Transport properties and freeze-thaw resistance of mortar mixtures containing recycled concrete and glass aggregates

Abstract

The effects of recycled glass (RG) and recycled concrete (RC) fine aggregates on the compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, dynamic elastic modulus, transport properties and freeze–thaw resistance of mortar mixture were investigated comparatively. Nine different mortar mixtures were prepared by partial replacement of crushed-limestone fine aggregate with recycled aggregates. Compared to that of the control mixture, the transport properties of RC aggregate-bearing mixtures inversely affected with increasing the replacement level of this aggregate. The opposite results were obtained in RG aggregate-containing mixtures. Frost resistance of mortar mixture improved by using both of the recycled aggregates. Improvement of frost resistance of RC mixtures was attributed to the presence of improved Interfacial transition zone between matrix and coarse aggregate (ITZ) in RC-bearing mixture and to the high number of pores existing in the well-distributed RC aggregates in the mixture. Perhaps, these pores provide additional sites for the water escaped from capillary pores upon ice formation.

Keywords:

• recycled aggregate
• compressive strength
• transport properties
• durability performance

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Izmir-Çimentaş cement plant authorities for their kind assistance in providing the cement as well as determining the chemical composition of the cement.