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ACID RESISTANCE OF HIGH STRENGTH SELF-

COMPACTING CONCRETE WITH RECYCLED COARSE
AGGREGATE

K. Jagannadha Rao1, Mohammad Illiyas Khan 2, Srinivas Vasam3

1,2. Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, India

3. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India

ABSTRACT. This paper presents the results of the experimental investigations on acid
resistance of recycled aggregate based self-compacting concrete. The variables of study include
the percentage of recycled aggregate as partial replacement of natural aggregate (0%, 25%, 50%
and 75%), the type and concentration of acid (2% and 5%), and period of immersion. The grade
of concrete used was M50 and the parameters of the study are weight loss and compressive
strength loss. The test results of cubes, after exposure to sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid for
a maximum period of 90 days, showed a marginal weight loss of up to 2.52% and considerable
strength loss of up to 24%. The ultrasonic pulse velocities of specimens exposed to acid,
obtained by NDT, are between 3.5 km/sec and 4.5 km/sec. Results obtained from the study
indicate that the recycled aggregate based self-compacting concrete offers moderate resistance to
hydrochloric acid but poor resistance to sulphuric acid attack.

Keywords: Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), High Strength Self-compacting Concrete

(HSSCC), Acid Resistance, Residual Compressive Strength, Weight Loss, NDT

Dr K. Jagannadha Rao is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Chaitanya

Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India. His research interests
include Fibre Reinforced Concrete, SCC and Use of Recycled Materials in concrete.

Mohammad Illiyas Khan was a Post - graduate Student in Department of Civil Engineering,
Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India.

Srinivas Vasam is a Research Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally,

Hyderabad, India

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INTRODUCTION
In light of the present scenario where concrete is widely used in foundations, pavements, bridges,
dams, pools/reservoirs, pipes, footings for gates, drainage system and even boats, there is a need
to find an alternative material and study its durability issues. Aggregate recycled from
demolished concrete considered to be waste product which can be utilized effectively to
overcome the harmful effect of producing natural aggregate like depletion of natural resources,
effect on the surrounding environment, etc. SCC has high workability, improved properties and
less noise pollution. For any material to be used for construction, the durability properties are
also important along with the desired strength and mechanical properties. Hence, a study is
undertaken to investigate the durability aspects of SCC made with varying proportion of recycled
concrete aggregate subjected to hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid attack. The investigation
includes evaluation of the compressive strength loss and weight loss of Recycled aggregate
concrete for 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% Recycled Aggregate as partial replacement of natural
aggregate. The compressive strength of Recycled aggregate concrete is evaluated by conducting
NDT and also destructive compressive strength test on cubes. In this study, the cubes cast were
immersed in hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid solutions for 56 days and their weight loss,
strength loss due to acidic environment exposure for 1, 7, 15, 28 and 56 days were studied.

Alexander and Fourie (2000) [1] investigated on different types of aggregates and found that the
limestone aggregate in concrete for acidic environments provided a means of reducing the rate of
concrete degradation. The best acid resistance was found with the concrete using limestone
aggregates and the ternary blend cement containing 7% silica fume and 33% fly ash.Buttler and
Machado (2005) [2] presented the results of experimental study on the mechanical properties of
the recycled concrete coarse aggregates. Results indicated that the residues of concrete that were
recycled right after generation exhibit higher compressive and tensile strengths when compared
to those concretes with natural aggregates because of the presence of a large amount of non-
hydrated cement particles. Corinaldesi and Moriconi (2001) [3] concluded from their
investigation that concrete with recycled coarse aggregates can achieve similar compressive
strength as that of concrete with natural aggregates. The use of recycled aggregates with fly ash
replacements also has significant cost and environmental advantages over ordinary concrete.
Frondistou (1977) [4] compared the mechanical properties of conventional concrete and concrete
containing pieces of concrete from demolition waste in the place of conventional coarse
aggregate. The strength of the aggregate-matrix mortar bond is reduced to about 55 to 88 percent
of the strength of the control when conventional coarse aggregates are replaced with pieces of
old concrete. Furthermore, recycled aggregate concrete is equally workable as the control, and
has a compressive strength of at least 76 percent and a modulus of elasticity from 60 to 100
percent of the control. Mostafa and Parviz (1996) [5] conducted an experimental work to
determine the compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths of recycled coarse aggregate
concrete and concluded that the strength characteristics of recycled aggregate concrete are
influenced by key factors, such as the strength of the original concrete, the ratio of coarse to fine
aggregate in the original concrete, the ratio of top size of aggregate in the original concrete to
that of the recycled aggregate concrete, and the Los Angeles abrasion loss and water absorption
of recycled aggregate. They also concluded that the conventional relationships between splitting
tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths may have to be modified for recycled aggregate
concrete.Rohi and Edwin (1998) [6] investigated and compared how the frost resistance of the

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Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) and Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC) is affected by
using mineral and chemical admixtures in their production.

