Development of Ready-Mix Recycled Aggregate Concrete Compositions Made with Industrial Coarse Recycled Aggregates
摘要
Recycled aggregate concrete has been extensively studied and there are already standards and codes for its use. However, most research is made in laboratory environments and with options that do not represent ready-mix concrete production. Furthermore, most research uses recycled aggregates that are either produced in the laboratory or post-processed in it (e.g. sieved, washed and/or treated). This results in better properties than those of recycled aggregates produced in industrial environments. This paper studies recycled aggregate concrete compositions that represent the ready-mix concrete industry: (i) industrial recycled aggregates are used without any attempt to improve their properties; (ii) a ready-mix plant provided reference compositions and raw materials; (iii) the reference compositions were adapted based on preferences of the ready-mix plant managers; (iv) fresh and hardened state tests are carried out to characterize the mixes and define recycled aggregate incorporation ratios. It was found that, for these low-quality industrial aggregates, a maximum replacement ratio of about 10% (in relation to the weight of the total coarse and fine aggregates) is advised. This replacement ratio was mostly limited by the increase in cement content, workability loss over time, viscosity increase and durability properties.