Experimental investigation on the use of recycled aggregates in producing concrete

Disposal of construction wastes poses major challenge to the municipal administration in the developing countries. At the same time new developments in these countries are unscrupulously exploiting the natural resources. The sustainable development requires judicious and careful utilization of natural resources. In this context, reuse of construction and demolition waste can save the global natural resources to greater extent. In this work the bricks and concrete waste from construction sites were crushed to the desired sizes and mixed in various proportions to study its properties in the concrete both in fresh and hardened states. Six mixes of natural and recycled aggregates were used to make the coarse aggregates for the concrete. From each mix nine cylinders were cast, which were tested at 7,14 and 28 days. The properties of concrete with recycled aggregates were compared with the control mix having natural aggregates. The nominal ratio of cement sand and coarse aggregates were kept at 1:2:4 by weight for all mixes. The tests have shown that concrete with recycled aggregates made from old concrete and brick bats provide greater opportunities for reuse of construction wastes in concrete.