METHODOLOGY
In this experimental work acid resistance of self-compacting concrete is studied. The concrete
cubes with 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% replacement of natural aggregate with recycled aggregate
were prepared. The cubes of 100mm100mm100mm size were cast and initial weights of the
cubes were measured. The concrete specimens were immersed in 2% and 5% of acidic solutions
(both HCl and H2SO4) for 56 days. In order to maintain the concentration level, the solution was
replaced at every 15th day. After completion of respective immersion period such as 1, 7, 15 and
28 days, concrete specimens were taken out and allowed to surface dry. The weights of concrete
cubes after exposure to acidic solution were measured and the percentage weight loss was
calculated. The compressive strengths of concrete cubes after selected periods of immersion in
the acid are determined by conducting compression test on cubes.

Mix Design

The concrete mix of M50 grade was designed as per IS10262 Code [8] and the proportions were
adjusted as per EFNARC guidelines [7]. Since, self-compactibility is largely affected by the
characteristics of materials and the mix proportions, it becomes necessary to evolve a procedure
for mix design of SCC. The coarse aggregate and fine aggregate contents are fixed and self-
compactibility was achieved by adjusting the water /powder ratio and super plasticizer dosage.
The required water /powder ratio is determined by conducting a number of trials. Self-
compacting concrete is characterized by filling ability, passing ability and resistance to
segregation. Many methods have been developed to characterize the properties of SCC. No
single method has been found until date, which characterizes all the relevant workability aspects,
and hence, each mix has been tested by more than one test method for the different workability
parameters.

Mixing Procedure

A tilting drum mixer of capacity 80 litres was used in this project. The mixing was carried out in
a room temperature of approximately 25-30C. A solution is prepared by taking 1.4% of Super-
plasticizer, added to water prior to mix with dry material mix. Dry mixing is done in the drum
mixer (coarse aggregate + fine aggregate + cement) for about three minutes. After adding the
liquid component of the mixture at the end of dry mixing, wet mixing was continued for another
four minutes. The fresh Self compacting concrete (SCC) was cohesive, dark in colour and shiny
in appearance. The workability of the fresh concrete was measured by means of the conventional
slump test. Filling ability, passing ability and stability tests of fresh SCC were performed for
every batch of concrete. A total number of six cubes were cast for each batch of concrete.

Non-Destructive Test (NDT)

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The ultra-sonic pulse velocity (UPV) method is used for non-destructive testing of plain,
reinforced and prestressed concrete whether it is precast or cast in-situ. Pulse Velocity method is
a convenient technique for investigating structural concrete. The underlying principle of
assessing the quality of concrete is that comparative higher velocities are obtained when the
quality of concrete in terms of density, homogeneity and uniformity is good. In case of poorer
quality of concrete, lower velocities are obtained. If there is a crack, void or flaw inside the
concrete which comes in the way of transmission of the pulses, the pulse strength is attenuated
and it passes around the discontinuity, thereby making path length longer. Consequently, lower
velocities are obtained. The actual pulse velocity obtained depends primarily upon the material
and the mix proportion of the concrete. Density and modulus of elasticity of aggregate also
significantly affect the pulse velocity.

Results and Discussions

The quantities of various ingredients of concrete are given in Table.1. There are 24 cubes in each
batch of concrete; 6 cubes for each acid type and concentration of acid. The average values of
results are documented. Table 2 shows the compressive strength of M50 concrete with different
proportions of RCA as replacement of natural aggregate. A marginal decrease of compressive
strength was observed as RCA content increased. Compressive strength values of M50 concrete
with different RCA content and for different acid contents with time of exposure as 28 days and
56 days are given in Tables 3 and 4.

