Concrete is the most diffused building material worldwide; its large availability is however responsible for great environmental emissions, causing the production of up to 5% of worldwide man-made emissions of carbon dioxide. In this contribution, the effects of using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) to produce recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) are analyzed, both in terms of mechanical and environmental performances. Four concrete mixtures have been designed: a control, made with only natural aggregates, and three containing RCA. Fresh and hardened concrete properties have been analyzed, and then savings in environmental emissions due to the use of RCA have been quantified. Environmental analysis has been conducted through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Results show that the quality of the adhered mortar in RCA is a key parameter to allow recycled concrete to be designed with satisfying mechanical properties, and about 50% of carbon can be saved using RCA instead than NA.
Environmental impacts of recycled aggregate concrete
Faleschini F;Zanini MA;Pellegrino Carlo
2016
Abstract
Concrete is the most diffused building material worldwide; its large availability is however responsible for great environmental emissions, causing the production of up to 5% of worldwide man-made emissions of carbon dioxide. In this contribution, the effects of using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) to produce recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) are analyzed, both in terms of mechanical and environmental performances. Four concrete mixtures have been designed: a control, made with only natural aggregates, and three containing RCA. Fresh and hardened concrete properties have been analyzed, and then savings in environmental emissions due to the use of RCA have been quantified. Environmental analysis has been conducted through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Results show that the quality of the adhered mortar in RCA is a key parameter to allow recycled concrete to be designed with satisfying mechanical properties, and about 50% of carbon can be saved using RCA instead than NA.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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