Self-compacting concrete with recycled concrete aggregate for sustainable structures

New and innovative aspects

The use of construction waste and by-products from the steelmaking gives these concretes an innovative installation process, achieving the same technical characteristics as self-compacting concretes whose composition is based on the use of natural aggregate with additional technical and economic advantages.

All three mixtures are suitable for use, although the MIX50 mix provides an adequate balance between material performance and product sustainability.

Its dosage is shown in Table 1:

Table 1. Dosage of mixtures (kg/m3)

Use of waste for the production of sustainable self-compacting concrete optimal for structural use.

Main advantages of its use

• Great flowability and ease of filling molds for structures with complicated shapes.
• Elimination of the pre-soaking stage in the recycled concrete aggregate
• High self-compactability of concrete. Compaction without vibration.
• Homogeneous finishes without imperfections.
• Economical and sustainable implementation by using waste from the precast-concrete industry and by-products from the steel industry known as slag.
• Reduction of energy consumption in its implementation.
• Excellent physical and mechanical properties.

Specifications

The technical characteristics for the MIX50 mix are as shown here:

The new self-compacting concretes meet the international specifications EN 206 and the recommendations of the EFNARC.

Table 2. Properties in fresh state

SF: slump-flow class, VS: slump-flow-viscosity class, VF; V-funnel-viscosity class, PA; passing-ability class & SR; segregation-resistance class

Table 3. Properties in hardened state

Applications

• On site placement by pouring, pumping or injection.
• Manufacture of concrete pieces with complicated shapes with high aesthetic requirements.
• Foundations and structures.
• Heavily armed structures.
• Construction of large infrastructures such as bridges or tunnels where compaction is complicated.
• Concreting in situations of difficult access and high-rise buildings.

Intellectual property status

Protected by patent P202030746

Current development status

Developed, validated and ready to use.

Desired business relationship

Commercial Agreement, License Agreement, Technical Cooperation: further development; Technical Cooperation: testing new applications; Technical Cooperation: adaptation to specific needs.