Draining concrete properties in mixtures with recycled aggregates

Abstract

Rigid pavement materials with draining concrete, after construction, undergo a degradation process under the action of traffic and weather conditions. This process, which occurs during the life of the floor, can be slower if it is well constructed and maintained. Thus, it is essential that the mechanical characterization of the concrete is suitable for its application. Thus, workability and density tests must be carried out in relation to fresh concrete. In the case of hardened concrete, these are compressive and flexural strength tests, permeability tests and wear resistance tests. Pervious concrete can be a successful safety solution for heavy rains and increasingly frequent floods. This study focused on obtaining an optimized pervious concrete, within the scope of international standards, through the analysis of concrete made with the same W/C ratios and vibration times and different percentages of recycled aggregate. The results show the strong influence of both parameters on porosity and permeability distribution and the negative influence of higher porosities on strength. Concrete with a W/C ratio of 0.30 and a vibration time of 40 seconds and 20% recycled aggregate was selected for its superior mechanical performance.