Impact of parent concrete strength of recycled aggregates on the mechanical performance of RAC bricks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7764/RDLC.24.2.505Keywords:
Concrete bricks, recycled aggregates, parent concrete strength, mechanical performance, sustainability.Abstract
Natural aggregate and attached mortar are the two main components of the recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), therefore, compared to natural concrete aggregates (NCA), RCA generally have significant heterogeneity. Due to variation in their expected behavior as a result of heterogeneity, the use of RCA in concrete for various applications is still very limited. Since the properties of natural aggregates and adhered mortar in RCA are mainly dictated by the quality of their parent concrete, the careful evaluation of properties of RCA derived from waste concrete of different sources is always required before their possible use in concrete. Research studies in the past have revealed that the strength of parent concrete has always had a considerable impact on the physical and mechanical properties of RCA. In this study, RCA were produced from four classes of parent concrete with respect to their initial strength (i.e., 21 to 28 MPa, 28 to 35 MPa, 35 to 42 MPa, and above 42 MPa) and were used in the manufacturing of concrete bricks by replacing 100% NCA (fine and coarse) with RCA. Tests were performed to evaluate the effect of the parent concrete strength on the physical and strength properties of RCA, and the mechanical behavior of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) bricks. For comparison, Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC) and burnt-clay bricks were also tested. RAC and NAC bricks were manufactured using 10% cement and under a casting pressure of 35 MPa. Compressive, shear, and flexure strengths and impact resistance of bricks were determined using standard tests. The results showed that the physical and strength properties, and water absorption of RCA were improved with the increase in strength of their parent concrete. The water absorption of coarse RCA obtained from low-strength concrete (i.e., 21 to 28 MPa) was 4.8 times higher than that of NCA, whereas coarse RCA obtained from concrete with compressive strength above 42 MPa showed almost similar physical properties as those of NCA. For RAC bricks prepared with RCA obtained from high-strength parent concrete (i.e., > 42MPa), 11% improvement in compressive strength, 2.23% decrease in the flexure strength, and 6.6% increase in the shear strength were observed in comparison with NAC bricks. Compression, shear, flexure strength, and impact resistance of RAC bricks were found to satisfy the requirements of local and ASTM Standards and were higher than those of burnt-clay bricks. This study finally concluded that fully RAC bricks manufactured using RCA derived from old concrete having compressive strength greater than 21 MPa are not only structurally viable but are also environmentally friendly and could help to manage construction and demolition (CandD) wastes efficiently and beneficially.
Downloads
References
Abera, Y.S.A. (2022). Performance of concrete materials containing recycled aggrege from construction and demolition waste. Results in Materials, vol. 14, 100278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinma.2022.100278
Almadani, M., Razak, R. A., Abdullah, M.M.A.B., and Mohamed, R. (2022). Geopolymer-based artificial aggregates: a review on methods of producing, properties, and improving techniques. Materials, vol. 15, no. 16, p. 5516. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15165516
Assaad, J. J., Matar, P., and Gergess, A. (2020). Effect of quality of recycled aggregates on bond strength between concrete and embedded steel rein-forcement. J. Sustain. Cem.-Based Mater. vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 94–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650373.2019.1692315
ASTM C67 (2021). Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile.
ASTM C128 (2022). Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine Aggregate.
ASTM C29 (2017). Standard Test Method for Bulk Density (‘Unit Weight’) and Voids in Aggregate.
ASTM C805 (2008). Standard test method for rebound number of hardened concrete.
Bahraq, A. A., Jose, J., Shameem, M., and Maslehuddin, M. (2022). A review on treatment techniques to improve the durability of recycled aggregate concrete: Enhancement mechanisms, performance and cost analysis. J. Build. Eng., p. 104713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104713
BCP, “Building Code of Pakistan (Seismic Provisions 2007),” Ministry of Housing and Works. Government of Pakistan Islamabad, 2007.
Benmiloud, H.E., Adjoudj, M’h., Ezziane, K., Kadri, E. (2022). Parent concrete quality of recycled concrete aggregates on some engineering properties of concrete. J. Mat. Eng. Struct., vol.9, 299-315.
Bhat, J. A. (2021). Effect of strength of parent concrete on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Mater. Today Proc., vol. 42, pp. 1462–1469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.310
Bru, K., Touzé, S., Bourgeois, F., Lippiatt, N., and Ménard, Y. (2014). Assessment of a microwave-assisted recycling process for the recovery of high-quality aggregates from concrete waste. Int. J. Miner. Process. vol. 126, pp. 90–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.minpro.2013.11.009
BS 882 (1992). Specification for aggregates from natural sources for concrete, Lond. Br. Stand. Inst.
