Journal of South China University of Technology(Natural Science Edition) ›› 2026, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (3): 160-171.doi: 10.12141/j.issn.1000-565X.250120

• Materials Science & Technology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Durability Analysis of Load-Bearing Recycled Concrete Blocks in Severe Cold Regions of Qinghai-Tibet

QI Yunpeng1, WANG Qiusheng1, LI Zhiyi2, XIONG Yijun1   

  1. 1.The Key Laboratory of Urban Security and Disaster Engineering of Ministry of Education,Beijing University of Technology,Beijing 100124,China
    2.Hunan Economic Institute Electric Power Design Co. ,Ltd. ,Changsha 410004,Hunan,China
  • Received:2025-04-23 Online:2026-03-25 Published:2025-10-10
  • Contact: 王秋生(1977—),男,博士,教授,主要从事岩土类材料变形破坏机理及新型材料研制研究。 E-mail:wangqs@bjut.edu.cn
  • About author:齐云鹏(1995—),男,博士生,主要从事固废材料性能改良及微观机理研究。E-mail:2415998292@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51679003)

Abstract:

To realize resource utilization of solid waste and improve the performance of recycled concrete blocks in severe cold regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, this study investigates the effects of recycled fine aggregates and active supplementary cementitious materials on the impermeability, water resistance and frost resistance of load-bearing concrete blocks, based on 100% replacement of coarse aggregates with recycled aggregates. The microstructure of recycled concrete was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was employed to quantitatively evaluate material performance, costs and carbon emissions. The results show that the permeability and water absorption of load-bearing recycled concrete blocks increase with the increase of the proportion of recycled fine aggregates, while they decrease first and then increase with a reduction in the fly ash-to-slag blend ratio. Conversely, frost resistance and the softening coefficient exhibit the opposite trend. Under the condition of 100% recycled coarse aggregate replacement and a fly ash-to-slag blend ratio of 3∶1, the compressive strength of the blocks reached 11.77 MPa, flexural strength was 3.89 MPa, softening coefficient was 0.99, water absorption was 0.7%, mass loss after 50 freeze-thaw cycles was 2.2%, and the loss rates of compressive and flexural strength were 10.2% and 13.9%, respectively. These properties meet the load-bearing and durability requirements for severe cold regions, making this mix ratio the recommended formulation. Microscopic analysis shows that alkali activation promotes secondary hydration in the composite cementitious materials, generating additional hydration products that fill internal pores, thereby enhancing the densification of the recycled concrete. However, with the increasing freeze-thaw cycles, the number of internal pores gradually increases, with micropores and mesopores envolving into macropores and cracks, leading to performance degradation. Based on the performance-cost-carbon emission analysis, using 100% recycled coarse aggregates alone is unfavorable for carbon reduction. In contrast, the recommended mix proportion incorporating both recycled aggregates and active SCMs demonstrates the optimal comprehensive benefits, achieving a carbon reduction rate of 31.03%.

Key words: solid waste, load-bearing recycled concrete block, severe cold region, durability, microstructure

CLC Number: