This experimental study was focused on the application of a surface-modified hemp- hurds aggregate into composites using an alternative binder of MgO-cement. This paper presents the results of the comparative study of the parameters (chemical and physico-chemical modification, and hardening time) affecting the physical (density, thermal conductivity coefficient and water-absorption behavior) and mechanical properties (compressive strength) of the bio-aggregate-based composite. A test of the parameters of the bio-composite samples showed some differences, which were determined by the chemical and surface properties of the modified filler, and which affected the mechanisms of hardening. The bulk density values of the hemp hurd composites hardened for 28 days place this material in the lightweight category of composites. The values of water absorption and the thermal conductivity coefficient of bio-composites decreased, and the strength parameter increased with an increase in the hardening time. The lower values of compressive strength, water absorption, and thermal conductivity coefficient (except for the ethylenediaminetetraacetic-acid-treated filler) were observed in composites based on fillers chemically treated with NaOH and Ca(OH)₂) compared to referential composites (based on original hemp hurds). This is related to changes in the chemical composition of hemp hurds after chemical modification. The composites with ultrasound-treated hemp hurds had the greatest strengths at each hardening time. This is related to pulping the bundles of fibers and forming a larger surface area for bonding in the matrix.

The experiment aims to test the specific way of producing concrete with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). To reduce its negative impact on the concrete properties, two different ways of treatment of the RCA with geopolymer slurry were applied—coating during the mixing using the specific mixing approach and coating prior to the mixing of concrete. As control samples, a mixture prepared by natural aggregate only and a mixture with RCA that was prepared by standard mixing with no coating process were tested as well. The results of density, total water absorption, and compressive strength in periods of 28, 90, 180, and 365 days of curing are presented and evaluated. Both methods of coating of the RCA with geopolymer slurry allow for the preparation of concrete with properties comparable to those of normal concrete (prepared by standard mixing with natural aggregate); thus, it seems to be a promising way to enhance the rate of RCA application. The positive effect of coating is clearly visible after a longer period of curing (180 days). When comparing the methods of RCA coating, coating directly during the mixing yields somewhat better results; it is also positive from the technological point of view, since the process is simpler in practice.

Pervious concrete is considered to be an advanced pavement material in terms of the environmental benefits arising from its basic feature—high water-permeability. This paper presents the results of experimental work that is aimed at testing technically important properties of pervious concrete prepared with three different water-to-cement ratios. The following properties of pervious concrete were tested—compressive and splitting tensile strength, unit weight at dry conditions, void content, and permeability. The mix proportions were expected to have the same volume of cement paste, and, to obtain the same 20% void content for all of the samples. The results show that changes of water-to-cement ratio from 0.35 to 0.25 caused only slight differences in strength characteristics. Arising tendency was found in the case of compressive strength and a decreasing tendency in the case of splitting tensile strength. The hydraulic conductivity ranged from 10.2 mm/s to 7.5 mm/s. The values of both the unit weight and void content were also analysed to compare the theoretical (calculated) values and real experiment results. A fairly good agreement was reached in the case of mixtures with 0.35 and 0.30 water-to-cement ratios, while minor differences were found in the case of 0.25 ratio. Finally, a very tight correlation was found between void content, hydraulic conductivity, and compressive strength.

In this paper, the effect of the original aggregate size of the recycled aggregate on the mechanical properties of the recycled aggregate concrete was evaluated. A series of concretes were produced in which natural aggregates, recycled aggregates, and original aggregates in recycled aggregates were matched for a single particle size distribution curve. The replacement levels of recycled aggregate were 25% and 50%, and equivalent mortar volume mix design was applied for recycled aggregate concrete. The results show that the mechanical strength of recycled aggregate concrete increases with increasing original aggregate size. This effect was observed to be greater in concrete using recycled aggregate with a high residual mortar content.

Clay brick and granite waste are part of the waste generated by construction and demolition activities. The amount of these wastes generated is enormous, but on the one hand, they can be used as a raw material for cement mixtures; thus, it is important to find ways to utilize them efficiently. In this study, clay brick and granite waste were crushed and screened into two size fractions (0.15–2.36 mm for sand replacement and smaller than 0.15 mm for cement replacement), and a total of four different forms of recycled materials were obtained (recycled brick aggregate, recycled brick powder, recycled granite aggregate and recycled granite powder) and used in cement mortar. Various properties (workability, mechanical strength and drying shrinkage) of the mortars were assessed according to standardized test methods. The results showed that the various material forms had different effects on the various properties of cement mortar. At replacement ratios of 10% and 20%, recycled granite showed better workability when used as powder, whereas recycled brick used as aggregate had higher workability. In common, using recycled brick and recycled granite in the form of aggregate was advantageous for the strength development of mortar, while using them in the form of powder helped to mitigate drying shrinkage.

Pervious concrete is characterized by its open-void structure, which gives it a number of specific properties and allows specific applications, including pervious pavements, residential roads, alleys, sidewalks, parking lots, patios, and so on. Permeable areas are extremely important for the creation of sustainable cities in terms of the water cycle. Due to its high void content and low cement/mortar content, pervious concrete generally may have significantly reduced strength when compared with conventional concrete. That is why a wide range of research activities is devoted to the balance between acceptable void content, strength, as well as other significant properties. Knowledge of the relationships between the individual properties is very important for understanding this specific material. In this paper, a wide range of 38 different composition variants has been tested to determine the dependencies between the essential properties of pervious concrete. The variables related to the type of aggregate, maximum grain size, the grain-size composition, the amount of binder, and the kind (composition) of binder. The dependencies reported in the article are defined with high reliability R² ranging from 0.75 to 0.95. On the basis of the dependencies thus determined, it can be predicted that a density of min. 1740 kg/m³ must be reached to meet the requirement of min. 10 MPa for nonpavement applications, while a density of min. 1960 kg/m³ must be achieved to meet min. 20 MPa for pavement applications. The criteria of the void ratio for pavement applications can be set at 20 ± 3%, while the criteria for nonpavement applications can be set at 28 ± 6%.