Use of Prefabrication, Construction and Demolition Wastes as an Aggregate in Vibropressed Precast Concrete Blocks Production

The aim of current study was to determine the recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) applicability in the production of concrete mixture for vibropressed concrete blocks. The experiments were focused especially on the crushed waste material from the same concrete elements producing plant. For this type of precast elements only some finer fractions can be implemented and the “earth-moist” consistency of fresh mixture is required. The series of samples was prepared in which the mixture of natural aggregates was partially or totally substituted by recycled concrete aggregate. The 0/4 RCA fraction, which is usually rejected in ready mix concrete technology, plays a role of 0/2 sand. The substitution of sand fraction was from 20% to 100% respectively. The substitution of the coarser aggregate fractions by 4/16 RCA was also done. The standard properties of vibropressed elements, such as the degree of densification, the density of material, the compressive and splitting tensile strength and the water absorption capacity according to the relevant standards were determined. The parameters of materials with the natural aggregate substitution by RCA are affected by the ratio of recycled concrete aggregate. In most cases the results do not decline specially from those for reference samples, when only the natural sand (0/2) fraction is substituted by the 0/4 recycled aggregate. As one could expect, as lower the substitution, as better the test results. The partial substitution of natural aggregate by coarser fractions requires experimental verification; over 20% substitution of natural aggregate by 4/8, 8/16 or 0/16 RCA should be excluded.

Verification of a Torsional Behaviour Prediction Model for Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete Beams

This study shows the torsional conduct of aggregate streaming beams of reinforced concrete recycling. Pure torsion was perceived for 15 reinforced concrete beams containing recycled concrete aggregates. The beams were grouped into five lengths and cross-sectional groups. The study’s principal parameters were the various percentages of longitudinal steel reinforcement and the proportions of recycled aggregates. The beams were purely twisted until failure and investigated for torsional and crack behaviour. The findings show that the beams with maximum steel enhancement and standard aggregate exhibited maximum cracking power and ultimate torsional strength. Recycled aggregates increased the presence of splitting and the ultimate strength, and the effects of steel strengthening in recycled beams were apparent. In a second analysis, the whole torsional reaction of the beams was analytically predicted. A soft truss model was used and matched with test results for standard beams. A strong compromise was generally reached.

Water-Washed Fine and Coarse Recycled Aggregates for Real Scale Concretes Production in Barcelona

The use of recycled aggregate to reduce the over-exploitation of raw aggregates is necessary. This study analysed and categorised the properties of water-washed, fine and coarse, recycled aggregates following European Normalization (EN) specification. Because of their adequate properties, zero impurities and chemical soluble salts, plain recycled concrete was produced using 100% recycled concrete aggregates. Two experimental phases were conducted. Firstly, a laboratory phase, and secondly, an on-site work consisting of a real-scale pavement-base layer. The workability of the produced concretes was validated using two types of admixtures. In addition, the compressive and flexural strength, physical properties, drying shrinkage and depth of penetration of water under pressure validated the concrete design. The authors concluded that the worksite-produced concrete properties were similar to those obtained in the laboratory. Consequently, the laboratory results could be validated for large-scale production. An extended slump value was achieved using 2.5–3% of a multifunctional admixture plus 1–1.2% of superplasticiser in concrete production. In addition, all the produced concretes obtained the required a strength of 20 MPa. Although the pavement-base was produced using 300 kg of cement, the concrete made with 270 kg of cement per m3 and water/cement ratio of 0.53 achieved the best properties with the lowest environmental impact.

Concrete with Partial Substitution of Waste Glass and Recycled Concrete Aggregate

The current practice of concrete is thought to be unsuitable because it consumes large amounts of cement, sand, and aggregate, which causes depletion of natural resources. In this study, a step towards sustainable concrete was made by utilizing recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a coarse aggregate. However, researchers show that RCA causes a decrease in the performance of concrete due to porous nature. In this study, waste glass (WG) was used as a filler material that filled the voids between RCA to offset its negative impact on concrete performance. The substitution ratio of WG was 10, 20, or 30% by weight of cement, and RCA was 20, 40, and 60% by weight of coarse aggregate. The slump cone test was used to assess the fresh property, while compressive, split tensile, and punching strength were used to assess the mechanical performance. Test results indicated that the workability of concrete decreased with substitution of WG and RCA while mechanical performance improved up to a certain limit and then decreased due to lack of workability. Furthermore, a statical tool response surface methodology was used to predict various strength properties and optimization of RCA and WG.

Experimental Study on Self Compacting Fibrous Concrete Comprising Magnesium Sulphate Solution Treated Recycled Aggregates

It appears that the awareness and intentions to use recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in concrete are expanding over the globe. The production of self-compacting concrete (SCC) using RCA is an emerging field in the construction sector. However, the highly porous and absorptive nature of adhered mortar on RCA’s surface leads to reduced concrete strength, which can be removed with the application of various techniques, such as acid treatment. This study investigated the effect of the partial replacement of silica fume by cement and natural aggregate (NA) by RCA with and without steel fibre. The used RCA was treated with magnesium sulphate solution. It was immersed in solutions with different concentrations of 10%, 15% and 20% and for different periods of 5, 10 and 15 days. Sixteen mixes were prepared, which were divided into six groups with or without 1% of steel fibre content. The fresh properties, compressive strength, split tensile strength and impact resistance were examined. The results revealed that the strengths of the mixes with 20% RCA were marginally better than those of the control mixes. The compressive strength and split tensile strength were reduced by 34% and 35% at 60% RCA content, respectively, as compared to the control mixes.