Comportamiento mecánico de hormigones con áridos reciclados y poliestireno expandido, enfocado a paneles prefabricados

Abstract

The urgent need to reduce the use of natural resources and

energy consumption by the construction industry, as well

as provide a solution to the accumulation of residues and

waste generated in the construction sector, to clean up the

environment, is of concern to scientists and researchers

around the world. The aim of this study is to evaluate the

viability of concrete with low resistance requirements,

intended to be used in non-load-bearing prefabricated panels,

in which the natural coarse aggregate has been replaced by

recycled coarse aggregate in different percentages (25%,

50%, 75% and 100%), incorporating in all dosages, one

third of the replacement, by expanded polystyrene. To do

this, their mechanical and physical properties have been

studied: compressive strength, flexural, diametral compression

tensile, absorption, durability and density. The recycled coarse

aggregates (brick masonry, concrete blocks and reinforced

concrete structural elements) were obtained through a selective

process of the waste generated in demolition works in the city

of Guayaquil (Ecuador). The results show that as the percentage

of recycled aggregates is reduced, the compressive strength

and other mechanical properties increase, as well as its density,

approaching more and more to that of the control concrete.

The behavior of the best mixture, with 25% replacement with

coarse recycled aggregates and expanded polystyrene, meets

the structural requirements of a prefabricated wall panel, in

addition to reducing the environmental impact generated by

the use of recycled coarse aggregates.