Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
67
editor@iaeme.com
1. INTRODUCTION
The partial or complete replacement of natural coarse aggregate (NCA) by recycled
concrete aggregate (RCA) in concrete production has considerably increased over the
last years. The use of RCA has the potential of diverting construction and demolition
debris from landfills while promoting a sustainable building approach.
Generally, the RCA concrete properties are inferior from equivalent NCA
mixtures, given the poorer quality of recycled aggregates including greater water
absorption and lower density [1,2]. In fact, RCAs are composed of NCA with
approximately 30% of adhered mortar that gives the RCA a rough surface with
numerous pores and micro-cracks. In the fresh state, it has been shown that concrete
workability containing RCA is lower than equivalent NCA mixture, given the more
angular shape and roughened surface texture of recycled aggregates [1,3]. Hence, to
produce similar workability, approximately 5% more water is required for RCA
concrete, while 15% more water is needed when both fine and coarse recycled
aggregates are used. On the hardened state, the use of RCA affects the interfacial
transition zone (ITZ) between aggregates and cement paste, which in its turn, reduces
the strength development. Reductions varying from 5% to 25% are reported for
compressive strength, while the splitting tensile strength remained the same or, at
most, 10% lower [1,4,5,6]. For the bond behavior with embedded steel, the majority
of findings have shown that the stages of load vs. slip curves are similar to NCA
mixtures; yet, the ultimate bond strengths were lower, depending on the concentration
and quality of RCA. For example, Kim et al. [7] reported that bond strength of RCA
concrete decreases gradually when RCA replacement rates increased from 0% to
30%, 60%, and 100%; the highest drop was about 18% from equivalent NCA
concrete. Butler et al. [8] found that ultimate bond strength is directly affected by
RCA quality; on average, RCA concrete developed around 10% to 21% lower bond
strength than equivalent NCA mixture.
Polymeric latexes are widely used in cementitious materials to increase adhesion
and bond strengths to various substrates. Latexes typically include polyvinyl acrylic
(PVA) homo- and copolymer and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR); these consist of
very small polymer particles (0.055 m) formed by emulsion polymerization and
stabilized in water with the aid of surfactants [9]. Generally, adhesion increases with
the increase in polymer-to-cement ratio (p/c); for example, Gomes et al. [10] reported
3- to 5-folds increase in adhesion for polymer-modified cement pastes at 5% to 10%
p/c on concrete substrates. The microstructural images of failure interfaces showed
distinct diffusion of modified pastes to the bonded substrate, implying the formation
of monolithic bond between both materials [11]. Latexes also found particular
acceptance in reinforced concrete applications due to the resulting improvement in
bond strengths with embedded steel and resistance to corrosion and chloride ion
penetrability [9,12].
Limited attempts have been realized to incorporate polymeric latexes in concrete
containing RCA, including the extent to which such additions would help
compensating the eventual decrease in workability or drop in hardened properties.
The paper is divided in two parts; the first seeks to evaluate the suitability of SBR to
compensate the loss in concrete workability and strength as a result of 100%
replacement of NCA by RCA. Two types of RCA having different qualities were
considered; the effect of curing regime on strength development for polymer-modified
RCA concrete was also evaluated. The second phase presents the experimental load
vs. slip data obtained from beam-end specimens, along with the effect of p/c on
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
68
editor@iaeme.com
Use of SBR Latexes To Mitigate Inferior Concrete Properties Resulting From Recycled
Coarse Aggregates
2. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
2.1. Coarse aggregate characterization
Two RCAs having 20-mm nominal size were used; the RCA1 was obtained by
crushing returned concrete from ready-mixed batching plant, while RCA2 consisted
of crushed concrete recuperated from processing old infrastructure elements such as
manholes, concrete pipes, and culverts. Also, continuously graded crushed limestone
NCA having 20-mm nominal size was employed. The aggregates gradations were
within ASTM C33 limitations, sieve No. 67 [13].
