Effect of curing conditions on cement based self-compacting mortar produced with mortar waste aggregate

Concrete and mortar wastes, which have a large volume and economic value among construction demolition wastes, are the most targeted demolition waste group to be recycled. An important area where construction demolition waste can be utilized is self-compacting mortar (SCM) systems. SCMs are innovative and economical systems designed to minimize the labor requirements that are difficult to meet in the production process. In this study, mortar waste aggregate (MWA) obtained by mechanical crushing and grinding was used in SCM elements by substituting different ratios (5-10-20-30-40 %) by mass to aggregate. In this way, it was aimed to evaluate both the sustainability of MWAs and the usability of MWAs in SCMs, which are considered as a new production technology. The fresh and hardened mortar tests performed in the study are presented comparatively. The physical (dry unit volume weight, porosity), durability (capillary water absorption) and mechanical properties (flexural tensile, compressive strength) of the hardened SCM elements are based on the determinations made at 3, 7 and 28 test days and according to different curing conditions (water curing, air curing and heat curing). In addition, X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) analysis was performed on specimens obtained from 0 %, 10 %, 20 % and 40 % MWA substituted specimens after heat curing (after 7 days water curing) and 28 days water curing. In the light of the data obtained, it is reported that SCM production with 10 % MWA substitution is feasible in terms of sustainability and engineering properties evaluated in this study.