Recycled Aggregate Concrete Engineering
Summary
Recycled aggregate concrete engineering is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to the utilisation of aggregates reclaimed from construction and demolition waste as partial or complete substitutes for natural aggregates in concrete. This approach addresses the environmental footprint of concrete production by diverting large volumes of waste from landfills and reducing the demand for virgin materials. Key challenges include the heterogeneity of recycled aggregates, the residual mortar adhered to particle surfaces, and the resulting impact on workability, strength and durability. Research has focused on characterising the mechanical and durability properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), devising mix‐design methods to offset performance losses, and evaluating long‐term behaviour under load, environmental exposure and fire. Practical applications encompass structural elements such as beams, columns, shear walls and concrete‐filled steel tubes. Progress in admixture optimisation, fibre reinforcement and advanced testing has enabled the design of RAC members that meet or exceed code requirements. Furthermore, lifecycle assessments and material‐flow analyses highlight the potential for significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption and raw material extraction. As global construction strives for sustainability, recycled aggregate concrete offers a viable path to circular economy objectives while maintaining safety and cost‐effectiveness in structural engineering.
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Recycled Aggregate Concrete Engineering publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in recycled aggregate concrete engineering across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC): Concrete in which natural aggregates are wholly or partially replaced by aggregates sourced from construction and demolition waste.
Recycled coarse aggregate (RCA): Crushed coarse fraction of recycled concrete used as a substitute for natural coarse aggregate.
Recycled fine aggregate (RFA): Crushed fine fraction of recycled concrete used in place of natural fine aggregate.
Equivalent mortar volume (EMV) mix design: A proportioning method that balances new and old mortar volumes to achieve target concrete performance when using recycled aggregates.
Shear span‐to‐depth ratio (a/d): The ratio of the shear span length to the beam depth, influencing shear capacity and failure mode.
References
- Machine Learning-Based Evaluation of Shear Capacity of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Beams. Materials (2020).
- Flexural performance of reinforced concrete beams with recycled aggregates and steel fibres. Structures (2022).
- Capacity to Develop Recycled Aggregate Concrete in South East Asia. Buildings (2021).
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