Evaluating the durability properties of self compacting concrete made with coarse and fine recycled concrete aggregates

Abstract

Durability properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) made with coarse recycled concrete aggregates (CRCA) and fine recycled concrete aggregates (FRCA) are reported. The replacement levels of fine natural aggregates with FRCA were kept at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% in the SCCs in which 100% of the coarse natural aggregates were replaced with CRCA. The effect of CRCA and FRCA inclusion on the compressive strength and durability properties such as rapid chloride penetration, initial surface absorption, water permeability and capillary suction tests were evaluated. In order to enhance the performance of various SCC mixes, silica fume (SF) was used in some of the SCC mixes. The experiments show that in general, replacement of the natural aggregates with the recycled aggregates lead to deterioration in the compressive strength and durability properties. However, the use of SF in a ternary blend improved the compressive strength and durability properties. Hence, SF has the potential to significantly offset deterioration in compressive strength and durability properties of SCC mixes consequent to replacement of natural aggregates with recycled aggregates.