Table 1 Quantities of various ingredients of Concrete Mix

RCA
MIX NUMBER CEMENT F.A C.A RCA W.C
%
CODE OF CUBES (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)

0 24 22 21.75 23.07 0 6.81

25 24 22 21.75 17.31 5.78 6.81

M50 50 24 22 21.75 11.54 11.54 6.81

75 24 22 21.75 5.78 17.31 6.81

0 6 5.49 5.45 5.72 0 1.71

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Table 2 Compressive strength of mixes at 28 days of water curing

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (N/mm )
MIX
0% RCA 25% RCA 50% RCA 75% RCA
M50 58.4 57.7 57.1 56.6

Table 3 Compressive strength of M50 grade mixes at 28 days of acid exposure

RCA
ACID
GRADE 0% 25% 50% 75%
2% HCl 56.75 56.35 56.90 54.90
5%HCl 54.65 54.15 55.70 52.65
M50
2% H2SO4 53.70 53.40 53.85 52.45
5% H2SO4 51.55 51.15 52.60 50.05

Table 4 Compressive strength of M50 grade mixes at 56 days of acid exposure

RCA
ACID
GRADE 0% 25% 50% 75%
2% HCl 55.10 55.00 56.10 53.20
5%HCl 53.00 52.80 54.35 50.95
M50
2% H2SO4 52.05 52.05 52.50 50.75
5% H2SO4 49.90 49.80 51.25 48.35

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Compressive Strength

A decrease in compressive strength of SCC specimens for various proportions of RCA as

replacement of natural aggregate was observed. The loss in compressive strength is more in
sulphuric acid compared to that in HCL. The loss in compressive strength of M50 concrete is
10.87%, 9.79%, 10.71%, and 10.34% when immersed in 2% H2SO4 solution for 0%, 25%, 50%
and 75% RCA respectively measured at 56 days (Fig.2). The corresponding loss in compressive
strength is 14.55%, 13.69%, 12.84%, and 14.58% when immersed in 5% H2SO4 solution for 0%,
25%, 50% and 75% RCA respectively measured at 56 days (Fig.2). The loss in compressive
strength when immersed in 2% HCL for 56 days ranges between 4.68 to 6% while the same for
5% HCL was between 7.6 to 10%.

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CompressiveStrength(N/mm 2 ) 60.00

55.00

2%HCl
50.00
5%HCl
45.00 2%H2SO4
5%H2SO4
40.00
0% 25% 50% 75%

RCA

Figure 1 Compressive strength of M50 grade mixes at 28 days of acid exposure

60.00
CompressiveStrength(N/mm2)

55.00

2%HCl
50.00
5%HCl
45.00 2%H2SO4
5%H2SO4
40.00
0% 25% 50% 75%
RCA

Figure 2 Compressive strength of M50 grade mixes at 56 days of acid exposure

Weight Change

There is not much reduction in weight due to one day immersion and also because of absorption
of acid the weight of cubes has increased. Hence there is a negative value in one day percentage
weight loss. It was noticed that there is a slight mass reduction of 5.00% to 5.66% after 28 days
of immersion in both HCl (Fig.3 and 4) and H2SO4 (Fig.5 and 6) solutions. The percentage mass
loss on 56 days exposure to HCl and H2SO4 solutions were found to be 5.39% & 6.05%
respectively.

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6
5
4
WeightLoss(%)

3
1DAY
2
1 7DAY
0
15DAY
1
2 28DAY
3
56DAY
4
0% 25% 50% 75%
RCA

Figure 3 Variation of % Weight loss with different RCA % for M50 grade
SCC in 2% HCl solution

Figure 4 Variation of % Weight loss with different RCA % for M50 grade
SCC in 5% HCl solution

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Figure 5 Variation of % Weight loss with different RCA % for M50 grade
SCC in 2% H2SO4 solution

Figure 6 Variation of % Weight loss with different RCA % for M50 grade
SCC in 5% H2SO4 solution

Non-Destructive Test Results

The maximum ultrasonic pulse velocity measured is 4.16 km/sec and minimum pulse velocity is
3.94 km/sec on 56th day (Table 5, 6). The maximum pulse velocity measured is 3.85 km/sec and
minimum pulse velocity is 3.71 km/sec on 28th day. Thus the quality of concrete as per Table 2
of IS 13311 (Part 1): 1992 is in good quality for M50 grade concrete with varying proportion of
recycled concrete aggregate.