BS 812-110 (1990). Testing aggregates. Methods for determination of aggregate crushing value (ACV). British Standard Institution (BSI) London.
BS 812: 112. Testing Aggregates—Part 112 (1990), Methods for Determination of Aggregate Impact Value. British Standards Institution. United King-dom.
Bu, C., Liu, L., Lu, X., Zhu, D., Sun, Y., Yu, L., Yang, Y.O., Cao, X., and Wei, Q. (2022). The Durability of Recycled Fine Aggregate Concrete: A Review. Materials, vol. 15, no. 3, 1110. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15031110
Chakraborty, S., and Subramaniam, K. (2023). Influence of matrix strength and weak planes on fracture response of recycled aggregate concrete. Theo-retical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, vol. 124, 103801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2023.103801
Corinaldesi, V., and Moriconi, G. (2009). Influence of mineral additions on the performance of 100% recycled aggregate concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 23, no. 8, pp. 2869–2876.
C127, ASTM. (2015). Standard Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate.
C33, ASTM. (2003). Standard specification for concrete aggregates.
C55, ASTM. (2017). Standard Specification for Concrete Building Brick.
de Lima Araújo, D., Nunes, F. G. T., Toledo Filho, R. D., and de Andrade, M. A. S. (2014). Shear strength of steel fiber-reinforced concrete beams. Acta Scientiarum. Technology, 36(3), 389-397.
Dimitriou, G., Savva, P., and Petrou, M. F. (2018). Enhancing mechanical and durability properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 158, pp. 228–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.137
Duan, Z., Han, H., Singh, A., and Xiao, J. (2020). Multi-scale investigation on concrete prepared with recycled aggregates from different parent concrete. J. Renew. Mater., vol. 8, no. 11, 1375-1390. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2020.013044
Farooq, M. U., Hameed, R., Tahir, M., Sohail, M. G., Shahzad, S. (2023). Mechanical and durability performance of 100% recycled aggregate concrete pavers made by compression casting. J. Build. Eng. 73, 106729.
Gebremariam, H.G, Taye, S., and Tarekegn, A. G. (2023). Disparity in research findings on parent concrete strength effects on recycled aggregate quality as a challenge in aggregate recycling. Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 19, e02342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02342
Gholampour, A., and Ozbakkaloglu, T. (2018). Time-dependent and long-term mechanical properties of concretes incorporating different grades of coarse recycled concrete aggregates. Engineering Structures, 157, 224-234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.12.015
Group, T. F. (2012). Global Demand for Construction Aggregates to Exceed 48 Billion Metric Tons in 2015, Concr. Constr.
Habib, A., Naseem, S., and Shahab, A. (2021). Charting Pakistan’s Air Quality Policy Landscape.
Hamad, B.S., and Dawi, A.H. (2017). Sustainable normal and high strength recycled aggregate concretes using crushed tested cylinders as coarse aggre-gates. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 7, 228-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2017.08.006
Hameed, R., Un-Nisa, Z., Riaz, M.R., and Gillani, S. A. A. (2022). Effect of compression casting technique on the water absorption properties of concrete made using 100% recycled aggregates. Rev. Constr., vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 387–407. https://doi.org/10.7764/RDLC.21.2.387
Hameed, R., Imran, M., Shahzad, S., Hassan, M.I., Khadija, and Arshad, E. (2023). Mechanical Performance of 100% Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) Bricks. Revista de la Construcción. Journal of Construction, 22(1), 203-222. http://dx.doi.org/10.7764/rdlc.22.1.203
Hameed, R., Tahir, R., Nisa, Z.U., Shahzad, S., Kazmi, S.M.S., and Munir, M.J. (2023). Impact of Compression Casting Technique on the Mechanical Properties of 100% Recycled Aggregate Concrete. Sustainability 15, 8153. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108153
ICIMOD. Fact Sheet: Brick sector in Pakistan. Kathmandu, Nepal, 2019.
Ju, M., Park, K., and Park, W.J. (2019). Mechanical behavior of recycled fine aggregate concrete with high slump property in normal-and high-strength,” Int. J. Concr. Struct. Mater. vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 1–13, 2019.
Kaarthik, M., and Maruthachalam, D. (2021). A sustainable approach of characteristics strength of concrete using recycled fine aggregates. Mater. Today proc., vol. 45, no. 7, p. 6377-6380.
Katkhuda, H., and Shatarat, N. (2016). Shear behavior of reinforced concrete beams using treated recycled concrete aggregate. Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 125, pp. 63–71.
