Influence of recycled aggregates containing sulphur on properties of recycled aggregate mortar and concrete

This paper presents the main results of the research carried out to analyse the technical feasibility of concrete incorporating recycled aggregates from crushed tested concrete specimens. The main objective is to demonstrate that producers of concrete waste from tested specimens can use this waste for recycled concrete despite the presence of capping sulphur. However, the presence of sulphur in the recycled aggregates thus obtained may have effects on the properties of the concrete in which it is incorporated. In this work, a characterisation program of recycled aggregate containing sulphur and recycled concrete has been undertaken. It is concluded that the use of recycled aggregate concrete, with or without sulphur, is viable for the manufacture of recycled structural concretes for applications without exposure to high temperatures. However, the use of the fine fraction means a significant loss of properties. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.