Mechanical behavior of concrete with recycled aggregates and expanded polystyrene, focused on prefabricated panels

Abstract

The urgent need to reduce the use of natural resources and energy consumption by the construction industry, as well as provide a solution to the accumulation of residues and waste generated in the construction sector, to clean up the environment, is of concern to scientists and researchers around the world. The aim of this study is to evaluate the viability of concrete with low resistance requirements, intended to be used in non-load-bearing prefabricated panels, in which the natural coarse aggregate has been replaced by recycled coarse aggregate in different percentages (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), incorporating in all dosages, one third of the replacement, by expanded polystyrene. To do this, their mechanical and physical properties have been studied: compressive strength, flexural, diametral compression tensile, absorption, durability and density. The recycled coarse aggregates (brick masonry, concrete blocks and reinforced concrete structural elements) were obtained through a selective process of the waste generated in demolition works in the city of Guayaquil (Ecuador). The results show that as the percentage of recycled aggregates is reduced, the compressive strength and other mechanical properties increase, as well as its density, approaching more and more to that of the control concrete. The behavior of the best mixture, with 25% replacement with coarse recycled aggregates and expanded polystyrene, meets the structural requirements of a prefabricated wall panel, in addition to reducing the environmental impact generated by the use of recycled coarse aggregates.