Abstract
The construction sector generates 14,000 t/d of construction waste in Mexico City, these materials do not have real applications and end up accumulating in landfills. This work, the objective of which was to analyze the physicochemical and mineralogical properties of soil and construction waste used in the manufacture of Recoblocks, is divided in five stages. First, the excavation material was submitted to field tests. Physical and chemical tests were then carried out on construction waste. Subsequently, the optimal mixture for making Recoblocks was determined. Next, Recoblocks were evaluated and compared with blocks made with water only, without mucilage of Opuntia ficus, and finally a feasibility study was performed. The X-ray diffraction study showed the presence of plagioclase, minerals that improve bending resistance, hardness, durability, as well as resistance to stress in a material. Compared to blocks manufactured without mucilage, the use of Opuntia ficus mucilage increased the compressive strength of the material by 59%, as well as the erodibility. Recoblocks are an environmentally friendly option because they are based on recycled materials, dried under the sun, which eliminates the use of brick oven. The production cost per unit is just USD 0.19, so it is a viable option as a building material.
Highlights
The construction industry has consumed a significant amount of natural resources; it is one of the main waste generators
The results indicate that the use of Opuntia ficus mucilage in Recoblocks increased the compressive strength of the material by 59% compared to blocks that were manufactured without mucilage
After submitting construction waste to physical, chemical and mineralogical tests, it was determined that the content of sulfates, total sulfur and chlorides present in construction waste was 6.3 mm, which is below the limit established in the Spanish standard UNE-17441
Summary
The construction industry has consumed a significant amount of natural resources; it is one of the main waste generators. It is estimated that more than 10 billion tons of construction and demolition waste are generated in the world [1]. China reported 600 million tons of construction waste in 2017, representing 30% to 40% of the total amount of urban garbage [2]. The European Union estimated that 820 million tons of construction and demolition waste were generated, corresponding to 25–30% of all waste produced in Europe [3,4]. 548 million tons of construction waste were produced in the U.S.A. at the same year [6]. In Brazil the estimated production of construction waste were more than 70 million tons per year [5]. In Mexico, 6,111,000 tons of construction and demolition waste were generated per year in the period from 2006 to 2012, the latest year for which data are available [7]
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