Use of recycled aggregates for low carbon and cost effective concrete construction

Results showed that SCMs incorporated NAC mixes has a potential to reduce ECO2 emissions and cost of concrete whilst partially substituted recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) mixes provided comparable ECO2 emissions but slightly increased cost for equal design strength. The loss of workability was found to be more for SCMs and recycled aggregate incorporated mixes. Studies of hardened concrete properties, comprising bulk engineering properties (compressive cube and cylinder strength, flexural strength, drying shrinkage) and durability (initial surface absorption) showed enhanced performance for SCMs concretes equivalent strength, except resistance to carbonation. However, the use of SCMs in RAC mixes slightly reduced the engineering and durability properties compared to corresponding NAC mixes.