Concrete with Recycled Aggregates ‐ Update of the Application Rules in Germany and Outlook

Abstract

In Germany the use of recycled aggregates is possible within certain limits since the introduction of the DAfStb guideline in 1998. Due to increasing demands of concretes fulfilling requirements regarding sustainability, conservation of resources and avoidance of waste the topic of recycled aggregates has again become the focus of public, economic, and political interest in recent years. Although the results of the BMBF research project “R‐Beton” have led to positive changes with respect to the regulation gap in environmentally relevant characteristics several certain barriers still prevent the broad use of recycled aggregates in the German concrete market. In the forthcoming DIN 1045, regulations will be created which, particularly in concrete class BK‐N in the application range of up to 25 % volume fraction, will permit simple and thus practical use of recycled aggregates. In addition, fine recycled aggregates of type 1 may be used, which was previously not permitted. Here, changes in the regulatory framework of DIN 1045 will be discussed in the sense of a broader use of recycled aggregates in Germany as well as the context of other national regulations. An outlook regarding further need of research is also given.