The physical NCA and RCA properties are summarized in Table 1. The freezethaw test procedure was used to determine the adhered mortar portion of RCA. The
materials were immersed in sodium sulphate solution, and subjected to five daily
cycles of freezing and thawing. After the final cycle, the sodium sulphate solution was
drained and aggregates washed and sieved over a 4.75-mm sieve. The aggregate
crushing value (ACV), reflecting the compressive strength of loose aggregate, was
determined by subjecting a measured volume of aggregate to 400-kN load [14]. After
crushing, the sample is sieved over 2.36-mm sieve where the percentage of material
passing the sieve represents the ACV (i.e., higher ACV value reflects weaker
aggregates with lower compressive strength).
2.72
2.43
2.4
Oven-dry
rodded bulk
density,
kg/m3
1,763
1,505
1,497
Absorption
rate, %
Material
finer than
75-m, %
Fineness
modulus
0.61
7.04
6.12
0.42
0.9
1.16
6.71
6.77
6.84
Adhered
mortar
content,
%
n/a
41.2
44
ACV,
%
17.8
23.1
28.2
Commercially available white SBR latex typically used for enhancing flexibility
and water-impermeability of cementitious materials was used. The carboxylated
styrene butadiene dispersion contains 60% of bound styrene without solvents and
stabilized using anionic emulsifying system. Its solid content, specific gravity, pH,
Brookfield viscosity (spindle 4 at 10 rpm), maximum particle size, and minimum film
forming temperature (MFFT) are 56%, 1.05, 8.5, 250 cP, 0.22 m, and -5 C,
respectively. Relevant research studies examining the effect of SBR latexes on fresh
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
69
editor@iaeme.com
and hardened properties of cementitious materials can be seen in references 9, 10, 12,
and 15.
Water,
kg/m3
Net
w/c
320
320
320
440
440
440
180
180
180
195
195
195
0.56
0.56
0.56
0.44
0.44
0.44
HRWR,
% of
cement
0.85
0.85
0.85
1.45
1.45
1.45
SBR,
% of cement
mass
0
0, 1, 2, or 3
0, 1, 2, or 3
0
0, 2, 3, or 4
0, 2, 3, or 4
Coarse aggregate
Type
Content,
kg/m3
NCA
995
RCA1
940
RCA2
930
NCA
925
RCA1
875
RCA2
855
Fine
aggregate,
kg/m3
850
800
790
790
745
730
The effect of recycled aggregates on fresh and hardened concrete properties was
evaluated by 100% replacement of natural aggregate by RCA, with or without SBR
additions. The cement content, net w/c (given that water content in SBR was
accounted during concrete batching), HRWR dosage, and sand-to-total aggregate ratio
remained fixed as earlier described for control NCA mixtures. As can be seen in
Table 2, three SBR dosage rates of 1%, 2%, and 3% of cement mass were added in
RCA1 and RCA2 mixtures prepared with 320 kg/m3 cement, while dosages of 2%,
3%, and 4% were used in higher strength mixtures made with 440 kg/m 3 cement. This
was decided following preliminary testing showing that the drop in hardened
properties is particularly accentuated in higher strength RCA concrete, making thus
more relevant the incorporation of higher latex concentrations to compensate such
losses. The corresponding p/c varied from 0.56% to 2.06%. It is to be noted that p/c
could be as high as 10% during concrete production [9,12]; however, this was limited
to 2.06% in this study because of the tangible improvement in RCA concrete
performance when compared to equivalent NCA mixtures. Also, practically speaking,
it is generally desirable to limit polymer addition rates to prevent excessive increase
in concrete cost.
