Mechanical and microstructural characterization of non-structural precast concrete made with recycled mixed ceramic aggregates from construction and demolition wastes

The pressure caused by the construction activities has begun to take its toll on the environment. One option to alleviate the negative impacts is to reuse the construction and demolition wastes as recycled aggregate in the manufacture of non-structural concrete. Therefore, this research compares the recycled kerbstones and paving blocks made with a 50% replacement ratio of pre-saturated recycled mixed ceramic aggregates to the conventional non-structural precast concrete elements. Although some decreases in compressive (−25.47%) and flexural strength (−5.77%) were observed, the splitting tensile strength (0.53%), the strong bond exhibited by the ITZ between the recycled aggregates and the cement paste and the relatively low porosity (12.44% with a small volume of pores greater than 2 μm) showed promising results; thus proving the viability of using recycled kerbstones and paving blocks.