International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology

E-ISSN 0976-3945

Research Article

CHARACTERIZATION OF RECYCLED AGGREGATE CONCRETE

D. N. Parekh1 and Dr. C. D. Modhera2

Address for Correspondence

1

Research Scholar; Applied Mechanics Department; SVNIT; Surat 2 Professor; AMD; SVNIT; Surat

ABSTRACT
Use of recycled aggregate in concrete can be useful for environmental protection and economical terms. Recycled aggregates are the materials for the future. The application of recycled aggregate has been started in many construction projects in many European, American and Asian countries. Many countries are giving many infrastructural laws relaxation for increase the use of recycled aggregate. Codal guidelines of recycled aggregates concrete in various countries were stated here with their effects, on concreting work. Paper reports the basic properties of recycled fine aggregate and recycled coarse aggregate. It also compares these properties with natural aggregates. Basic changes in all aggregate properties were determined and their effects on concreting work were discussed at length. Similarly the properties of recycled aggregate concrete were also determined and explained here. Basic concrete properties like compressive strength, flexural strength, workability etc are explained here for different combinations of recycled aggregate with natural aggregate. Use of recycled aggregate has been found useful for pavement construction. Reasons, of use of recycled aggregate concrete in pavement construction, with technical proofs are explained here in detail. Individual performance of recycled fine aggregate in concrete, use of silica fumes in recycled aggregate concrete, use of fly ash in recycled aggregate concrete etc are shown with experimental reasons. In general, present status of recycled aggregate in India with their future need and its successful utilization were discussed here. KEY WORDS: Recycled aggregate concrete, silica fume, fly ash.

1.1 PRELIMINARY REMARKS 1.1.1 Introduction Concrete is the premier construction material across the world and the most widely used in all types of civil engineering works, including infrastructure, low and high-rise buildings, defense installations, environment protection and local/domestic developments. Concrete is a manufactured product, essentially consisting of cement, aggregates, water and admixture(s). Among these, aggregates, i.e. inert granular materials such as sand, crushed stone or gravel form the major part. Traditionally aggregates have been readily available at economic prices and of qualities to suit all purposes. However, in recent years the wisdom of our continued wholesale extraction and use of aggregates from natural resources has been questioned at an international level. This is mainly because of the depletion of quality primary aggregates and greater awareness of environmental protection. In light of this, the availability of natural resources to future generations has also been realized. 1.1.2 Reasons for Use of Recycled Aggregate It is now widely accepted that there is a significant potential for reclaiming and recycling demolished debris for use in value added applications to maximize economic and environmental benefits. As a direct result of this, recycling industries in many part of the world, including South Africa, at present converts lowvalue waste into secondary construction materials such as a variety of aggregate grades, road materials and aggregate fines (dust)[7]. Often these materials are used in as road construction, backfill for retaining walls, low-grade concrete production, drainage and brickwork and block work for low-cost housing. 1.2 RECYCLED AGGREGATES AND THEIR PROPPERTIES As described earlier, recycled aggregate is a crushed and processed concrete product. For obvious reasons, IJAET/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/321-330

this aggregate is bound to be different from natural aggregate in many respects. The most notable aspect of the recycled aggregate is the component of attached cement mortar with the original aggregate. This component of attached cement mortar has significant bearing on most of the properties of recycled aggregate. All of the above parameters or the properties of recycled aggregates are discussed, one by one in detail, in following pages. 1.2.1 Grading, Particle Shape and Texture It is generally assumed that natural rock, when fed to a crusher, will break according to a straight line distribution, where 15% of the crusher product may be of a size above the crusher setting in a closed position. If hardened concrete were to break according to a straight line distribution, no recycled aggregate should be generated between 20 and 30mm, 34 % between 10 and 20mm and 17% of crusher fines should be generated below 5mm. Test results of particle size distribution reported by Hansen and Narud[13] are in reasonably good agreement with the above said predictions. Similar results have been obtained by Fergus [9]. Usually, particle size distribution of crusher outputs approximate Fuller Curves. Thus, it may be concluded that the crushing characteristics of hardened concrete are similar to those of natural rock and are not significantly affected by the grade of original concrete. Studies conducted in Japan and reported by B. C. S. J.[5] indicate that, irrespective of quality or grade of source concrete, approximately 20% by weight of fine recycled aggregate below 5mm is produced when old concrete is crushed in jaw crusher with an opening of 33mm. Further, with jaw openings of 60mm, 80mm, and 120mm corresponding percentages of fine recycled aggregate produced are found to be 14.1%, 10.6% and 7.0% respectively. Ravindrarajah and Tam[26] found that quantities of fine material below 5mm to be

