Characterization of Mortars Incorporating Concrete Washing Fines: Impact on Mechanical Properties, Microstructure and Carbon Footprint
Source abstract
Abstract
This study examines the potential use of wash fines, a waste product from concrete plant cleaning, as supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) in mortars. The main objective is to assess the feasibility and benefits of this incorporation in terms of technical performance and environmental impact. Extensive tests were carried out on different mortar formulations, incorporating varying rates of washing fines (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) as a partial replacement for cement. This choice of replacement is prompted by the fineness of washing fine particles. The properties studied included compressive and flexural strength, porosity, density, water absorption, shrinkage and fire resistance. The results show that the incorporation of washing fines increases porosity and decreases mortar density. There was also a decrease in mechanical strength and fire resistance as the substitution rate increased. However, the use of washing fines enables a significant reduction in the mortar’s carbon footprint, reaching up to 29% for the formulation with 30% substitution. This study demonstrates the potential of washing fines as an alternative SCM, as part of a circular economy approach to reducing the environmental impact of the concrete industry. However, it underlines the need to optimize formulations to maintain acceptable technical performance.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Recycled Aggregate Concrete Performance · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Builders Lab, Builders Ecole d’ingénieurs, COMUE Normandie Université, 1 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 14610 Epron, France
CMEG, Z.A. de Cardonville, Rue Compagnie D, 14740 Thue et Mue, France
Vicat, 4 rue Aristide Berges, 38080 L’Isle-d’Abeau, France
References (47)
Show source-provided references
1. Less Carbon Producing Sustainable Concrete from Environmental and Performance Perspectives: A Review10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133234 ↗
2. Low-CO2 Emission Strategies to Achieve Net Zero Target in Cement Sector10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137466 ↗
3. de Pedro, J.P.Q., Lagao, J.A.T., and Ongpeng, J.M.C. (2023). Life Cycle Assessment of Concrete Using Copper Slag as a Partial Cement Substitute in Reinforced Concrete Buildings. Buildings, 13.10.3390/buildings13030746 ↗
4. Zito, S.V., Irassar, E.F., and Rahhal, V.F. (2023). Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste as Supplementary Cementing Materials in Eco-Friendly Concrete. Recycling, 8.10.3390/recycling8040054 ↗
5. Properties of Mortar Using Supplementary Cementitious Materials10.1063/5.0125840 ↗
6. Hau, K.K., Gupta, A.K., Chaudhary, S., and Gupta, T. (2023). Effect of Supplementary Cementitious Materials on Compressive Strength of Engineered Cementitious Composites: A Review. Recent Advances in Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Springer Nature.10.1007/978-981-19-4040-8 ↗
7. Effects of Different Supplementary Cementitious Materials on Durability and Mechanical Properties of Cement Composite—Comprehensive Review10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17924 ↗
8. Future and Emerging Supplementary Cementitious Materials10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107199 ↗
9. The Utilization of Recycled Concrete Powder as Supplementary Cementitious Material in Cement-Based Materials: A Systematic Literature Review10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107319 ↗
10. Exploring the Resilience of Supplementary Cementitious Materials-Based Concrete to Elevated Temperatures via Modern Computing Techniques10.1016/j.mtcomm.2023.107894 ↗
11. Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Blended Cement Concrete: Advancements in Predicting Compressive Strength through Machine Learning10.1016/j.mtcomm.2023.107725 ↗
12. A Review—Durability, Mechanical and Hygrothermal Behavior of Building Materials Incorporating Biomass10.3390/eng5020055 ↗
13. Haddad, B., Karaky, L.H., Boutouil, M., and Sebaibi, N. (2023). Investigation Properties of Pervious and Water-Retaining Recycled Concrete to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Phenomena. Sustainability, 15.10.3390/su15065384 ↗
14. Service Life Optimization and Life Cycle Assessment of Concrete Using SCMs as Partial Replacement of Cement10.1088/1742-6596/2521/1/012008 ↗
15. Haddad, B., Alassaad, F., and Sebaibi, N. (2024). Evaluation of Early-Age Compressive Strength in Winter Prefabrication: A Comparative Study. Appl. Sci., 14.10.3390/app14093653 ↗
16. Panesar, D.K. (2019). University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Developments in the Formulation and Reinforcement of Concrete, Woodhead Publishing. [2nd ed.].
17. Silica Fume and Waste Glass in Cement Concrete Production: A Review10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100888 ↗
18. Chandak, M.A., and Pawade, P.Y. (2018). Influence of Metakaolin in Concrete Mixture: A Review. Int. J. Eng. Sci. (IJES), 37–41.
