Title:
Experimental Testing and Numerical Simulation of Recycled Concrete Aggregate in a Concrete Mix
Author(s):
Bini Neupane, Kameshwar Sahani and Shyam Sundar Khadka
Publication:
IJCSM
Volume:
19
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), Natural coarse aggregate (NCA), ABAQUS, Concrete damage plasticity (CDP), Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC)
DOI:
10.1186/s40069-024-00733-5
Date:
3/31/2025
Abstract:
This study focuses on exploring the potential of utilizing demolished concrete and promoting sustainable practices
through the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a substitute for natural aggregates, particularly in the context
of Nepal. The region’s susceptibility to frequent earthquakes results in significant volumes of concrete rubble,
posing challenges in waste disposal. To address this issue and mitigate resource depletion, the research focuses
on concrete recycling. By conducting a thorough analysis of mechanical properties, crack patterns, strength variations,
and specific gravity evaluations across different RCA compositions, the study emphasizes the ongoing endeavors
toward sustainable concrete practices. A comparative examination of test results involving varying percentages
of coarse recycled aggregate content (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) denoted as R0, R25, R50, R75 and R100,
respectively, provides insights into the performance of different mixes. The compressive strength of cube for R25
increased by 20.13%, while R50 and R75 showed gains of 8.08% and 1.28%, respectively, while cylinder showed
an increase of 25.86%, 18.88%, 9.54% and 2.65% for R25, R50, R75 and R100, respectively, compared to R0 concrete mix
when tested at 28 days of curing. Tensile strength of concrete cylinder also improved, with R25 showing an 18.52%
increase and R50 showing a 9.26% increase. Additionally, the RCA increased the flexural strength, with R25 leading
with a 5% increase and R50 following with a 1.66% increase at 28 days of testing. The inclusion of numerical analysis
in ABAQUS CAE using the Kent and Park Model serves to reinforce and support the experimental findings, establishing
the credibility of both approaches. In essence, the study strongly advocates for the integration of recycled aggregate
in concrete as a means to foster sustainable development and environmentally friendly construction methods.