Manuscript Details

Manuscript number FISJ_2020_260

Title BEHAVIOUR OF RECYCLED AGGREGATES CONCRETE EXPOSED TO

ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Article type Research Paper

Abstract
Natural aggregates concrete (NAC) replaced partially or fully with recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) is an emerging
green building construction material. Investigation of properties of recycled aggregates and the mechanical properties
of concrete made with RCA has been the focus of several published studies. However, investigation of mechanical
properties of recycled aggregates concrete (RAC) subjected to elevated temperatures have not received due attention.
In this investigation, an attempt has been made to address this lack of knowledge by conducting a comprehensive
experimental study. Twenty batches of concrete were made with a number of combinations of RCA and natural coarse
aggregates (NCA). For this purpose, cylindrical specimens were cast and exposed to temperatures ranging from
250oC to 900oC. Experimental program was designed in order to evaluate the residual compressive and tensile
strengths of concrete, along with modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, and concrete mass loss. Residual compressive
and tensile strengths of RAC were found to be varying with amount of recycled aggregates in a manner similar to NAC
when exposed to elevated temperatures. The 90% decline in the elastic modulus was also observed. Concrete
discolouration started at 500oC and initial micro-cracks with negligible width were observed at 700oC.

Keywords Recycled Aggregate; Residual Strength; Spalling; Mechanical Properties;

Elevated Temperatures; Construction Waste

Corresponding Author Asad-ur-Rehman Khan

Corresponding Author's NED University of Engineering and Technology

Institution

Order of Authors Asad-ur-Rehman Khan, tariq aziz, Shamsoon Fareed

Suggested reviewers Nariman Khalil, Mustesinq Khan, Tao Ding, Naveed Alam

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Editor,
Fire Safety Journal
ELSEVIER SCI LTD,
THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON,
OXFORD OX5 1GB, OXON, ENGLAND

Subject: Submission of Research Paper titled “BEHAVIOUR OF RECYCLED AGGREGATES CONCRETE

EXPOSED TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES” for possible publication in Fire Safety Journal

Undersigned would like to submit Research Paper titled “Behaviour of Recycled Aggregates Concrete
Exposed to Elevated Temperatures” for consideration of possible publication in your esteemed
Journal.
Results presented here are the part of an ongoing research project on Recycled Aggregates Concrete,
funded by Pakistan Science Foundation, Pakistan, and NSFC, China. Undersigned is the Principal
Investigator (PI) on this Project while Co-authors are Co-PIs on this project.

Best Regards

_______________________________________
Prof. Dr. Asad-ur-Rehman Khan
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
Dean, Faculty of Civil and Petroleum Engineering
NED University of Engineering & Technology
Karachi-75270
Pakistan
 BEHAVIOUR OF RECYCLED AGGREGATES CONCRETE EXPOSED TO
ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Asad-ur-Rehman Khana*, Tariq Aziza,b, Shamsoon Fareeda

a Department of Civil Engineering, NED University of Engineering & Technology Karachi - 75270 Pakistan
b Centre for Infrastructure Engineering, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia

ABSTRACT

Natural aggregates concrete (NAC) replaced partially or fully with recycled coarse aggregates
(RCA) is an emerging green building construction material. Investigation of properties of
recycled aggregates and the mechanical properties of concrete made with RCA has been the
focus of several published studies. However, investigation of mechanical properties of recycled
aggregates concrete (RAC) subjected to elevated temperatures have not received due attention.
In this investigation, an attempt has been made to address this lack of knowledge by conducting
a comprehensive experimental study. Twenty batches of concrete were made with a number of
combinations of RCA and natural coarse aggregates (NCA). For this purpose, cylindrical
specimens were cast and exposed to temperatures ranging from 250oC to 900oC. Experimental
program was designed in order to evaluate the residual compressive and tensile strengths of
concrete, along with modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, and concrete mass loss. Residual
compressive and tensile strengths of RAC were found to be varying with amount of recycled
aggregates in a manner similar to NAC when exposed to elevated temperatures. The 90%
decline in the elastic modulus was also observed. Concrete discolouration started at 500oC and
initial micro-cracks with negligible width were observed at 700oC.

