The Use of Recycled Aggregate in a Development of Reinforced Concrete Container as a Retaining Wall: Preliminary Study

Abstract

Construction waste has been increasing due to fast development of construction industries. These wastes usually end up on landfill or to be left nearby construction site. This paper focuses on the potential use of recycled waste aggregate in a development of reinforced concrete rectangular container, RACC, as a solid waste storage. The filled container is intended to be used as a retaining structure at riverbanks to control erosion. The experimental programme include cube and cylindrical specimens tested to determine characteristic properties of recycle aggregate concrete (Pc, Pt, E). The characteristic properties obtained were used in designing the RACC to function as storage container and also as a retaining wall as referred to BS 8110 and BS 8007. Results showed that recycle aggregate concrete has relatively high compressive strength, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. RACC size of 1.0 m x 1.0 m x 1.0 m with 150 mm thickness is found to be suitable and safe to be used both as container and retaining wall. This is proven by the maximum deflection and crack widths achieved which are lower than the allowable limit values.