Mechanical Properties of Self-Curing Concrete Produced from Crushed Bricks and Ceramic Waste

Abstract

Recently, the prevailing strategy has been to dispose of building waste safely. The objective of this research is to study the feasibility of using crushed bricks (CB) and ceramic waste (CW) along with PEG 400 to produce low-cost concrete with acceptable properties, preserve natural resources, and protect the ecosystem from waste. Nine concrete mixtures were produced. CB and CW were used as a partial substitution for coarse aggregate by 20%, 40%, and 60% of its weight. Three curing methods were utilized: air curing, water curing, and self-curing with Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400). Various properties of hardened concrete were investigated, such as compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, elastic modulus, water absorption rate, water sorptivity, and density. The results demonstrated that the compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and elastic modulus of CW mixtures were greater than those of CB mixtures. The mix with 40% CW and PEG 400 achieved the highest compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and elastic modulus by 19.42%, 23.5%, 23.94%, and 27.6%, respectively, with respect to the reference mix cured in water. The workability of CB and CW mixtures improved, and slump values increased with the increasing ratio of CB and CW. The water sorptivity reduced until the replacement ratio reached 40% of dolomite with CB and CW. SEM images indicated that the pores decreased, and more crystals of calcium silicate hydrate formed in a mixture with 40% CW and PEG 400 compared to the reference mix.

Keywords

• crushed bricks
• ceramic waste
• self-curing concrete
• water sorptivity
• polyethylene glycol 400