STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS

The research works encompassed in this PhD dissertation combine both theoretical and experimental components that have been carried out in two universities (Universidad de León and Ghent University) under a joint PhD agreement. Following the clauses of this doctoral contract, the thesis includes a Dutch, English and Spanish summary, and both the table of content and the conclusions are written in English and Spanish.

A general introduction on the topic of the PhD dissertation has been offered in the present chapter focusing on the significance of the research on the reutilization of mixed and ceramic recycled aggregates as an alternative of the natural coarse aggregates in the manufacture of concrete. In addition, Chapter 1 includes the scope and objectives of the investigation.

Since literature review plays a significant role in research, a theoretical background on the CDW and the derived recycled aggregates is presented in chapter 2 involving an examination of the legal framework, an overview of their generation and possibilities for recycling including current challenges and specifications. However, the literature review concerning to the contextualization of the different properties subjected to evaluation in this dissertation was not included in this chapter but placed at the beginning of the corresponding section in order to provide the basis for for justifying the research and the results obtained when compared to the investigations carried out by other researchers.

Chapter 3 describes the procedures and experimental methods employed in the development of the research comprising the PhD thesis. Each research methodology is followed by a statement of the adopted methods, and their applicability and benefits.

In chapter 4, the specific characteristics of the raw materials employed in the manufacture of concrete are explained. Special attention was paid to the selection and definition of the recycled aggregates employed in the research, as well as their characterization according to the current Spanish legislation on natural aggregates for the concrete manufacture, namely the EHE-08 (Permanent Commission on Concrete, 2008). Thus, the testing program on aggregates was comprised of a physical and mechanical characterization (constituents of coarse recycled aggregate, particle size distribution, geometry of coarse aggregates, fines assessment, density and water absorption, mechanical resistance and adhered mortar) in order to prove their suitability as replacement of the coarse natural aggregate in the recycled concrete manufacture. Moreover, a microstructural characterization (X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry) was performed to achieve a better understanding of the heterogeneity of their origin.

Chapter 5 includes a literature review on the specifics concerning the proportioning of concrete dosages incorporating recycled aggregates, as well as the assumptions and calculations performed in order to proportion the different conventional and recycled concrete mixtures employed for the experimental program of the thesis.

9 Subsequently, the designed concrete mixtures were tested in order to assess the influence that the replacement of half of the conventional coarse aggregate by mixed or ceramic aggregates has on their behaviour and performance. In chapter 6, the analysis was focus on the fresh state (consistency, air content, bulk density, hydration heat and setting time). Chapter 7 shows the results regarding the microstructure of the different conventional and recycled concrete mixtures by assessing the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) by X-ray scanning microscopy and the porosity through mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray scanning microscopy and air void analysis. In chapter 8, the mechanical behaviour of concrete is explained by means of the results arising from compressive, flexural and splitting-tensile strength tests, the determination of the elasticity modulus and the stress-strain behaviour, and the shrinkage and creep properties under different circumstances. The influence of the replacement on the durability properties of concrete was analysed in chapter 9 by testing the gas permeability, carbonation, water absorption by capillarity and under vacuum, water penetration under pressure, frost resistance, chloride ingress, electrical resistivity, alkali-silica reaction and resistance to organic acids.

Chapter 10 studies the environmental performance of the use of recycled aggregates from CDW with varying percentages of ceramic waste as a partial (50%) substitution of natural coarse aggregates in the manufacture of concrete. The LCA methodology was employed in order to evaluate the benefits that the three concrete mixtures used in phase I of this research have in comparison with the reference concrete mixture.

Finally, chapter 11 gathers the general conclusions obtained from the experimental works carried out in the framework of the present PhD.

Several appendixes have been included at the end of the dissertation in order to provide more detailed information regarding to several issues.

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1. INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents an overview regarding construction and demolition aggregates (CDW) with a focus on the Spanish situation. Information on the relevant waste legislation in Europe and Spain is provided as a theoretical background to understand the current CDW scenario both in terms of management and field applications. In the first section, the last available figures on generation, composition and recycling rates of CDW are discussed. The second section is centred on the recycled aggregates that could be derived from CDW, examining the treatment process resulting in their production, the recycled aggregate market, the limitations identified in their use, as well as the available instruments to promote the recycling practice, and their application, in particular for concrete manufacturing.