Delayed Strains and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete with Waste Filler of Bituminous Mixtures

Abstract

The valorization of residue from industrial processes for their use as components of other materials is seen as a highly effective solution for environmental problems associated with the building industry. The manufacture of bituminous hot mixtures generates a residue, known as recovered filler (RF) that holds a high potential for use as a fine aggregate in the production of concrete. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) needs a large amount of fine aggregate to attain the properties of self-compacting required. This study examines a SCC made with this recovered filler as fine aggregate (SCC-RF). Mechanical properties and delayed strains such as creep and shrinkage among others, not analyzed in previous studies, are determined in order to verify the aptitude of this material as a component of concrete and identify any possible influence of this filler on the behavior of this SCC, given that it was dried in an oven at approximately 150°C. In parallel, a second SCC with commercial filler (CF) was prepared, named SCC-CF, for a comparative analysis of these properties. The results obtained allow us to conclude that, although SCC-RF demands more superplasticizing content to get the self-compactibility requirements, the levels reached by the studied properties are satisfactory, guaranteeing the sound behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) structures built using this concrete.