Properties of concrete incorporating fine recycled aggregate

Abstract

The properties of concrete containing fine recycled aggregate are investigated. Recycled aggregate consisted of crushed concrete (CC) or crushed brick (CB) with particles less than 5 mm in diameter. The free water/cement ratio was kept constant for all mixes. The fine aggregate in concrete was replaced with 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% CC or CB. Generally, there is strength reduction of 15–30% for concrete containing CC. However, concrete incorporating up to 50% CB exhibits similar long-term strength to that of the control. Even at 100% replacement of fine aggregate with CB, the reduction in strength is only 10%. Beyond 28 days of curing, the rate of strength development in concrete containing either CC or CB is higher than that of the control indicating further cementing action in the presence of fine recycled aggregate. More shrinkage and expansion occur in concrete containing CC or CB.