Use of Recycled Fine Aggregates from C&DW for Unbound Road Sub-Base

Fine recycled aggregates are produced in large quantities when crushing Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW). Even if coarse recycled aggregates are commonly used for road foundations, fine particles are often rejected as they are considered detrimental for the long-term behaviour of foundations. Physicochemical, mineralogical and mechanical characterizations (through X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, the chloride and sulphate contents, Los Angeles abrasion, micro-Deval resistance and static plate load tests) were performed on raw and treated fine recycled materials for understanding both the effects of the preparation, the compaction and the freeze–thaw cycles on the properties and the evolution of fine particles. Special attention was provided to the shape analysis of fines by means of image analyser. The results showed that the main characteristic parameters to be considered are the sieving curve and the proportion of grades. The mixes containing the highest quantity of fine particles, specifically lower than 63 µm, usually inducing a higher water demand and a higher capillary rise. This can be explained by specific surface and bluntness parameters which increase with the finer particles, inducing a higher surface roughness and, consequently, a higher potential interaction with water. Compaction did not seem to have a major effect on the production of fines (despite some breakdown occurred during compaction) and on the shape of materials (the bluntness and convexity increased slightly, while the elongation values remained similar after the compaction process). The static plate load tests showed that bearing capacity is slightly lower than the specifications for the road foundation after compaction. However, the studied material could meet the maximum criteria for secondary roads foundation construction on the wear resistance criteria. Recycled aggregates from C&DW without sufficient quality could be blended with other aggregates to enable their usage for upper-level road foundation.