In this study, recycled fine aggregate (RFA), also known as recycled brick micro-powder (RBM), was used to completely replace quartz sand for the preparation of green, low-cost ecological engineered cementitious composites (ECO-ECC). RFA was used to replace ultrafine silica sand in the range of 0-100%. Firstly, the optimal replacement rate of RFA was determined, and the test results showed that the ECO-ECC prepared by fully replacing quartz sand with RFA as fine aggregate had strain hardening and multiple cracks, and the tensile strain of the specimens could reach 3%. Then the effects of fiber volume fraction and size effect on the mechanical properties of ECO-ECC were systematically investigated. The results showed that the fiber volume fraction has some influence on the mechanical properties of ECO-ECC. With the increase of fiber volume fraction, the ultimate deflection of the material keeps increasing up to 44.87 mm and the ultimate strain up to 3.46%, with good ductility and toughness. In addition, the compressive strength of the material has a good size effect, and there is a good linear relationship between different specimen sizes and standard sizes. It provides a good basis for engineering applications. Microscopic experimental results also showed that fibers play an important bridging role in the material, and the fiber pull-out and pull-break damage effects are significant.
Keywords: fiber volume fraction; recycled brick micro-powder (RBM); recycled fine aggregate (RFA); size effect; strain hardening.