Size grading methods to characterize construction and demolition waste for its use in structural concrete

Abstract

Recycled aggregate produced at construction and demolition waste plants is frequently used as an ingredient in structural concrete. Nevertheless, the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of this aggregate must be supervised in order to ensure the quality of the final product. Of these properties, one of the most important is particle size which depends to a great extend on the process used to manufacture the aggregate and it directly affects the consistency, workability, uniformity, and mechanical strength of concrete as well as its density, compactness, permeability and resistance to wear. This paper analyzes recycled aggregate samples with various size grading methods to determine their potential use in concrete. On the one hand, results have showed that some differences between different methods existed; on the other hand the manufacturing process should be modified so that the particle size of the recycled aggregate complied with the guidelines in the EHE-08 Code.

Keywords

• concrete
• construction and demolition waste
• grading methods
• recycled aggregate
• structural concrete code ehe-08