Evaluating the Frost Resistance of Recycled Concrete Aggregate by Various Standards

Abstract

In the last few years, use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in road applications has increased. For this application, concerns exist regarding the frost resistance of RCAs and the deicer-salt scaling resistance of concrete containing recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), especially in cold climates. In this investigation, the frost resistance of four types of aggregates, including a natural aggregate (NA) and three types of RCAs, were examined according to a range of standard methods. Also, the deicer-salt scaling resistance of concrete mixes containing the aforementioned aggregates was assessed. Frost resistance tests showed that several of the standard test methods lead to unreliable results for frost resistance of RCAs. The deicer-salt scaling resistance of RACs had an acceptable correlation with only one particular method. In fact, testing concrete specimens containing RCAs is considered the best way to assess the frost resistance of RCAs.