Effects of Sulfate Attack and Freeze–Thaw Cycles on Concrete with Compositely Modified Recycled Brick–Concrete Aggregate

In China, a significant portion of construction and demolition waste (CDW) consists of clay bricks and concrete, which can be processed into recycled brick-concrete aggregate (RBCA). This study explores the utilization of compositely modified RBCA as a substitute for natural coarse aggregate in concrete. Two distinct composite modification methods were applied to pretreat RBCA, and then the resistance of the resulting recycled brick-concrete aggregate concrete (RBCAC) to sulfate attack and freeze-thaw cycles was systematically examined and elucidated the underlying enhancement mechanisms. The experimental data revealed a clear trend: increasing the proportion of RBCA in the concrete mix correlates with a marked decline in its durability performance. In contrast, the application of composite modification techniques yielded a significant enhancement in durability. This improvement is primarily attributed to the mitigation of weak interfacial zones and the promotion of a more compact microstructure within the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). Consequently, the observed enhancement in durability metrics can be principally ascribed to this microstructural optimization. This research offers substantive theoretical insights that can facilitate the broader adoption of compositely modified RBCA in the production of sustainable concrete, contributing to waste valorization and resource conservation.