Given the high RCA water absorption and eventual effect on concrete workability,
all coarse aggregates (i.e., NCA, RCA1, and RCA2) were pre-soaked for 24 hours in
water and then drained for around 1 hour prior to batching to ensure full saturation at
or above saturated-surface-dry condition [1,2,8]. The batch proportions were then
adjusted for aggregate surface moisture to maintain constant w/c. All mixtures were
prepared in an open-pan mixer of 100-Liters capacity. The mixing sequence consisted
of homogenizing the sand, aggregate, and around 50% of mixing water before
introducing the cement. After one minute of mixing, the other 45% of water was
added, followed by HRWR, and then SBR diluted in the remaining 5% of water. The
concrete was mixed for two additional minutes. The ambient temperature during
mixing and sampling hovered around 21 3 C.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
70
editor@iaeme.com
Use of SBR Latexes To Mitigate Inferior Concrete Properties Resulting From Recycled
Coarse Aggregates
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
71
editor@iaeme.com
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
72
editor@iaeme.com
Use of SBR Latexes To Mitigate Inferior Concrete Properties Resulting From Recycled
Coarse Aggregates
up to 13% more strength. Such results are in agreement with other findings reported
in literature [16]. In fact, after initial moist curing for 24 hours, the latex particles
coalesce into films that become adsorbed onto the surfaces of hydrated cement
compounds, preventing further moisture loss (i.e., entrapped moisture promotes
cement hydration processes). Concurrently, as the latex films develop, reactive groups
in the polymer crosslink within the internal structure, forming continuous and
impermeable coating film layers (i.e., such films are destabilized under wet curing)
[9,17]. Hence, the increase in strength encountered under air curing conditions can be
associated to an increase in both cement hydration reactions as well as polymer
crosslinking.
Table 3 Effect of SBR concentration and curing regime on concrete properties
Mixture
codification
p/c,
%
320-NCA
0
320-RCA1
0
320-RCA1-1%SBR
0.56
320-RCA1-2%SBR
1.12
320-RCA1-3%SBR
1.68
320-RCA2
0
320-RCA2-1%SBR
0.56
320-RCA2-2%SBR
1.12
320-RCA2-3%SBR
1.68
440-NCA
0
440-RCA1
0
440-RCA1-2%SBR
1.12
440-RCA1-3%SBR
1.68
440-RCA1-4%SBR
2.06
440-RCA2
0
440-RCA2-2%SBR
1.12
440-RCA2-3%SBR
1.68
440-RCA2-4%SBR
2.06
n/a refers to not applicable
Slump,
Air
mm
content,
%
220
155
160
180
195
135
135
165
190
225
160
185
205
210
125
135
170
185
2.6
2.35
2.8
3.2
3.3
2.8
2.75
3.15
3.5
2.4
2.8
2.8
3.5
4.1
2.7
3
3.8
4.3
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
Unit
weight,
kg/m3
2335
2315
2345
2310
2290
2290
2310
2310
2285
2380
2355
2345
2315
2290
2350
2310
2285
2270
73
Wet-cured at
95% RH for 28
days
fc,
MPa
31.6
29.8
31.3
33.9
34.2
23.9
26.1
28.4
30.1
54.8
46.4
47.8
49.5
53
39.6
47.2
46
50.8
f t,
MPa
3.77
3.5
3.87
4.17
4.3
2.97
3.36
3.97
4.06
6.2
5.4
6.5
6.76
7.03
4.46
5.5
6.12
6.63
Cured at 95% RH
for 24 hours, then
air-cured for 27
days
fc,
f t,
MPa
MPa
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
30.9
3.92
35
4.51
35.8
4.73
n/a
n/a
28
3.6
30
4.11
33.1
4.6
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
47.5
6.42
51.2
6.8
56
7.1
n/a
n/a
46.5
5.66
49.2
6.7
54.4
7.2
editor@iaeme.com
A. Compressive strength
Concrete made without polymers As can be seen, the complete NCA substitution by
RCA1 led to reduced fc, particularly for high strength mixtures prepared with 440
kg/m3 cement. Hence, this varied from -5.7% to -15.3% for concrete made with 320
or 440 kg/m3 cement, respectively. Such results are in agreement with those reported
by Butler et al. [8] who associated the drop in fc of lean and high strength RCA
concrete to different failure planes occurring around or through the coarse aggregate
skeleton. In fact, the visual examination of crushed concrete cylinders made with 320
kg/m3 cement showed distinct failure planes occurring mainly around the aggregate
particles, suggesting that the ITZ between mortar-aggregate is the limiting strength
factor. In contrast, the failure planes become less distinct and mostly passing through
the aggregate particles for concrete prepared with 440 kg/m 3, implying that the
strength of RCA itself is the limiting factor [1,8].