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology 23.1%, 25.7% and 26.5% by weight for 37MPa, 30MPa and 22MPa concretes respectively, when the opening of the jaw crusher is 20mm. Regarding particle shape and texture, Ravindrarajah and Tam[26] reported that, the particle shape of recycled aggregate is angular and surface texture is more rough and porous. The surface texture of granite aggregate, on the other hand is of a rough and crystalline nature. Visual observations on the recycled aggregate reveal that, not all surfaces of the granite particles are coated with old materials, whilst some of the aggregate particles are entirely made up of mortar. While most of the researcher confirm these findings, Malhotra[20] has made observations contrary to the above indicating a more rounded shape and smooth texture for recycled aggregate. 1.2.2 Attached Mortar and Cement Paste When old concrete is crushed, a certain amount of mortar from the original concrete remains adhered to virgin aggregate particles. Different size fractions of recycled aggregate have varying amount of attached mortar to it. This component of attached cement mortar cause significant difference in the properties of recycled aggregate. Researchers, therefore, found it necessary to know the amount of adhered cement mortar. Hansen and Narud[13], on the basis of an investigation carried out at the Technical University of Denmark (M. Sc. Thesis), reported that the volume percentage of mortar attached to natural gravel particle is between 25% and 35% for 16 32mm size fraction, 40% for 8 16mm size fractions and 60% for 48mm size fraction of recycled aggregate. Hasaba et al. [11] in his report indicated a mean of 35.5% of old mortar attached to natural gravel particle in 25 5mm recycled coarse aggregate produced by the crushing of original concrete having a compressive strength of 24MPa. Corresponding figures are 36.7% mortar content for 41MPa concrete and 38.4% for 51MPa concrete. The results of a Japanese investigation reported by B. C. S. J.[5] indicate that, approximately 20% of cement paste is attached to 20 30mm size aggregate, while 0 0.3mm filler fraction of recycled fine aggregate contains 45 65% of old cement paste. Further, Ravindrarajah and Tam[26] observed that, in general, the recycled aggregate contain on average of above 50% by volume, of mortar from original aggregate. Significant values for the coefficient of variation observed by Ravindrarajah and Tam indicate the randomness of the distribution of mortar content in recycled aggregate. 1.2.3 Specific Gravity and Water Absorption Specific gravity and water absorption are two vital properties, which are directly affected due to highly porous nature of attached old cement mortar to aggregate particles. Most common observations are significant decrease in the specific gravity (ssd) value, accompanied by sharp increase in the water absorption capacity. IJAET/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/321-330

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Hansen and Narud[13] in their investigation, found 4.6% to 6.5% decrease in the specific gravity (ssd) value, when it is compared with specific gravity (ssd) of natural gravel. Correspondingly, water absorption values are 2.3 to 4.6 times the value of absorption capacity for natural gravel, which is highly significant. Another notable observation by Hansen and Narud is that, the values of specific gravity and water absorption are not significantly affected by grade of original concrete. Hasaba et. Al [11] reported about 10% decrease in specific gravity (ssd) accompanied by about 6 times increase in water absorption capacity for recycled aggregate. His report further indicates that, the above properties are independent of the quality of original concrete. Japanese investigation reported by B.C.S.J.[5] reveal that dry specific gravity of recycled aggregates varied between 2.12 and 2.43, corresponding to ssd specific gravity between 2.29 to 2.51 for recycled aggregates from a wide range of original concretes. Investigations carried out by Ravindrarajah and Tam[26] indicated similar trend. Results of tests conducted on recycled aggregate obtained from high grade, medium grade and low grade original concrete are, more or less, similar thus indicating no significant influence of the quality of original concrete on the specific gravity and water absorption property. However, a notable decrease in specific gravity (ssd) by amount 8.6% accompanied by a steep rise in water absorption by about 15 to 18 times is reported. Further, Ravindrarajah and Tam, observed that highly porous nature of recycled aggregate particles lead to significant increase in the value of apparent specific gravity over the specific gravity (ssd). M. C. Limbachiya et al[18] have also found the same observation that RCA had 3 to 10% lower density and 3 to 5 times higher water absorption than NA in the saturated surface dry state, reflecting the porosity of cement paste surrounding the RCA. 1.2.4 Sulphate Soundness Durability of recycled aggregate is studied in terms of sulphate soundness. There are very limited results available on this aspect of recycled aggregate. B. C. S. J.[5] reported sodium sulphate soundness loss percentage after five cycles, ranging from 18.4% to 58.9% for recycled aggregate obtained from 15 original concrete of different compressive strengths. Contrary to this observation, Fergus[9] found magnesium sulphate soundness loss ranging from 0.9 to 2%. Strand[27] observed sulphate soundness loss of 3% for recycled aggregate compared with 5% for corresponding virgin aggregate. However, latest investigation by Shigetoshi and Kobayashi et al[14] reveal higher percentage lost mass ranging from 22.7% to 31.5%. Thus, there is a wide difference in observations on this property. 1.2.5 Mechanical Properties In general, recycled aggregate are found to be weaker than corresponding virgin aggregate against