Keywords: Recycled Aggregate; Residual Strength; Spalling; Mechanical Properties; Elevated

Temperatures; Construction Waste.

* Corresponding author.
Email: asadkhan@neduet.edu.pk
1
1. BACKGROUND

The use of concrete in the construction industry outnumbered other construction materials due
to its vast applications, excellent load-bearing capacity, the protection it provides to the
reinforcement in the reinforced concrete construction exposed to extreme conditions such as
chloride contamination, elevated temperatures etc. The properties of concrete such as ease of
fabrication, plasticity, strength, non-combustible behaviour, durability [1,2] and low cost make
it a preferred material for use in different types of construction. Concrete construction is also
prevalent in Pakistan alike several other countries of the world. On one hand, concrete provides
the above benefits to the structure, whereas, on the other hand it also results in the generation
of enormous amount of construction waste around the globe. Approximately 850 million of
tons of concrete waste is generated annually in Europe alone amounting to 31% of overall
waste generation [3]. This enormous amount of solid waste continues to grow in comparison
with the small and scarce landfill sites available for the dumping of debris across the world. To
counter this solid waste issue, it is high time indeed to study and discover such alternatives
which may help to incorporate this recycled waste back into the construction industry
efficiently. Recycling of aggregates obtained from concrete waste may result in reduced
wastage, similar or better strength, durability and heat resistance properties which are cost-
effective as well. Recycled aggregates in lieu of new natural aggregates will not only be cost-
effective but also will save the heavy charges of transporting debris. Hence, the use of recycled
aggregates may contribute to secure our natural course aggregate resources from depletion
before time.

In the preceding decade, a specific sustainable and novel concrete mix has been employed in
numerous buildings to support in achieving green certification. For the preparation of this new
concrete mix, conventional coarse aggregates were replaced with recycled concrete aggregates
(RCA) [4, 5,6,7].

It is generally recognised that fire is a potential threat to building structures [8,9]. Concrete
provides resistance in the case of fire incident due to its inherent low thermal conductivity and
high heat capacity [10]. Repairs and retrofitting of fire-damaged Reinforced Concrete (RC)
buildings may put them back in operation [11], which in turn, requires detailed assessment of
the structures damaged due to fire related incidents using temperature dependent material
models [12] to estimate their residual capacity. The analysis of a fire exposed building
determines the need for an increase in resistance of structural members [13]. Therefore, studies
2
focusing on investigating the properties of newly developed materials subjected to elevated
temperatures which the material can experienced during fire related incidents are necessary in
order to support advancement and usage of such materials in the construction industry [4]. Even
though, concrete with coarse RCA is a good milestone towards sustainable construction
material, nevertheless has received inadequate attention for post-fire mechanical properties as
indicated in the published investigation focusing on the usage of salvaged materials in concrete
[14].

The examination of natural aggregates concrete (NAC) subjected to elevated temperature dates
back to second decade of the twentieth century. This has been a hot topic to researcher for
development of resilient infrastructure in numerous studies since then and now this is rationally
tacit [15-16]. Presence of physicochemical vicissitudes and thermal inharmoniousness in
cement paste and aggregates used in concrete preparation are the sources of declination in the
properties of concrete when it is subjected to elevated temperatures [17]. Furthermore, it has
been reported [18] that at an elevated temperature of 100oC due to the evaporation of bound
water present in between aggregates and cement past results in the increase in the capillary
porosity and micro cracking of concrete. Aggregates experience thermal expansion up to
600°C, and the subsequent internal stresses cause cracking and the mechanical performance of
concrete is affected. In calcareous aggregates, during heating temperatures of 600°C to 800°C,
carbonates undergo de-carbonation process by releasing carbon dioxide. Severe microcracking
in cement matrix may be caused by the substantial contraction which may occur after releasing
the gas [18]. When concrete is subjected to exposed temperature in the range of 800oC to
1200oC, it becomes calcinated material and full disintegration of aggregates take place [19].
The above-mentioned changes in concrete when exposed to elevated temperatures are
significantly influenced by a number of parameters which include temperature exposure,
moisture content, rate of heating, and the state of stress. Furthermore, aggregate and cement
type used in preparing concrete as well as their compatibility also contributes towards the
concrete behaviour at elevated temperatures [19].

