Concrete-Based and Mixed Waste Aggregates in Rendering Mortars

The construction industry is considered the biggest waste producer in Europe. In order to encourage recycling, European Parliament decreed through the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC, that at least 70% of construction and demolition waste should be recycled by 2020. From recycling plants, three types of recycled aggregates are produced. Recycled Concrete Aggregate, mainly from cementitious waste, as such as concrete and mortars residues; Recycled Masonry Aggregates mainly composed by recycled ceramic materials, as such as tiles and bricks residues; Mixed Recycled Aggregates based on rubble residues, from heterogenous materials waste. This research evaluated the technical feasibility of rendering mortars with Recycled Concrete Aggregates and Mixed Recycled Aggregates, in different volume incorporation of 0%, 20%, 50% and 100%. The experimental programme comprised an analyse of the fresh and hardened properties, regarding the water and mechanical behaviour of the mortars. From the results, it was noticed that the modified mortars presented a reduction in the modulus of elasticity, which its correlated to a less susceptibility to cracking. Regarding mechanical performance, the modified mortars obtained reduction of the flexural and compressive strength over time. However, it was not a significant harmful criterion. Therefore, the incorporation of recycled aggregates in cementitious materials is considered a technical and sustainable solution.