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RECYCLED CONCRETE AGGREGATE (RCA) FOR THE USE IN CONSTRUCTION:

GENERAL REVIEW

Article · September 2017

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 RECYCLED CONCRETE AGGREGATE (RCA) FOR THE
USE IN CONSTRUCTION: GENERAL REVIEW
Annisa Dewanti Putri
Civil Engineering Department, Beijing Jiaotong University
dewanti@bjtu.edu.cn
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to make a genereal review between the other research due to the topic of
Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA). In this developing era, the construction plays a big role
in creating new environment. In facing this global challenge, the use of Recycled Concrete
Aggregate (RCA) to create sustainable construction is the alternative solution to minimize the
impact of construction waste. This paper is generally a brief review of the Production,
characteristic/mechanical properties, optimization, and application for the RCA. It is then
compared to the Natural Concrete Aggregate (NCA). It can be enhanced by some of solution
including the mixing to the natural aggregate, admixture, etc. Generally, the quality will be
lower but as a part of solution towards the green construction, this result remains good to the
point of view. The use of RCA especially gives a big impact in the use of non-structural
concrete, even it could be well performed too in the structural matters.
Keyword: Recycled CIncrete Aggregate (RCA), Concrete, Sustainable

I. Introduction
One of the main environmental problems caused by civil work and building construction is the
amount of construction and demolition waste material (C&DW) created every year, which is
deposited mainly in dumps [3]. Therefore, regarding to the environmental issue, one of the
way to decrease the dependency in the use of natural aggregate is to reuse the Recycled
Concrete Aggregate (RCA).
RCA is indicated as one of solution to the green construction matter. The scope is to reduce the
waste that appears from the construction and demolition. It predicts that by 2020 70% of the
C&DW generated should be reused, recycled and assessed. [3] Recycling of aggregate will
reduce the quarrying and mining process of concrete production. In this case the earth surface
can be saved and ecological disturbance can be reduced.

Aggregate

C&D
Concrete
Waste

Fig 1. Scheme of RCA. Source: Author 2016

Therefore, the use of RA in construction work as structural grade concrete may yield as a means
of economic viability and environmental consciousness along with bulk reduction of waste
materials [9]. In this case, the use of RCA will impact and gives benefit to economic,
environement, and energy matters.

Conserve Natural Reduce energy

Resource consumption
Economy
Solve waste disposal
Preserve Environment
Crisis

Fig 2. Benefits of recycling of C & D Waste [9]

II. Method

III. Discussion and Review

1. Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA)
Base on some research, it has been reported that the concrete made with recycled coarse
aggregates (RCA) has similar properties to that produced from NA. Meanwhile the use of RCA
needs caution because of its higher water absorption tendency compared to NCA. The RCA
may include the Mixed aggregate that come from construction and demolition waste treatment
and include concrete waste, unbound aggregates and ceramic products as the additional
mixture.

Fig 3. Recycled Concrete Aggregate [7]

Table 1. Comparison Between Some Properties of RCA and NA [14]

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
Aggregate, as the mostly filler for concrete mixture that may exist from 65-80 %. [12]. Besides,
it is estimated that about 37.5 billion tons of aggregate are consumed annually around the world
and China holds almost 40% among them. In China, large amount of construction and
demolition (C&D) waste is also generated and occupies nearly 50% of municipal solid waste
(Ding and Xiao, 2014). RCA produced from C&D waste reduce 65% greenhouse gases
(GHGs) emission with a saving of 58% nonrenewable energy consumption [13].
It is possible for a large proportion of the product coming from a primary crusher to exhibit
particle sizes less than 40 mm. The adoption of several crushing stages reduces the average
size of the aggregate and generates more fines (particles with diameter D < 0.074 mm).

2. Production & Mixing Method

Similarly, about 100 million tons (90 metric tons) per year of concrete is recycled into usable
aggregate [1]. This means that the opportunity of improving and using RCA can be handled by
the tremendeous stock from the Construction and Demolition.

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
 Fig 4. CDW treatment Process. [16]
Base on the figure above, to facilitate CDW recycling and obtain recycled aggregate, the
process differentiates between the following products entering the plants (Fig. 4): The first
process will be the Clean of CDW or no presence of impurities. Clean CDW corresponds to
industrial waste from the construction sector or waste achieved as a result of good management
at source. Next is the Unselected CDW: This waste contains impure materials such as plastics,
wood and metal.
In the case of unselected CDW, easily identifiable materials (plastics, wood, etc.) are separated
and waste larger than 400 mm is crushed. Then, it is sent to two treatment lines known as
unselected CDW lines. Clean CDW is sent to be processed in a treatment line known as clean
CDW line.
The process basically encompasses the following sub processes ( Fig. 4):
– Magnetic separator: separation of ferromagnetic metals.
– First screening stage, needed for size separation. The fractions obtained are: (a) 0/15 mm:
rejected because of the high content of impurities, especially soil. This fraction is considered
irrelevant to the recycling process; it is useful for minor backfills and restoring degraded natural
areas. (b) 15/80 mm: this fraction is sent to a crusher. (c) 80/400 mm: this fraction is sent to
the hand-picking line.
The next process will be Hand-picking line: separation of wood, metals, hazardous waste,
plastics, paper, cardboard, wire and glass, etc. Then, the Pneumatic separation: light impurities
(mostly plastics) are removed through a vacuum-cleaning process. While the Crushing stage,
Next of screening stage: the products are separated to the some fractions which are reintroduced