Katz, A. (2004). Treatments for the improvement of recycled aggregate. J. Mater. Civ. Eng., vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 597–603.
Kebaili, B., Benzerara, M., Menadi, S., Kouider, N., and Belouettar, R. (2022). Effect of parent concrete strength on recycled concrete performance. Frat. ed Integrità Strutt., vol. 16, no. 62, pp. 14–25.
Kim, J. (2022). Influence of quality of recycled aggregates on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concretes: An overview. Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 328, p. 127071.
Kou, S., and Poon, C. (2015). Effect of the quality of parent concrete on the properties of high performance recycled aggregate concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. 77, 501–508.
Kou, S., Poon, C.S., and Etxeberria, M. (2011). Influence of recycled aggregates on long term mechanical properties and pore size distribution of concrete. Cem. Concr. Compos. vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 286–291.
Le, H.B., and Bui, Q.B. (2020). Recycled aggregate concretes–a state-of-the-art from the microstructure to the structural performance. Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 257, p. 119522.
Levy, S.M., and Helene, P. (2004). Durability of recycled aggregate concrete: a safe way to sustainable development. Cem. Conc. Res., vol. 34, no. 11, 1975-1980.
Limbachiya, M., Meddah, M. S., and Ouchagour, Y. (2012). Performance of Portland/Silica Fume Cement Concrete Produced with Recycled Concrete Aggregate. ACI Materials Journal, 109(1).
Liu, K., Yan, J., Hu, Q., Sun, Y., and Zou, C. (2016). Effects of parent concrete and mixing method on the resistance to freezing and thawing of air-entrained recycled aggregate concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. 106, 264-273.
Mazhoud, B., Sedran, T., Cazacliu, B., Cothenet, A., and Torrenti, J.M. (2022). Influence of residual mortar volume on the properties of recycled concrete aggregates. J. Build. Eng., vol. 57, 104945.
Moghadam, A. S., Omidinasab, F., and Abdalikia, M. (2021). The effect of initial strength of concrete wastes on the fresh and hardened properties of recycled concrete reinforced with recycled steel fibers. Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 300, p. 124284.
Nedeljković, M., Visser, J., Šavija, B., Valcke S., and Schlangen, E. (2021). Use of fine recycled concrete aggregates in concrete: A critical review. J. Build. Eng., vol. 38, p. 102196.
NF EN 60068-2-75 (2015). Environmental testing - Part 2-75: tests - Test Eh: hammer tests.
Padmini, A. K., Ramamurthy, K., and Mathews, M. S. (2009). Influence of parent concrete on the properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 829–836.
Pani, L., Francesconi, L., Rombi, J., Mistretta, F., Sassu, M., and Stochino, F. (2020). Effect of parent concrete on the performance of recycled aggregate concrete. Sustainability, vol. 12, no. 22, p. 9399.
Patra, I., Al-Awsi, G.R.L., Hasan, Y.M., Sabbar, S., and Almotlaq, K. (2022). Mechanical properties of concrete containing recycled aggreged from con-struction waste. Sustainable Energy technologies and Assessments, vol. 53, 102722.
Pawluczuk, E., Kalinowska-Wichrowska, K., Boltryk, M., Jiménez, J.R., and Fernández, J. M. (2019). The influence of heat and mechanical treatment of concrete rubble on the properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Materials, vol. 12, no. 3, p. 367.
Radević, A., Despotović, I., Zakić, D., Orešković, M., and Jevtić, D. (2018). Influence of acid treatment and carbonation on the properties of recycled concrete aggregate. Chem. Ind. Chem. Eng. QuarterlyCICEQ, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 23–30.
Rao, M. C., Bhattacharyya, S.K., and Barai, S.V. (2011). Influence of field recycled coarse aggregates on properties of concrete. Mater. Struct., vol. 44, no.1, p. 205-220.
Raza, W., Saeed, S., Saulat, H., Gul, H., Sarfraz, M., Sonne, C., Sohn, Z.H., Brown, R.J.C., and Kim, K. H. (2021). A review on the deteriorating situation of smog and its preventive measures in Pakistan. Journal of Cleaner Production, 279, 123676.
Ren, P., Ling, T.C., and Mo, K. H. (2021). Recent advances in artificial aggregate production. J. Clean. Prod., vol. 291, p. 125215.
Riaz, M. R., Hameed, R., Ilya, M., Akram, A., and Siddiqi, Z. A. (2015). Mechanical characterization of recycled aggregate concrete. Pak. J. Eng. Appl. Sci.
Sakai, Y., Tarekegne, B.T., and Kishi, T. (2016). Recycling of hardened cementitious material by pressure and control of volumetric change. J. Adv. Concr. Technol., vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 47–54.
