Investigating the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Carbonated Recycled Aggregate Concrete and Its Performance with SCMs
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Experimental Methodology
2.1. Materials
2.1.1. Binders
2.1.2. Aggregates
2.2. Accelerated Carbonation of RCA
2.2.1. Accelerated Carbonation Chamber
2.2.2. Accelerated Carbonation Scheme
3. Experimentation
3.1. Mortar Content
3.2. Weight Gain
3.3. Concrete Mix Composition
3.4. Testing Procedures and Sample Preparation
3.4.1. Mechanical Properties
3.4.2. Concrete Dry Density
3.4.3. Durability Properties
Concrete Water Absorption (WA)
Sulfuric Acid Attack (SAA)
Sulfate Attack Resistance (SAR)
3.4.4. Mechanical Properties of CRA and SCM Blended Concrete
3.4.5. Alkalinity of Fresh Concrete Mixes
4. Findings and Discussion
4.1. Mechanical Properties
4.1.1. Compressive Strength
4.1.2. Tensile Strength
4.2. Concrete Dry Density
4.3. Durability Properties
4.3.1. Concrete Water Absorption (WA)
4.3.2. Concrete Sulfuric Acid Attack (SAA)
Loss in Compressive Strength
Change in Weight Due to SAA
4.3.3. Concrete Sulfate Attack Resistance (SAR)
Loss in Compressive Strength
Change in Weight Due to Sulfate Attack
4.4. SEM Analysis
4.5. Mechanical Properties of CRA and SCM Blended Concrete
4.5.1. Compressive Strength
4.5.2. Tensile Strength
4.6. Alkalinity of Fresh Concrete Mixes
5. Conclusions
- Physical property tests revealed lower WA, aggregate impact, and crushing values, and improved bulk density for carbonated CRAs compared to non-carbonated RAs.
- Compressive strength for the RAC mix was lower than for the NAC mix. Around 30% of strength loss was observed for the RAC mix compared to normal aggregate concrete. However, carbonated CRAs depicted a compressive strength increment of 30% compared to the RAC mix, thus overcoming compressive strength loss. The splitting tensile strength of RAC was 36% less than when compared to NAC. However, accelerated carbonation (1 bar, 2 h) on RAs caused a significant rise of around 42% in the tensile strength of the concrete mix. The dry density of the CRAC mix was improved by 1.5% compared to the RAC mix, which can be attributed to the calcium carbonate, a by-product of the carbonation process that develops a denser and compacted concrete mix.
- Water absorption (WA) of recycled aggregate concrete mix is higher than that of normal concrete. In total, 7.58% of water absorption was found for mixed RAC than NAC. This was due to the adhered mortar content in RAs, which raised its porosity. However, accelerated carbonation assisted in reducing the water absorption (WA) of the concrete mix. Calcium carbonate precipitates into pores and cracks, thus resulting in an enhanced microstructure of RAs. Therefore, the CRAC sample presented a lower percentage of water absorption, around 6.06%, than the RAC sample.
- Recycled aggregate concrete mixes are more vulnerable to acid and sulfate attack than normal aggregate concrete. However, the CRAC mix was still durable under acid and sulfate environments owing to its higher residual compressive strength and lower percent weight change.
- When the concrete samples were exposed to a 5% acid (H2SO4) attack for 90 days, the losses in compressive strength for RAC and CRAC were measured around 48.85% and 37.9%, respectively. Percentage losses in weight were 10.92% and 5.4% for RAC and CRAC mixes, respectively. Thus, CRAC exhibited better resistance against acid attacks. Calcium carbonate behaved as a defensive product around RAs that may not allow the passing of harmful substances.
- When the concrete samples were immersed in a 5% Na2SO4 solution for 150 days, the losses in compressive strength for RAC and CRAC were observed at about 31.4% and 19.7%, respectively. Percentage losses in weight were 3.6% and 2.2% for RAC and CRAC mixes, respectively.
