Analytical study on properties of concrete materials incorporating recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste

Abstract

The concrete materials' fundamental behavior has significant effects on performance characteristics and their general nature. The current study analyzes recycled aggregate materials' basic properties from construction and demolition waste and identifies drawbacks while using excessive amounts. The volume of recycled aggregate materials used to replace natural aggregate materials in concrete production ranged from 0% to 100% to evaluate the suitability range in the current study. Evaluations have been done on the fundamental properties such as workability and strength performance of concrete materials for the M20 mix design, ranging from 0% to 100% replacement of recycled and natural aggregate material. While doing practical tests using various replacement rates, the conventional aggregate materials outperformed the concrete materials that incorporate recycled aggregate materials from construction and demolition debris. Based on the results obtained on investigations, a reduction in performance has been observed in almost all the basic properties of the concrete materials that contain recycled aggregate materials. Hence, most of the basic properties have been impacted by the increasing amount of recycled aggregate materials. So, it is not recommended to use recycled aggregate materials in excessive volume only to save materials. Of course, these materials' utilization will help us create a waste-free environment and have economic benefits. Still, the negative impacts must also be considered while using such materials in structural and foundation works.