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
into the crusher. For Ballistic separation: this removes light, elongated elements of the 8/40
mm fraction. The final process will result to RCA exit and storage. [15]
To produce the waste from concrete waste to RCA, there are many processing method that can
be used. But, the steps of particle homogenization and Grinding/sieving are generally
performed on construction and Demolition waste to produce RCAs [10]. But, in some terms,
the process of Autogenous cleaning, could be the next step to remove the most attached mortar
layers inside the aggregate surfaces.

Fig 5. Autogenous Cleaning Process. [10]

(a) The particle homogenization carried out on the initial crushed concrete particles was based
upon collecting and selecting such particles and debris by considering their predominant
colour. (b) During the grinding phase (using grinder, Jaw crusher etc), the material was
separated into two classes, namely fine and coarse aggregates.
Next, (c) an autogenous cleaning process was conceived and performed. With this process
RCAs are placed in a rotating mill drum and collide against each other while removing pieces
of attached mortar. After the autogenous cleaning process, aggregates were cleaned with water
and subsequently dried to remove all the produced fine remaining and impurities.

Fig 6. Aggregate Crusher [1]

Generally, the demolition can be crushed several times depend on the condition and need using
several kinds of crusher, including jaw crusher, hammer mill, cone crusher, and impact crusher
or it could be manually crushed by a hammer.
Meanwhile, for the TSMA mixing method or Two stage mixing approach, Mortar Mixing
Approach, Sand Enveloped Mixing Approach.

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
 Fig.7. Two stage mixing approach. [12]
Referring to Fig . to improve the method is to propose a new mixing approach i.e., the two
stage mixing approach (TSMA). In thios experimentally observed that this technique for
mixing of ingredient of concrete (consisting of new sequence of mixing ingredient) gives better
compressive strength. The process has been depicted in the Fig. 6. In this mixing approach,
water is added during adding cement mortar, filling up the crack and voids. At the second stage
of mixing, the remaining water is added to complete the concrete mixing process.

Fig. 8 TSMA with silica fume and cement flurry. [12]

Fig. 9 (a) Mortar mixing approach and (b) sand enveloped mixing approach [12]
In addition, above are the other process of mixing method that can be used for RCA. The
enhancement and performance of RCA will depend also in the mixing method of RCA.

3. Characteristic & Properties

Generally, different result for mechanical properties for RCA may give different result in every
study conducted. As the condition, the RCA may go to a lower quality result compared to
NCA. As shown in the research of M. Behera regarding to the review of RCA, it is shown (Fig)
that the matrix of RCA has a crack compared to the NCA.

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
 Fig. 10 Difference (a) NCA and (b) RCA [9]

Fig.11 Micrograph of RCA Structure [4]

The result of each testing will be different depending on the condition of all factors and matters.
While the different tests are conducted depending on the situation and the use that will be used
for the RCA.
Table 2 The Test and Current Study of RCA [8]

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
Meanwhile, base on the research of Rodriguez, the Abrasion resistance in the case of curbstones
and pavement blocks (recycled 5/12 fraction presents the same values in relation to abrasion
resistance in reference concretes with substitution percentages of up to75%. Nevertheless,
interrazzos where 2/6 fraction issued, no significant resistance reduction for any substitution
percentage was observed.

3.1 Compressive Strength

All the concrete mixes with natural as well as recycled aggregates achieved the target strength
of 30 MPa within first seven days. [8].

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
 Fig. 12 Compressive Strength Result [10]
Meanwhile, base on the research of M. Pepe, a compressive strength indicated as REF (Mixture
made of natural component), still indicates the highest strength compared to the RCA and RCA
CL (Half Mixture of Natural and Recycled Aggregates). In this case, the compressive aggregate
reduced by about 20 %.

3.2 Split Tensile Strength

Based on Amri (2005), the mostly influence to the RCA use compared to the NAC is the tensile
strength. It is shown that the use of High Super Plasticizer (HSP), admixtures and Flay Ash.

Fig.13 Tensile Strength [Pepe et al]

The results above shows that the use of uncleaned RCA significantly reduces (around 13%) the
tensile splitting strength, meanwhile the autogenous cleaning shows the higher tensile
strengths. It is characterized by a reduction in scatter (< 4%) of the results obtained from the
three tests from the RAC CL samples.

