Mechanical characteristics of structural concrete using building rubbles as recycled coarse aggregate

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate whether construction rubbles may be utilized as coarse aggregates in concrete. Experimentally, the slump, unit weight, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength tests were applied on concrete samples with varying percentages of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) and compared with reference concrete produced with natural coarse aggregate. This research conducted 96 concrete samples with RCA replacement percentages of 0, 35, 65, and 100%, respectively. The control mixture produced with natural aggregate showed better results than the mixtures containing recycled aggregate; thus, compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths reduced as the amount of the recycled aggregate increased. Using 100% RCA, the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength reduction reached up to 64, 29, and 38%, respectively.

Keywords

• mechanical properties
• waste materials
• crushing concrete
• crushed clay bricks
• slump test