Recycled Aggregate Integration for Enhanced Performance of Polymer Concrete

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Polymer concrete (PC) is a composite material with potential for improved performance.
• The construction industry generates significant concrete rubble waste.
• Sustainable materials are increasingly sought after in composite applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the use of recycled aggregate (RA) from crushed concrete rubble as a partial or full replacement for natural aggregate in polymer concrete.
• To evaluate the impact of RA on the mechanical properties, consistency, density, and microstructure of polymer concrete.
• To highlight the environmental and economic benefits of incorporating RA into polymer concrete.

Main Methods:

• Experimental testing of polymer concrete (PC) with varying proportions of recycled aggregate (RA).
• Assessment of consistency, density, flexural strength, and compressive strength.
• Microstructural analysis to understand the behavior of RA within the PC matrix.

Main Results:

• Polymer concrete with recycled aggregate achieved a higher compressive strength (96 MPa) compared to polymer concrete with natural aggregate (89.1 MPa).
• The enhanced strength is attributed to a double-layer shell of resin and calcium filler on porous RA grains.
• Lower viscosity resin improved PC with RA performance by better filling pores and cracks.

Conclusions:

• Recycled aggregate is a viable and beneficial material for polymer concrete production.
• Utilizing RA, particularly porous, low-mechanical-property aggregates, offers significant environmental and economic advantages by reducing waste and conserving resources.
• Further research into resin properties can optimize the performance of polymer concrete with recycled aggregate.