Design of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete elements in conformity with Eurocode 2

This paper presents a step-by-step design of a structural concrete element containing recycled aggregates in accordance with Eurocode 2 (EC2). The design of a reinforced concrete beam was made as one would normally do for conventional concrete, by using practical performance-based rules based on a wide literature review to predict the mechanical and durability-related performance of recycled aggregate concrete. This design is based on adjusting the cross-section's geometry of the reinforced recycled aggregate concrete beam in a way that it is capable of withstanding the same durability-related service life, similar load bearing capacity and within the same limits for deflection according to the serviceability limit state as per EC2. In most of the scenarios considered in this study, the results showed that a slight increase to the nominal cover of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete was required to exhibit the same service-life as that of a conventional concrete beam subjected to the same environment. Furthermore, although no fundamental alterations were required to the amount of reinforcement, the cross-section's height was increased to maintain the maximum deflection within the limitations imposed by EC2.