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology mechanical action such as aggregate impact value, aggregate crushing value, ten percent fines value and Los Angeles aggregate abrasion value. Such a behavior is expected because of weak mortar component and mortar aggregate bond in the recycled aggregate. Hansen and Narud[13] observed LA aggregate abrasion percentages ranging from 22.4% for 16 32mm recycled aggregate produced from a high strength original concrete, to 41.4% fro 4 8mm recycled aggregate from a low strength original concrete. Corresponding BS aggregate crushing values are reported to be ranging from 20.4% to 29.6%. Hasaba et al[11] report BS aggregate crushing values ranging from 23.0 for 25.5 mm recycled aggregate produced from an original high strength concrete to 24.6% for 25-5mm recycled aggregate produced from an original low strength concrete. Corresponding BS ten percent fines values are found to be 13.3 tonnes and 11.3 tonnes. B. C. S. J.[5] found LA aggregate abrasion percentage ranging from 25.1% to 35.1% for recycled aggregates from 15 different concretes of widely different strengths. Yoshikane[31] found LA aggregate abrasion percentage ranging from 20.1% for 13-5mm recycled aggregate produced from an original high strength (40MPa) concrete to 28.7% for a 13-5mm recycled aggregate produced from an original low strength (16MPa) concrete. Ravindrarajah and Tam[26] in their investigations reported aggregate impact value ranging from 26% for recycled aggregate from a high grade concrete to 31% for recycled aggregate from a low grade concrete. Corresponding aggregate crushing values are 28.7% and 33.5% and that of LA aggregate abrasion values are 37.2% to 40.8%. Thus, a higher quality original concrete seems to produce recycled aggregate having marginally higher resistance to these mechanical actions than lower quality original concrete. The results reported above indicate that the recycled aggregate obtained from poorest quality concrete may pass ASTM, BS and IS requirements on mechanical properties of coarse aggregate. 1.2.6 Contaminants One of the problems associated with the recycled aggregate is the possibility of contaminants in original demolition debris passing in to new concrete. These contaminants may be in the forms of clay balls, bitumen joint seals, expansion joint fillers, gypsum, refractory bricks, chlorides, organic materials, chemical admixtures, tramp steel and other metals, glass, lightweight bricks and concrete, weathered or fire damaged particles, particles susceptible to frost or alkali reactions, industrial chemical sands, reactive substances and high alumina cement concrete. The presence of some of these contaminants in the recycled aggregate concrete may prove detrimental to the performance of concrete in one way or the other IJAET/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/321-330

