The impact of bitumen roofing production waste (BTw) on cement mortar properties

Abstract

This paper is aimed to show the impact of bitumen roofing production waste (BTw) on the properties ofcement mortars in terms of mineral composition, microstructure, setting rate, physical and mechanicalproperties and durability (water absorption, freeze-thaw resistance). To this aim, mortar specimens weremanufactured by replacing 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% of natural sand by weight with BTw. The main results showthat BTw slightly accelerates cement hydration and 4% is the best content of BTw to be valorised in mor-tars. In this case, compressive strength, density and ultrasound pulse velocity are comparable to the con-trol mortar (0% BTw content) but capillary water absorption decreases and flexural strength increases. Moreover, at this dosage, the forecasted freeze-thaw resistance of mortars increases considerably (~30%).