Investigations of the structural characteristics of concrete produced from recycled aggregates at varying water/cement ratios

Abstract

The paper tried to investigate the structural characteristics of concrete produced by partially replacing natural aggregates with recycled aggregates at varying water/cement ratios. The study is basically a laboratory experimental study. Water/cement ratio component of the concrete were varied at 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60; while the natural aggregate was partially replaced with RCA of 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75% and 90% for concrete productions for 7, 14 and 28 days structural characteristics. The densities, water absorption capacity and Compressive Strength of these concretes were determined. The results were presented in graphs and Tables. Results of the study indicate an increased compressive strength at low percentage of RCA and water /cement ratio values. There is a marginal difference between compressive strength of normal concrete and concrete produced by partial RCA of 15% replacement at 0.4 w/c ratio.
 Keywords: recycled concrete aggregate, natural aggregate, compressive strength, water/ cement ratio and natural aggregate concrete.