Evaluación de las propiedades mecánicas de concreto fabricado con agregados reciclados provenientes de adoquines

Abstract

Recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW) as aggregates for concrete is a strategy researched worldwide to reduce the negative environmental impact of the concrete use. In this project, nine concrete mixes (named M1 to M9) with complete and partial replacement of fine and coarse aggregate fractions by recycled aggregate obtained from crushed concrete paving stones from the main square of Almaguer (Cauca) were evaluated based on the flexural and compressive strengths. The followed methodology included five phases, from the aggregate sampling to the selection of concrete mixes with better mechanical performance towards their application in new concrete paving stones. Results indicated that the concrete mixes with 50% replacement, on a weight basis, of fine natural aggregate (named M2) and coarse natural aggregate (M4), respectively, satisfy with the required strength indicated by the NTC-2017 for manufacturing new paving stones. Although techniques to improve the concrete abrasive resistance when used as paving stone should be further investigated, the recycled aggregates percentages presented in this project compared to the ones reported in literature are very high. Therefore, the solution stated in this project not only has the potential of significantly reduce the negative environmental impact caused by the inadequate disposal of construction waste and extraction of non-renewable resources, use of recycled aggregates in concrete has also the potential of reducing costs in construction projects.