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B.C.S.J.[5] report the results of a study of the effect of various contaminants on the strength properties of recycled aggregate concrete. The results of the B.C.S.J. study reveal that the impurities in the form of tiles and window glass have little influence on the compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete. Recycled aggregate concrete with 3% by weight of gypsum plaster reduces strength by 15% when concrete is dry cured and by up to 50% when it is wet cured. Addition of 30 volume percent of asphalt to recycled aggregate reduced concrete compressive strength by approximately 30%. Fergus[9] also obtained similar results. Chlorides in concrete can give rise to severe reinforcement corrosion. Original concrete can be contaminated by chlorides in several ways. When chloride affected original concrete is crushed for manufacture of recycled aggregate, the processed recycled aggregate may carry chloride ions. Presence of such chloride ions in recycled aggregate concrete may promote corrosion of reinforcement and thus affect the durability of structure. However, if chloride ions in concrete prior to service exposure are within prescribed limits specified by ACI committee or any other standards, then the durability of concrete is not affected. Hansen and Hedegaard[12] conducted some studies on this aspect. They further investigated the properties of recycled aggregate concrete as affected by chemical admixtures in original concretes. They observed that, as long as plasticizing, air-entraining and retarding admixtures are used in quantities not exceeding the manufacturers prescribed dosage, the presence of such admixtures in recycled aggregate concrete and on compressive strength of hardened concrete. 1.3 RECYCLED AGGREGATE CONCRETE & ITS PROPERTIES: It is important that various constituents of concrete are proportioned appropriately to obtain the desired properties of fresh and hardened concrete most economically. While it is possible to employ the same conventional mix design methods for proportioning recycled aggregate concrete, the behavior of recycled aggregate concrete mix in its fresh state does not remain same as that of the conventional concrete of identical mix proportions. The reasons for this can be attributed to change in the properties of recycled aggregate. 1.3.1Mix Design All available reports indicate that existing conventional mix design methods can be employed for proportioning various constituents of recycled aggregates concrete. However, due to higher water absorption characteristics of recycled aggregate, a change in water demand and thus cement demand is noticed by several investigators. Ravindrarajah and Tam[26] however indicated a requirement of 8% more free water for recycled aggregate concrete for similar purpose. Further it was observed that 5% to 8% extra cement is

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology required to maintain the water cement ratio at the same level and to obtain the same strength as that of corresponding conventional concrete. According to B.C.S.J.[5], the optimum ratio of fine to coarse aggregate remains approximately the same for recycled aggregate concrete as for conventional concrete. Due to possible variation in quality of recycled aggregate, appropriate standard deviation is desired to be employed while designing a recycled aggregate concrete mix. B. C. S. J. and CUR found the coefficients of variation for compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete in the laboratory not to be much different from that of conventional concrete, when one and the same recycled aggregate was used throughout production. Hansen and Narud[13] later confirmed these findings. However, when recycled aggregate concretes are produced from original concrete of different qualities, the coefficient of variation for compressive strength is much larger than when the same recycled aggregate is used in all batches. Although, the researcher have suggested some modifications while designing recycled aggregate concretes by conventional methods, these modification appear to be more general in nature and purely approximate, requiring more trial for finalization of mix proportions. Thus, no precise guidelines based on rational basis, are available for proportioning recycled aggregate concrete mixes. 1.3.2 Workability Workability of concrete which determines the mobility and placeability of concrete mix is measured in terms of slump, compaction factor and/or vee bee time. Available reports indicate that, the workability of recycled aggregate concrete closely matches the workability of conventional concrete. However, other researcher have also made it clear that, workability of recycled aggregate concrete only if the additional water demand of 5 to 8% required by recycled aggregate concrete is appropriately met with. Poon et al. [22] showed that the slump of recycled aggregate concrete was dependent on the moisture state of the recycled aggregate. When oven dry recycled aggregate was used, a high initial slump was observed due to the high amount of water that was used to compensate for the high water absorption of the recycled aggregate[16]. Another notable observation by Hansen and Narud[13] is about the rapid loss of workability of recycled aggregate concrete with elapsed time. The workability (slump and compacting factor) and stability (bleeding and segregation) of recycled aggregate concrete mixes were determined. In addition, in order to assess the effect of recycled aggregate on the retention of the workability and maintenance of entrained air content with time, further tests were carried out up to 150 and 60 minutes respectively. In general, results showed a reduction in slump value with increasing recycled aggregate content in the mix, but this remained essentially within the specified tolerances of 25mm, IJAET/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/321-330

