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. 2024 Oct 21;17(20):5122.
doi: 10.3390/ma17205122.

Recycled Aggregates Influence on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Lime-Based Mortars

Saitis Catalin  1 , Manea Lucia Daniela  1 , Marioara Moldovan  2 , Plesa Luminita Monica  1 , Gheorghe Borodi  3 , Ioan Petean  4 , Letiu Sorin  1
Affiliations

Recycled Aggregates Influence on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Lime-Based Mortars

Saitis Catalin et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

The current framework for managing construction waste, guided by European Union regulations, calls for an integrated waste management system. However, the reuse of old plaster waste, particularly from deteriorated facades, remains underexplored. This study investigates the potential of repurposing old plaster waste as a substitute for aggregates and cement in mortars, with the aim of promoting environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. Three mortar mixes were analyzed: a control mix, a mix with 45% waste replacing aggregates, and a mix with 10% waste replacing cement. Results show that replacing 45% of aggregates with plaster waste led to a 30% reduction in flexural strength, while the 10% cement replacement increased flexural strength by 6%. Compressive strength dropped by 27% and 38% for cement and aggregate replacements, respectively. Despite these reductions, the waste replacement remained within acceptable limits for structural integrity. Further microscopic analysis revealed that the incomplete integration of portlandite particles from the waste contributed to non-uniform bonding and crystal formation, weakening the mortar's structure. This research demonstrates the feasibility of reusing old plaster waste, offering a novel approach to reducing construction waste and promoting a circular economy. It contributes to filling the knowledge gap on the reuse of plaster mortars while aligning with sustainable construction goals.

Keywords: construction waste; fractography; mineralogical investigation; plastering mortars; sustainable development.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The XRD patterns for the granular material that resulted after the mechanical properties were tested.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mineralogical optical microscopy images for the granular material that resulted after the mechanical properties were tested: (a) MIX1_REF, (b) recycled mortar, (c) fine fractions of recycled mortar, (d) MIX2_10_CEM—10% of cement replaced by recycled mortar, (e) MIX3_45_AGG—45% of aggregates replaced by recycled mortar, and (f) fine fractions of MIX3_45_AGG replaced by recycled mortar.
Figure 3
Figure 3
SEM images of the granular material that resulted after the mechanical properties were tested: (a1–a3) MIX1_REF, (b1–b3) recycled mortar, (c1–c3) MIX2_10_CEM—10% of cement replaced by recycled mortar, and (d1–d3) MIX3_45_AGG—45% of aggregates replaced by recycled mortar. SEM observations were effectuated at several magnifications: (1) 100×, (2) 500×, and (3) 2000×.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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