Overview of recycled concrete research through development years (2004-2018)

Abstract

Along with the urbanization process, large amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste during the construction, reconstruction, expansion or demolition of buildings is generated. Meanwhile, the impact on environment due to natural aggregate mining has become increasingly significant. These factors have driven the building industry to look for environmentally friendly materials and focusing on sustainable construction. Through nearly a decade of research, recycled concrete (RC) made with recycled aggregates manufactured from construction and demolition (C&D) waste has shown a competitive performance compared to natural materials and has already achieved industrial application. Researches on sustainably recycled concrete have become an essential part of sustainable development and continue to play a vital role for future research. This paper engages in the discussion and the overview of research done by the Research Group for Recycled Concrete Structures and Construction at Tongji University, Shanghai. The first part discusses the necessary mechanical and durability properties of recycled concrete with recycled aggregate as well as recycled powder focusing on workability, strength, Poisson's ratio, stress-strain behaviour along with carbonation, chloride penetration shrinkage and creep. The second part throws light on the elements and structures made with recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), discussing the behaviours of RAC components and structures.