., and Tasselli, F. (1998). “A study of the hydration of lime-pozzolan binders.” J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 52(3), 1047–1054.
Vegas, I., Ibañez, J. A., Lisbona, A., de Cortazar, A. S., and Frías, M. (2011). “Pre-normative research on the use of mixed recycled aggregates in unbound road sections.” Constr. Build. Mater., 25(5), 2674–2682.
Wittmann, F. H. (2002). “Crack formation and fracture energy of normal and high strength concrete.” Sadhana, 27(4), 413–423.
Zakaria, M., and Cabrera, J. G. (1996). “Performance and durability of concrete made with demolition waste and artificial fly ash-clay aggregates.” Waste Manage., 16(1), 151–158.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 4 • April 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 24, 2015
Accepted: Aug 31, 2015
Published online: Oct 22, 2015
Discussion open until: Mar 22, 2016
Published in print: Apr 1, 2016
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.