The mechanical behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has been extensively studied
and can be found in the published investigations. In addition, design guidelines and code of
practices also allow the preparation of RAC to be used for structural purposes [34-37]. Based
on the published investigations [20-29], the compressive strength and impact resistance of RAC
were observed to be lesser than NAC, however, RCA specimens exhibits higher water

3
absorption. This is due to the higher porosity of RAC resulting from already existing micro-
cracks and bond between old and new cement paste [30-33].

A large portion of existing literature related to the behaviour of concrete specimens exposed to
elevated temperature is limited to natural aggregate concrete. The effectiveness of this literature
to the thermal behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete is uncertain, as both natural and
recycled aggregates have different properties even at normal room temperature. The recycled
aggregate has lower density and possess a porous structure as compared to natural aggregates
owing to the attached previous mortar on it and its thermal expansion is also similar to mortar
and, furthermore, due to a rough surface texture, it exhibits a stronger bond with cement paste.
Due to above properties, recycled aggregates concrete can prove to beneficial when subjected
to elevated temperatures [38]. Only a few researchers, however, investigated the behaviour of
RAC exposed to high temperatures, and surprisingly outcomes are inconsistent. For instance,
Yang and Hou [39] and Teranishi et al. [40] observed that the post fire exposure compressive
strength of RAC was lesser than that of NAC. Similar findings have also been reported by Chen
et al. [41] and Laneyrie et al. [42] that mechanical properties of fire exposed RAC suffers faster
degradation as compared to conventional concrete. Abou-Zeid et al. [43] and Xiao and Zhang
[44], contrarily, reported that RAC exhibited higher compressive strength when exposed to
elevated temperatures. Xiao and Zhang [44] also added that the recycled aggregate concrete
performed more advantageously under elevated temperatures at higher levels of replacement.
Based on the test data of Zega and Di Maio [45] and Vieira et al. [18], it was observed that
both NAC and RAC exhibit similar response for the case of residual mechanical properties and
its thermal response when subjected to extreme temperatures.

In spite of the fact that knowledge about temperature-dependent behaviour of RCA concrete
exits, however, further investigation is needed in this area, as, variation in the type of
aggregates used for preparing concrete and subjected to extreme elevated temperature need
specific approach to tackle issues that may be encountered in the design of RC structures due
to elevated temperatures. Furthermore, application of these results from the studies conducted
in one part of the world to other regions is difficult due to the variations in the material
properties [11]. This, therefore, define the needs to extend the investigations further in the field
of RCA concrete exposed to high temperatures.

Although, the residual mechanical properties of NAC (prepared from locally available
aggregates in Pakistan) exposed to elevated temperature has been studied by Rafi et al. [46-

4
48], however, these studies shown a significant difference in residual properties of
conventional concrete from those reported in the literature and some international codes.
Furthermore, investigations studying the residual mechanical properties of RAC does not exist
to date in Pakistan. Present study is aimed to fill this gap. Cylindrical specimens of concrete
made with locally available natural and recycled coarse aggregates have been studied exposed
to different temperatures level. These tests were performed with varying percentages (0%,
30%, 50%, 70%, 100%) of recycled aggregate at a wide range of exposure temperatures
(250°C, 500°C, 700°C, 900°C). Only residual testing was carried out after heating and cooling
of specimens.

2. EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY

2.1 Details of Materials

2.1.1 Type and Properties of cement

For the experimental programme conducted herein, ordinary Portland cement as per ASTM
C150 standard was used [49]. Details of the cement constituents used in the study are shown
in Table 1 [50].

Table 1. Constituents of OPC used in the investigation

Compounds Quantity (%)

SiO2 20.85
CaO 62.13
Al2O3 4.77
Fe2O3 3.51
SO3 1.88
MgO 1.43

2.1.2 Aggregates

Natural river sand, consisting mainly of quartz, with trivial percentages of heavy minerals was
used as fine aggregates in casting of specimens [51]. Normal weight coarse aggregates
extracted from crushed limestone was used for NAC specimens, whereas, RCA were prepared
by crushing of previously tested RC beams in the Material testing laboratory. Maximum size
of the coarse aggregates used in the study was 19 mm for both types of aggregates. Sieve

5
analysis conforming to ASTM C33-16 standard [52] was carried out. Both types of coarse
aggregates are shown in Fig. 1. In addition, properties of the aggregates were also examined
whose respective results are summarised in Table 2.

NCA RCA

Fig. 1: Natural (NCA) and recycled (RCA) aggregates used in the present study.

Table 2. Description of properties exhibited by aggregates used

Properties of aggregates {Reference Standard} NCA RCA Sand

Specific Gravity {C127,128 [53-54]} 2.66 2.46 2.4
Loose Density (kg/m³) {C29 [55]} 1886.2 1697.5 2002.4
Dry Rodded Density (kg/m³) {C29 [55]} 1905 1765 2120
Absorption (%){C127,128 [53-54]} 0.78 3.25 0.968

2.2 Mix Design and Specimen Details

Concrete compressive and splitting tensile strengths were determined using specimens having
cylindrical shape and dimensions of 100mm diameter × 200mm height. ASTM C192/C192 M–
02 [56] was used as a reference for the casting of these specimens. Compressive strength (𝑓/𝑐).
(𝑓/𝑐) of conventional concrete specimen used as control specimen was 35MPa at 28 days. The
constituents of concrete employed in the presented paper are given in Table 3 which were
determined using the design methodology recommended by ACI 211.1-91 [57]. A total of 20
batches were used in the testing programme employed in this paper. Batches were casted with
five different replacement level 0%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100% of RCA with NCA for different
target temperatures which includes ambient, 250oC, 500oC, 700oC and 900oC. Each batch was
6
 comprised of 12 specimens. Of these, 6 cylinders were tested in compression and the remaining
6 were tested in splitting tension. For each type of testing, three specimens were treated as
control samples and tested at ambient temperature and the other three were tested after heat
treatment. Total of 240 cylindrical specimens were casted and tested in this testing programme.
The specimens in each group were tested at one specific temperature. It is pertinent to mention
here that the pre-exposure temperature strength of the specimens does not influence the residual
mechanical strengths of concrete specimens when subjected to elevated temperatures [58].

Table 3. Compositional properties of concrete

Mix Design Quantities

MIX
1 2 3 4 5
Percentage of recycled aggregates
0% 30% 50% 70% 100%

Water (kg/m3) 172 172 172 172 172

Cement (kg/m3) 400 400 400 400 400
Water to cement ratio 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43
Natural Coarse Aggregate (kg/m3) 1190 860 640 420 0
Recycled Coarse Aggregate (kg/m3) 0 330 550 770 1100
Sand, kg/m3 630 630 630 630 630
Admixture, lit/m3 4 4 4 4 4
Slump (mm) 25+5 25+5 25+5 25+5 25+5

A concrete mixing machine having 40 rpm was used for mixing of concrete. Potable tap water
was utilised for casting of concrete. Slump, a measure for determining workability, was
maintained between 20-30 mm and was measured by carrying out slump tests as per ASTM
C143/C143M-10a standard [59].

