Assessment of the Engineering Properties and Economic Advantage of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Developed from Waste Clay Bricks and Coconut Shells

Abstract

Using recycled aggregates developed from coconut shells and waste clay bricks to replace natural aggregates in concrete helps preserve nonrenewable resources, promotes recycling, and affords reductions in cost. In this regard, this study aims to improve the possibility of using construction waste and agricultural by-products for structural concrete. To this end, experiments were performed to clarify the effects of coarse aggregate systems developed using crushed coconut shell aggregate (CCSA) and recycled brick aggregate (RBA) on the mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity and high temperature resistance of structural concrete. The results showed that the incorporation of CCSA improved the thermal conductivity, flexural strength and cost ratio of concrete. The mechanical properties of the recycled aggregate concrete also satisfied the requirements of structural lightweight aggregate concrete. In addition, low-rigidity concrete developed using RBA and CCSA imparted the building with a higher strain capacity, suitable for applications in seismic regions. However, under high-temperature environments, the properties of the concrete deteriorated significantly with the incorporation of CCSA; the compressive strength and other properties were also reduced considerably.

Keywords: Coconut shells, waste clay bricks, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, high temperature resistance, economic evaluation