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of BS 5328.[18] However, the stability of the mixes containing greater than 50% recycled aggregate content was reduced. In the main such mixes were found to be harsh, less cohesive and exhibited increased bleeding when compared to the corresponding NA concrete.[18] 1.3.3 Wet density and Air Content Many researchers found that the natural air content of fresh recycled aggregate concretes were higher and varied more than air contents of fresh conventional concrete mixes. Wet density of fresh recycled aggregate concrete varied from 2020 to 2210 kg/m3, which is between 85% to 95% of conventional concrete mixes. conducted systematic Hansen and Narud[13] investigation, the results of which reveal that natural air contents of recycled aggregate concretes may be up to 0.6% higher than natural air contents of fresh conventional concrete mixes. Correspondingly, wet density for recycled aggregate concretes varied from 2200 to 2250 kg.m3, which is more than 95% of conventional concrete mixes. In general, for fresh recycled aggregate concrete, 5% to 15% reduction in wet density accompanied by slight increase in air contents is more commonly observed. However, the extent of increase in air content and reduction in wet density depends on the mix design and efficiency of compaction. The reports further indicate that, it is possible to produce recycled aggregate concrete with no significant increase in air content and less than 5% lower density, compared with corresponding conventional concrete. 1.3.4 Compressive Strength and Rate of Strength Development: On the basis of experiments B. C. S. J.[5] in Japan derived the conclusions on the compressive strength results, which showed compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete to be between 14% and 32% lower than that of conventional concrete. Apparent correlation obtained between compressive strengths of conventional and recycled aggregate concrete reveal that, recycled aggregate concrete consistently had 10% lower compressive strength than control concrete made with natural aggregate. Later Ravindrajah and Tam[26] found recycled aggregate concrete to have between 8% and 24% lower compressive strength than corresponding concretes made with conventional aggregates. Hansen and Narud [13] conducted a series of experiments for find out the effect of grade of original concrete on the compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete. They obtained three types of recycled aggregates namely H, M, and L by crushing the laboratory made conventional concretes of high strength, medium strength and low strength respectively. Recycled aggregate concrete of H, M, and L having same mix proportions as the three original concretes, but with all nine possible combinations of aggregates were prepared and tested for compressive strength.

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology

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Table 1 Results of Compressive strengths for the fly ash replaced specimen for W/B ratio 0.45

Table 2 Results of Compressive strengths for fly ash replaced specimen for W/B ratio 0.55

The test results of these experimental reveal that, the compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete depends on the strength of original concrete, and that it is largely controlled by a combination of the water cement ratio of the original concrete and water cement ratio of the recycled aggregate concrete, when other factors are essentially identical. If the water cement ratio of the original concrete is the same as or lower than that of the recycled aggregate concrete, then the strength of recycled aggregate concrete can also be as good as or higher than the strength of the original concrete. M. C. Limbachiya et al [18] has shown the results with help of graph (Fig. 2) that up to 30% coarse recycled coarse aggregate has no effect on concrete strength, but thereafter a gradual reduction with increasing recycled aggregate content occurs.

Fig 2 Test results of compressive strength of cube[18] Kou Shi Cong et al[16] had replaced cement with fly ash for different W/B ratio of 0.45 and 0.55. Results of the both are shown in the table 1 and 2 respectively. Dhir et al. [8] showed that the compressive strength of concrete prepared with 100% coarse and 50% fine recycled aggregates was between 20 and 30% lower IJAET/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/321-330

than that of the corresponding natural aggregate concrete. However, the reduction in strength can be minimized if the mixing procedure is modified.[16] Some other researcher also found the strength development with age to be similar for conventional and recycled aggregate concrete made with recycled coarse aggregate and/or natural sand. 1.3.5 Modulus of Elasticity Due to large amount of old mortar with comparatively low modulus of elasticity which is attached to original aggregate particles in recycled aggregates, the modulus of elasticity of recycled aggregate concrete is always lower than that of corresponding conventional concretes. Static modulus of elasticity of recycled aggregate concrete is generally reported to be on lower side. Japanese investigations reported by B. C. S. J. indicate 10% to 30% lower modulus of elasticity for recycled aggregate concretes. Hansen [13] had conducted a series of experiments to determine the effect of grade of original concrete on modulus of elasticity. They obtained three types of aggregate namely, H, M, and L by crushing laboratory made conventional concrete of high strength, medium strength and lower strength respectively. Recycled aggregate concretes of high strength, medium strength and low strength, having same mix proportions as the three original concretes, but with all nine possible combinations of aggregates were prepared and tested for modulus of elasticity. The test results of these set of experiments reveal that, both dynamic and static modulus of elasticity are from 14% to 28% lower for recycled aggregate concrete than for corresponding conventional concretes. However it is evident that difference in modulus of elasticity would have been

