Mechanical properties modeling of recycled aggregate concrete

The variability observed in the composition of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a problem that inhibits the use of recycled aggregates in concrete production. To contribute in this field, a research was carried out varying water/cement ratio and substitution percent of natural aggregates by recycled aggregates. The experimental program used samples of main Brazilian C&D waste sources, which are concrete, mortar and red ceramic bricks as well as tiles. Results of concrete compressive strength and elastic modulus were statistically analyzed and modeled. The study shows that for both concrete properties, recycled coarse aggregate was more influential than recycled fine aggregate. However, the use of fine recycled red ceramic increased concrete strength. Coarse recycled red ceramic aggregate and fine recycled concrete aggregate exercised the largest and the smallest influence, respectively, in concrete properties. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.