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
3.3 Bulk Density & Water Absorption
The mortar containment of an RCA can exist from 25-45% for coarse aggregate, while for
Natural Concrete Aggregate consist of 70-100%. The failure of RCA has been found using the
X-ray, this includes the micro cracks, while the containment of silica (Si) and Calcium (Ca)
can be also found in the materials. These condition is due to the hydration reaction.

Fig. 14 (a) Water Absorption of 24 hours of Aggregates and (b) Bulk Density of Aggregates
[10]
It is shown in the table above the result between the RCA and NCA for the research conducted
by Pepe. For the water absorption of RCA shows a very high value that is not good for the
concrete. Meanwhile, this can be solved using the admixtures add regarding to the condition.
The mechanical characteristic regarding to ductility and stiffness become smaller for RCA,
while the deformability found for RCA is bigger that the NCA. It is found that RCAs cracking
motif extend and becomes more tremendous until the moment and shearing point between the
joint and point load.
Table. 3 Overall Summary (Based on some research)
Aspects Recycled Concrete Natural Concrete
Aggregate Aggregate
Crushing Value 33 % higher Normal
Soundness loss 28,1 %-49 % 9,1 --2,6 %
Water 0,3%-0,32% 0,29 %-0,3%
Ansorption
[Tusher]
Compression 20 % lower than -
Strength NAC
0,05-0,1 lower
Tension Higher [behera] Lower
Density [Tusher] 1469.8 kN/m3 1678.2 kN/m3
Bond Strength 6 % higher than NCA Normal
[behera]

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
 Specific Gravity 2,35-2,58 2,4-3,0
[Tusher]

4. Optimization
The point below shows some of the solution to optimize the use of RCA based on some research
and experiment trial:
 Usage if super-pastisizer to increase workability. This is as one part of using the
additional mixture or additive.
 The properties can be improved by using some additional surface treatment including
Silica Fume, Fly Ash, GGBS, meta-kaolin etc).
 Based on the results, it can be suggested that RF25 (replacement of 25% natural fine
aggregates by recycled aggregates) will be the best proposition. [8]
 The Autogenous Cleaning as said in the previous research shows that it increases the
enhancement of properties of crushed concrete particles.
Meanwhile, base on the research from [9] the tehcniques for improving properties of recycled
aggregate concrete, the impregnation of RCA in cement slurry or other mineral admixture
solution can be done. Beside that, the performance of mixture can be increased by modifying
the mixing process. The example is to make a self-healing of RCA, modified two stage mixing
method addition of 10 % silica fume as cement [5].

5. Application in Construction
The experimental results on compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and elastic modulus
indicated that RA of good quality (namely, low attached mortar content and water absorption
value, high 10% fines value) can be used to fully replace NA to produce concrete with
mechanical properties comparable to the concrete that are made with NA [15].
Besides, it is estimated that about 37.5 billion tons of aggregate are consumed annually around
the world and China holds almost 40% among them [13]. According to their results, the
environmental impact of recycled concrete is reduced to about 88% (but only to 96% with
respect to CO2 emissions - i.e. global warming) of the corresponding conventional concrete
impacts. This means that the application of RCA will be important.
Some studies (Sousa et al., 2003; Yang et al., 2011) have shown that, in elements made of vibro
pressed precast concrete, such as blocks or pavement blocks, the use of concrete recycled
aggregates, in fine fraction as well as coarse fraction, the substitution of natural aggregate by
RMA up to 50% or 60%, had no strong effect.
In pavements, both flexible and rigid, RA can be used as NA replacement or mixed with them.
Besides evidencing strength in case of structural layers, the material must also ensure adequate
drainage and frost-free characteristics. The properties of RA relevant to the performance of
flexible and rigid pavements depend on the main function of the layer where they will be
incorporated.
A mix design suitable for manufacturing low-strength blinding concrete (15 MPa), medium-
strength blinding/backfilll concrete (25 MPa) and non-structural concrete for high-resistance

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review
precast elements (65 MPa) is proposed [2]. The properties of aggregates and concrete
characteristics suggest that RCA can be used for lightly reinforced sections, mass concrete
works and road construction [8].

IV. Conclusions
Recycled Concrete Aggregate is one of solution that may lead to a green construction principle.
This kind of way may help in reducing carbon footprint and lead to an effective use of materials
for concrete. Due to use of RCA, in construction field, the energy cost of transportation of
natural resources & excavation will be saved. Unfortunately, the materials of RCA has to be
yet observed and tested regarding to an inconstant value of each cycle especially for structural
use that has a high risk on it. Therefore, the use for nonstructural components of construction
maybe better regarding to less of risk towards the use. However, based on the general study,
the properties of RCA will depend on many factors including the source of aggregate, quality
of the previous concrete, age, and treatment.

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Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) For The Use In Construction: General Review

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