Fracture Properties of Roller-Compacted Concrete with Virgin and Recycled Aggregates

Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) pavements present three primary challenges relative to conventional concrete pavement: mixture design, structural design details, and construction process and verification. An investigation was initiated to reconcile the discrepancy between the field and laboratory properties of RCC pavements because of differences in laboratory mixture design procedures and field construction processes. Four RCC pavement projects in Illinois were selected for field coring along with sampling of RCC constituent materials for replication of the laboratory mixture design. Density measurements of field cores indicated that density decreased with depth into the pavement structure and the relative density at paving-lane joints could be as low as 80%. Statistical differences in compressive strength and fracture properties between field and laboratory samples were observed and result from differences in density. A 4% difference in density between field and laboratory samples resulted in an approximate 45% difference in compressive strength. The reduction in field RCC strength and fracture properties relative to the values obtained in the laboratory will result in decreased slab flexural capacity and field performance. Application of the gyratory compactor demonstrated that it can be used repeatedly to compact most RCC mixtures to similar target densities as the modified Proctor method and field-extracted cores. The gap between field and laboratory properties of RCC can be reduced by application of high-density pavers; improvement in mixture design procedure with the gyratory compaction method; a foundation layer beneath the RCC that is stiffer, thicker, or both; reduced RCC lift thicknesses to achieve specified density; or all of these.

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Innovative Technologies and Logistical Solutions for the Reuse of Demolished Concrete in the Construction of Cement Concrete Pavements

Advanced Engineering Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/aef.8-9.259 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8-9 ◽

pp. 259-268

Author(s):

Marius Teodor Muscalu ◽

Andrei Radu ◽

Nicolae Taranu ◽

Mihai Budescu ◽

Irina Lungu

Keyword(s):

Recycled Aggregates ◽

Concrete Pavements ◽

Original Performance ◽

Cement Concrete ◽

Roller Compacted Concrete ◽

Rigid Pavements ◽

Concrete Mixtures ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Natural Aggregates ◽

Technical Solutions

The paper presents the results and conclusions of investigations aiming to encourage the use of recycled materials, namely recycled aggregates (RA) and recycled steel fibers (RSF), in the construction of durable, economic and environmental friendly rigid pavements. To minimize and limit the negative effect of RA on the mechanical properties of cement concrete pavements, the research program considered both, development of technical solutions to improve the performance characteristics of RA particle, and RSF disperse reinforcement of concrete mixtures. Roller compacted concrete (RCC) cylindrical and prismatic test specimens manufactured with natural aggregates (NA) and original/performance improved RA have been subjected to flexure and compressive testes to evaluate the influence and contribution of developed technologies. Finally, guidelines and considerations for the use of RA in RCC and plain cement concrete (PCC) pavements are drawn.

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Use of Recycled Materials in the Construction of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) Pavements

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.649.262 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 649 ◽

pp. 262-265 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marius Teodor Muscalu ◽

Andrei Radu ◽

Mihai Budescu ◽

Nicolae Ţăranu ◽

Eugen Florescu

Keyword(s):

Research Program ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Recycled Aggregates ◽

Concrete Pavements ◽

Cement Concrete ◽

Roller Compacted Concrete ◽

Reinforced Cement ◽

Mechanical Performances ◽

Recycled Steel ◽

Technical Recommendations

This paper presents the results of laboratory studies, undertaken by the authors, in the frame of 4D-POSTDOC research program :"Innovative technologies and logistical solutions for the reuse of demolition and construction waste in the construction of cement concrete and fiber reinforced cement concrete pavements". After the presentation of the main objectives of this research program, and of the specific characteristics of the demolition wastes investigated in parallel with those of conventional construction materials, the possibility of using these materials for the preparation of the roller compacted concrete (RCC) is investigated. Finally, conclusions on the influence of recycled aggregates and recycled steel fibers on the mechanical performances of RCC and technical recommendations for the use of this more efficient material and of the involved technology for the construction of sustainable road infrastructures are formulated.

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