A study of concrete strength with processed recycled aggregate

In this study the influence of processed recycled aggregate which has undergone grading, cleaning, attritioning, washing and drying on the properties of concrete was examined. The physical properties of recycled aggregate which may affect the fresh and hardened properties of concrete were also investigated. A relation has been established between the specific gravity, water absorption and the amount of adhered mortar for the natural aggregate substitutions with recycled aggregate to lessen the time required for carrying out these preliminary tests on coarse aggregate. Concrete mixes with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% replacement and attrition period of two and four hours for two grades of concrete have been considered in the study. The two hour attrition period showed improvement in strength to a maximum of 7 % for M25 grade and 20% for M35 grade, whereas, loss of strength was observed for recycled aggregate concrete mixes containing aggregate attritioned for four hour. Mixes incorporating recycled aggregate subjected to attritioning exhibited improved workability comparing to concrete mixes with recycled aggregate not subjected to attrition.