19. Influence of Metakaolin on Fresh Properties, Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Concrete and Its Sustainability Issues: A Review10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103011 ↗
20. Ahmad, J., Kontoleon, K.J., Majdi, A., Naqash, M.T., Deifalla, A.F., Ben Kahla, N., Isleem, H.F., and Qaidi, S.M.A. (2022). A Comprehensive Review on the Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) in Concrete Production. Sustainability, 14.10.3390/su14148783 ↗
21. Utilization and Efficiency of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag on Concrete Properties—A Review10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.12.153 ↗
22. Effect of Fly Ash on the Service Life, Carbon Footprint and Embodied Energy of High Strength Concrete in the Marine Environment10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.12.011 ↗
23. Effect of Silica Fume and Fly Ash as Cementitious Material on Hardened Properties and Embodied Carbon of Roller Compacted Concrete10.1007/s11356-021-15734-0 ↗
24. Effect of Local Metakaolin Developed from Natural Material Soorh and Coal Bottom Ash on Fresh, Hardened Properties and Embodied Carbon of Self-Compacting Concrete10.1007/s11356-021-14960-w ↗
25. A Comprehensive Study on Mechanical Properties, Durability, and Environmental Impact of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Incorporating Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
26. Reuse of Fines from Ready-Mix Concrete Washing Slurries10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104653 ↗
27. Othmane, B., Rabah, H., Céline, F., and Laure, R. (2023). Valorisation of Fines Recycled Concrete Obtained by Mechanosynthesis for Construction Materials Production. Mater. Today Proc.10.1016/j.matpr.2023.05.585 ↗
28. Kathi, S., Singh, S., Yadav, R., Singh, A.N., and Mahmoud, A.E.D. (2023). Wastewater and Sludge Valorisation: A Novel Approach for Treatment and Resource Recovery to Achieve Circular Economy Concept. Front. Chem. Eng., 5.10.3389/fceng.2023.1129783 ↗
29. Potential Pozzolanic Reactivity of Recycled Aggregates and Waste Powders as Cement Mortar Component10.1080/02533839.2023.2194920 ↗
30. (2022). Concrete—Testing Hardened Concrete—Testing Porosity and Density (Standard No. NF P18-459).
31. (2016). Methods of Testing Cement—Part 1: Determination of Strength (Standard No. NF EN 196-1).
32. (2023). Hydraulic Binders—Methods of Testing Cement—Determination of Shrinkage and Swelling (Standard No. NF P15-433).
33. Experimental Evaluation of Fire Resistance Performance of Cement Mortar with PCM/Mg(OH)2-Based Composite Fine Aggregate10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123018 ↗
34. Durability Studies on Cement Mortar with Granite Powder as A Partial Replacement of Cement
35. Cantero, B., Bravo, M., de Brito, J., del Bosque, I.F.S., and Medina, C. (2022). The Influence of Fly Ash on the Mechanical Performance of Cementitious Materials Produced with Recycled Cement. Appl. Sci., 12.10.3390/app12042257 ↗
36. Characteristics of Waste Concrete Powders from Multi-Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete and Their Effects as Cement Replacements10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132525 ↗
37. Villagrán-Zaccardi, Y., Broodcoorens, L., Van den Heede, P., and De Belie, N. (2023). Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregates Treated by Means of Wastewater and Carbonation Pretreatment. Sustainability, 15.10.3390/su15086386 ↗
38. Ranadive, M.S., Das, B.B., Mehta, Y.A., and Gupta, R. (2023). Utilization of Pozzolanic Material and Waste Glass Powder in Concrete. Recent Trends in Construction Technology and Management, Springer Nature.10.1007/978-981-19-2145-2 ↗
39. (2024, July 14). Concrete Embodied Carbon Footprint Calculator. Circ. Ecol., Available online: https://circularecology.com/concrete-embodied-carbon-footprint-calculator.html.
40. (2024, July 14). Étuves Universelles Ventilées. VIALAB, Available online: https://www.vialab.fr/fr/produits/accueil/equipement-de-laboratoire-routier/equipement-general/etuves/.
41. (2024, July 14). Tamiseuse pour Tamis ø 200, ø 300 et ø 400 mm. 3R—Rech. Réalisations Rémy, Available online: https://3r-labo.com/produit/tamiseuse-pour-tamis-o-200-o-300-et-o-400-mm.
42. (2024, July 14). Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation—IPCC. Available online: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/renewable-energy-sources-and-climate-change-mitigation.
43. Mehta, P.K., and Monteiro, P.J.M. (2014). Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials, McGraw-Hill Education. [4th ed.].
44. De Brito, J., and Saikia, N. (2013). Recycled Aggregate in Concrete: Use of Industrial, Construction and Demolition Waste. Green Energy and Technology, Springer.10.1007/978-1-4471-4540-0 ↗
45. Gjrv, O.E. (2014). Durability Design of Concrete Structures in Severe Environments. CRC Press. [2nd ed.].10.1201/b16469 ↗
46. Sustainable Cement Production—Present and Future10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.03.019 ↗
47. Recent Advances in Understanding the Role of Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Concrete10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.03.018 ↗