The Performance of Concrete with Various Recycled Aggregates and Blended Admixtures in Different Replacement Ratios
Received: 1 July 2025 | Revised: 25 July 2025 and 16 August 2025 | Accepted: 20 August 2025 | Online: 7 December 2025
Corresponding author: Rajendra D. Patil
Abstract
The rising demand for sustainable construction materials has spurred extensive research into using Recycled Aggregates (RA) and mineral admixtures as partial replacements for Natural Coarse Aggregates (NCA) and cement, respectively. This study tackles the critical challenge of balancing environmental benefits with mechanical performance in concrete production. Specifically, it examines the combined effect of partially replacing NCA with RA (ranging from 10% to 30%) and substituting cement with a blend of mineral admixtures, Fly Ash (FA), Silica Fume (SF), Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), and Metakaolin (MK), in M20 grade concrete with a fixed water-cement ratio of 0.36. The methodology includes preparing multiple concrete mixes according to the IS standards, varying the proportions of RA and mineral admixtures, and conducting comprehensive compressive strength tests at various curing ages (7, 14, 28, 45, 60, and 90 days). The results show that increasing the RA content generally lowers the compressive strength due to its higher porosity and weaker Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ), but the addition of mineral admixtures improves the microstructure, reducing the strength loss and enhancing durability. Mixes with up to 30% RA and 30% Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) still meet acceptable M20 grade concrete strength for many applications. This research offers valuable insights into the mix design strategies that support resource conservation and environmental protection in the Indian construction industry. The findings also align with existing literature, confirming the potential of RA and mineral admixture blends as eco-friendly alternatives in concrete.
Keywords:
Recycled aggregate, mineral admixtures, fly ash, silica fume, GGBS, metakaolin, compressive strength, sustainable concrete, M20 gradeDownloads
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