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology much larger if the high strength, concrete had been made with softer aggregate than the natural aggregate which was actually used in the experiment. In one particular case Hansen and Boegh found the modulus of elasticity of recycled aggregate concrete which was made with recycled aggregate that consisted of low quality crushed mortar to be 45% lower than the modulus of elasticity of corresponding conventional concretes. Ravindrarajah and Tam [26], in their investigation confirmed the above findings. They also found the relationship between compressive strength and modulus of elasticity which is different from that for conventional concrete proposed by various authorities such as CEB, FIP, and BS code. In his investigation, Topcu [29] obtained the complete stressstrain curve of recycled aggregate concrete with the RCA replacement percentages of 0%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100%, and he found that with the increase of recycled coarse aggregate amount, the values of the elastic modulus decrease by about 30%.

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Xiao et al[30] has noted that the elastic modulus of recycled aggregate concrete is lower than that of the normal concrete. It decreases as the recycled aggregate content increases. For a recycled aggregate replacement percentage equals 100%, the elastic modulus is reduced by 45% (Fig 3). 1.3.6 Tensile and Flexural Strength According to B. C. S. J.[5] significant difference in indirect tensile strength (split tensile strength) of conventional concrete and corresponding recycled aggregate concrete. Further they[5], found that the flexural strength of recycled aggregate concrete is somewhere between 1/5 and 1/8 of its compressive strength, similar to what is the case for conventional concrete. However, no experimental data are presented. Ravindrarajah and Tam [26] at first found no significant difference in flexural strength of conventional concrete and recycled aggregate concrete. However, later they only has reported that, both tensile and flexural strength of recycled aggregate concrete is consistently 10% lower than corresponding conventional concrete. However Kou Shi Cong et al [16] has determined the tensile splitting strength of concrete with partial fly ash replacement. He showed that tensile splitting strength of the concrete mixture decreased as the recycled aggregate content increased. At the same recycled aggregate replacement level, the use of fly ash as a partial replacement of cement reduced the tensile splitting strength of the concrete. Results of those experiments are given in the table 3 and 4 for W/B ratio of 0.45 and 0.55 respectively.

Fig 3 Modulus of Elasticity for recycled aggregate concrete Table 3 Results of Tensile Splitting Strength for fly ash replaced specimen for W/B ratio 0.45[16]

Table 4 Results of Tensile Splitting Strength for fly ash replaced specimen for W/B ratio 0.55[16]

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology Table 5 Mix proportioning details of condensed silica fume concrete [15]

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Table 6 Strength properties of high performance concrete [15]

Kalaiarasu and Subramanian [15] has experimented silica fumes with recycled aggregate concrete by using mix proportions as given in table 5, and reported the tensile splitting strength test results shown in table 6. Detail conclusion is given below in the same word. Cement replacement level of 15% with silica fume in M60 grade of HPC (40% artificial sand and 60% natural sand) is found to be the optimum level to obtain higher values of compressive strength, split tensile strength and elastic modules. Concrete mixes containing silica fume showed higher values of acid resistance and impermeability of chloride ions [15]. 1.3.7 Creep and Drying Shrinkage It is a time dependent phenomenon, which is quite significant for any type of concrete. Concrete creeps considerably under sustained loads for a long time and thus deserves careful attention. Accordingly, some of the researchers have investigated this aspect carefully. Ravindrarajah and Tam[26] found creep of recycled aggregate concrete to be 30% to 60% higher than creep of corresponding conventional concretes. Further, the investigators observed that specific creep of recycled aggregate concrete was greater than that of conventional concrete. These differences appeared to have developed over a period of 250 300 days after loading. However later the rate of increase in creep strain for both concrete gradually became smaller with further increase in time. Creep strain increased considerably with an increase in the water cement ratio, but the difference in creep between recycled aggregate concrete and ordinary concrete remained almost constant at any water cement ratio and at any sustained load level. Thus it is not expected that creep of recycled aggregate concrete shall give rise to any problem provided its magnitude is taken into account. Kou Shi Kong et al [16] have shown that the creep of concrete increased with an increasing recycled aggregate content. The use of fly ash as a partial IJAET/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/321-330

replacement of cement was able to reduce the creep of concrete as a result of the greater long term strength development due to the pozzolanic reaction of fly ash.
[16]

