Recycled Aggregate Utilization in Cementitious Materials
Summary
Recycled aggregates, derived from construction and demolition waste, offer a pathway to reduce the extraction of natural sand and gravel while diverting material from landfill. In cementitious systems these aggregates may replace coarse or fine virgin fractions, yielding concrete and mortar with lower embodied energy and carbon footprint. The quality of recycled aggregate is influenced by residual mortar, particle grading and mineralogical composition, which affect water absorption, workability and mechanical performance. Recent advances in characterisation techniques and mix design strategies—including pre-saturation protocols, admixture optimisation and the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials—have mitigated strength and durability penalties. Applications span non-structural mortars, precast elements and even structural concrete, with performance approaching that of conventional materials under controlled conditions. The deployment of recycled aggregates supports circular economy objectives and fosters resource efficiency on a global scale, provided that quality control and standardisation measures are rigorously applied.
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Recycled Aggregate Utilization in Cementitious Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in recycled aggregate utilization in cementitious materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cementitious materials: Binder systems, such as Portland cement and supplementary powders, that harden through hydration reactions to form a rigid matrix.
Recycled aggregate: Crushed fragments of concrete or masonry waste used as a substitute for natural sand or gravel in concrete and mortar.
Fine recycled concrete aggregate (fRCA): The fraction of recycled aggregate below approximately 4 mm, often exhibiting higher water demand and porosity.
Adhered mortar: Residual cement paste attached to recycled aggregate particles that increases surface roughness and water absorption.
Water absorption: The amount of water taken up by aggregate or concrete, influencing workability, w/c ratio and long-term durability.
Durability: The ability of concrete to resist weathering, chemical attack and mechanical wear over its service life.
References
- Use of fine recycled concrete aggregates in concrete: A critical review. Journal of Building Engineering (2021).
- The Durability of Recycled Fine Aggregate Concrete: A Review. Materials (2022).
- Physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of Dutch fine recycled concrete aggregates: A comparative study. Construction and Building Materials (2021).
- Circular Economy on Construction and Demolition Waste: A Literature Review on Material Recovery and Production. Materials (2020).
- Increased Durability of Concrete Made with Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregates Using Superplasticizers. Materials (2016).
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