Properties Of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Research Articles

Optimizing mechanical and durability properties of recycled aggregate concrete using pozzolanic slurries and modified mixing approach

A sustainable and reliable methodology to strengthen the mortar adhered to recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is crucial for optimizing its utilization in construction. This research proposes a mortar strengthening method by soaking RCA in different dosages (weight percentages) of pozzolanic slurries, i.e., fly ash and silica powder (F-S), fly ash and cement (F-C), cement and silica powder (C-S) for various durations. The influence of each slurry dosage and soaking duration on RCA's physical and mechanical properties and surface morphology were examined. Further, a modified two-stage mixing approach (M-TSMA) was employed to produce recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) incorporating 100% untreated and surface-treated RCA. The impact of M-TSMA and treated RCA on concrete was demonstrated regarding its mechanical and durability properties, such as compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, rebound hammer, sorptivity, and resistance to chloride ions. Results show that soaking RCA in 30% C-S slurry for 6 h enhances RCA's overall properties by increasing the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) content. Moreover, employing M-TSMA and incorporating treated RCA improves the mechanical and durability properties of RAC by reducing microcracks and densifying the microstructure. Overall, the proposed surface treatment and M-TSMA can potentially enhance RAC performance with complete RCA utilization.

High-quality recycled concrete aggregates developed through an integrated thermomechanical approach

This study demonstrates an integrated thermomechanical treatment process to produce high quality recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) for structural concrete. RCA is mechanically treated after 90 min of heating at 250 °C in this process. The material properties of RCA produced through 15 combinations of charges and drum revolutions are compared using a statistical method. The highest ranking of an RCA identifies it as a high-quality class. Concrete composed of 100% RCA (recycled aggregate concrete, RAC) has 1.7% higher compressive strength than natural aggregate concrete (NAC). RAC has tensile and flexural strengths of 0.95 and 1.03 in fraction of NAC. RAC meets durability criteria such as UPV greater than 4.4 km/s, rapid chloride ion penetration test (RCPT) less than 1000 C, electrical resistivity greater than 208 Ohm-m, and sorptivity closer to NAC. Water absorption and abrasion resistance are similar to or superior to those of NAC. Coherent and uniform surface morphology of RCA enhances the ITZ microstructure in RAC.

Experimental Study of Recycled Aggregate, Fly Ash and Steel Fiber on Properties of Concrete

The use of recycled aggregates in concrete opens a whole new range of possibilities in the reuse of materials in the building industry. The utilization of recycled aggregates is a good solution to the problem of an excess of waste material, provided that the desired final product quality is reached.The use of recycled aggregate in concrete can be useful for environmental protection and economical terms recycled aggregates are the materials for the future.The work focuses on the possibilities of the recycled aggregate concrete as structural material with replacement level of 25%,50% and 75% byweight of concrete. Fly ash is also used as a partial replacement of Portland cement with10, 20 & 30 % by weight of cement in order to improve the properties of RAC. The use of fly ash replacement in Recycled Aggregate concrete (RAC) could improve compressive strength to be higher than that of concrete without fly ash at the same W/B ratio.The fly ash is an organic, non combustible residue of coal after burning in power plant. The steel fiber are available imperforated, corrugated or with wide end for better bending.The volume fraction of the hook end steel fiber used in this study varied from 0.25%,0.5%a and 0.75 %. Key words- Fly Ash, Recycled Aggregate, Recycled Concrete Aggregate, Steel Fiber, Water Cement Ratio.

