Hierarchical applications of brick-concrete construction and demolition waste: From concrete/mortar to pavement engineering and pollutant adsorption

Escalating urbanization has led to a surge in construction and demolition (C&D) waste, with the construction industry being a major contributor to global material consumption and landfill burdens. Applications of brick-concrete C&D waste have emerged as a critical topic in sustainability research, given their potential environmental and economic benefits. This review focused on the hierarchical applications of brick-concrete C&D waste across three tiers, concrete/mortar, pavement engineering, and pollutant adsorption, according to the waste-management hierarchy. Sorting methods for brick-concrete C&D waste were introduced, including direct and indirect sorting techniques, emphasizing their efficiency and accuracy in separating waste components. Furthermore, the review delved into the application of this waste in civil engineering, focusing on its application scenarios as recycled aggregates and recycled powder in concrete, mortar, and pavement engineering. It discussed the properties of recycled aggregates, their differences from natural aggregates, and explored the impact of incorporating recycled materials on the performance of concrete and mortar. Additionally, the adsorption capacity of brick-concrete C&D waste for pollutants highlighted its potential in environmental engineering. Future research should leverage the unique properties of recycled materials and address existing challenges to promote effective, high-value utilization. Overall, the aspects involved in this paper hold significant promise for promoting the effective hierarchical application of brick-concrete C&D waste. • Brick-concrete C&D waste sorting accuracy improved, practical viability depends on adaptability and robustness. • Recycled materials perform in concrete/mortar, with focus on performance-balanced material proportion. • Recycled materials promising for pavement, field compaction and long-term durability need validation. • Waste-derived adsorbents enable low-cost pollutant removal, stability and safety require further study.