Exploratory study on fresh and hardened properties of mortar using recycled concrete powder towards environmental impact assessment

Abstract

In response to the increasing demand for sustainable construction materials, this study investigates the integration of recycled concrete powder (RCP) as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in mortar. The research evaluates the fresh and hardened properties, microstructural features, and environmental performance of mortars containing 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% RCP by weight. Experimental assessments included flow, density, compressive strength, and splitting tensile strength at curing ages of 7, 28, and 90 days. Microstructural analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while environmental impacts were quantified through life cycle assessment (LCA) across six categories namely abiotic depletion potential (ADP), global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP). The results show that increasing RCP content decreases flow and density, attributed to its porous structure and irregular particle morphology. The mortar showed better compressive and tensile strength after 10% replacement, and its strength activity indices (SAI) were above 100%, suggesting good pozzolanic reactivity. As the amount of replacement increased, mechanical performance decreased. LCA results demonstrated consistent reductions in all environmental impact categories, although efficiency per unit strength varied. Overall, a 10% RCP replacement achieved an optimal balance between mechanical integrity and sustainability, supporting its viability as an eco-efficient supplementary cementitious material in mortar applications.

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