Durability of self-compacting concrete made with Recycled Concrete Aggregates and mineral admixtures

Durability performance of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) made with Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) as partial or full replacement of Natural Coarse Aggregates (NCA) and with selected mineral admixtures as partial replacement of Portland Cement (PC) is reported. The replacement levels of NCA with RCA were kept at 0%, 50% and 100%. The workability properties of various SCC mixes were assessed using slump flow test, V-funnel test, L-box test and J-ring test. Durability performance of the SCC mixes was investigated using rapid chloride penetrability test, initial surface absorption test, water penetration test, and capillary suction test. Addition of Silica Fume (SF) or Metakaolin (MK) at 10% by weight of PC was able to compensate for the loss of durability properties when 50% of the NCA were substituted with RCA, with MK being more effective than SF. For 100% replacement of NCA with RCA, the aforesaid pozzolans were not effective in fully compensating for the loss of durability properties on account of substitution of NCA with RCA.