Statistical analysis of recycled aggregates derived from different sources for sub-base applications

One of the main applications of recycled aggregates is the construction of sub-bases for roads as unbound materials, substituting for natural aggregates. For this application, recycled aggregates obtained from crushed concrete are mostly used. Nevertheless, in the Mediterranean area, a large amount of mixed (concrete plus masonry) recycled aggregates is produced, making it advantageous to investigate the possible applications of this type of material, which has a highly variable composition.This work is focused on studying the possible relationship between different constituents of recycled aggregates and their mechanical behaviour for possible application in roads. To meet this goal, 31 types of aggregates have been studied (four natural and 27 recycled from 11 different treatment plants). Characterisation trials were carried out on all of them, together with mechanical behaviour tests (Los Angeles coefficient, Modified Proctor and C.B.R.). The obtained results were analysed using the standard statistical tests ANOVA and simple and multiple linear correlation analysis.

► The objective is correlating the mechanical behaviour with the constituents.
► Several statistical tests were applied, to establish relations between variables.
► A wide range of commercialized recycled aggregates were studied.
► Recycled aggregates with appropriate chemical properties present good behaviour.