Evaluating Recycled Concrete Aggregate and Sand for Sustainable Construction Performance and Environmental Benefits

This research investigates the potential of utilizing recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and recycled sand (RS), derived from crushed concrete cubes, as sustainable alternatives in construction materials. The study comprehensively evaluates the properties of RCA and RS, focusing on workability, impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and compressive strength to determine their viability as substitute construction materials. A notable finding is RS’s enhanced fire and heat resistance when used as a fine aggregate in mortar blends, mixed with cement and Sinicon PP in a 3:1 ratio. The experimental analysis included thorough assessments of uniformity, durability, and curing time, alongside Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for structural examination. Results show that RCA has an Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) of 5.76% and a Los Angeles Abrasion Value (LAA) of 21.78%, demonstrating excellent strength of the recycled aggregates. The mortar mix was also prepared using recycled sand, cement, and Sinicon PP, and its stability was confirmed through soundness tests, which resulted in a 0.53 mm expansion and a satisfactory consistency level of 44%. Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests also indicated high-quality concrete formation using RCA and RS. SEM imaging corroborated this by revealing a bond between the cement paste and the aggregates. Incorporating RS and RCA in concrete mixtures impressively yielded a compressive strength of 26.22 N/mm2 in M20-grade concrete. The study concludes that using RCA and RS waste materials in the construction sector underlines that sustainable practices can be integrated without compromising material quality. This approach aligns with sustainable development goals and fosters a more environmentally friendly construction industry.

THE STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR OF RECYCLED AGGREGATE CONCRETE WALLS UNDER FIRE EXPOSURE: A FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Climate change is raising the demand for change in the construction industry, particularly in the concrete industry. One of the approaches to increase sustainability in the concrete industry is the use of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). Many studies examined the type and composition of RAC used in construction applications. However, fewer studies examined the structural engineering applications of RAC. Thus, this study investigates the use of RAC in bearing walls. It presents a comprehensive thermal and structural performance assessment of RAC walls exposed to fire using finite element analysis (FEA). The FE model incorporates experimental material models in the literature that consider the degradation of the mechanical properties of RAC at high temperatures. The investigation encompasses a range of critical response measures, including the out-of-plane response of RAC walls under standard fire exposure and the overall stability of the walls during fire scenarios. The walls' out-of-plane and axial deflection and damage patterns were presented. The upper and lower bounds of performance were presented to examine the effect of material models’ variability on the response. The findings of this study reveal the complex interaction between fire scenarios, material properties, and their effect on the structural behavior of RAC walls. This study contributes to the growing knowledge on using RAC in structural engineering applications and promoting environmentally friendly materials in the construction industry while ensuring structural safety.

Influence of pore property and alkalinity on the bio-deposition treatment efficiency of recycled aggregates

Microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology has been successfully used to enhance the properties of recycled concrete aggregates. However, the complex source and varied physical and chemical properties of recycled aggregates may have influence on the modification efficiency since microbes are often sensitive to the surroundings. In this study, two representative types of recycled aggregates, recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) and recycled brick aggregates (RBA), were subjected to two kinds of MICP treatments, basic MICP treatment and sodium alginate (SA) aided MICP treatment. The absorption and desorption of bacteria in/on aggregates during MICP treatments were quantified. The physical and chemical properties of aggregates after the bio-treatments were tested, and the influence of alkalinity and pore structure of aggregates under various MICP treatment methods on treatment efficiency were detailed investigated. Results indicated that, when the aggregates were subjected to the basic MICP treatment, the treatment efficiency was more remarkable in RBA, because of its high porosity and moderate pH (around 8–9), which facilitated the absorption of bacteria in/on aggregates and urease activity respectively. While under SA-aided MICP treatment, the influence of pore structure and alkalinity of aggregates on the treatment efficiency was not significant compared with that under the basic MICP treatment, especially the mass of CaCO3 on the aggregates. The biogenic CaCO3 generated by SA-aided MICP treatment not only plugged micropores, but also distributed all over the entire surface of the aggregates, resulting in a sufficient repair of microcracks. Meanwhile, the surface repair may reduce the influence of pore structure and pH of aggregates on the precipitation process, thereby reducing the impact of varied physical and chemical properties of aggregates on the treatment efficiency, which was conducive to the widely unified application of SA-aided MICP treatment in the modification of recycled aggregate based on construction solid waste.

