RECYCLED AGGREGATE CONCRETE FOR STRUCTURAL PURPOSES: TEN YEARS OF RESEARCH 1993-2003 //

An overview on a large research on recycled aggregate concrete RAC for structural purposes, started in 2003 and still in progress. The characteristic of recycled aggregate have been determinated including grading, particle shape and texture, finess modulus, density, water absorption, sulphate soundness, analisyis for contaminant materials, durability and frost sensitivity. More than 20 different trial mixes were investigated using recycled aggregates, natural aggregates and a mixture of natural and recycled aggregates. The results indicate that is possible to produce reiforced concrete beams and prestressed beams made from RAC with satisfactory mechanical performance