See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/274719783

Mechanical Characterization of Recycled Aggregate Concrete

Article · January 2015

CITATIONS READS
2 296

5 authors, including:

Muhammad Rizwan Riaz Rashid Hameed

University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
13 PUBLICATIONS 14 CITATIONS 30 PUBLICATIONS 162 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi

University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
28 PUBLICATIONS 82 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Pre Engineered Building Design View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Rashid Hameed on 11 April 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Pak. J. Engg. & Appl. Sci. Vol. 16, Jan., 2015 (p.25–32)

Mechanical Characterization of Recycled Aggregate Concrete

M. Rizwan Riaz, Rashid Hameed, Muhammad Ilyas, Affifa Akram, Zahid A. Siddiqi

Civil Engineering Department, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, Pakistan

* Corresponding Author: E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract
Experimental study was carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of recycled
aggregate concrete prepared with recycled aggregates obtained from local precast concrete industry
and the findings of this study are presented in this paper. Five different concrete mixtures were
prepared: one control mixture containing only natural aggregates and four mixtures of recycled
aggregate concrete (RAC) containing natural and recycled aggregates at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%
replacement levels of natural aggregates. The results of mechanical tests such as compressive
strength, modulus of elasticity, Load versus CMOD response, fracture energy in tension and
compression are presented. The results indicate that at 25% replacement level, mechanical properties
of RAC are almost similar to that of control concrete mix, however, mechanical properties of RAC are
degraded when natural aggregates are replaced with recycled aggregates at replacement level
greater than 25% and degradation is increased with the increase of replacement level
Key Words: concrete; natural aggregates; recycled aggregates; mechanical properties

1. Introduction aggregate for new concrete which is named as

“recycled aggregate concrete (RAC)” [1,2].
Rapid development in concrete technology has
led to the adoption of modern construction techniques Extensive research is being carried out globally
and materials such as pre-stressing, composite on the use of such recycled aggregates as an
construction and high strength concrete, etc. The alternative to natural aggregates because it is an
previously constructed structures using ordinary efficient way to ensure sustainable development,
concrete are being replaced with more efficiently environmental preservation and effective utilization
designed structures at a faster pace due to the ever of resources [3,4].
increasing need of space and aesthetics.
A series of experimental investigations on the
A large volume of concrete debris is being mechanical properties, durability and the structural
produced due to the demolition of structures whose performance of RAC have been carried out in the last
design life has been expired, or which have been two decades to suggest the possible utilization of this
damaged by natural calamities such as earthquake, waste material in construction industry so as to avoid
floods and heavy winds. The testing of concrete threat to environment.
specimens in commercial testing laboratories is Research conducted in the field of RAC so far
another source of concrete debris. Surplus concrete has revealed in general, lower modulus of elasticity,
produced in ready-mix concrete batching plants is compressive and bending strengths, lesser durability
also wasted at times. This waste concrete poses resulting from higher permeability and more water
serious environmental hazards due to mostly being requirements to achieve same workability, when
dumped in landfills. The decreasing space for compared with natural aggregate concrete [3,5,6].
landfills and the scarcity of natural resources of
aggregates encourage the reuse of this waste One of the major factors affecting the properties
concrete. of RAC is the source concrete from which recycled
aggregates are prepared. The water absorption of
One of the ways being employed these days to recycled aggregates increases with an increase in
reuse this wreckage effectively is to use this debris as strength of parent concrete of recycled aggregate,

