• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.345-358
• /
• 2003

Recently, the reuse of coarse aggregate derived from demolished concrete was introduced into practice with two environmental aspects: protection of natural sources of aggregate and recycling of construction waste. However, recycled aggregate has been used for the very limited application such as subbase material for pavement and constructional filling material because it was considered as low quality constructional materials. In the present study, in order to examine the possibility that recycled aggregate can be used for concrete mixing, we conducted various experimental tests to identify mineralogical, chemical and mechanical properties of recycled aggregate and to determine the workability and mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The cement paste and mortar contained in recycled aggregate significantly affect the basic mechanical properties of aggregate and the workability and mechanical properties of RAC. However, RCA mixed with the proper replacement ratio of recycled aggregate shows the comparable compressive strength and freeze and thaw resistance to those of normal concrete. Therefore, it is considered that recycled aggregate can be widely used for concrete if the cement paste and mortar can be efficiently removed from recycled aggregate and/or if the effective replacement ratios of recycled aggregate are applied for mixing concrete.