Application of Recycled Fine Aggregate from Construction and Demolition Materials for Mortar

Construction and demolition materials are collected during the process of constructing and demolishing buildings. These materials are a major solid waste stream in Vietnam, with a relatively large amount released every year. In this study, the waste materials such as concrete, mortar, bricks, and ceramic tile are investigated to use as recycled fine aggregates (RFA) in mortar. Several tests were conducted to determine fineness modulus, porosity, flow, setting time, and strength for RFA, fresh and hardened mortar mixes, and evaluate the effects of RFA on the properties of mortar. The results indicated that the particle size distributions of concrete and mortar wastes were suitable for coarse grading, whereas those of bricks and ceramic tile wastes were for fine grading. The mortar mixes containing concrete waste showed dominant properties compared to other mixes. The properties of mixes with mortar and tile wastes were moderate, except tile waste had the initial setting time of fresh mixes extended. Brick waste was the most defective and suggested not to be used with high content.