Mechanical Attributes Relevant to Replacing Virgin Concrete Aggregates with Expanded Polystyrene-Coated Recycled Aggregates

Pavements are a major global investment in transportation infrastructure, and their construction requires a large amount of resources. To tackle the environmental issues related to roads and pavements, it is necessary to use sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials in their construction. This method has shown to reduce emissions, preserve natural resources, minimize the carbon footprint of the construction industry, and cut the overall cost of pavement projects. Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), in particular, has gained popularity as a feasible recycled resource for construction and demolition waste (CDW). The use of RCA in asphalt mixtures has demonstrated significant benefits for the environment and economy. But despite its potential, dependable design specifications and broad adoption of RCA have been hampered by the lack of thorough data on its engineering features. 2% expanded polystyrene (EPS, an environmental pollutant) coating is applied to enhance RCA strength. By lowering abrasion, impact, and crushing values as well as water absorption, this coating greatly enhances aggregate qualities. In this investigation, natural aggregates are partially replaced at a 10% increment with 2% EPS coated RCA. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of the aggregates diminish with an increase in the percentage of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in blends. On the other hand, covering RCA with EPS presents a promising avenue for strengthening their mechanical characteristics. The results indicate that, when compared to uncoated RCA, EPS-coated RCA exhibits improved resistance to impact and abrasion, particularly at higher replacement levels. This shows that EPS coating may be able to lessen the RCA's inherent flaws and increase the range of applications for it in building projects.