25
Pak. J. Engg. & Appl. Sci. Vol.15, Jan., 2015

while it decreases with an increase in maximum size 2.1.2 Natural Coarse Aggregates
of aggregate [7]. The recycled coarse aggregates from
Locally available Margala crushed stone with
a concrete with compressive strength of 50MPa result
maximum particle size of 13 mm was used as coarse
in same tensile and compressive strengths as
aggregates to prepare all concrete mixes investigated
achieved by using natural coarse aggregates [8]. The
in this study. The properties of coarse aggregates are
ratio of mortar pieces in recycled aggregate
described in Table 3.
significantly affects the properties of RAC and it has
an inverse relation with the achieved strength [7]. Table 1 Properties of Cement
In one of the research studies focused on the Properties Cement (OPC)
properties of concrete made with recycled aggregates
from partially hydrated old concrete, Amnon Katz [9] Standard consistency 31
reported a significant difference between properties Initial Setting time (min) 105
of RAC made of aggregates of different particle size Final setting time 2h - 5min
groups.
Soundness (mm) 7
In order to maintain the same slump as that for Fineness (%) 8
conventional concrete, RAC requires more water
3-Days compressive strength
which results in concrete with lower strength [8]. 14.8
using mortar cubes (MPa)
In this paper, results of an experimental
Table 2 Properties of Fine Aggregates
investigation carried out to study the mechanical
properties of RAC made using recycled aggregates Lawrancepur
obtained from waste concrete from precast industry Properties
Sand
are presented. The compressive strength of parent
Max. Aggregate Size (mm) 4
concrete of recycled aggregates was 35MPa.The
mechanical properties of RAC which were studied Water Absorption Capacity (%) 0.9
include compressive strength, static modulus of Moisture Contents (%) 0.4
elasticity, fracture energy (compression and tension)
and the load versus crack mouth opening Specific Gravity 2.61
3
displacement (CMOD) response. Although Rodded Density (kg/m ) 1641
significant research work has been carried out on the Fineness Modulus 2.4
mechanical properties of RAC in the past, but very
less information is available on the fracture energy of 2.1.3 Recycled Coarse Aggregates
RAC in tension and compression. The discussion
available in this paper on the values of fracture Concrete cubes and cylinders are generally used
energy in tension and compression of RAC makes to find out compressive strength of the concrete to be
this contribution original and different from the used in the production of pre-stressed precast
previous studies carried out on the mechanical concrete structural products by the precast industries.
properties of recycled aggregate concrete. After testing, these cubes and cylinders become
waste. Recycled aggregates used in this study were
2. Experimental Program obtained by crushing these cubes and cylinders
2.1 Materials obtained from the local precast concrete industry in
Lahore. Keeping in mind the importance of strength
2.1.1 Cement and Fine Aggregates
of parent concrete for the recycled aggregates, cubes
In this study, ASTM Type I Portland cement of 35MPa concrete strength were obtained from the
and Lawreancepur sand as fine aggregates were used industry and crushed and passed from separator to
to prepare the concrete mixtures. The properties of obtain coarse aggregates of maximum particle size of
cement and fine aggregates are given in Table 1 and 13 mm. Recycled coarse aggregates are shown in
Table 2, respectively. Fig.1 and their properties are given in Table 4.

26
 Mechanical Characterization of Recycled Aggregate Concrete

Table 3 Properties of Natural Aggregates

Margala
Properties
Crush
Size used (mm) 4 to13
Water Absorption Capacity (%) 0.99
Specific Gravity 2.65
Loose Bulk Density (kg/m3) 1289 Natural Aggregates

Rodded Bulk Density (kg/m3) 1445

Aggregate Impact Value (%) 19

Table 4 Properties of Recycled Aggregates

Recycled
Properties
Aggregates
Size used (mm) 4 to13 Recycled Aggregates
Water Absorption Capacity (%) 2.15
Fig. 1: Natural and Recycled Aggregates
Specific Gravity 2.53
Table 5 Concrete Compositions
Loose Bulk Density (kg/m3) 1171
Natural Recycled
Rodded Bulk Density (kg/m3) 1290 Sr. No
Concrete
Aggregates Aggregates
Composition
Aggregate Impact Value (%) 24 (%) (%)
1 CC-0 100 0
2.2 Concrete Compositions 2 RAC-25 75 25

Five different concrete compositions were 3 RAC-50 50 50

designed: one control composition with only natural 4 RAC-75 25 75
aggregates and four compositions of RAC with 25%,
5 RAC-100 0 100
50%, 75% and 100% recycled aggregates. Type and
quantity of all other constituents of five concrete
mixtures were kept same. Keeping in mind the 2.3 Test Specimens
greater water demand of recycled aggregates For each concrete composition, cylinders (300
compared to natural aggregates, both natural and mm height and 150 mm diameter) and prisms (100
recycled aggregates were used in saturated surface x100x500 mm) were cast. The cylinders were used to
dried (SSD) conditions. The water cement ratio of 0.6 determine the modulus of elasticity, compressive
was kept same for all five concrete compositions. The strength and fracture energy in compression of the
detail about the nomenclature of concrete concrete. The prisms were used to determine the
compositions along with the quantities of natural and fracture energy in tension and to study the load-
recycled aggregates is given in Table 5. Among CMOD response. All the test specimens were
different nomenclature of concrete mixes, CC-0 prepared using steel molds and compaction was done
stands for Control Concrete containing 0% recycled on vibrating table. After casting, all molds were
aggregates and RAC-25 stands for Recycled covered with plastic sheets for 24 hours to avoid the
Aggregate Concrete containing 25% recycled evaporation of moisture. All concrete specimens were
aggregates.

