Carbonation and chloride penetration performance of self-compacting concrete with masonry and concrete wastes

Abstract

In this research, masonry and concrete construction and demolition wastes (CDWs) were used as supplementary cementitious material (25% vol. residue of masonry, RM) and recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) in increasing levels (0%, 50% and 100% vol. residue of concrete), respectively, in the development of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The performance of SCC mixtures was evaluated in terms of fresh properties, compressive strength, resistance to both accelerated (1% CO2, 65% R.H. and 23 °C temperature) and natural carbonation as well as chloride penetration. Experimental results showed a monotonic workability reduction associated to the incorporation of increasing levels of RCA. In compressive strength, the SCC with RCA showed the greatest increase in this mechanical property after 28 days of accelerated exposure in the carbonation chamber, when compared to its water-cured counterpart. Yet, at 360 days of accelerated carbonation exposure, all SCCs showed compressive strength reductions compared to their water-cured counterparts. On the other hand, the chloride permeability resistance of the SCCs was low and very low at the ages evaluated. Thus, the findings of this study indicate that the use of CDW can generate SCCs with adequate fresh properties, compressive strength and carbonation and chloride penetration performance, which offers benefits for the environment.