Characterization of the durability of recycled concretes using coarse and fine crushed bricks and concrete aggregates

Among the transport phenomena, water absorption, water permeability and shrinkage prove to be of primary and great importance for the evaluation of durability of recycled concrete with coarse and fine recycled aggregates. Either coarse aggregates, fine aggregates or both coarse and fine aggregates were partially replaced (25, 50, 75 and 100%) with crushed concrete and brick aggregates. The results indicate that water absorption is high and water permeability can be double that of concrete made with 100% natural aggregate concrete. This study also showed that recycled concrete mix having the highest water absorption and water permeably corresponds always to the mix with the highest shrinkage. The physical and mechanical properties of recycled concretes seem to be acceptable.