Recycled aggregates for concrete and masonry mortar produced from virgin glazed rejects of the sanitary ware industry: Fid-Bau Portal

Recycled aggregates for concrete and masonry mortar produced from virgin glazed rejects of the sanitary ware industry

Baldo, J.B. / Martins, C.A. / Costa, J.S. da

The use of recycled glazed ceramic aggregates in composites containing Portland cement may cause some concern, because of a possible alkali aggregate reaction (AAR) The origin of this unease is based on the supposedly high reactive silica and alkali content (Na₂O, K₂O) of the body and glazes used in the traditional ceramic industry (glazed floor tile, glazed wall tile, and sanitary ware). In this work, virgin parts of sanitary ware not suitable for sale were processed by crushing milling and sieving, resulting in aggregates of the appropriate size in substitution of basalt coarse aggregates and river sand, used in regular concrete and masonry mortar The study focused on the determination of the potential alkali aggregate reactivity of the recycled aggregates as well as the effects on the main properties, in the fresh and hardened state of masonry mortar and concrete made with coarse and fine aggregates 100% recycled from sanitary ware The AAR testing was performed using the accelerated method of concrete bars (AMBT), recommended by ASTM C 1260 The results of the AMBT tests of the recycled material used in concrete indicated that no signs of AAR could be detected In addition superior mechanical and physical properties were obtained for the mortar and concrete containing 100% recycled aggregates from sanitary ware, when com pared to those presented by traditional concrete and mortar, made with river sand and basalt as aggregates The plentiful availability of virgin rejected sanitary ware parts in Brazil (and around the world), the good final properties, the low processing cost involved, and the benefits for the environment and protection of resources, guarantee the feasibility of this form of recycling.