Evaluation of Recycled Concrete as
Aggregates in New Concrete Pavements
Haifang Wen, David I. McLean, and Kim Willoughby
This study evaluated the use of recycled concrete as coarse aggregate in
new concrete pavements. Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) produced
from demolished pavements in three geographically dispersed locations
in Washington State was used to perform tests on aggregate charac-
teristics, fresh concrete properties, and hardened concrete properties.
Variables included the source of the RCA, percentage of replacement
of coarse natural aggregate with RCA (0% to 45%), and percentage of
replacement of portland cement with Class F fly ash (0% or 20%). RCA
from all three sources met the Washington State Department of Trans-
portation (DOT) requirements for aggregates, and all fresh and hardened
concrete properties met Washington State DOT requirements. Replace-
ment of RCA for natural coarse aggregate by up to 45% by volume had
no significant effects on any of the concrete properties. These results
indicate that high-quality RCA can be used as a replacement for a por-
tion of the coarse natural aggregates in new portland cement concrete
pavements.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) manages
about 2,400 lane mile of concrete roadway, the majority of which were
constructed in the 1950s and 1960s. Many of these concrete pave-
ments have greatly surpassed their original design life and expected
traffic loading, and they are in need of replacement (1). Because of
significant costs associated with replacement coupled with funding
limitations, much of this needed replacement has been backlogged.
In response to this situation, both FHWA (2, 3) and Washing-
ton State DOT are interested in alternatives that promote cheaper
and more sustainable pavement construction practices. One such
alternative is to incorporate recycled concrete as aggregate in new
portland cement concrete pavements (PCCPs). Recycled concrete
aggregates (RCA) can reduce costs, environmental impacts, and
project delivery time when used in concrete pavements (4). Addi-
tionally, dwindling supplies of high-quality natural aggregates,
increasingly limited landfill space, swelling disposal costs, empha-
sis on conservation of natural resources, and reduced construction
costs arise as convincing reasons to consider the use of RCA (5).
Previous studies of the effects of using RCA in new portland
cement concrete have reached different conclusions, largely because
aggregate quality varied widely in the original concrete from which
the RCA was produced. The quality and properties of RCA have been
H. Wen, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Washington State
University, 405 Spokane Street, Pullman, WA 99164-2910. D. I. McLean, College
of Engineering, Campus Delivery 1301, Colorado State University, Fort Collins,
CO 80523-1301. K. Willoughby, Office of Research and Library Services, Washington
State Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 47372, Olympia, WA 98504-7372.
Corresponding author: D. I. McLean, david.mclean@colostate.edu.
Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board,
No. 2508, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2015, pp. 73–78.
DOI: 10.3141/2508-09
73
found to be similar to the quality and properties of the original aggre-
gate (4), and RCA quality affects the quality of the concrete in which it
is incorporated (6). Thus, recycling concrete where the original aggre-
gates were of low quality would likely yield RCA that is inadequate for
use in new PCCPs. However, studies have shown that lower-quality
RCA can be effectively used for base course applications (7).
A 2004 FHWA report on the state of the practice (8) found that
only 11 states actively use RCA in new portland cement concrete,
though 41 were reported to recycle concrete in roadway base con-
struction. Washington State DOT’s current use of RCA is limited
to ballast, gravel base, crushed surfacing, backfill for foundations,
walls and drains, select and common borrow foundations, and bank
run gravel (Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal
Construction, Washington State DOT, 2014).
The research reported in this paper evaluated the effectiveness
of RCA created from demolished concrete pavements as aggregates
in new PCCPs. Variables evaluated included the replacement of
coarse natural aggregate with coarse RCA at replacement levels of
0%, 15%, 30% or 45%; three sources of RCA; and a 0% or 20%
replacement of portland cement with fly ash. Tests were performed
to characterize properties of the RCA, including absorption capacity,
specific gravity, Los Angeles abrasion loss, degradation factor, and
alkali-silica reactivity. The effects of RCA on fresh concrete prop-
erties were evaluated by measuring slump, air content, and density.
The effects of RCA on hardened concrete properties were evaluated
by measuring compressive strength, modulus of rupture, coefficient
of thermal expansion, drying shrinkage, and freeze–thaw durability.
