MECHANICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF SELF-COMPACTING MORTAR PRODUCED USING RECYCLED POLYURETHANE PARTICLES AS AGGREGATE

Since sand/aggregate is one of the most intensively used natural resources for the production of concrete and its derivatives, the destruction of nature for its supply is increasing rapidly.As a result, the disposal of natural resources and CO2 emissions are increasing rapidly in parallel.This situation plays a fundamental role in the substitution of waste for aggregate or sand.In this study, polyurethanebased recycled materials (PUW), which are frequently used in industrial or domestic wastes, were substituted with aggregate in self-compacting mortar.In the mixtures used in the study, the water/binder ratio was 0.45 and the binder dosage was 500 kg/m 3 .PUW was substituted with aggregate at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% by volume.The fresh (slump flow and V-funnel), microstructural (XRD, EDX and SEM) and mechanical (axial compressive and flexural tensile strength) properties of the selfcompacting mortar mixtures were comparatively evaluated to assess the basic requirements.The data obtained from the mechanical tests of the SCM showed that the compressive strength of the PUW substitute within the relevant mix specifications of 20% PUW substitution by volume remained above 30MPa in the 28th day tests, which gives a basic information about its mechanical suitability for use.