Abstract
Due to the depletion of river sand, the construction industry is eager to develop upcycling techniques for transforming secondary by-products derived from construction and demolition (C&D) waste into quality fine aggregates. This paper presents a study of replacing river sand with enhanced recycled fine aggregate through a wet carbonation process developed by the authors previously. The fine recycled concrete aggregate (FRCA) ranging from 0.15 to 5 mm was prepared by demolishing a concrete with a known mixture design. After wet carbonation, the particle size, water absorption, and density of the FRCA were tested and compared with the original samples. The chemical characteristics of the original and carbonated FRCA (C-FRCA) were analyzed by a series of experiments. The results showed that (1) an increase of carbonation products and a significant reduction of hydration products; (2) microscopic observation of the C-FRCA showed a surface layer densified by calcite after wet carbonation; and (3) no significant strength loss were observed when replacing up to 50% river sand by C-FRCA in mortar specimens. The potential environmental and economic impacts were also analyzed.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 102802 |
Journal | Journal of CO2 Utilization |
Volume | 83 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2024 |
Keywords
- Chemical treatment
- Fine recycled concrete aggregate
- Low-carbon construction materials
- Waste upcycling
- Wet carbonation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Process Chemistry and Technology