Evaluation of activated recycled concrete powder in low-carbon cementitious system based on strength impact balance framework

A study focusing on the low-carbon cementitious application of recycled concrete powder was published in Volume 133 of the Journal of Building Engineering Syed Roshan Zamir Hashmi、Helamini Sandagomika、Reyes Garcia、Mehrdad Arashpour Collaborated with Sudharshan N. Raman to propose a framework based on “strength impact” equilibrium to evaluate the performance of activated recycled concrete powder in low-carbon cementitious systems. This study focuses on the balance between the resource utilization of construction waste and the performance of low-carbon cementitious materials, and belongs to the fundamental and applied research in the field of building materials.

Balanced perspective of strength and impact performance

The research title clearly points to the “strength to impact framework”, which examines strength and impact performance within the same evaluation framework.

. For recycled concrete powder, which is a type of powder material derived from building demolition waste, its addition to the cementitious system often requires finding a balance between mechanical strength and impact resistance, toughness, and other properties. This study did not stop at a single strength indicator, but incorporated impact related performance into the evaluation system, providing a more comprehensive basis for the rational use of recycled powders in low-carbon cementitious materials. From the perspective of the application of building and home decoration materials, concrete and its products face a dual demand for strength and durability in the long run. The activation treatment and dosage design of recycled concrete powder directly affect the mechanical performance of the cementitious system. The evaluation framework proposed in this study helps to identify the trade-off between strength and impact performance earlier in the material formulation design stage, avoiding relying solely on compressive strength as the sole measure.

Significance for the polymer additive industry

Although the research focuses on concrete cementitious systems, its evaluation approach has reference value for the application of polymer additives in building and home decoration materials.

. In PVC profiles, pipes, building coatings, sealants and other materials, weather stability is one of the core requirements for long-term performance. The addition of antioxidants and light stabilizers is precisely to delay aging and maintain stable mechanical properties during the service life of materials. The strength impact balance evaluation of recycled powders in cementitious systems is similar to the idea of achieving performance balance through additive systems in polymer materials: both emphasize finding synergy between multiple performance indicators rather than maximizing a single indicator. For building materials, low-carbon and performance guarantee often need to be promoted simultaneously. The resource utilization of recycled concrete powder and the optimization of weather resistant stability system in PVC profiles respond to the demand for sustainability and durability in the construction industry from two directions: inorganic cementitious and organic polymer. The framework provided by this study suggests that material evaluation should focus on the balance of multiple performance dimensions, which can be extended to the application evaluation of additives such as antioxidants and light stabilizers in building materials.

Research Information and Boundaries

This study was published in Volume 133 of the Journal of Building Engineering on December 1, 2026. The author information and title are as described above.

. The source text does not provide specific experimental data, dosage ratios, or conclusion values, therefore this article does not make any inferences about the magnitude of strength improvement, changes in impact performance, or low-carbon emission reduction effects. This study belongs to a journal article, and its conclusions need to be understood in conjunction with the experimental conditions of the entire text, and should not be directly equated with engineering application standards.

Source: Journal of Building Engineering, Volume 133, Publication date: 1 December 2026； title: A strength-to-impact framework for evaluating activated recycled concrete powder in low-carbon cementitious systems。

Information source:A strength-to-impact framework for evaluating activated recycled concrete powder in low-carbon cementitious systems， Organized by Herun Chemical.