Durability of recycled aggregate concrete

A lot of research has already been done on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete. This led to some changes in the standard for various applications. These authorized application remain quite low risk (Indoor, no frost, …). The durability of recycled aggregate concrete in aggressive environments is one of the more unknown facts. This gives rise to a certain reluctance. While a lot of research can be found in literature, it’s very hard to compare these data due to a variation of the materials used. One of the causes of this variation is the origin of the parent concrete and so the quality of the cement stone. The difference in water absorption of recycled concrete aggregates and the amount of attached mortar are good indicators to measure this quality. This presentation provides an overview of the various degradation mechanisms in an aqueous environment and the various test methods to measure this degradation. It also provides some links between the quality of recycled concrete aggregates and the different transport mechanisms in recycled aggregate concrete.status: publishe