Effect of additional water content and adding methods on the performance of recycled aggregate concrete

Due to the high porosity of the old cement mortar attached to the surface of the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), the RCA exhibits a high water absorption property, seriously affecting the workability of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The additional water in RCA plays a crucial role in the effective water to binder ratio and various properties of RAC. In order to determine the optimal content and addition method of additional water, this study innovatively investigates the effect of the above two variables on the workability, mechanical properties and durability of RAC. And combined with microscopic tests, the mechanism of the above two variables on the performance of RAC has been revealed. The additional water content includes 100% water absorption (WA) and 75% WA, and the adding methods includes mixing water compensation and pre-wetting aggregates. The results show that the water content of oven dry RCA in water and cement paste reaches 94.7%-95.4% and 71.0%-76.0% WA after 2 h, respectively. The water content of RCA is reduced by 4%-4.9% after immersing RCA into cement paste for the first 5 min under the initial state of 70% WA. No matter the adding methods, the 100% WA additional water has a positive effect on workability but a negative effect on the mechanical properties and durability of RAC. When the additional water content is the same, the adding method has different effects on the mechanical properties and durability of RAC. The microstructure analysis reveals that the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in RAC prepared with pre-wetted aggregates by 75% WA is the densest of all samples. Compared to the 75% WA water compensation method, the elastic modulus of ITZ in RAC with pre-wetted aggregates by 100% WA decreases by 10.5%, while the thickness of the new ITZ increases by 14.3%. The RAC prepared by pre-wetted aggregates exhibits the lower porosity.

Effect of recycled aggregate treatment methods by pristine graphene on mechanical and durability properties of concrete

Using recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) in concrete is a promising approach to minimise the environmental impacts associated with construction and demolition waste while simultaneously enhancing the sustainability of concrete. Improving the quality of RCAs is crucial for promoting confidence among materials suppliers and systematic utilisation of RCAs in construction. Pristine graphene (PG) suspensions (0.1% and 0.2% concentrations in water) were investigated for improving the properties of RCAs and thereby improving the mechanical and durability properties of concretes made with 100% RCAs as coarse aggregates. Two PG treatment methods were used – spraying and soaking. Nano-silica (NS) suspensions of the same concentrations were also used for comparison. Tests for axial compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths were performed; water absorption and drying shrinkage were also assessed. Microanalysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and micro computed tomography. PG was found to be more effective than NS for increasing strength properties and reducing water absorption and drying shrinkage of concrete due to its lower porosity. For a given nanomaterial concentration and type, concretes made with soaked RCA exhibited higher strengths and lower water absorption and drying shrinkage than concretes with sprayed RCA. The concretes made with soaked RCA also had lower porosity and fewer microcracks. The results are promising and indicate that treating RCAs reduces their water absorption, thereby improving concrete performance.

The Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Tailing Recycled Aggregate Concrete.

The aim of this study was to develop sustainable concrete by recycling concrete aggregates from steel waste and construction waste (iron ore tailings (IOTs) and recycled coarse aggregates (RCAs)) to replace silica sand and natural coarse aggregates. In experimental testing, the compressive strength, peak strain, elastic modulus, energy dissipated under compression, and compressive stress-strain curve were analyzed. Microscopically, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry were employed to investigate the microstructural characteristics of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), and the results were compared with the ITZs of natural aggregate concrete and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). In addition, the pore structure of concrete was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. The results revealed that an appropriate IOT content can improve the ITZ and compactness of RAC, as well as optimize the mechanical and deformation properties of RAC. However, due to the presence of a smaller number of microcracks on the surface of IOT particles, excessive IOTs could reduce the integrity of the matrix structure and weaken the strength of concrete. According to the research, replacing silica sand with 30% IOTs led to a reduction in the porosity and microcracking which resulted in a much denser microstructure.