Savva, P., Ioannou, S., Oikonomopoulou, K., Nicolaides, D., and Petrou., M. F. (2021). A mechanical treatment method for recycled aggregates and its effect on recycled aggregate-based concrete. Materials, vol. 14, no. 9, p. 2186.
Singh, R., Nayak, D., Pandey, A., Kumar, R., and Kumar, V. (2022). Effects of recycled fine aggregates on properties of concrete containing natural or recycled coarse aggregates: A comparative study. J. Build. Eng., vol. 45, p. 103442.
Sobuz, M. H. R., Datta, S. D., Akid, A. S. M., Tam, V. W.Y, Islam, S., Rana, M. J., Aslani, F., Yalçınkaya, Ç., and Sutan, N. M. (2024). Evaluating the effects of recycled concrete aggregate size and concentration on properties of high-strength sustainable concrete. Journal of King Saud University-Engineering Sciences, 36(3), 216-227.
Tam, V. W., Somroo, M., and Evangelista, A. C. J. (2018). A review of recycled aggregate in concrete applications (2000–2017). Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 172, pp. 272–292.
Tang, Y., Xiao, J., Zhang, H., Duan, Z., and Xia, B. (2022). Mechanical properties and uniaxial compressive stress-strain behavior of fully recycled aggre-gate concrete, Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 323, 126546.
Thakur, A., Senthil, K., and Singh, A. P. (2022). Evaluation of concrete bricks with crumb rubber and polypropylene fibres under impact loading. Construc-tion and Building Materials, 315, 125752.
Thomas, C., Setien, J., Polanco, J.A., Alaejos, P., and Juan, M. S. D. (2013). Durability of recycled aggregate concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. 40, 1054-1065.
Upshaw, M., and Cai, C. S. (2020). Critical review of recycled aggregate concrete properties, improvements, and numerical models. J. Mater. Civ. Eng., vol. 32, no. 11, p. 03120005.
Villagrán-Zaccardi, Y. A., Marsh, A. T., Sosa, M. E., Zega, C. J., De Belie, N., and Bernal, S. A. (2022). Complete re-utilization of waste concretes–Valorisation pathways and research needs. Resour. Conserv. Recycl., vol. 177, p. 105955.
Wang, B., Yan, L., Fu, Q., and Kasal., B. (2021). A comprehensive review on recycled aggregate and recycled aggregate concrete. Resour. Conserv. Re-cycl., vol. 171, p. 105565.
Wang, X., Chin, C.S., and Xia, J. (2019). Material characterization for sustainable concrete paving blocks. Appl. Sci., vol. 9, no. 6, p. 1197.
Wang, Q., Geng, Y., Wang, Y., and Zhang, H. (2020). Drying shrinkage model for recycled aggregate concrete accounting for the influence of parent concrete. Eng. Struct., vol. 202, p. 109888.
Wu, Y.F., Kazmi, S. M. S., Munir, M. J., Zhou, Y., and Xing, F. (2020). Effect of compression casting method on the compressive strength, elastic modulus and microstructure of rubber concrete. J. Clean. Prod., vol. 264, p. 121746.
Xiao, J., Li, W., and Poon, C. (2012). Recent studies on mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete in China—A review. Sci. China Technol. Sci., vol. 55, no. 6, pp. 1463–1480.
Ying, J., Han, Z., Shen, L., and Li, W. (2020). Influence of parent concrete properties on compressive strength and chloride diffusion coefficient of con-crete with strengthened recycled aggregates. Materials, vol. 13, no. 20, p. 4631.
Liang, Z., Hu, Z., Zhou, Y., Wu, Y., Zhou, X., Hu, B., and Guo, M. (2022). Improving recycled aggregate concrete by compression casting and nano-silica. Nanotechnology Reviews, 11 (1), 1273-1290.
Zeng, W., Zhao, Y., Zheng, H., and Poon, C. S. (2020). Improvement in corrosion resistance of recycled aggregate concrete by nano silica suspension modification on recycled aggregates. Cem. Concr. Compos. vol. 106, p. 103476.
Zhang, W., and Ingham, J. M. (2010). Using recycled concrete aggregates in New Zealand ready-mix concrete production. Journal of materials in civil engineering, 22(5), 443-450.
Downloads
Published
Versions
- 2025-09-05 (4)
- 2025-09-04 (3)
- 2025-09-04 (2)
- 2025-09-03 (1)
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Rashid Hameed, Maha Al-Soudani , Ali Sabah Al Amli , Haider Ali , Shaban Shahzad , Asif Hameed
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
