Study of recycled coarse aggregate with controlled granulometry for the manufacture of structural concrete

Abstract

For some time now, environmental conservation policies that encourage and promote recycling and the use of construction materials from demolition have been promoted with increasing commitment. The elaboration of concrete with recycled coarse aggregate as an alternative for the elaboration of structural concrete is the subject of interest of this work, which is why this experimental study is proposed to determine both the properties of the coarse aggregates and those of the concrete as a final product. The properties of the recycled coarse aggregates were determined by applying the tests foreseen in the Venezuelan standards for conventional aggregates. Then, the mix designs were elaborated according to the current standards and the research guidelines, where partial substitutions were made in weight of conventional coarse aggregate for recycled coarse aggregate in different dosages from 20% to 100%, maintaining the other components of the mixes and the water-cement ratio.
Normative tests were carried out to determine the mechanical properties of the concrete for each of the partial dosages of recycled coarse aggregate. It is concluded that it is possible to use recycled aggregate to produce structural concrete, according to the experimental results, and ranges for its use are proposed.