Multicriteria Analysis of Cement Mortar with Recycled Sand

Abstract

Sustainable development requires a holistic perspective that integrates the different aspects of production and consumption and promotes the transition to a circular economy. This approach aims to balance the needs of the present and future generations, as well as the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of development. By producing products that are durable, recyclable, and reusable, and by minimizing the use of energy and materials, the environmental impact of production can be reduced while also generating economic benefits and enhancing social well-being. The article addresses the multicriteria sustainability of producing mortar modified with sand from recycled concrete rubble. The research explored the possibility of replacing natural sand with recycled sand in proportions from 10% to 100%. The consistency of mixtures, flexural and compressive strengths after 2, 28, and 90 days, as well as the carbon footprint and cost of the aggregate used were analyzed. The waste management index and sustainable use of natural resources were also considered. The research and analysis showed that recycled sand could be successfully used as an alternative for natural aggregate, as there are clear environmental and economic advantages, and the basic technical characteristics do not differ significantly statistically from the unmodified composite.

A contribution to the study of mortars prepared with recycled sand

“…The experimental results indicate that the compressive strength at 28 days decreased by 3.37%, 5.09%, 10.82%, 14.09%, 18.91% and 21.16% for the recycled sand replacement rates of 20%, 33.33%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%, respectively. The results obtained in this research are consistent with those reported by other authors (Kępniak et al, 2024;Mora-Ortiz et al, 2020).…”

Evaluating Recycled Concrete Aggregate and Sand for Sustainable Construction Performance and Environmental Benefits

“…This innovative approach enhances sustainability in construction by effectively reusing waste, thereby aligning with environmental conservation efforts [17]. Łukowski et al's 2024 research demonstrates that replacing natural sand with recycled sand in cement mortar offers significant environmental and economic benefits without notably affecting its technical properties, thereby promoting sustainability in construction [18]. Conventional concrete, when utilizing brick or recycled brick aggregates, typically exhibits lower mechanical strength and reduced durability than stone aggregates [19,20].…”