Combined Effect of Multistage Processing and Treatment Methods on the Physical, Chemical, and Microstructure Properties of Recycled Concrete Aggregates

Abstract

Abstract This research aims to examine the effects of multistage processing on reducing the old cement fractions and enhancing the quality of concrete recycled aggregate (CRA). The investigation involves the use of demolished concrete debris and subsequent treatments in both single and multistage processes. The recycled aggregates (RAs) were obtained using a multistage jaw crushing process followed by utilizing natural aggregate, untreated RA, RA treated with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium silicate (SS) immersion (single-stage treatment), and RA treated with mechanical scrubbing and SS immersion in two separate stages (multistage treatment). The subsequent phase of the experimental inquiry involves assessing the physical attributes of both treated and untreated RA. This is followed by conducting microstructural examinations utilizing techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis. The findings indicate that employing a two-step process, involving mechanical abrasion followed by immersion in SS, yields high-quality CRA. This conclusion is reinforced by the favorable physical performance observed. The water absorption values of CRA were lowered by 78 % through single-stage treatments such as immersion in HCl. The similar treatment is found to show densest concrete with calcium/silicon ratio reduced to around 81 % to that of untreated CRA. Additionally, for single-stage treated CRA samples, microstructural study using FTIR verified the creation of additional hydration products, whereas for two-stage treated CRA specimens, thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated the formation of stable CSH. According to the findings, it is advised to use a multistage process of jaw crushing, then treating it with mechanical abrasion and SS. This has the ability to improve the physical, chemical, and microstructural properties of CRA.