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Table 5 NDT Readings for cubes immersed in 2% Hydrochloric acid solution

7 DAY 56 DAY
28 DAY
GRADE RCA VELOCITY VELOCITY
VELOCITY (m/sec)
(m/sec) (m/sec)
0% 4300 4242 4162
25% 4090 4080 4048
M50
50% 4305 4246 4165
75% 4055 4045 4013

Figure 8 Velocity variation of M50 grade SCC with different RCA % immersed in 5% HCL

Table 6 NDT Readings for cubes immersed in 2% Sulphuric acid solution

7 DAY 28 DAY 56 DAY
GRADE RCA VELOCITY VELOCITY VELOCITY
(M/SEC) (M/SEC) (M/SEC)
0% 3950 3828 3765
25% 3915 3775 3753
M50
50% 4005 3895 3854
75% 3810 3732 3710

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Figure 10 Velocity variation of M50 grade SCC with different RCA % immersed in 5% H2SO4

Workability

In this study, it was found that with increase in recycled concrete aggregate percentage, the
workability was slightly increased. Increase in workability with increased percentage of recycled
aggregate may be due to the round shape of recycled aggregate.

Visual Appearance

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) specimens prepared by replacing coarse aggregate with

recycled concrete aggregate are subjected to maximum surface deterioration when the specimens
are exposed to sulphuric acid i.e. surface was peeling off in layers and white powdery patches
were observed. The specimen exposed to hydrochloric acid undergoes slight erosion of the
surface with reddish brown colored patch on the surface. It clearly indicates that there is no
significant change in shape in external appearance and remain structurally intact without visible
cracks. The top surface became soft as the immersion period increased.

CONCLUSIONS
The replacement of natural coarse aggregate by recycled concrete aggregate in M50 grade
concrete can be done as it satisfies strength requirements as per Indian Standard Code. Optimum
percentage of replacement of recycled aggregate is up to 50 % to obtain reasonable compressive
strength. The use of RCA can solve the environmental issues related to disposal of recycled
concrete aggregate and depletion of natural resources to some extent. The following Conclusions
are drawn based on the limited study conducted:

1. The strength of recycled concrete aggregate based self-compacting concrete was

observed to decrease with increase in recycled concrete aggregate marginally and the

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weight loss of the same specimens increased with the increase in the percentage of
recycled concrete aggregate in the mix.
2. The workability of SCC has increased with increase in super plasticizer but the setting
time was found to be reduced. The slump flow of self-compacting concrete (SCC) was in
the range of 675mm to 720mm for mixes prepared using recycled aggregate, fulfilling the
criteria of EFNARC.
3. Weight loss and strength loss of self-compacting concrete is low in hydrochloric acid
solution compared to sulphuric acid solution for all periods of immersion.
4. Maximum loss of compressive strength occurred in case of specimens immersed in 5% of
H2SO4 solution for 56 days when compared to specimens immersed in 2% HCl, 5% HCl
and 2% H2SO4 acid solution. The maximum loss observed was 14.58%.
5. The ultra-sonic pulse velocity for RAC of various mixes is between 3.5 km/sec to 4.5
km/sec after 56 days of acid attack which indicates good quality condition of concrete.
6. The recycled concrete aggregate based self-compacting concrete with 25% and 50% of
replacement of natural aggregate are more resistant to acid attack when compared to
concrete with 0% and 75% replacement.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank the management and administration of Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of
Technology for providing the necessary facilities for carrying out the experiments.

REFERENCES
1. ALEXANDER, M. G., AND FOURIE, C. W., (2000). Acid Resistance of Sewer Pipe
Concrete Mixtures. Special Publication, 192, 705-720.
2. BUTTLER, A.M., AND MACHADO, E.F. JR., (2005). Properties of Concrete with
Recycled Concrete Coarse Aggregates. Special Publication, 229-32, 497-510.
3. CORINALDESI, V., AND MORICONI, G., (2001). Admixtures on Performance and
Economics of Recycled Aggregate Concrete. Special Publication, 199-50, 869-884.
4. FRONDISTOU-YANNAS, S., (1977). Waste Concrete as Aggregate for New
Concrete. Journal Proceedings, 74 (8), 373-376.
5. MOSTAFA, T., AND PARVIZ, S., (1996). Strengths of Recycled Aggregate Concrete
made using Field Demolished Concrete as Aggregate. Materials Journal, 93 (2), 178-
181.
6. ROHI, M. S., AND EDWIN, G. B., (1998). Role of Chemical and Mineral Admixtures
on the Physical Properties and Frost-Resistance of Recycled Aggregate Concrete.
Materials Journal, 95 (5), 558-563.
7. EFNARC. (2005). European guidelines for self-compacting concrete, specification,
production and use

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8. IS 10262 (2009) - Guidelines for concrete mix design proportioning, Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi

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