The adsorption and diffusion behavior of chloride in recycled aggregate concrete incorporated with calcined LDHs

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is an important form for reusing of waste concrete. However, the presence of corrosive ions, specifically chloride ions, which are absorbed on the surface of RCA or infiltrated from the external environment, significantly affects the mechanical performance and durability of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). This paper aims to suppress the erosion and diffusion of chloride ions in RAC by adding calcined layered double hydroxides (LDOs), utilizing the restructuring and anions exchange properties of LDOs. The dissolution ratio of chloride ions carried by RCA and the adsorption efficiency of LDOs on the leaching ions were analyzed using the silver nitrate titration method. The maximum chloride adsorption capacity of the LDOs is 31.052 mg/g. Additionally, the inhibitory effect and mechanism of LDOs on chloride ion attack were detailed evaluated by the techniques combining mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM and EDS), rapid chloride migration coefficient method (RCM), and electrochemical impedance spectrum. The results indicate that LDOs exhibit a good adsorption effect on chloride ions leaching from RCA, and the adsorption efficiency is negative correlation with the pH value. Furthermore, the small size effect of LDOs plays a filling role in the pores of concrete, increasing the compactness and penetration resistance of chloride ions of RAC. This work provides a promising approach to enhance the mechanical and durability properties of RAC by incorporating with LDOs utilizing its chloride ion capture feature and nano-filling effect. And the findings of this research can also be extended to the use of LDOs for treatment of other corrosive anions, such as SO42− and CO32− in RAC, demonstrating its applicability in a broader context.

Durability Enhancement of Concrete with Recycled Concrete Aggregate: The Role of Nano-ZnO

The replacement of virgin aggregate with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in concrete mixtures offers an eco-strategy to mitigate the environmental limitations linked with traditional recycling techniques of RCA. However, the inferior properties of RCA, in contrast to virgin aggregate, present an obstacle to efficiently proceeding with this approach. Therefore, the aim of this study is to enhance the characteristics of concrete that contains RCA using nano-ZnO particles. Virgin aggregate was replaced with RCA in 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% ratios, followed by the addition of 0.5 wt.% nano-ZnO. The performance of concrete mixtures was evaluated in terms of their physical, mechanical, and durability properties. The addition of nano-ZnO particles to concrete with RCA resulted in refining its pore structure and reducing its water absorption, where the impermeability of concrete with 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% treated RCA decreased by 14.5% and 18%, respectively. Moreover, nano-ZnO treatment increased the compressive strength of mixtures with 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% RCA by 2.8% and 4%, respectively. All mixtures underwent a reduction in their 28-day compressive strength after exposure to a 5% sulphuric acid solution, where concrete with 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% RCA showed 20.2% and 22.8% strength loss, respectively. However, there was a 17.6% and 19.6% drop in the compressive strength of concrete with 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% RCA and treated with nano-ZnO.

Study on the mechanical properties and deterioration mechanism of recycled aggregate concrete for low-grade highway pavements

This study is motivated by the imperative for sustainable construction practices, specifically focusing on recycling construction waste into low-grade highway pavements to enhance environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. The investigation explores the workability, mechanical properties, and interfacial transition zones (ITZs) of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), emphasizing the incorporation of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) from construction waste. The primary objective is to delineate the optimal mixture proportions of RAC that effectively balance resource utilization with the technical requisites for low-grade highway pavements. Through rigorous orthogonal testing and analysis, a mixture was identified that achieves a high RCA replacement rate while preserving workability and mechanical properties. Additionally, nanoindentation tests were employed to probe the nanomechanical properties of the ITZs in RAC, aiming to elucidate the underlying degradation mechanisms. Results reveal that the porous and rough surface of RCA significantly impacts the properties of RAC, with a marked decrease in elastic modulus and an increase in ITZ width identified as primary contributors to mechanical deterioration. Consequently, this study not only provides crucial insights for the application of RAC in low-grade highway pavements but also sets the stage for future research aimed at enhancing the sustainability and performance of recycled construction materials.