Shrinkage is a term generally used to describe various aspects of volume change in concrete. Volume change is one of the most detrimental properties of concrete, which affects long term strength durability. Although, it is difficult to get concrete without shrinkage, it is equally important to control the shrinkage in the body of the concrete. Hasaba et al[11] conducted tests to evaluate drying shrinkage and they found drying shrinkage of recycled aggregate concrete to be 40% to 50% higher than drying shrinkage of corresponding conventional concretes. Ravindrarajah and Tam[26] conducted experiments on low, medium and high strength recycled aggregates concretes, each having made using recycled aggregate obtained form similar conventional concretes of low, medium and high strengths. The test results indicated as low as 14% to as high as 95% higher drying shrinkage for recycled aggregate concrete of various types. Further, the test results conclude that, the use of recycled aggregate from lower grade original concrete seems to be beneficial in reducing drying shrinkage. Limbachiya M. C. et. al.[18] found that the ultimate shrinkage and creep strains were found to increase with recycled aggregate content in the mix. This is due to the increased proportions of cement content in such concrete mixes, as the w/c ratio of this mix was reduced by increasing cement content to achieve 28day strength equivalent to corresponding natural aggregate concrete. Previously it has been reported that the presence of attached mortar in the recycled aggregate is also a contributory factor for higher shrinkage and creep strains in concrete with high proportions of recycled aggregate [19].

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology Koi Shi Cong et. al.[16] had shown that use of fly ash as a substitute for cement improved the resistance to chloride ion penetration and decreased the drying shrinkage and creep of the recycled aggregate concrete and drying shrinkage and creep can increased with increase of the recycled aggregate content. They further explained the results that one of the practical ways to utilize a high percentage of recycled aggregate in structural concrete is by incorporating 2535% of fly ash as some of the drawbacks induced by the use of recycled aggregates in concrete could be minimized. They also further derived that the decrease in the W/B ratio can also led to a reduction in the drying shrinkage.
[16]

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Comparisons for the different properties with different percentage of recycled aggregates are shown in table 7.[18] Table 7 Comparison of engineering and durability performance of NA and RA concrete

1.3.8 Permeability and Water Absorption The rate of most kinds of concrete deterioration depends on concrete permeability. This is because water absorption is indirectly related to permeability of hardened concrete and penetration of water into concrete is required for most deterioration mechanism to be effective. B. C. S. J.[5] conducted water permeability tests on concretes which were made with water cement ratio of 0.5 0.7 and with slump values around 21 cms. The results show that the water permeability of recycled aggregate concrete is 2 5 times that of corresponding conventional concretes and that the scatter of result is larger. Abou-Zeid et al.[1] reported that recycled aggregate concrete exhibited higher water permeability and lower resistance to chloride ion penetration compared to conventional concrete. 1.3.9 Frost Resistance The frost resistance of conventional and recycled aggregate concrete which were produced with a variety of water cement ratios, was compared and observed that, the freeze thaw resistance of recycled aggregate IJAET/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/321-330

concrete is higher than that of corresponding conventional concrete. While American, French and Dutch results on frost resistance are encouraging, Japanese results are less convulsive. More research is, therefore desired to be carried out to establish the fact. Limbachiya M. C. et. al.[18] reported that the durability factors obtained following procedures described in ASTM C666[4] showed that the concrete produced using up to 100% coarse RCA had durability factors in excess of 95%, indicating little or no deterioration under freeze/thaw attack. The results also showed minor effect of RCA content on abrasion resistance. Typically, the differences between concrete made with NA and 100% coarse RCA at design strength 35 and 45 N/mm2 were 0.09 and 0.05mm respectively. Salem et al.[24] showed that recycled aggregate concrete had a lower resistance to freezing and thawing compared to natural concrete. 1.3.10 Some Other Details Kalaiarasu M. and Suramanian K.[15] had reported that even a partial replacement of cement with silica fume in concrete mixes would lead to considerable saving in consumption of cement and natural sand. Therefore they have concluded that replacement of cement with 15% of silica fume would render concrete (with 40% artificial sand) more strong and durable. Lee S. T. et. al.[17] had reported that high replacement levels of recycled fines, especially those with high water absorption, resulted in poor resistance against both sodium and magnesium sulfate attack. This study further confirms that the absorption characteristics and replacement level of recycled fines used have a decisive influence on the durability, especially sulphate resistance, of hardened cement matrix.[3] 1.4 CONCLUDING REMARKS Some of the concluding remarks based on various experiments are given below. The potential compressive strength of concrete containing recycled concrete as aggregate is controlled largely by the compressive strength of the concrete to be recycled, provided the fine aggregate is crushed rock or natural sand of suitable quality. A substantial reduction in potential compressive strength may result when the conventional fine aggregate is replaced in whole or in part by fine aggregate derived from the recycled concrete. Further material smaller than 2 mm in recycled concrete should be screened and wasted. Use of recycled concrete decreases workability of fresh concrete at given water content, increases water requirements for given consistency, increases drying shrinkage at given water content, and reduces modulus of elasticity at given water-cement ratio. The effects are greatest when the recycled concrete is used as both coarse and fine aggregate.

