Influence of fiber properties on abrasion resistance of recycled aggregate concrete: Length, volume fraction, and types of fibers

Abstract

Utilization of recycled aggregate (RA) to prepare recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has become an effective measure to dispose the ever-growing construction and demolition waste. Moreover, the application of RAC to pavement structures or anti-collision walls has become a feasible practice. In these scenarios, how to improve the abrasion resistance of RAC can be an inevitable problem. In this study, the mechanical properties and abrasion resistance of fiber-reinforced RAC were systematically investigated, and the type, length, and content of fiber were considered to be the main variables. Resistance tests at abrasion revolutions ranging from 50 to 1000 were carried out using a Los Angeles machine. The results showed that the abrasion resistance of RAC increased with an increase in the content or length of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber. Among the mechanical properties of the fiber-reinforced RAC, the flexural strength showed the highest correlation with the corresponding abrasion rate, and its time-varying characteristics could be further described by using a parametric empirical model.