Microstructure of Mortar with Ballast Waste as a Cement Replacement
The use of ballast in tracks generates waste that, in most cases, is destined for landfill. The proposal to use this waste as a replacement in OPC in different proportions valorizes the waste and allows its participation in the Circular Economy. To this end, two samples of ballast waste with substit...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/10/5605 |
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| Summary: | The use of ballast in tracks generates waste that, in most cases, is destined for landfill. The proposal to use this waste as a replacement in OPC in different proportions valorizes the waste and allows its participation in the Circular Economy. To this end, two samples of ballast waste with substitution ratios (10, 15, and 20%) were studied for one year using pozzolanic activity, XRD, SEM/EDX, and CT scanning analysis. The shortest setting times corresponded to the ballast waste substitutions with the highest percentage, which is related to particle size and the presence of amorphous material, thereby reducing the setting time. The workability of mortars with a substitution indicates that the average consistency decreases as the substitution percentage increases, while the loss of fluidity grows with a higher substitution percentage. Porosity is linked to the formation of C-S-H gels and the presence of ettringite, which fills the pores between particles. Tortuosity can be considered low, which hinders the transport of aqueous solutions, making the substituted cements studied more resistant to hydration processes. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |