The Economic Replacement Ratios of Recycled Concrete Aggregate In Structural Elements Based on Mechanical Properties Evaluation

Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) poses grave risks to the environment, public health, and sustainability due to improper management and disposal practices. This study focuses on Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), which constitutes a significant portion of CDW. With a two-fold objective, the research aims to investigate the properties of RCA from various sources through an experimental campaign and compare them with Natural Coarse Aggregate (NCA) through four different mixtures till 100% replacement ratios compared to a control mix. The economic viability of replacing NCA with RCA was evaluated using a case study approach of a structural elements. At 25% RCA replacement ratio, the workability was slightly affected and a negligible decrease of 6% in the compressive strength was noticed with an improvement of 11% in the splitting tensile strength. A reduction in the cost of both axially loaded elements and flexural elements was noticed at a replacement ratio of 25% RCA.