2.3 Details of Furnace

An electric furnace was used to heat the specimens, whose walls are covered using high-grade
insulating bricks (Fig. 2). The furnace chamber has a capacity of 870 litres with dimensions of

7
1500×750×750 mm. The heating chamber interior is equipped with electrical heating system
through which the temperature can be adjusted according to the desired temperature of up to
1200°C and equipped with thermocouples (Type S) to observe the interior level of furnace
temperature.

Fig. 2. Electric furnace used to expose specimens to elevated temperature.

2.4 Instrumentation and Testing

In the presented study, the specimens were initially exposed to elevated temperature and were
then allowed to cool down until they acquire room temperature. Once the specimens acquire
room temperature, they were tested under static loading conditions [60-62]. The strength
exhibited by the specimens using this technique gives the lower bound values [63] which
provides similar results when specimens are tested at elevated temperature provided that the
specimens are allowed to cool down gradually [64]. Prior to the testing of the specimen, it was
allowed to dry at room temperature to reach to the saturated surface dry state prior to testing.
The control specimens were tested immediately as dried, in compression and in tension, three
for each, whereas, the leftover six cylinders were heat-treated up to the desired level of
temperature before testing. To reduce the chances of sudden increase in the specimen’s
temperature which may result in spalling of the concrete due to induced higher tensile stresses,
the loading rate in the furnace was maintained at 5°C/min.

8
The temperature ramp used in this study is shown in Fig. 3 which shows that the desired
temperature was sustained for an hour in order to allow uniform temperature through the
specimen which was attained using a heating rate 2-50oC/min [65].

Target temperature
Temperature (oC)
T

in
/m
5 oC
@
mp
Ra
100

60

20
8 20 10 20 varies 60 Time (min)

Fig. 3. Heating scheme for cylinders

The measurement of material deformation was carried out using Digital Image Correlation
(DIC) technique which has been employed effectively for measuring strains using principles
of optics. In this technique, an image processing algorithm is employed to compare an array of
high-resolution digital images. For the execution of DIC, photographs were taken at a rate of
0.03 Hz (1 image every 30 sec.) to cover the whole loading regime. GeoPIV image correlation
algorithm [66] was employed to translate the movement of image pixel subset into strains
quantification. The DIC technique has been evidenced proficient in tracing the concrete strain
and deformations [67-70]. In this method, initially, square pixel subsets, defined by the user,
were overlapped onto the initial reference image through the software. Then using the post-
processor software, the images were orderly arranged, which was followed by the measurement
of the variations between the reference image and the later images which were calculated in
terms of pixels and finally, from the output pixel values, deformations and strains were
computed. The testing setup of samples is presented in Fig. 4.

Splitting tensile tests were conducted to examine the residual tensile strength of both natural
and recycled aggregates concrete using standard practice [71]. The concrete tensile strength
was determined by taking an average of three cylinders at 28 days.

9
 100 mm
50 mm

Fig. 4. Test set up adopted for the compression test

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

3.1 Ambient Temperature Properties

Control NAC specimens were tested at ambient temperature after 28 days moist curing to
determine compressive and tensile strengths along with the modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s
ratio. Ambient temperature properties of control NAC specimens are shown in Fig. 5. It is
pertinent to mention here that mean values of three specimens for each batch were considered
and comparison was also made using standard deviation (SD).

3.2 Visual Investigation

3.2.1 Decolourisation and Cracking

As the furnace in the course of study is totally closed, practically it was impossible to observe
visual change emerging in the specimens during the elevated temperature exposure but the
thorough examination was done after taking samples out of the furnace. The specimens
exhibited a few changes such as shading variation and disintegration.

Specimens heated up to 250°C and 500°C had lighter greyish shade with light red shading. Red
colour exhibits hydration products of iron oxides which are for the most part found in siliceous
aggregates [72]. Likewise, red shading is an indication of the start of strength reduction in
concrete [19]. When temperature exposure was exceeded to 700°C, the samples showed dim
greyish shading and at 900°C a whitish dim shading was observed (see Fig. 6). A substantial

10
loss in compressive strength is indicated by the whitening of cement which diminishes the
capacity of concrete to sustain the service loads [73].

