Thermo-mechanical treatment as an upcycling strategy for mixed recycled aggregate

The study investigates thermo-mechanical treatment for mixed recycled aggregates (MRA). Six treated aggregates were prepared by heating MRA between 300 degrees C and 800 degrees C, followed by 100 abrasion cycles. The thermomechanical treatment causes loss in the adhered mortar and improves aggregate crushing, impact and abrasion value up to 700 degrees C. Concrete prepared with MRA treated at 700 degrees C, as compared to natural aggregates, shows higher workability (166.67%) and comparable mechanical strength, i.e., compressive (93.72%), flexural (99.94%) and split tensile (97.87%). The sustainability assessment shows that treating MRA with renewable energy can have lower economic costs (89.36%) and carbon emissions (58.05%) than manufacturing natural aggregates.