Synergistic enhancement of sulfate resistance in recycled aggregate concrete through multi-pathway blocking via carbonation treatment and fly ash incorporation

Li, J; Chen, J; Bu, C; Zhang, M; Yu, J; Yu, X; Sun, Y; Yu, Y

Synergistic enhancement of sulfate resistance in recycled aggregate concrete through multi-pathway blocking via carbonation treatment and fly ash incorporation

Li, J Chen, J Bu, C Zhang, M Yu, J Yu, X Sun, Y Yu, Y

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Construction and Building Materials, 2025, 491
Issue Date:: 2025-09-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Li, J
dc.contributor.author	Chen, J
dc.contributor.author	Bu, C
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, M
dc.contributor.author	Yu, J
dc.contributor.author	Yu, X
dc.contributor.author	Sun, Y
dc.contributor.author	Yu, Y https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9592-8191
dc.date.accessioned	2026-05-14T07:51:54Z
dc.date.available	2026-05-14T07:51:54Z
dc.date.issued	2025-09-12
dc.identifier.citation	Construction and Building Materials, 2025, 491
dc.identifier.issn	0950-0618
dc.identifier.issn	1879-0526
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194999
dc.description.abstract	Due to the large amount of construction waste generated, the use of recycled aggregates from waste concrete as a substitute for natural aggregates in concrete production has become a hot research topic. However, the poor durability, particularly the inadequate sulfate resistance, limits the widespread use of recycled aggregate concrete. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effect of recycled aggregate carbonation and fly ash incorporation on the sulfate resistance of recycled aggregate concrete. In this work, a sulfate wet-dry cycle test was employed to assess the sulfate resistance of recycled aggregate concrete with varying carbonation pressures of the aggregate (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 MPa) and fly ash contents (10 %, 20 %, and 30 %). Additionally, a novel experimental approach was applied to analyse the sulfate ion transport pathways in recycled aggregate concrete. The results indicate that both recycled aggregate carbonation and fly ash incorporation effectively enhance the sulfate resistance of recycled aggregate concrete. Carbonation treatment improves sulfate resistance in pathways involving old mortar, with an optimal pressure of 0.5 MPa. Fly ash enhances resistance in pathways involving new mortar, with an optimal content of 20 %. These methods show good compatibility. In sulfate wet-dry cycle test, the treated group (0.5 MPa carbonation and 20 % fly ash) exhibited a 146.9 % lower mass loss rate, a 2487 % higher relative compressive strength, and fewer harmful pores, similar to natural aggregate concrete. These findings confirm the effectiveness of multi-path synergistic blocking and provide important theoretical support for the engineering application of recycled aggregate concrete.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER SCI LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Construction and Building Materials
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142685
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering, 1202 Building
dc.subject.classification	Building & Construction
dc.subject.classification	3302 Building
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.subject.classification	4016 Materials engineering
dc.title	Synergistic enhancement of sulfate resistance in recycled aggregate concrete through multi-pathway blocking via carbonation treatment and fly ash incorporation
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	491
utslib.for	0905 Civil Engineering
utslib.for	1202 Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-05-14T07:51:38Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	491

Abstract:

Due to the large amount of construction waste generated, the use of recycled aggregates from waste concrete as a substitute for natural aggregates in concrete production has become a hot research topic. However, the poor durability, particularly the inadequate sulfate resistance, limits the widespread use of recycled aggregate concrete. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effect of recycled aggregate carbonation and fly ash incorporation on the sulfate resistance of recycled aggregate concrete. In this work, a sulfate wet-dry cycle test was employed to assess the sulfate resistance of recycled aggregate concrete with varying carbonation pressures of the aggregate (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 MPa) and fly ash contents (10 %, 20 %, and 30 %). Additionally, a novel experimental approach was applied to analyse the sulfate ion transport pathways in recycled aggregate concrete. The results indicate that both recycled aggregate carbonation and fly ash incorporation effectively enhance the sulfate resistance of recycled aggregate concrete. Carbonation treatment improves sulfate resistance in pathways involving old mortar, with an optimal pressure of 0.5 MPa. Fly ash enhances resistance in pathways involving new mortar, with an optimal content of 20 %. These methods show good compatibility. In sulfate wet-dry cycle test, the treated group (0.5 MPa carbonation and 20 % fly ash) exhibited a 146.9 % lower mass loss rate, a 2487 % higher relative compressive strength, and fewer harmful pores, similar to natural aggregate concrete. These findings confirm the effectiveness of multi-path synergistic blocking and provide important theoretical support for the engineering application of recycled aggregate concrete.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194999