The surface of concrete samples changes when temperature exposure goes beyond 700°C,
whereas, surface of concrete specimens heated up to 500°C showed no noticeable impact. It
was also observed that the hairline cracks showed up at the exposed temperature level of up to
700°C, however, cracks became prominent and widely expanded at 900°C.

4 40 35.68
3.42
3.28 33.4
3.5 35 31.332
Tensile splitting strength (MPa)

3.038 30.06

Compressive Strength (MPa)

2.922
3 30 27.78
2.62

2.5 25

2 20

1.5 15

1 10

0.5 5

0 0
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5

0.25 16
0.202 13.16
14 12.25
0.18 0.178
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)

0.2 0.17 0.1694 11.108

12 10.248
10.004
Poisson's Ratio

10
0.15
8
0.1 6

4
0.05
2

0 0
Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5

Fig. 5. Ambient temperature properties of control specimens of different mixes

3.2.2 Spalling of Concrete

11
Most apparent change observed in the heated specimens was the spalling of concrete. Spalling
of concrete was noticed when the heating temperatures were between 500°C to 700°C.
Likewise, the higher probability of spalling at these temperatures might be supported by
altogether higher transformation of water into the mortar from the aggregates [74]. Further,
Kowalski [75] indicated that in normal strength concrete, an irregular pattern of spalling could
be seen inferable from its permeable structure contrasted to high strength concrete.

700oC 900oC

Fig. 6. Heat-treated concrete cylindrical specimens

3.3 Residual Properties

3.3.1 Loss of concrete mass

The phenomenon when concrete loss its mass due to the release of CO2 and decrease in the
amount of free water is referred as loss of concrete mass (wi) [73] and given by (Eq. (1)).

𝑊i ‒ 𝑊s
W= 𝑊i × 100 (1)

where ws is the mass of the heat-exposed specimen after cooling. Loss of mass in concrete
specimens investigated in this study is shown in Fig. 7. It was found that the mass loss in
concrete specimens significantly varied as the temperature increases, for instance, till a
temperature of up to 500oC, linear loss of concrete mass was observed, which can be attributed
to the fact of portlandite [19,76-77]. Furthermore, with further increase in the temperature
between the range of 500oC to 900oC, the loss of mass in RCA specimens were found to be
higher as compared to NAC specimen due to free water already present in the recycled
aggregates pores. During this phase, mass of concrete specimens decreases due to decrease in
calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) gel water and CO2 [10,19,76-77]. At 900°C, both NAC and
RAC specimens, total mass loss reached between 7.9% to 10% of the initial mass.

12
 Mass Loss
12.00

10.00
Mass Loss (%)
8.00
Mix 1
6.00 Mix 2
Mix 3
4.00
Mix 4
2.00 Mix 5

0.00
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Tempearture (oC)

Fig. 7. Mass loss in heat-treated concrete specimens

3.3.2 Stress-Strain Behaviour

Fig. 8 shows the average stress-strain curves exhibited by concrete specimens after 28 days
curing. The residual stress after exposure to high temperature (σT) has been normalised to (σ30)
in Fig. 8 which shows the decreasing slope of the curves with increasing temperatures for all
mixes which indicates the softening of specimens. It can also be observed that ultimate strains
at 700°C were the largest for all mixes. Fig. 9 gives the data representing coefficients for
decrease in the compressive strength (Nσ) and peak normalised strength (σT/σ30) of concrete
specimens, along with the temperatures. It was observed that Nσ drops with a rise in exposure
temperature, which is obvious. Additionally, similar behaviour was exhibited by the concrete
specimens investigated herein. It was also observed that the strength decreases significantly at
700°C, as indicated by a decreased Nσ. At initial temperatures, the reduction in strength was
minimum in 30% RCA mix. The residual strength was nearly 10 to 15% at 900°C.

3.3.3 Splitting Tensile Strength

Splitting tensile strength (ft) was determined using Eq. (2) [71].
2𝑃
ft = (2)
π𝑙𝑑

where P, l and d are the maximum applied load, the height (200mm) and the diameter (100mm)
of the of specimen, respectively.

13
 Mix 1
1

Normalised Stress
0.8

0.6
250C

0.4 500C
700C
0.2 900C

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Strain (mm/mm)

Mix 3 Mix 2
1 1
Normalised Stress

0.8 0.8
Normalised Stress

0.6 0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0
Strain (mm/mm) 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
Strain (mm/mm)

Mix 5 1
Mix 4
1
0.8
0.8
Normalised Stress

Normalised Stress

0.6
0.6

0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2

0 0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)

Fig. 8. Stress-strain relationship of heat-treated concrete specimens

Normalised ft data of heat-treated concrete specimens at 28 day (NT) is illustrated in Fig. 10.
Coefficient of reduction in tensile strength (NT) is represented by the normalised strength which

14
is normalised strength ratio of splitting tensile strength exhibited by specimen at desired
temperature (ftT) to tensile strength at room temperature (ft30).

1
Mix 1
0.9
Mix 2
0.8
Mix 3
0.7 Mix 4
0.6 Mix 5
Nσ

0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Temperature (oC)

Fig. 9. Coefficient of reduction for compressive strength

The declining trend, similar to the one observed for compressive strength, was also observed
in tensile strength, as shown in Fig. 10. Significant decrease in tensile strength can be noticed
at temperature levels between 500°C and 700°C (Fig. 10). Reduction in residual tensile strength
was found to be 35 to 40% at 700°C. It is due to the fact that due to induced thermal stresses
micro and macro-cracks, caused the piercing reduction in splitting tensile strength further [78].

1
0.9
Mix 1
0.8
Mix 2
0.7 Mix 3
0.6 Mix 4
NT

0.5 Mix 5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Temperature (oC)
Fig. 10. Coefficient of reduction for tensile strength

3.3.4 Elastic Modulus

15
The static modulus (Ec) of concrete was calculated using Eq. (3) [79] and for that purpose stress
strain curves presented in Fig. 4 were used
2 ‒ 1
E c=ε (3)
2 ‒ 0.000050

where 1, 2 and ε2 represents longitudinal stress corresponding to 50 millionths of a strain,

,

40% of the ultimate load, and the strain caused by S2, respectively. Modulus for concrete
exposed to high temperatures (EcT) have been normalised to that of exhibited at ambient
temperature (Ec30) using coefficient of reduction of elastic modulus (NE) of concrete specimens.
It can be noticed from Fig. 11 that reduction in NE as compared to Nσ up to 250°C is gradual.
Thereafter, sharp reduction in elastic modulus can be noticed. NE became nearly 12 % at 700°C
for all mixes except 70% RCA for which NE was around 20%. NE remained 2 to 5% at 900°C
for the specimens.

0.9

0.8 Mix 1

0.7 Mix 2
Mix 3
0.6
Mix 4
NE

0.5
Mix 5
0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Temperature (oC)

Fig. 11. Coefficient of reduction for elastic modulus of heat-treated concrete

3.3.5 Poisson’s Ratio

Poisson’s ratios (ν) for the specimens exposed to ambient (ν c30) as well as post heat exposure
(ν cT) temperatures were examined using Eq. (4) [79].
ε𝑡2 ‒ ε𝑡1
𝜈=ε (4)
2 ‒ 0.000050

where εt1 and εt2 represents the transverse strains at mid-height of the concrete specimen.

16
Fig. 12 shows the normalised Poisson’s ratios (νcT/νc30) in terms of coefficient of reduction Nν.
It was observed that Nν increases with the increase in the exposure temperature of the
specimens, which was found to be slightly higher in the specimens prepared with smaller
amounts of RCA. This can be attributed to axial strains in mixes. Mixes with a higher amount
of recycled aggregates at high temperatures showed higher strains which lessens Nν values for
these mixes.

