Effect of Pre-Wetting Recycled Mortar Aggregate on the Mechanical Properties of Masonry Mortar

• Main Authors: René Sebastián Mora-Ortiz, Ebelia Del Angel-Meraz, Sergio Alberto Díaz, Francisco Magaña-Hernández, Emmanuel Munguía-Balvanera, Mayra Agustina Pantoja Castro, Justino Alavez-Ramírez, Leobardo Alejandro Quiroga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: recycled fine aggregate; recycling; sustainable construction; mortar; pre-wetting
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/6/1547

In this research we evaluated the use of recycled fine mortar aggregate (RFMA) as a fine aggregate for new masonry mortar creation. The pre-wetting effect on the aggregate before creating the mixture was analyzed as a method to reduce its absorption potential. A control mixture of conventional mortar and two groups of recycled mortars were designed with a partial replacement of natural sand by RFMA (pre-wetted and not pre-wetted) performed in different proportions. The results established that the pre-wetting process allows a reduction in the amount of water required during the creation of new mixtures, regulating the water/cement (W/C) ratio and improving the properties of recycled mortars such as air content, fresh and hardened densities, and compressive and adhesive strength for all substitution levels. Mortar made with a 20% substitution and pre-wetted until it was at 67% of its absorption capacity displayed adhesive values higher than the ones shown by the reference mortar. The pre-wetting process proves to be an easy performance technique; it is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and the most valuable fact is that specialized equipment is not necessarily needed. This process is the most profitable option for improving RFMA exploitation and reuse.