Abstract
This study investigates the potential of permeable crystalline materials to improve the properties of recycled aggregates and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The use of recycled aggregates in concrete production has gained increasing attention due to environmental and economic benefits. However, the lower quality and poorer durability of recycled aggregates limit their wider application. In this study, three types of recycled aggregates were treated with permeable crystalline materials, and their water absorption and crushing index were compared before and after modification. RAC was then produced using modified recycled aggregates with different substitution rates, and their mechanical properties were evaluated. To investigate the mechanism of permeable crystalline materials modification, the microstructure of the modified RAC was observed using nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that the permeable crystalline materials treatment effectively reduced the water absorption and crushing index of the recycled aggregates. The compressive strength of modified RAC also improved, with a higher modification time leading to higher strength. Furthermore, the pore distribution and microstructural denseness of the modified recycled aggregates and RAC were enhanced, as revealed by the microstructural observations. These findings suggest that permeable crystalline materials modification is a promising method for improving the properties of recycled aggregates and RAC, which could contribute to the sustainable development of the construction industry.