27
Pak. J. Engg. & Appl. Sci. Vol.15, Jan., 2015

cured for 28 days under wet conditions in curing specimens were notched after hardening of concrete.
room after de-molding. The setup for the measurement of crack mouth
opening displacement (CMOD) with the help of
2.4 Tests LVDT employed in this study is shown in Fig. 6.
2.4.1 Compressive Strength Load versus CMOD curves were plotted using the
data obtained through 3PBT on concrete prisms. The
The compressive strength test was performed on area under load-CMOD curve (Fig.7) was calculated
cylindrical test specimens following the procedure and denoted by W0. The area which contributed to
specified by ASTM C39 [10]. A total of three load bearing (b x h in Fig.5) was measured and this
specimens were tested for each composition of area was denoted by Alig.
concrete. The tests were performed on 1000 kN
Shimadzu UTM in Test Floor Laboratory of Civil
Engineering Department, U.E.T Lahore, Pakistan.
The tests were displacement controlled with loading
rate of 2mm/min. The compressive strength of all
five concrete compositions investigated in this study
was determined at the age of 28 days.

2.4.2 Static Modulus of Elasticity (E-value)

E-value of the concrete was determined using

cylindrical specimens according to ASTM C 469 [11]
at the age of 28 days. The tests were performed on
1000 kN Shimadzu UTM at a loading rate of
2mm/min. The testing setup used for the Fig. 2 Experimental Setup for E-value Test
determination of modulus of elasticity is shown in
The fracture energy in tension was then
Fig. 2. Two LVDTs were used for vertical
calculated using the following expression;
displacement measurement and the load was recorded
with load cell of 50 Tons capacity. All data from 0.75Wo  W1
LVDTs and Load cell were recorded by computer GF  (1)
Alig
based data acquisition system.
Where,
S
2.4.3 Fracture Energy in Compression W1  0.75( m1  2m2 ) g.CMODc (2)
L
For determination of fracture energy in GF = fracture energy (N-mm/mm2)
compression, data of E-value test in terms of stress W1 = work done by dead weight of specimen
and displacement were used. The fracture energy in and loading jig (N-mm)
compression is area under stress versus displacement m1 = mass of specimen (kg)
curve after the peak [12] as shown in Fig.3. S = loading span (mm)
L = total length of specimen (mm)
2.4.4 Fracture Energy in Tension
m2 = mass of jig not attached to testing
For determination of fracture energy in tension machine but placed on specimen until
of concrete, standard procedure specified by Japan rupture (kg)
Concrete Institute [13] was followed. This method g = gravitational acceleration (m/sec2)
requires testing of notched prismatic specimen under CMODc = crack mouth opening displacement at the
three point bending as shown in Fig.4. The three time of rupture (mm)
point bending tests (3PBT) were performed using B = width of the broken ligament (mm)
1000kN Shimadzu UTM at a loading rate of H = depth of the broken ligament (mm)
0.5mm/min. The required specimen details according
Alig = Area of ligament
to this standard are shown in Fig. 5. The test

28
 Mechanical Characterization of Recycled Aggregate Concrete

2.4.5 Load-CMOD Response

Test results of 3PBT on notched prismatic

specimens were used to study the load vs CMOD
response of RAC.

Fig. 7 Area under the Load-CMOD Curve for

Fracture Energy in Tension

3. Results and Discussion

The results of different mechanical tests
performed on control concrete and RACs show that
Fig. 3 Fracture Energy in Compression [12] properties of concrete are degraded by the
replacement of natural aggregates by recycled
aggregates and the degradation in values of
mechanical properties increases with the increase of
percentage replacement level. In the following
section of this paper, results of mechanical testing are
presented and discussed.

3.1 Compressive Strength

The results of compressive strength test are
shown in Fig. 8. It is clear in this figure that the
Fig. 4 Three Point Bending Testing Setup
compressive strength of concrete gradually reduces
with increase in percentage of recycled aggregates
present in the concrete. Up to 25% replacement of
natural aggregates by recycled aggregates, the
compressive strength is almost same. However, at
replacement level greater than 25%, compressive
strength is gradually decreased. The maximum
Fig. 5 Specimen Details According to [13] decrease of 20% in compressive strength was
observed in concrete made using 100% recycled
aggregates. Since the untreated recycled aggregates
were used in this study, due to presence of cement
mortar on the surface of these aggregates, ITZ have
more chances of flaws development [14] resulting in
lesser compressive strength of RAC. Moreover, crack
development in recycled aggregates during their
preparation from used cylinders and cubes of
concrete may also be another reason of less
compressive strength.
Fig. 6 Setup for CMOD Measurement

