Investigation of Mechanical Characteristics of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Incorporating Cement-Based Crystalline Materials

The rapid pace of urbanization has led to a significant increase in construction waste, resulting in resource depletion. Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) technology presents an effective solution for repurposing this waste. However, due to the complex structure of recycled aggregates, including residual mortar and microcracks at the interfacial transition zone, RAC often exhibits inferior mechanical properties. To address this issue, this study incorporates a cement-based crystalline material, XYPEX, which contains highly active components, into RAC in varying proportions. The study evaluates the workability and mechanical performance of RAC with different XYPEX dosages. The findings reveal that adding XYPEX enhances the slump and fluidity of RAC mixtures. Furthermore, an increase in XYPEX content improves the mechanical strength of RAC, with the optimal performance observed at a 2.0% dosage. XYPEX contributes to the formation of water-insoluble crystals, which effectively fill pores, improve mechanical properties, and meet the structural application requirements of RAC.