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology Freezing and thawing resistance of the new concrete relates to many factors, including the properties of the recycled concrete in terms of compressive strength, parameters of the airvoid system, and frost resistance of the aggregate included in the recycled concrete as well as the parameters of the air-void system and other qualities of the cementitious matrix of the new concrete. Chemical admixtures, air-entraining admixtures, and mineral admixtures included in the recycled concrete will not modify significantly the properties of the fresh or hardened, new concrete. High concentrations of water soluble chloride ion in the recycled concrete may contribute to accelerated corrosion of steel embedments in the new concrete. Prospective sources of recycled concrete may be unsound or have been rendered unsound in service, such as presence of physically unsound or chemically reactive aggregate, deterioration by aggressive chemical attack or leaching, damage by fire or service at high temperature, and so on. Significance of contaminants in the recycled concrete should be analysed in relation to the anticipated service, such as presence of noxious, toxic, or radioactive substances; presence of bituminous materials that may impair air entrainment; appreciable concentrations of organic materials that my produce excessive air entrainment; inclusion of metallic embedments that may cause rust staining or blistering of surfaces; and excessive fragments of glass, including bottle glass, that are expected to produce harmful effects of alkali-silica reaction. REFERENCES
1. Abou-Zeid M. N., Shenouda M. N., McCabe S. and El-Tawil F. A. (2005) Reincarnation zof Concrete, Concr Int 27(2): 53 59. Aggregates Advisory Service UK (1999) Construction and Demolition Waste Management Practices and Their Economic Impacts study for DGXI Digest 16, European Commission. ASTM (2005) Standard Descriptive Nomenclature for Constituents of Concrete Aggregates, C 29405: 910 ASTM C666-88, (1988) Standard Test for Resistance of Concrete to Freezing and Thawing. B. C. S. J. (2000) Study on Recycled Aggregate and Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Building Contractors Society of Japan, Committee on Disposal and Reuse of Conc Const Waste, Summary in Conc J, Japan 16(7), pp 18 31. Buck A. D. (2007) Recycled Concrete as a Source of Aggregate, ACI J 8(23): 373 376. CSIR Building and Construction Tech (2000) Reusing Construction and Demolition Waste Technobrief. 8.

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Recycled Aggregate Concrete, ACI Mat J 100(3): 216 221. Shetty M. S.(2005) Concrete Technology Theory and Practice, S. Chand & Company Ltd, New Delhi. Sri Ravindrarajah R and Tam C. T. (2005) Properties of Concrete made with Crushed Concrete as Coarse Aggregate, Magazine of Conc Research 37(130), pp 29 38. Strand D. L. (2007) Designing for Quality Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation and Recycling on Wiscarsins Inter State Highways, Proc of Third International Conference on Concrete Pavement Design and Rehabilitation, Purdue Uni, West Lafayette, USA. Tam V. W. Y. (2008) Economic Comparison of Concrete Recycling: A Case Study Approach, Resources Conservation and Recycling, Science Direct 52(2008): 821 828. Topcu I. B. (1995), Using Waste Concrete as Aggregate, Cem Concr Res 25(7): 1385 1390. Xiao Jianzhuang, Li Jiabin and Zhang Ch (2005) Mechanical Properties of Recycled Aggregate Concrete under Uniaxial Loading, Cement and Concrete Research, Science Direct 35(2005): 1187 1194. Yoshikane T., Present Status of Recycling Waste Cement Concrete in Japan, (Private Cir), Taiyu Kensetsu Co Ltd, Japan.

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