Optimization of recycled aggregate replacement rates for sustainable concrete: A comprehensive review
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Youngstown State University, Ohio, USA.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 20(03), 2277–2284
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.20.3.2468
Publication history:
Received on 22 October 2023; revised on 19 December 2023; accepted on 22 December 2023
Abstract:
This comprehensive review evaluates the integration of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as a sustainable alternative to natural aggregates in concrete production, emphasizing optimal substitution rates, enhanced performance through surface treatments and admixtures, and associated environmental and economic benefits. A systematic analysis of recent peer-reviewed studies indicates that RCA incorporation rates between 10% and 30% effectively balance structural integrity with sustainability goals. The review highlights advanced surface treatment methods, such as chemical washing, mechanical abrasion, and carbonation, significantly improving RCA's mechanical properties and durability. Additionally, mineral and chemical admixtures, including silica fume, fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), superplasticizers, and viscosity-modifying agents (VMAs), demonstrate substantial efficacy in mitigating RCA’s performance deficits, enabling higher RCA replacement levels. Incorporating RCA provides notable environmental advantages, including reduced landfill usage, conservation of natural resources, and lowered transportation emissions. Economically, RCA integration delivers substantial cost savings by minimizing expenses associated with material extraction, transportation, disposal, and maintenance. Regulatory and policy implications underline the necessity for updated international standards and supportive incentives to encourage broader RCA adoption.
Recommendations for future research include exploring innovative RCA treatments, high-performance concrete formulations with higher RCA contents, and comprehensive lifecycle and economic analyses to further validate RCA's long-term sustainability and viability in construction practices.
Keywords:
Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA); Sustainable Concrete; Aggregate Replacement Rate; Surface Treatment Techniques; Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0