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Use of recycled concrete aggregate in high-strength concrete

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Abstract

The results of a test programme to study the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in high-strength, 50 N/mm2 or greater, concrete are described. The effects of coarse RCA content on the ceiling strength, bulk engineering and durability properties of such concretes have been established. The results showed that up to 30% coarse RCA had no effect on concrete strength, but therafter there was a gradual reduction as the RCA content increased. A method of accommodating the effects of high RCA content, involving simple adjustment to water/cement ratio of the mix is given. It is shown that high-strength RCA concrete will have equivalent engineering and durability performance to concrete made with natural aggregates, for corresponding 28-day design strengths. The practical implications of the study for concrete construction are discussed.

Résumé

Sont décrits ici les résultats d’une série d’essais destinés à étudier l’utilisation de granulats provenant du recyclage d’éléments en béton (RCA) dans des bétons de haute résistance (50 MPa et plus). Les effets de la teneur en gros granulats recyclés sur la résistance des plafonds et des bâtiments, ainsi que les propriétés de tels bétons ont été établis. Les résultats ont montré qu’une teneur allant jusqu’à 30% en gros granulats recyclés n’a pas d’effet sur la résistance du béton, mais qu’au dessus de 30%, la résistance diminue progressivement à mesure que la teneur en gros granulats recyclés augmente. Une méthode visant à accommoder les effets dus à une forte proportion de RCA, nécessitant un simple ajustement du rapport eau/ciment dans le mélange, est proposée. Il est prouvé que le béton RCA de haute résistance aura des qualités de résistance et de durabilité équivalentes à celles de bétons constitués de granulats naturels, pour les résistances mécaniques à 28 jours prévues. Les implications pratiques de l’étude sur la réalisation d’ouvrages en béton sont présentées.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Concrete Technology Unit, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Dundee, DD1 4HN, Dundee, Scotland, UK

    M. C. Limbachiya, T. Leelawat & R. K. Dhir

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  1. M. C. Limbachiya
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  2. T. Leelawat
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  3. R. K. Dhir
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Limbachiya, M.C., Leelawat, T. & Dhir, R.K. Use of recycled concrete aggregate in high-strength concrete. Mat. Struct. 33, 574–580 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480538

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