Eco-, economic- and mechanical- efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self-compacting concrete

This paper investigates the eco-, economic- and mechanical- properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) containing recycled coarse aggregates generated from prefabricated concrete rejects (PRA) or construction and demolition wastes (CRA). A total of 720 specimens from 36 unique SCC mixes are prepar...

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Main Authors: Yong Yu, Xinyu Zhao, Tianyu Xie, Xiaolu Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-12-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509522007239
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author Yong Yu
Xinyu Zhao
Tianyu Xie
Xiaolu Wang
author_facet Yong Yu
Xinyu Zhao
Tianyu Xie
Xiaolu Wang
author_sort Yong Yu
collection DOAJ
description This paper investigates the eco-, economic- and mechanical- properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) containing recycled coarse aggregates generated from prefabricated concrete rejects (PRA) or construction and demolition wastes (CRA). A total of 720 specimens from 36 unique SCC mixes are prepared and tested. The effects of the key parameters including, water-to-binder ratio (w/b), fly ash replacing ordinary Portland cement weight ratio, recycled coarse aggregate replacing natural coarse aggregate volume ratio, heat curing temperature, mixing method or the addition of steel fibers, on the fresh and hardened properties of SCC are experimentally explored. In addition to the experimental study, cradle-to-gate life cycle cost (LCC) analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA) of the SCC are carried out, where these are done through considering different levels of functional units. Based on the results of the experimental work, LCA and LCC, it is found that the PRA based concrete shows ecological-, environmental- and economic- benefits over conventional SCC with slightly compromised rheological and mechanical properties. When considering only the volumetric equivalence, it is observed that a higher w/b, the inclusion of higher amount of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), or fly ash, or using a lower curing temperature can efficiently reduce the cost and environmental impacts of SCC with PRA. PRA concrete products are more eco-friendly and less cost intensive than those associated with the CRA ones due mainly to the shorter distance to transport PRA compared to CRA. Beyond the volumetric functional unit, the results of LCC and LCA show that, as indicated by carbon dioxide equivalent-, embodied energy- or cost- intensity, a higher w/b, the incorporation of higher content of RCA or fly ash, and using a lower curing temperature no longer benefit the eco-, environmental and mechanical performance of recycled coarse aggregate SCC (RCASCC) and the effect of curing temperature becomes ambiguous.
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spelling doaj.art-43bfbc738a0d4f7b8f3f48c78c6434d42022-12-22T02:32:47ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952022-12-0117e01591Eco-, economic- and mechanical- efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self-compacting concreteYong Yu0Xinyu Zhao1Tianyu Xie2Xiaolu Wang3School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Corresponding author.School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, ChinaThis paper investigates the eco-, economic- and mechanical- properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) containing recycled coarse aggregates generated from prefabricated concrete rejects (PRA) or construction and demolition wastes (CRA). A total of 720 specimens from 36 unique SCC mixes are prepared and tested. The effects of the key parameters including, water-to-binder ratio (w/b), fly ash replacing ordinary Portland cement weight ratio, recycled coarse aggregate replacing natural coarse aggregate volume ratio, heat curing temperature, mixing method or the addition of steel fibers, on the fresh and hardened properties of SCC are experimentally explored. In addition to the experimental study, cradle-to-gate life cycle cost (LCC) analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA) of the SCC are carried out, where these are done through considering different levels of functional units. Based on the results of the experimental work, LCA and LCC, it is found that the PRA based concrete shows ecological-, environmental- and economic- benefits over conventional SCC with slightly compromised rheological and mechanical properties. When considering only the volumetric equivalence, it is observed that a higher w/b, the inclusion of higher amount of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), or fly ash, or using a lower curing temperature can efficiently reduce the cost and environmental impacts of SCC with PRA. PRA concrete products are more eco-friendly and less cost intensive than those associated with the CRA ones due mainly to the shorter distance to transport PRA compared to CRA. Beyond the volumetric functional unit, the results of LCC and LCA show that, as indicated by carbon dioxide equivalent-, embodied energy- or cost- intensity, a higher w/b, the incorporation of higher content of RCA or fly ash, and using a lower curing temperature no longer benefit the eco-, environmental and mechanical performance of recycled coarse aggregate SCC (RCASCC) and the effect of curing temperature becomes ambiguous.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509522007239Precast concrete rejectsSelf-compacting concreteHigh temperature curingLife cycle assessmentLife cycle cost analysis
spellingShingle Yong Yu
Xinyu Zhao
Tianyu Xie
Xiaolu Wang
Eco-, economic- and mechanical- efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self-compacting concrete
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Precast concrete rejects
Self-compacting concrete
High temperature curing
Life cycle assessment
Life cycle cost analysis
title Eco-, economic- and mechanical- efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self-compacting concrete
title_full Eco-, economic- and mechanical- efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self-compacting concrete
title_fullStr Eco-, economic- and mechanical- efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self-compacting concrete
title_full_unstemmed Eco-, economic- and mechanical- efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self-compacting concrete
title_short Eco-, economic- and mechanical- efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self-compacting concrete
title_sort eco economic and mechanical efficiencies of using precast rejects as coarse aggregates in self compacting concrete
topic Precast concrete rejects
Self-compacting concrete
High temperature curing
Life cycle assessment
Life cycle cost analysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509522007239
work_keys_str_mv AT yongyu ecoeconomicandmechanicalefficienciesofusingprecastrejectsascoarseaggregatesinselfcompactingconcrete
AT xinyuzhao ecoeconomicandmechanicalefficienciesofusingprecastrejectsascoarseaggregatesinselfcompactingconcrete
AT tianyuxie ecoeconomicandmechanicalefficienciesofusingprecastrejectsascoarseaggregatesinselfcompactingconcrete
AT xiaoluwang ecoeconomicandmechanicalefficienciesofusingprecastrejectsascoarseaggregatesinselfcompactingconcrete