Structural Behavior of Concrete Beams Containing Recycled Coarse Aggregates under Flexure

Abstract

The structural behavior of concrete beams containing recycled coarse aggregates (RCAs) was investigated in this study using detailed experimental data. Twelve concrete beams were tested in the experimental program: nine beams with varying RCA contents and three control beams with natural coarse aggregates (NCAs). The parameters for investigating the structural behavior of the RCA concrete beams under flexure were the RCA content (30%, 50%, and 100%) and tensile rebar ratio (0.50%, 0.79%, and 1.14%). The crack pattern of the RCA beams was similar to that of the NCA beams; however, the RCA beams exhibited smaller crack spacing than the NCA beams. The flexural strength was slightly affected by the RCA content. However, the ductility of the beam was not significantly influenced by the RCA content. A comparison of the experimental results and the calculations from the ACI 318 and EC 2 provisions for the flexural strength showed that the current provisions conservatively predicted the flexural strength of the RCA concrete beams.