Recycled concrete aggregate properties improvement

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a sustainable alternative to natural aggregates in construction. RCA is obtained by crushing and reusing old concrete, which contains both the original aggregate and a cement mortar layer. However, the quality of RCA can vary depending on the characteristics and quantity of the leftover mortar. In this study, we aim to investigate different methods for improving the chemical, physical, and mechanical features of RCA, with a focus on untreated RCA, RCA exposed to a presoaking treatment in HCl, and RCA exposed to rapid carbonation. The overall results show that if RCA is obtained by crushing compact, high-quality concrete, the procedures for improving aggregate quality are not necessary.