Effect of Recycled Coarse Aggregates in Properties of Concrete

The properties of concrete containing coarse recycled aggregates were investigated. Laboratory trials were conducted to investigate the possibility of using recycled aggregates from the demolition wastes available locally as the replacement of natural coarse aggregates in concrete. A series of tests were carried out to determine the density, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of concrete with and without recycled aggregates. The water cement ratio was kept constant for all the mixes. The coarse aggregate in concrete was replaced with 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% recycled coarse aggregates. The test results indicated that the replacement of natural coarse aggregates by recycled aggregates up to 40% had little effect on the compressive strength, but higher levels of replacement reduced the compressive strength. A replacement level of 100% causes a reduction of 28% in compressive strength, 36% in split tensile strength and 50% in flexural strength. For strength characteristics, the results showed a gradual decrease in compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity as the percentage of recycled aggregate used in the specimens increased. 100% replacement of natural coarse aggregate by recycled aggregate resulted in 43% savings in the cost of coarse aggregates and 9% savings in the cost of concrete.