The utilization of recycled concrete aggregate and other construction wastes to produce concrete will be beneficial to environment, and promote the sustainable development of construction industry. The scientists and engineers in the related fields are trying to address the limitations of recycled aggregate and enhance their applications in construction. This Special Issue represents a collection of 5 papers related to the topic of recycled aggregate concrete, covering from materials properties to structure performance.
Specifically, the Special Issue features work related to the methodology of improving quality of recycled aggregate, production of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) using recycled concrete, improvement of recycled concrete using nano-particles, and steel fiber reinforcement of recycled aggregate concrete. A particular theme running throughout the special Issue is the fact that recycled aggregate can be used to produce concrete with expected performance through different techniques. A denser and thinner interface transitional zone between cement matrix and recycled aggregate could result in the improvement of mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete. It is possible to produce eco-SCC with lower powder content through the optimization of aggregate gradation and the use of viscosity modifying agents. Nano particles can be used to improve the mechanical properties and microstructure of recycled aggregate concrete. The addition of steel fibers significantly increased the compressive strength and split tensile strength, and the rough surface of recycled aggregate formed better bonding with hook ends steel fiber than that of nature aggregate concrete. The shear strength equation in PCI Code was the best for designing pending availability of a robust shear friction model for recycled aggregate concrete.
I trust that you will enjoy this Special Issue.
College of Civil Engineering,
Hunan University