29
Pak. J. Engg. & Appl. Sci. Vol.15, Jan., 2015

30 24
Compressive Strength (MPa) main reason of less fracture energy in case of
25 23.5 23 20 concrete containing recycled aggregates.
21

% age Diff. from CC-0

19 18.5
20 16 100 50

15 12
80 40
10 8

% age Diff. from CC-0

Gfc (N-mm/mm2)
5 4 60 30

0 0
CC-0 RAC25 RAC50 RAC75 RAC100 40 20
70
Fig. 8 Compressive Strength Of concrete 52 50 48
20 39 10
3.2 Modulus of Elasticity
0 0
The value of static modulus of elasticity of RAC CC-0 RAC25 RAC50 RAC75 RAC100
has almost the same trend as in case of compressive
strength results as shown in Fig. 9. Up to a Fig. 10 Fracture Energy (Gfc) in Compression
replacement level of 75%, E value of RAC was
3.4 Fracture Energy in Tension
dropped by 9% compared to E value of natural
aggregate concrete. The drop in E value of RAC was The fracture energy in tension is generally
18% at 100% replacement of natural aggregate by decreased with increase in percentage of recycled
recycled aggregate. This decrease in values of aggregates as shown in Fig. 11. At 25% replacement
modulus of elasticity is mainly due to the significant level, almost same value of fracture energy in tension
quantity of cement mortar attached to recycled was obtained. At replacement levels greater than
aggregates which makes the concrete more porous 25%, fracture energy in tension was gradually
and less stiff. High porosity of concrete negatively decreased with increase in percentage replacement of
affects the ability of aggregates to restrain matrix natural aggregates with recycled aggregates.
strain [15]. Maximum drop in fracture energy in tension was
38% at 100% replacement level, in comparison with
30 20
natural aggregate concrete. The drop in values of
24 16
fracture energy in tension of recycled aggregate
concrete is because of the weaker ITZ between
% age Diff. from CC-0

18 12 recycled aggregates and new cement paste.

E (GPa)

12 25.3 24 24 8
23 0.2 50
21

6 4 0.16 40

% age Diff. from CC-0

Gft (N-mm/mm2)

0 0
0.12 30
CC-0 RAC25 RAC50 RAC75 RAC100
0.103
0.103

Fig. 9 Modulus of Elasticity

0.092

0.08 20
0.079

0.064

3.3 Fracture energy in Compression 0.04 10

The results of fracture energy in compression

0 0
for the five concrete mixes are shown in Fig. 10. It is CC-0 RAC25 RAC50 RAC75 RAC100
evident that with replacement of natural aggregates
Fig. 11 Fracture Energy in Tension
by recycled aggregates, fracture energy in
compression is decreased. Moreover, it is observed The percentage decrease in compressive
that fracture energy in compression gradually strength, modulus of elasticity, fracture energy in
decreases with increase in quantity of recycled tension and fracture energy in compression of
aggregates in concrete. Reduction in branching and recycled aggregate concretes in comparison of
meandering of cracks during the failure process is the control is given in Table 6.

30
 Mechanical Characterization of Recycled Aggregate Concrete

Table 6 %age Decrease in Properties of RAC 4. Conclusions and Future Work

%age decrease in comparison of CC-0 Five different mixtures with different degree of
Concrete substitution of recycled aggregates have been studied.
Mix Comp.
E-value Gfc Gft The important conclusions are stated as follows
Strength
RAC-25 1 6 25 0  The compressive strength of RAC is decreased
RAC-50 9 6 28 12 with an increase in recycled aggregate content.
RAC-75 20 9 31 23 A maximum decrease of 20% is observed for
RAC-100 20 18 45 38 concrete having only recycled aggregates.
 The static modulus of elasticity of RAC is lower
3.5 Load -CMOD Response than that of natural aggregate concrete. It
Load CMOD response curves of control and decreases gradually up to 9% for RAC with
RACs are shown in Fig.12. it is evident in this figure 75% recycled aggregates and for concrete with
that overall trend in the load CMOD curves of 100% recycled aggregates, the drop is 18%.
concrete made with recycled aggregates is similar to
that of control concrete. The maximum load carrying  Recycled aggregate replacement percentage has
capacity of the concrete in flexure was observed to be a considerable influence on the fracture
decreased gradually with the increase of recycled energies, both in tension in compression. A
aggregates quantity in the concrete. The maximum gradual decrease in value of fracture energy in
drop in the peak load compared to control concrete tension is observed with increase in percentage
was observed in concrete made using 100% recycled of recycled aggregates and a maximum drop of
aggregates which was 30%. The drop in the peak 38% for concrete with 100% recycled
load was 6% in case of concrete made by 25 % aggregates. No change in the value of fracture
replacement of natural aggregates by recycled energy in tension was noticed with concrete
aggregates. It is interesting to mention that the containing 25% recycled aggregates. Fracture
CMOD value was almost similar at peak load in all energy in compression is significantly reduced
five composites. Form the post peak behavior of all by replacing the natural aggregates with
composites; it has been observed that no significant recycled aggregates; 24% reduction was
change in the ductility of concrete takes place by observed with concrete containing 25% recycled
replacing the natural aggregates with recycled aggregates. Maximum reduction of 45% in the
aggregates even up to 100%. The steepness of value of fracture energy in compression was
softening branch of Load-CMOD curve after the peak exhibited by the concrete made with 100%
of all RACs was similar to that control concrete. recycled aggregates.
6  Peak load value in flexure is decreased by
CC-0 replacing the natural aggregates with recycled
5 RAC25
RAC50 aggregates. However, the CMOD value at peak
4 RAC75 load in flexure remains almost un-changed.
Load (kN)

