Structural recycled concrete: Behaviour under low loading rate

In this work the influence of the substitution of 100% of natural coarse aggregate with recycled coarse aggregate has been analysed in order to know the behaviour of the structural concrete in one particular aspect: that is, the behaviour of the recycled concretes under sustained load.To know the behaviour under sustained load, tests under very low loading rate were carried out, using concretes with 100% of recycled coarse aggregate. The results indicated that the ratio of strength under very low loading rate over strength under standard loading rate in compression and in tension is very similar in conventional and recycled concretes.

► Behaviour with 100% recycled coarse aggregate under sustained loading was studied.
► To do it tests under low loading rates in compression and tension were developed.
► Strength decreases were similar to those with conventional concrete.
► Other analysis (longitudinal strain, volumetric strain and damage) indicated the same result.
► So, recycled concretes show no special differences with conventional concretes.