Effect of self-cementing properties on the resilient behaviour of recycled concrete aggregates used in base and subbase

The strength and stiffness of unbound pavement base and subbase layers built with recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) can increase due to the self-cementing properties of RCA. While the effect of different levels of self-cementing properties on resilient deformation behaviour has not been thoroughly studied. In this research, the self-cementing properties, microstructure and resilient deformation behaviour of two different RCA, NRCA (New RCA, crushed recently) and ORCA (Old RCA, crushed long time ago), showing significantly different levels of self-cementing properties, after curing for different times (1, 180, 360 and 720 days), were studied by calorimeter tests, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests and repeated load triaxial tests (RLTT). The results indicate that long-term resilient behaviour is influenced by the level of self-cementing properties. For NRCA, showing strong self-cementing properties, the microstructure and resilient deformation behaviour were improved after curing for 720 days, which were comparable to those of lightly treated materials. On the contrary, for ORCA, showing negligible self-cementing properties, the resilient behaviour is not affected by curing.

Mechanical properties of recycled concrete aggregates with superplasticizer

Mechanical properties of recycled concrete aggregates with superplasticizer

Properties of RCA stabilized with alkali-activated steel slag based materials in pavement base: Laboratory tests, field application and carbon emissions

The extensive use of traditional binders (cement/lime) has caused serious resource consumption, environmental degradation, and carbon emission issues. Recycling industrial waste as a novel waste-based binder is a promising alternative. This paper purports to effectively stimulate the activity of steel slag (SS) and develop a novel eco-friendly pavement base mixture (NEPBM). A series tests of microscopic characterization, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), splitting strength (STS), freeze-thaw cycles, shrinkage, and field application were conducted to evaluate the performance of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) pavement bases stabilized with alkali-activated SS based material (denoted as ACM). The results show that the potential activity of waste SS is strongly activated by alkaline activators, and the depolymerization-diffusion-polymerization reaction occurs to generate abundant additional gel products, thus the strength of ACM at 28-day reaches to 45.24 MPa. The mixtures with 50% ACM substitution rate is close to the control group in performances of UCS, STS, and resistance freeze-thaw cycle. The decrease (12.1 ×10−6) of dry shrinkage coefficient is far higher than the increase (1.11 ×10−6·℃−1) of temperature shrinkage coefficient, which effectively reduces the risk of early cracking. The field application indicates that the UCS of NEPBM at 7-day reaches to 4.26 MPa, which meets the technical requirements for heavy traffic of classⅠhighways in China, the construction cost of NEPBM reduces to 15.72 USD/m3, and the CO2 emissions reduces to 31.335 kg/m3. The results show that using NEPBM as a pavement base is a viable solution, which will be conducive to promoting the development of transportation infrastructure with excellent shrinkage performance and lower carbon footprint emissions.

Effect of the strength grade of parent concrete on the performance of recycled aggregate treated by cement-fly ash slurry under prolonged soaking duration

The detrimental effects of quarrying natural resources have contributed to large-scale environmental pollution. Utilizing recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) obtained from construction and demolition waste as a replacement for natural aggregates has become an effective solution for environmental sustainability. However, the inevitably diminished characteristics of the adhered mortar and the existence of an additional interfacial transition zone (ITZ) have negatively suppressed the widespread use of these materials in production lines. The present study aims to comprehensively investigate the effects of a cement-fly ash slurry with a mass ratio of 50% of the total weight of RCA on the microstructure and engineering properties of RCA derived from three different parent concretes with strength grades of 20, 30, and 60 MPa. The RCAs were soaked for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h to evaluate the long-term effects of the pozzolanic slurry. A sequence of laboratory tests was conducted, including mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test, thermal gravimetric–differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, and measurements of water absorption and crushing value. The MIP results demonstrated a significant increase in medium capillary and gel pores, and a reduction in large capillary pores in the RCA with an increase in soaking time. TG-DTA results indicated an increase in Ca(OH)2 content during the first 24 h and 48 h of treatment. However, after 72 h of treatment, the Ca(OH)2 content of the treated RCA decreased in all cases. XRD analysis revealed the appearance of a few additional ettringite peaks among the treated RCAs in all cases. SEM images demonstrated the presence of additional hydration products after treatment, which filled the pores and improved the surface texture. Furthermore, after treatment, the crushing value of all treated RCA decreased by 6.0–27.1%, whereas the water absorption decreased by 12.0–30.9% compared to the untreated RCA. Based on several experimental results, the formation of hydration products and the improvement mechanism of RCA from three different parent concretes by slurry treatment with different soaking durations were discussed. In conclusion, a prolonged impregnation time of 72 h yielded a dominant performance, effectively intensifying their inferior properties, regardless of the initial strength grade of parent concrete.