Effect of SBR on (fc) Clearly, the use of increased SBR concentration
improved fc of RCA1 mixtures, albeit this varied depending on cement content and
strength of original concrete (Fig. 3). For example, (fc) increased significantly from
-5.7% for lean 320-RCA1 concrete made without SBR to +7.3% and +8.2% for
equivalent mixtures containing 2% or 3% SBR, respectively. This can be attributed to
the polymer particles that strengthen the mortar-aggregate interface, especially
knowing that fc of lean concrete is mostly governed by the ITZ behavior. In contrast,
the (fc) increase in high strength concrete prepared with 440 kg/m3 cement was
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
74
editor@iaeme.com
Use of SBR Latexes To Mitigate Inferior Concrete Properties Resulting From Recycled
Coarse Aggregates
much less pronounced, and remained in the negative region. Hence, (fc) varied from
-15.3% for 440-RCA1 concrete made without SBR to -9.7% and -3.3% for mixtures
containing 3% and 4% SBR, respectively. This practically suggests that the beneficial
polymer effect on compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete is directly
affected by the mixture proportioning.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
75
editor@iaeme.com
3.2 Phase II: Effect of SBR additions on bond stress vs. slip behavior
Table 4 summarizes the bond characteristics of tested concrete including the bond
stresses corresponding to slip of 0.01 and 0.1 mm (0.01mm and 0.1mm, respectively),
ultimate bond stress (u) representing the maximum load at failure, and slip at freeend (u) coinciding with the ultimate load. Also, the normalized bond stress calculated
as the ratio of u to the square root of fc is given. It is to be noted that all tests
exhibited pullout modes of failure characterized by crushing and shearing of the
localized embedded region around the bar. No cracks were observed on their external
surfaces, indicating that the concrete cover provided adequate confinement [17].
3.2.1-Bond stress vs. slip curves of tested mixtures
The vs. curves determined for control NCA concrete prepared with 320 kg/m 3
cement as well as those made using RCA1 with or without SBR additions are given in
Fig. 5.
Comparison between NCA vs. RCA1 concrete behavior (without SBR)
Concurrent with existing literature [8,9,10,12], the substitution of NCA by RCA1 did
not result in considerable changes in vs. curves. Hence, the three mechanisms
controlling the bond between steel and concrete including adhesion, mechanical
interlock, and friction can be well identified [7]. Nevertheless, it is to be noted that u
at failure for RCA1 concrete was relatively lower than equivalent value determined
using NCA mixture, especially for higher strength concrete prepared with 440 kg/m 3
cement. For example, u decreased from 11.8 to 11.4 MPa and from 16.3 to 14.7 MPa
for mixtures made with 320 and 440 kg/m 3 cement, respectively (Table 4). This can
be directly attributed to the reduced RCA1 concrete hardened properties including f c
and ft, thus reducing the materials bearing strength capacity in front of the bar ribs.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
76
editor@iaeme.com
Use of SBR Latexes To Mitigate Inferior Concrete Properties Resulting From Recycled
Coarse Aggregates
Table 4 Effect of SBR on bond stress vs. slip concrete properties
Mixture codification
320-NCA
320-RCA1
320-RCA1-1%SBR
320-RCA1-2%SBR
320-RCA1-3%SBR
440-NCA
440-RCA1
440-RCA1-2%SBR
440-RCA1-3%SBR
440-RCA1-4%SBR
0.01mm,
MPa
2.54
2.3
2.7
3.05
4.6
3.85
3.24
5.3
7.2
9.7
0.1mm,
MPa
7.13
6.65
7.45
9
8.77
9.6
7.8
12.7
14
16.1
u,
MPa
11.8
11.4
12.8
13
14.1
16.3
14.7
17.1
18.7
21.4
u,
mm
0.53
0.55
0.71
0.9
0.88
0.48
0.48
0.92
0.9
1.32
u / (fc)0.5
2.1
2.09
2.29
2.23
2.41
2.2
2.16
2.47
2.66
2.94
Figure 5 Typical bond stress vs. slip curves for mixtures made with 320 kg/m 3 cement
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
77
editor@iaeme.com
SBR; the corresponding u increased from 11.4 MPa to 13 MPa (Table 4). In fact, the
bond resistance in beam-end specimen is achieved by circumferential tension stresses
created in the concrete around the bar; if these forces exceed the tensile concrete
capacity, failure occurs [7,8,12]. Therefore, given that ft of RCA1 concrete is
significantly improved with polymer additions, this can reduce the propagation of
microcracks and result in increased bond resistance with reinforcing bar.
