Durability characteristics of recycled aggregate concrete

People started to replace natural aggregate with recycled aggregate for a number of years due to disposal problem and certain other potential benefits. Though there are number of drawbacks with use of recycled aggregates like lesser modulus of elasticity, low compressive strength, increase in shrinkage, there are results of earlier studies that use of chemical and mineral admixtures improves the strength and durability of recycled concrete. The use of recycled aggregate from construction and demolition wastes is showing prospective application in construction as alternative to natural aggregates. It conserves lot of natural resources and reduces the space required for the landfill disposal. In the present research work, the effect of recycled aggregate on strength and durability aspects of concrete is studied. Grade of concrete chosen for the present work is M50 (with a characteristic compressive strength of 50 MPa). The recycled aggregates were collected from demolished structure with 20 years of age. Natural Aggregate (NA) was replaced with Recycled Aggregate (RA) in different percentages such as 25, 50 and 100 to understand its effect. The experiments were conducted for different ages of concrete such as 7, 14, 28, 56 days to assess the compressive and tensile strength. Durability characteristics of recycled aggregate concrete were studied with Rapid chloride penetration test (as per ASTMC1202), sorptivity test and acid test to assess resistance against chloride ion penetration, capillary suction and chemical attack respectively. Mix design for 50 MPa gives around 35 MPa after replacing natural aggregate with recycled aggregate in concrete mix and the chloride penetration range also lies in moderate limit. Hence it is understood from the results that replacement of NA with RA is very much possible and will be ecofriendly.