Abstract

The use of construction waste as an environmental alternative for this industry has become a real necessity as a consequence of the environmental degradation caused to nature. In this research, the problem of construction and demolition waste in the city of Medellín is seen as a circular economy option, since the use of this waste as an alternative to the design of plaster mortars. In this study, plaster mortar mixtures were studied with variations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of waste aggregates as substitutes for natural aggregates. From the processes of characterization of the aggregate materials, the physical-mechanical tests of the mortars and the implementation of the mortars under external conditions, it was established that the use of waste aggregates allows the production of plaster mortar with similar properties to those of the conventional mortars, achieving average compressive strength of 15 MPa at 28 days for mixtures with 0% residual aggregates, 12 MPa for mixtures with 25%, 14 MPa for mixtures with 50%, 17 MPa for mixtures with 75% and 19 MPa for the mixtures with 100% of replacement; on the other hand, it was determined that the behavior against external agents regarding the presence of cracks and water penetration resistance was favorable to their relation to traditional mortars; which allowed to establish that the use of these elements as a constructive option becomes a sustainability alternative oriented to caring for the environment.