3.2.2 Relationships between p/c and bond properties
The relationships between p/c with respect to 0.01mm, 0.1mm, and u are plotted in Fig.
6. As can be seen, RCA1 concrete incorporating higher SBR additions (i.e., higher
p/c) led to increased bond stresses. Nevertheless, such increase was particularly
accentuated for 0.01mm, suggesting that the adhesive component of bond could be
highly improved by such additions. For example, at the highest p/c of 2.06%,
(0.01mm) reached 152%, while (0.1mm) and (u) reached respectively 68% and
31%.
From the other hand, it is to be noted that the slips at failure shifted gradually
towards higher values with increased p/c. The resulting correlation can be written as:
Slip at free-end, mm = 0.309 (p/c, %) + 0.51, with R2 of 0.88. Practically, this
indicates that the structural ductility of reinforced RCA concrete members tends to
increase with polymer additions [12]. The ratio of u to the square root of fc followed
an increasing trend with p/c; the relationship can be written as: Ratio = 0.296 (p/c, %)
+ 2.11, with R2 of 0.78.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
78
editor@iaeme.com
Use of SBR Latexes To Mitigate Inferior Concrete Properties Resulting From Recycled
Coarse Aggregates
polymeric latexes can effectively compensate the loss in RCA concrete performance.
The improvement in strength was further accentuated when curing was realized for 24
hours in 95% RH, and then for 27 days in air conditions at 23 3 C and 50% 5%
RH.
The mechanisms of bond failure in vs. curves recorded using SBR-modified
RCA concrete are fundamentally similar to those observed with natural aggregate
concrete. Yet, the initial stiffness was considerably accentuated with SBR additions,
reflecting increased interfacial shear stresses between the reinforcing bar and
surrounding concrete. Also, the ascending curves showed extended non-linear regions
together with higher u. Good correlations were established between p/c and bond
properties.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This project was funded by the School of Engineering Research Council of the
Lebanese University (LU), Hadath, Lebanon. The authors wish to acknowledge the
experimental support provided by the Laboratory of the Civil Engineering Department
at LU as well as the contributions of research assistants from Finders SAL, Amchit,
Lebanon.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
79
editor@iaeme.com
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
Issa, C., Assaad, J.J. Stability and bond properties of polymer-modified selfconsolidating concrete for repair applications. Materials and Structures, in press,
(2016). 15 p.
ASTM C33 / C33M-16. Standard specification for concrete aggregates. Annual
Book of ASTM Standards, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, (2016), USA.
BS 812110. Testing Aggregates, British Standards Institute, London, England,
(1990), 18 p.
Assaad, J.J. Disposing waste latex paints in cement-based materials - Effect on
flow and rheological properties, Journal of Building Engineering, (2016), 6, 7585
ACI 548.3R-03. Polymer-modified concrete. ACI Committee 555, (2003), 40 p.
Issa, C., Assaad, J.J. Bond of tension bars in underwater concrete Effect of bar
diameter and cover. Materials and Structures 48(11), (2014), 3457-3471.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp
80
editor@iaeme.com