4.5
4
3.5
3 Mix 1

2.5 Mix 2
Nν

2 Mix 3
1.5 Mix 4
1 Mix 5
0.5
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Temperature (oC)
Fig. 12. Normalised Poisson’s ratio

4. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING LITERATURE

The presented test results in terms of residual mechanical properties are compared with the
published experimental results and international codes. Comparison is shown in Figs. 13, 14
and 15 in terms of reduction coefficient Nσ, NT and NE respectively. Fig. 13 shows that results
obtained during the presented study are in between the upper and lower bounds as proposed by
ASCE [80] and ACI 216 [81] and, Xiao and Zhang [44] respectively. The results of residual
compressive strengths, presented in this study, are in a good agreement with those of others
including DTU [82] and Eurocode 2 (EC2) [65]. ASCE [80] suggests no reduction in
compressive strength till 500oC which seems a bit unrealistic and after 500oC, the proposed
results are quite closed to the obtained ones. Reduction coefficients provided by ACI 216 [81]
and the results of Xiao and Zhang [44] showing an overestimation in the reduction of
compressive strength with increasing temperatures.
Similarly, the residual tensile strength of the samples of the presented study differs significantly
with DTU [82] and EC2 [65] (Fig. 14) while these results are relatively concurrent with that of

17
Vieira et al [18]. DTU [82] and EC2 [65] are exhibiting a very sharp decline rate in residual
tensile strength beyond 250oC in contrast to the observed data. Fig. 15 shows that the modulus
of elasticity degraded at a higher rate with increasing temperatures in the previous studies and
proposed by codes as compared to that of the current study. These variations in results further
validate the necessity of the presented study.

1.1

0.9 0% RCA
30% RCA
0.8
50% RCA
0.7 70% RCA
100% RCA
0.6
Vieira et al
Nσ

0.5 Xiao & Zhang

DTU
0.4
EC2
0.3 ACI
ASCE
0.2

0.1

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100
Temperature oC

Fig. 13 Comparison of Nσ with existing data

18
 1.1

1
0% RCA
0.9 30% RCA
50% RCA
0.8
70% RCA
0.7 100% RCA
Vieira et al
0.6
NT

EC2
0.5 DTU
0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Temperature

Fig. 14 Comparison of NT with existing data

1.1
0% RCA
1
30% RCA
0.9
50% RCA
0.8
70% RCA
0.7
100% RCA
0.6
NE

Vieira et al
0.5
EC2
0.4
DTU
0.3
ACI
0.2
0.1 ASCE

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100
Temperature oC

Fig. 15 Comparison of NE with existing data

5. CONCLUSIONS

Following conclusions can be drawn from results of the study presented in the preceding
sections:
 Colour of concrete changes at all exposure temperatures.

19
  Cracking was observed at the specimen surface when exposed to a temperature level of
700oC. Furthermore, cracks with larger lengths were also observed at temperature level of
900°C.
 Between 500oC to 900oC, RCA specimens exhibited higher reduction in the mass as
compared to NAC specimens which is attributed to the presence of free water in the pores
of RCA.
 A substantial loss of strength after 500°C is observed. At initial temperatures, the
reduction in strength was minimum in 30% RCA mix. The residual strength was nearly 10
to 15% remained at 900°C.
 After 500°C, the elastic modulus reduces sharply. The reduction coefficient became nearly
12 % at 700°C for all mixes except 70% RCA for which it was around 20%. At 900°C, the
stiffness of the specimens almost vanished.
 The specimens prepared with 30% recycled aggregates exhibited improved performance
both in in terms of residual strength and elasticity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to acknowledge support provided by the Department of Civil Engineering,
NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, Pakistan, and Pakistan Science
Foundation (PSF) through Joint Research Project between NSFC and PSF (PSF/NSFC-Eng/S-
NED (05)) in the pursuit of this work.

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25
Declaration of interests

☒ The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships
that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

☒The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as
potential competing interests:

None