Lightweight concrete with coarse aggregate from ceramic waste at high temperatures

Abstract With the increasing use of recycled materials from civil construction, mainly as substitute for some aggregates in concrete mixtures, it is necessary to obtain technical information on the performance of these new mixtures. National and international research on the use of ceramic waste in concrete production highlight good results of this new material’s mechanical performance in environmental situations. However, little is known about its behavior at high temperatures. In this context, we sought to verify the performance of concrete mixtures produced with aggregates from ceramic block waste at high temperatures, with evaluation of their residual mechanical strength, axial compressive strength and elastic modulus, and also their tendency to spalling in fire situations. The RILEM-129 MHT method [1] was used for the assessment of residual mechanical strength, and the tendency to spalling was evaluated according to the procedure suggested by Souza and Moreno [2]. In both these evaluations, there is no national standard, and, in the case of spalling, not even an international standard. Three concrete mixtures were used, one prepared with natural coarse basalt aggregate (reference) and the other two by replacing part of this natural aggregate with aggregate from ceramic block waste (40% and 100% of substitution in volume). In the end, it is concluded that the substitution of natural coarse aggregate for lightweight aggregate from ceramic block waste can be an excellent alternative to increase the resistance of concrete to fire. Thus, the results of mechanical strength and spalling in a fire situation, unprecedented in our country, can greatly support the decision-making about the use of this alternative material in the national construction industry.