Recycled Precast Concrete Kerbs and Paving Blocks, a Technically Viable Option for Footways

Abstract

The linear economy paradigm in place to date has to be seriously challenged to give way to a new school of thought known as the circular economy. In this research work, precast kerbs and paving blocks made with recycled concrete (RACC-mixture) bearing 50 wt% mixed recycled aggregate (masonry content of 33%) and an eco-efficient cementitious material as 25 wt% conventional binder replacement were evaluated to assess their intrinsic potential to replace traditional raw materials, in keeping with circular economy criteria. Therefore, precast products were subjected to mechanical strength, durability and microstructure tests and were compared to conventional concrete units (CC-mixture and commercially available precast elements). Although a class demotion was observed for water absorption and some decreases in flexural strength (26%), splitting tensile strength (12.8%) and electrical resistivity (45%) and a lower class water absorption were registered, and the recycled mixture also exhibited a greater performance in terms of compressive strength (6%), a better abrasion resistance classification and a comparable porosity and microstructure, which ensures a good concrete durability. In any case, the results showed that precast pieces were European standard-compliant, thus supporting the viability of the mixed recycled aggregates and eco-efficient cementitious replacement in footways.

Laboratory Innovation to Investigate Concrete Paving Blocks Compressive Strength

“…Therefore, it is crucial to determine the impact of water content in the mixture and investigate the effects of clay content on the compressive strength of CPB [18,19]. In its application, aside from the impact of maintenance age on changes in compressive strength, it is necessary to determine the thickness variations and test methods [20][21][22]. The tests carried out generally use the block test method; the cube test method is rarely employed.…”