- The compressive and split tensile strength of concrete blended with CRAs and SCMs was lower than that of an individual carbonated recycled aggregate concrete mix. SCMs, i.e., SF, ZP, and LSP at both water-to-binder ratios (0.55 and 0.42), showed lesser mechanical properties. CRA-10SF0.55 and CRA-10SF-10ZP-0.55 mixes revealed 11.1% and 39.5% less compressive strength than the CRA-OPC-0.55 mix. Furthermore, CRA-10SF-10-LSP-0.42 depicted a 23.64% decrease in compressive strength than CRA-OPC-0.42 mix. For tensile strengths, parallel trends were followed. It can be attributed to the extent of the hydration reaction, which became slower as the amount of cement was decreased and less calcium hydroxide was present due to the carbonation reaction, which is crucial for pozzolanic reactions. It can be said that the selection of OPC is essential to attain maximum strength in carbonated recycled aggregate concrete.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Nomenclature
CRA | Carbonated recycled aggregate |
NA | Natural aggregate |
RA | Recycled aggregate |
ITZ | Interfacial transition zone |
OPC | Ordinary Portland cement |
WA | Water absorption |
AIV | Aggregate impact value |
ACV | Aggregate crushing value |
SAA | Sulphuric acid attack |
SAR | Sulfate attack resistance |
PCC | Plain cement concrete |
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Chemical Composition (Oxides) | OPC% | SF% | ZP% | LSP% |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lime (CaO) | 60.30 | 0.95 | 1.25 | 39 |
Silica (SiO2) | 19.70 | 92.17 | 82.15 | 1.89 |
Alumina (Al2O3) | 5.17 | 0.45 | 2.25 | 0.85 |
Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) | 3.48 | 0.22 | 1.12 | - |
Magnesia (MgO) | 2.70 | 0.10 | 0.80 | 0.55 |
Sulfur Trioxide (SO3) | 2.48 | 0.28 | 0.031 | - |
Loss on Ignition (LOI) | 4.95 | 4.59 | 3.75 | 35.2 |
Sr.# | Material Property | Fine Aggregate | Coarse Aggregate | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | NA | RA | CRA | ||
1 | Max. aggregate size (mm) (ASTM C-136) [37] | 4.75 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
2 | Min. aggregate size (mm) (ASTM C-136) [37] | - | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.5 |
3 | Fineness modulus (ASTM C-136) [37] | 2.8 | 6.56 | 6.61 | - |
4 | Water Absorption (%) (ASTM C-127/128) [38] | 1.26 | 0.72 | 5.8 | 3.0 |
5 | Loose bulk density (kg/m3) (ASTM C-29) [39] | 1670 | 1490 | 1377 | 1443 |
6 | Rodded bulk density (kg/m3) (ASTM C-29) [39] | 1850 | 1630 | 1489 | 1567 |
7 | Aggregate impact value (%) (BS 812-112) [40] | - | 13.8 | 20.1 | 16.5 |
8 | Aggregate crushing value (%) (BS 812-110) [41] | - | 20.9 | 26.8 | 22.8 |
Carbonation Pressure (bar) | Carbonation Duration (h) | Relative Humidity (%) | Temperature (°C) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 60 ± 5 | 25 ± 3 |
Sample | Original Weight Before Carbonation (gm) | After Carbonation Weight (gm) | Change in Weight | Percentage Change % |
---|---|---|---|---|
CRA | 225.0 | 225.49 | 0.49 | 0.21 |
Sr.# | Nomenclature | RA | w/b | Cement | Water | Fine Aggregate | Coarse Aggregate | RA | SP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | (%) | - | (kg/m3) | (%) | |||||
1 | NAC | 0 | 0.42 | 515 | 216 | 684 | 967 | 0 | 0.75 |
2 | RAC | 100 | 0.42 | 515 | 216 | 684 | 0 | 967 | 0.75 |
3 | CRAC | 100 | 0.42 | 515 | 216 | 684 | 0 | 967 | 0.75 |
Sr.# | Nomenclature | w/b | Cement | SF | ZP | LSP | Water | Fine Aggregate | RA | SP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | - | (kg/m3) | (%) | |||||||
1 | RA-0.55 | 0.55 | 355 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 195 | 505 | 940 | 1 |
2 | CRA-OPC-0.55 | 0.55 | 355 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 195 | 505 | 940 | 1 |
3 | CRA-10SF-0.55 | 0.55 | 319.5 | 35.5 | 0 | 0 | 195 | 505 | 940 | 1 |
4 | CRA-10SF-10ZP-0.55 | 0.55 | 301.75 | 35.5 | 17.75 | 0 | 195 | 487.25 | 940 | 1 |
5 | RA-0.42 | 0.42 | 515 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 216 | 684 | 967 | 0.5 |
6 | CRA-OPC-0.42 | 0.42 | 515 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 216 | 684 | 967 | 0.5 |
7 | CRA-10SF-10LSP-0.42 | 0.42 | 412 | 51.5 | 0 | 51.5 | 216 | 684 | 967 | 0.5 |
Sr.# | Sample | Original Compressive Strength (After 28 Days) | Residual Compressive Strength After SAA (After 90 Days) | Percentage Loss of Compressive Strength (After 90 Days) |
---|---|---|---|---|
- | MPa | % | ||
1 | NAC | 40.1 | 27.40 | 31.67 |
2 | RAC | 28 | 14.32 | 48.85 |
3 | CRAC | 36.4 | 22.57 | 37.9 |
Sr.# | Sample | Original Compressive Strength (After 28 Days) | Residual Compressive Strength After SAR (After 150 Days) | Percentage Loss of Compressive Strength (After 150 Days) |
---|---|---|---|---|
- | MPa | % | ||
1 | NAC | 40.1 | 32.4 | 19.2 |
2 | RAC | 28 | 19.2 | 31.4 |
3 | CRAC | 36.4 | 29.2 | 19.7 |
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Jamil, S.; Idrees, M.; Akbar, A.; Ahmed, W. Investigating the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Carbonated Recycled Aggregate Concrete and Its Performance with SCMs. Buildings 2025, 15, 201. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020201
Jamil S, Idrees M, Akbar A, Ahmed W. Investigating the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Carbonated Recycled Aggregate Concrete and Its Performance with SCMs. Buildings. 2025; 15(2):201. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020201
Chicago/Turabian StyleJamil, Shimza, Maria Idrees, Arslan Akbar, and Wisal Ahmed. 2025. "Investigating the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Carbonated Recycled Aggregate Concrete and Its Performance with SCMs" Buildings 15, no. 2: 201. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020201
APA StyleJamil, S., Idrees, M., Akbar, A., & Ahmed, W. (2025). Investigating the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Carbonated Recycled Aggregate Concrete and Its Performance with SCMs. Buildings, 15(2), 201. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020201