Characterization of Ceramic Waste Plaster Mortars by Advanced Analytical Methods: NMR and SEM-EDX

The practice of reusing ceramic waste is an environmental, economic and technical advantage. Brick and masonry waste contributes to the production of sustainable materials whose physical and mechanical performance can be improved. According to recent studies on plastering mortars with ceramic waste, by replacing up to 25% sand with brick waste, respectively 15% brick powder waste with cement, does not negatively influence the mechanical strengths. The present research work proposes to investigate by non-invasive SEM-EDX and NMR methods, plaster mortars with 35% ceramic waste for partial replacement of aggregates, respectively mortars with 30% ceramic waste partially replacing cement. The aim of these investigations is to examine the topographic surface, the elemental composition of the samples as well as the characteristics of pores and connections within the structure of the ceramic waste mortar samples. The results obtained identify an increase in the structural performance of the recipe with 35% brick waste, as well as relative pore water content. These investigations provide us with a com-prehensive view of the characteristics of mortars with technical performance within the limits of the standards in force and whose aim is to reduce CO2 emissions and the consumption of resources as much as possible and to obtain a sustainable material.