Experimental Investigation of Recycle Concrete Aggregate

Abstract

Experimental Investigation of Recycle Concrete Aggregate With the rise in the adoption of recycled aggregate for construction, investigation on ways to improve its quality has been wide spread. The major factor that affects the quality of recycled aggregate is the large amount of cement mortar that remains on the surface of the recycled aggregate.

This attached mortar results in higher porosity, higher water absorption rates, and thus a weaker interfacial zone between new cement mortar and aggregates, weakening the strength and mechanical performance of concrete made from recycled aggregate. This paper attempts to compare the effect of chemical as well as mechanical treatment approaches in reducing the mortar attached to aggregate.

Conclusion

Quality of recycled concrete aggregate is lower than natural aggregate quality, due to the mortar that remains attached on the surface.The physical and mechanical properties of recycled aggregates such as specific gravity, water absorption, bulk density,crushing value, impact value and abrasion value can be improved by suitable chemical or mechanical treatments.The quality of recycled aggregates obtained after treatment are comparable (but still inferior) to the quality of natural aggregate.