Abstract

The increasing volume of construction and demolition waste (CDW) poses a significant environmental challenge, contributing to soil contamination and landfill saturation. In this context, the reuse of recycled aggregates (RA) in structural concrete production offers a sustainable alternative. This study evaluates the mechanical performance of concrete with varying substitution levels of natural coarse aggregate (NCA) by recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) at 20%, 50%, and 100%, focusing on compressive strength. An experimental program was conducted using 36 cylindrical specimens prepared with both conventional and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), designed to achieve a target characteristic compressive strength (f’c) of 210 kg/cm², in accordance with the Peruvian Technical Standard (NTP), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Compressive strength tests were carried out at 7, 14, and 28 days. The results revealed that a 20% RCA replacement level exceeded the control mix by 11.43%, while 50% replacement remained structurally viable with a 4.45% increase. However, full replacement (100%) resulted in a 2.73% reduction in strength, indicating a decline in mechanical performance. These findings suggest that up to 50% RCA, RA can be used in structural concrete without compromising mechanical integrity. Nonetheless, further studies on long-term durability and performance under aggressive environmental conditions are recommended to ensure safe large-scale implementation in the construction industry

Keywords

Construction and demolition waste, Recycled aggregate concrete, Compressive strength, Concrete mix design, Sustainability in construction, Mechanical performance.

References

[1] Neupane RP, Devi NR, Imjai T, Rajput A, Noguchi T. Cutting-edge techniques and environmental insights in recycled concrete aggregate production: a comprehensive review. Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances. 2025; 25:1-20.

[2] Antunes A, Costa H, Do CR, Julio E. Mortars produced with recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste–analysis and construction site application. Construction and Building Materials. 2024; 457:139395.

[3] Zhang P, Sun X, Wang F, Wang J. Mechanical properties and durability of geopolymer recycled aggregate concrete: a review. Polymers. 2023; 15(3):1-28.

[4] Wu L, Sun Z, Cao Y. Modification of recycled aggregate and conservation and application of recycled aggregate concrete: a review. Construction and Building Materials. 2024; 431:136567.

[5] Islam N, Sandanayake M, Muthukumaran S, Navaratna D. Review on sustainable construction and demolition waste management-challenges and research prospects. Sustainability. 2024; 16(8):1-30.

[6] https://www.gob.pe/inacal. Accessed 18 July 2025.

[7] https://www.scribd.com/document/713215674/33406-NTP-400-037-1. Accessed 18 July 2025.

[8] ASTM S. Standard test method for density, relative density (specific gravity), and absorption of coarse aggregate. C127-12. 2012.

[9] American Society for Testing and Materials. Committee C-9 on concrete and concrete aggregates. Standard test method for density, relative density (specific gravity), and absorption of coarse aggregate. ASTM International; 2004.

[10] Chen X, Hao H, De BJ, Liu G, Wang J. Discussion of the implementation of water compensation methods for recycled aggregate concrete: a critical review. Cement and Concrete Composites. 2025:106080.

[11] Lin L, Xu J, Ying W, Yu Y, Zhou L. Post-fire compressive mechanical behaviors of concrete incorporating coarse and fine recycled aggregates. Construction and Building Materials. 2025; 461:139948.

[12] Panghal H, Kumar A. Enhancing durability and strength of concrete through an innovative abrasion and cement slurry treatment of recycled concrete aggregates. Minerals Engineering. 2025; 220:109109.

[13] Salcedo FJE, Vega ADL, Ariza PL, Padilla QJ, Castro CA. Influence of recycled concrete aggregates on the California bearing ratio (CBR) of granular sub-bases. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering. 2023; 48(10):14095-104.

[14] https://www.astm.org/. Accessed 18 July 2025.

[15] Sadik MN, Akter T, Proma PD, Prodhan MA, Momotaj M. Impact of recycled coarse aggregates on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences. 2024; 2:738-59.

[16] Nguyen TD, Cherif R, Mahieux PY, Turcry P, Bastidas-arteaga E. A review on deterioration mechanisms, durability prediction and enhancement techniques for recycled aggregate concrete. Cleaner Materials. 2025; 16:1-16.

[17] Standard test method for sieve analysis of fine and coarse aggregates. ASTM C136-06. 2006.

[18] NTP 400.022:2018. Aggregates. Standard test method for density, relative density (specific gravity) and absorption of fine aggregate. Lima: Dirección De Normalización – INACAL; 2018.

[19] Dixon DE, Prestrera JR, Burg GR, Chairman SA, Abdun-nur EA, Barton SG, et al. Standard practice for selecting proportions for normal heavyweight, and mass concrete (ACI 211.1-91) reapproved 1997. ACI Committee Report. 1991; 211:1-38.

[20] Ejiogu IK, Mamza PA, Nkeonye PO, Yaro AS. Comparative study of various methods for designing and proportioning normal concrete mixture. The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology. 2018; 19(1):22-36.

[21] ASTM C. Standard specification for concrete aggregates. Philadelphia, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials. 2003.

[22] https://www.studocu.com/pe/document/universidad-tecnologica-del-peru/tecnologia-del-concreto/ntp-400017-2020-metodo-de-ensayo-para-densidad-y-vacios-en-agregados/133854944. Accessed 18 July 2025.

[23] INACAL. NTP 339.185:2021. Aggregates. Determination of the total evaporable moisture content of aggregates by drying. Test Method. Lima: Dirección De Normalización–INACAL; 2021.

[24] Tam CT, Babu DS, Li W. EN 206 conformity testing for concrete strength in compression. Procedia Engineering. 2017; 171:227-37.

[25] Oficina del Medio Ambiente (OMA). Identificación, cuantificación y clasificación de los residuos de la construcción y la demolición depositados en espacios públicos. Lima: Ministerio de Vivienda, Construcción y Saneamiento; 2013.

[26] Buffenbarger JK, Casilio JM, Azarijafari H, Szoke SS. Role of mixture overdesign in the sustainability of concrete: current state and future perspective. ACI Materials Journal. 2023; 120(1):89-100.

[27] https://www.scribd.com/document/417389764/Ntp-339-034-Metodo-de-Ensayo-Normalizado-Para-La-Determinacion-de-La-Resistencia-a-La-Compresion-Del-Concreto-en-Muestras-Cilindricas. Accessed 18 July 2025.

[28] De ASF, De ASF. Recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste towards an application on structural concrete: a review. Journal of Building Engineering. 2022; 52:104452.

[29] Gálvez B, Matos V. Evaluación de la gestión ambiental de residuos de la construcción en la Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann-Tacna, sede Los Granados. Ingeniería. 2014;1(1):20-21.

[30] Wagih AM, El-karmoty HZ, Ebid M, Okba SH. Recycled construction and demolition concrete waste as aggregate for structural concrete. HBRC Journal. 2013; 9(3):193-200.

[31] Zhou C, Chen Z. Mechanical properties of recycled concrete made with different types of coarse aggregate. Construction and Building Materials. 2017; 134:497-506.

[32] Araújo DL, Felix LP, Silva LC, Santos TM. Influência de agregados reciclados de resíduos de construção em propriedades mecânicas do concreto. REEC-Revista Eletrônica De Engenharia Civil. 2016; 11(1):16-34.

Cite this article