RAC100
3 The future research in continuation of this study
2
will focus on the energy dissipation capacity of
reinforced concrete beams made using recycled
1 aggregates and subjected to reverse cycling flexural
loading.
0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 Acknowledgement
CMOD(mm)
CMOD (mm)
Financial support from the University of
Fig. 12 Load-CMOD Curve for Five Concrete Engineering and Technology Lahore for this study is
Compositions highly acknowledged.

31
 Pak. J. Engg. & Appl. Sci. Vol.15, Jan., 2015

References [8] Sami W. Tabsh, Akmal S. Abdelfatah,

“Influence of recycled concrete aggregates on
[1] Jianzhuang Xiao, Hong Li, Zhenjun Yang, strength properties of concrete”, Construction
“Fatigue behavior of recycled aggregate and Building Materials, 23, 2009, pp. 1163-
concrete under compression and bending cyclic 1167.
loading”, Construction and Building Materials,
38, 201, pp. 681-688. [9] Amnon Katz, “Properties of concrete made with
recycled aggregate from partially hydrated old
[2] Min Z, Sun WM, Guo ZG., “Experimental concrete”, Cement and Concrete Research, 33,
research on seismic behavior of recycled 2003, pp. 703-711.
concrete frames” World Earthquake
Engineering, 27(1), 2011, pp. 22–27 [10] American Society for Testing and Materials,
“Standard Test Method for Compressive
[3] Jianzhuang Xiao, Wengui Li, Yuhui Fan, Xiao Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens” C
Huang, “An overview of study on recycled 39-04.
aggregate concrete in China (1996-2011)”,
Construction and Building Materials, 31, 2012, [11] American Society for Testing and Materials,
pp. 364-383 “Standard Test Method for Static Modulus of
Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio of Concrete in
[4] Cao WL Yin HP, Zhang JW, Dong HY, Zhang Compression” C 469-94
YQ., “Seismic behavior experiment of recycled
concrete frame structures”, J Beijing University [12] G. Lacidogna, F. Accornero, M. Corrado and A.
of Technology, 37(2), 2011, pp. 191–198 Carpinteri, “Crushing and fracture energies in
concrete specimens monitored by acoustic
[5] M. Casuccio, M.C. Torrijos, G. Giaccio, R. emission” VIII International conference on
Zerbino, “Failure Mechanism of recycled fracture mechanics of concrete and concrete stru
aggregate concrete”, Construction and Building ctures, FraMCos-8 (2013)
Materials, 22, 2008, pp. 1500-1506
[13] Japan Concrete Institute, “Method of test for
[6] L. Butler, J. S. West, S. L. Tighe, “Effect of fracture energy of concrete by used of notched
recycled concrete coarse aggregate from beam” JCI-S-001-2003
multiple sources on the hardened properties of
concrete with equivalent compressive strength”, [14] Q. Liu, J. Xiao, Z. Sun, “Experimental study on
Construction and Building Materials, 47, 2013, the failure mechanism of recycled concrete”,
pp. 1292-1301 Cement and Concrete Research, 41, 2011, pp.
1050-1057
[7] A.K. Padmini, K. Ramamurthy, M.S. Mathews,
“Influence of parent concrete on the properties [15] Metha PK, Monterio PJ. “Concrete:
of recycled aggregate concrete”, Construction microstructure properties and materials”, Indian
and Building Materials, 23, 2009, pp. 829-836 Concrete Institute; (1999)

32

View publication stats