Performance deterioration of sustainable recycled aggregate concrete under combined cyclic loading and environmental actions

Abstract

The effects of strength grades, loading modes, and stress levels on the performance deterioration of sustainable recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) subjected to mechanical loading or coupled mechanical loading and environmental actions are investigated in this study. Comparison analysis of residual properties of RAC suffered from single mechanical loading, coupled actions of mechanical loading, and salt-solution freeze-thaw cycles, as well as the combined actions of mechanical loading and salt-solution corrosion were experimentally studied. The results indicate that the stress level is the most influential factor affecting the durability of RAC followed by the RAC strength grade and the number of times the alternating load applied. Moreover, applying novel intermittent loading mode to simulate the durability of RAC under the coupled actions of sustained loading and environmental factors is feasible and reasonable. Additionally, the fitting equations were proposed to discuss the effects of number of times the alternating load applied, stress level, and mechanical strength on the mechanical strength loss and durability of RAC.

Keywords:

• recycled aggregate concrete
• stress level
• deterioration
• durability
• freeze-thaw cycles

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [51668045 and 51820105014] and Jiangxi Science and Technology Committee [20161BBG70056]. The authors also acknowledge the research supports from Australian Research Council [DE150101751 and DP200100057], University of Technology Sydney Research Academic Program at Tech Lab (UTS RAPT), and University of Technology Sydney Tech Lab Blue Sky Research Scheme. The third author also would like to thank the support by the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.