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Evaluation of cracking and cohesive fracture response in recycled aggregate concrete

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Abstract

The fracture response of concrete with 30%, 60%, and 100% replacement of natural coarse aggregate with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is evaluated. An inverse analysis is performed on the measured fracture test response, assuming a multi-linear stress-crack separation (σ − w) relationship. The cohesive σ − w relationship indicates a decrease in the tensile strength and lower cohesive stress with RCA replacement levels higher than 30%. The crack depth established from digital image correlation is larger for a given crack mouth opening displacement in concrete with RCA. There is an increase in the area of the fractured surface with increasing RCA content. However, there is a consistent decrease in fracture energy with increasing RCA content. The microscopic examination reveals the existence of weak planes along with RCA interfaces with new mortar and pre-existing fracture planes in the aggregate. The increase in the surface area with RCA is attributed to weak planes around the RCA and pre-existing cracks in the aggregate, which creates a more tortuous path. There is thus an increase in the fracture surface area, a decrease in the fracture energy, a reduction in the cohesive stress transfer with crack opening, and a larger crack depth for a given crack opening in concrete with increasing RCA substitution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Rm 502, Civil Engineering Academic Block B, Kandi, Hyderabad, TS, 502285, India

    Sourav Chakraborty & Kolluru V. L. Subramaniam

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  1. Sourav Chakraborty
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  2. Kolluru V. L. Subramaniam
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SC: investigation; data curation; formal analysis; writing—original draft. KVLS: conceptualization; supervision; funding acquisition; project administration; review and editing.

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Correspondence to Kolluru V. L. Subramaniam.

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Chakraborty, S., Subramaniam, K.V.L. Evaluation of cracking and cohesive fracture response in recycled aggregate concrete. Mater Struct 56, 130 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-023-02193-x

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