An Experimental Study on Mechanical and Durability Properties of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Using Demolished Building Waste

The rapid growth of the construction industry has resulted in excessive consumption of natural aggregates and increased generation of construction and demolition waste. Recycling demolished concrete waste as aggregate in new concrete offers a sustainable solution. This study investigates the mechanical and durability properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) produced by partially replacing natural coarse aggregates with recycled aggregates obtained from demolished building waste. Concrete mixes of M30 grade were prepared with 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% replacement levels. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength were evaluated along with durability characteristics including water absorption, sorptivity, and acid resistance. Experimental results indicate that mechanical strength and durability decrease with increase in recycled aggregate content. However, up to 50% replacement exhibits satisfactory performance and meets strength requirements. The study concludes that recycled aggregate concrete can be effectively used for sustainable construction applications under moderate exposure conditions.