Mechanical, hydraulic, and particle breakage properties of recycled concrete aggregates blended with autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) grains for unbound road base and subbase materials in Vietnam

Mechanical, hydraulic, and particle breakage properties of recycled concrete aggregates blended with autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) grains for unbound road base and subbase materials in Vietnam

Impermeability performance and corrosion resistance mechanism of basalt fiber recycled concrete under the coastal tidal environment

The application of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) can effectively reduce resource consumption and mitigate environmental pollution. Under the coastal tidal environments, the performance of concrete is significantly impacted by environmental degradation. Incorporating fibers into RAC can enhance its performance in such special conditions. This study investigates the variations in properties of RAC with different Basalt Fiber (BF) volume ratios (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) under composite salt dry-wet cyclic erosion cycles (0 d, 30 d, 60 d, 90 d). The results from apparent corrosion morphology analysis, internal microstructure examination, and impermeability testing demonstrate that BF can effectively inhibit the expansion of micro cracks and micropores within the test block while improving the overall compactness of the internal structure of RAC. When the BF content reaches 1.0%, it exhibits an optimal toughening effect on RAC with significantly improved impermeability and corrosion resistance properties. Furthermore, this paper comprehensively summarizes and verifies the corrosion damage mechanism of Basalt Fiber Recycled Aggregate Concrete (BFRAC) under composite salt dry-wet cycles through chemical reaction principles. A salt solution erosion model for BFRAC is proposed to elucidate fiber crack resistance mechanisms and explain accelerated corrosion caused by ion crack channels within salt solutions. This proposed model provides theoretical support for understanding salt erosion damage in fiber-reinforced concrete.

The sulfate transfer characteristics in recycled aggregate concrete incorporated with fly ash under percolation theory

Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has multiple interface transition zones (ITZs) due to its complex composition, providing convenient ion transfer channels. Therefore, it is significant to explore the changes of the internal pore structure in RAC under ion erosion conditions for quantifying and predicting ion transfer mechanisms. This paper innovatively utilizes the seepage effect for investigating the evolution of pore structures in RAC under sulfate attack. We conduct a systematic experimental study on the transport of sulfate ions in RAC with different fly ash (FA) substitution rates under dry-wet cycles. Combining backscattered electron imaging (BSE), permeation and fractal characteristics, this paper deeply explore the relationship between pore structure feature, sulfate percolation mechanism and the macroscopic properties of RAC incorporated with different amount of FA.

Effect of pore water pressure on mechanical performance of recycled aggregate concrete under triaxial compression

The pore water pressure in concrete can significantly increase due to volume compression. Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) possesses a more complex microstructure compared to natural aggregate concrete (NAC). Understanding the porosity and micromechanical properties of RAC is crucial for analysing its failure mechanism under the influence of coupled confining pressure and pore water pressure. This study compares the constituent proportions and micromechanical properties of interfacial transition zones (ITZs) and the adjacent paste matrix in NAC and RAC. Compressive stress-strain curves were obtained for concrete under coupled confining pressure and pore water pressure. The results indicate that the newly formed ITZ, which bonds to old mortar, outperformed the one bonded to natural aggregate when considering the same water-cement ratio. Compressive strength, ductility, and maximum volumetric strain gradually increased with increasing confining pressure. However, when pore water pressure was removed, compressive strength decreased while elastic modulus improved. Due to the inferior microstructures of RAC compared to NAC, the supportive effect of pore water becomes more pronounced. This is evident in the gradual increase in peak strain with increased pore water pressure for the stress-strain curves of RAC (100 % replacement ratio). Finally, a failure criterion and stress-strain theoretical model considering pore water pressure are proposed, and satisfactory fitting results are obtained.