Experimental Study on Carbonization and Strengthening Performance of Recycled Aggregate

In order to address a challenging issue in the recycling of construction debris, the impact of carbonization treatment on the characteristics of recycled aggregates (RCAs) was experimentally examined in this work. Both direct carbonization and carbonization following calcium hydroxide pretreatment w...

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Main Authors: Mingqiang Lin, Xiang Li, Maozhi Wei, Qun Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2309
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author Mingqiang Lin
Xiang Li
Maozhi Wei
Qun Xie
author_facet Mingqiang Lin
Xiang Li
Maozhi Wei
Qun Xie
author_sort Mingqiang Lin
collection DOAJ
description In order to address a challenging issue in the recycling of construction debris, the impact of carbonization treatment on the characteristics of recycled aggregates (RCAs) was experimentally examined in this work. Both direct carbonization and carbonization following calcium hydroxide pretreatment were used in the study to assess the impact of carbonization on the physical characteristics of recycled aggregates. According to the findings, carbonization raised the recycled aggregates’ apparent density while drastically lowering their porosity and water absorption (by as much as 20–30%). Although the recycled aggregate’s crushing index marginally increased with age, its overall physical qualities remained excellent. Pretreatment with calcium hydroxide can improve the physical characteristics of recycled aggregates, further optimize their pore structure, and efficiently encourage the carbonation process. Furthermore, recycled aggregate’s crushing index can be considerably decreased and its quality much enhanced by the ultrasonic cavitation treatment. According to the study, the carbonation-treated recycled aggregate’s microstructure was denser in the interfacial transition zone and had a stronger link with the cement paste, improving the recycled aggregate concrete’s overall performance. XRD, infrared spectral analysis, and SEM scanning were used to determine the increased calcium carbonate content in the recycled aggregate following carbonation treatment as well as its microstructure improvement process. The findings offer fresh concepts for achieving resource efficiency and environmental preservation through the use of recycled aggregates in concrete, as well as theoretical backing for their use.
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spelling doaj-art-d6eba11ebeae4c5ba17888faeefb2a442025-08-20T03:50:21ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011513230910.3390/buildings15132309Experimental Study on Carbonization and Strengthening Performance of Recycled AggregateMingqiang Lin0Xiang Li1Maozhi Wei2Qun Xie3School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, ChinaIn order to address a challenging issue in the recycling of construction debris, the impact of carbonization treatment on the characteristics of recycled aggregates (RCAs) was experimentally examined in this work. Both direct carbonization and carbonization following calcium hydroxide pretreatment were used in the study to assess the impact of carbonization on the physical characteristics of recycled aggregates. According to the findings, carbonization raised the recycled aggregates’ apparent density while drastically lowering their porosity and water absorption (by as much as 20–30%). Although the recycled aggregate’s crushing index marginally increased with age, its overall physical qualities remained excellent. Pretreatment with calcium hydroxide can improve the physical characteristics of recycled aggregates, further optimize their pore structure, and efficiently encourage the carbonation process. Furthermore, recycled aggregate’s crushing index can be considerably decreased and its quality much enhanced by the ultrasonic cavitation treatment. According to the study, the carbonation-treated recycled aggregate’s microstructure was denser in the interfacial transition zone and had a stronger link with the cement paste, improving the recycled aggregate concrete’s overall performance. XRD, infrared spectral analysis, and SEM scanning were used to determine the increased calcium carbonate content in the recycled aggregate following carbonation treatment as well as its microstructure improvement process. The findings offer fresh concepts for achieving resource efficiency and environmental preservation through the use of recycled aggregates in concrete, as well as theoretical backing for their use.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2309recycled coarse aggregatecarbonization strengtheningcalcium hydroxide pretreatmentphysical properties
spellingShingle Mingqiang Lin
Xiang Li
Maozhi Wei
Qun Xie
Experimental Study on Carbonization and Strengthening Performance of Recycled Aggregate
Buildings
recycled coarse aggregate
carbonization strengthening
calcium hydroxide pretreatment
physical properties
title Experimental Study on Carbonization and Strengthening Performance of Recycled Aggregate
title_full Experimental Study on Carbonization and Strengthening Performance of Recycled Aggregate
title_fullStr Experimental Study on Carbonization and Strengthening Performance of Recycled Aggregate
title_full_unstemmed Experimental Study on Carbonization and Strengthening Performance of Recycled Aggregate
title_short Experimental Study on Carbonization and Strengthening Performance of Recycled Aggregate
title_sort experimental study on carbonization and strengthening performance of recycled aggregate
topic recycled coarse aggregate
carbonization strengthening
calcium hydroxide pretreatment
physical properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2309
work_keys_str_mv AT mingqianglin experimentalstudyoncarbonizationandstrengtheningperformanceofrecycledaggregate
AT xiangli experimentalstudyoncarbonizationandstrengtheningperformanceofrecycledaggregate
AT maozhiwei experimentalstudyoncarbonizationandstrengtheningperformanceofrecycledaggregate
AT qunxie experimentalstudyoncarbonizationandstrengtheningperformanceofrecycledaggregate