This paper provides a brief description of the test procedures and
a summary of the main results from this research study. Detailed
discussion is given in Wen et al. (9).
Experimental Program
A reference PCCP mix design was provided by Washington State
DOT. Twenty concrete batches based on this reference mix were pre-
pared using three sources of RCA, and with varying levels of RCA
replacement of natural coarse aggregate and fly ash replacement of
portland cement.
Natural aggregates were obtained from Washington State DOT–
approved aggregate pits. The natural coarse and fine aggregates
conformed to AASHTO grading No. 467 and Type 1, respec-
tively. RCA aggregates used in this study were produced from
demolished roadway panels of Interstate 90 in central Wash-
ington (Source A); runway panels at Fairchild Air Force Base
in eastern Washington (Source B); and roadway panels of Inter-
state 5 in western Washington (Source C). The concrete panels
were crushed to 1.25 in. minus and delivered to Washington State
University. The as-delivered RCA was washed to remove the fines
and sieved to obtain a size distribution conforming to AASHTO
74 Transportation Research Record 2508

TABLE 1   Mix Testing Program 90 days. Five MOR beams were tested at 14 days. Thermal expan-
sion tests were performed after specimens had cured for 28 days.
Percentage of Percentage of Fly After 28 days of curing in a lime-saturated bath, drying shrinkage
RCA Substitution Ash Substitution
Mix ID (by volume) (by weight)
specimens were placed in an environmentally controlled cham-
ber that maintained a relative humidity of 50% and a temperature
X-0-0  0  0 of 23°C. Drying shrinkage measurements were taken, with day 0
(A, B, or C)-15-0 15  0 beginning on their removal from lime-saturated water baths after
(A, B, or C)-30-0 30  0 28 days of curing, at ages of 0 days, 4 days, 7 days, 14 days, 28
(A, B, or C)-45-0 45  0
days, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. For the freeze–thaw durability tests,
beam specimens from the X-0-0 and C-45-0 batches were sub-
X-0-20  0 20
jected to freezing and thawing cycles after 14 days of curing in a
(A, B, or C)-15-20 15 20
lime-saturated bath. Flexural modal frequencies were determined
(A, B, or C)-30-20 30 20 for each specimen after 0, 50, and 100 freeze–thaw cycles and used
(A, B, or C)-45-20 45 20 to characterize damage.
For all results, an analysis of variation (ANOVA) was used to
determine if results grouped by variables of interest were statistically
different.
grading No. 467. Cement and fly ash used in this study were Type I-II
and Class F, respectively.
The testing program evaluated the effects of substituting RCA Test Results and Discussion
for natural coarse aggregate at 0, 15, 30, or 45% by volume of
replaced coarse aggregates, along with substituting fly ash for RCA Properties
portland cement at rates of 0 or 20% by weight. Table 1 shows
the mix testing program consisting of two baseline batches and The saturated surface dry (SSD) bulk specific gravities of the RCA
six RCA batches for each of the three RCA sources. Reference from Sources A, B, and C were 2.52, 2.53, and 2.57, respectively,
nomenclature in the table indicates the source, amount of RCA and the absorption capacities were 3.30%, 3.87%, and 3.05%,
replacement, and fly ash replacement. For example, A-15-20 respectively. The coarse natural aggregate had an SSD bulk specific
refers to a mix incorporating a 15% replacement of natural course gravity of 2.63 and absorption capacity of 1.2%. The slightly lower
aggregate with RCA from Source A, and a 20% replacement of densities and higher absorption capacities of the RCA are caused by
cement with fly ash. the presence of mortar on the RCA.
Four tests were performed to determine five characteristics of the The Los Angeles abrasion losses for the RCA from Sources A, B,
RCA from each of the three sources, including specific gravity and and C were 29%, 20%, and 21%, respectively. Washington State DOT
absorption (AASHTO T 85); Los Angeles abrasion loss (AASHTO specifications require that aggregates have an abrasion loss below 35%
T 96); degradation value (WSDOT T 113); and alkali-silica reactivity (8). Each of the three RCAs met this requirement. Based on visual
(ASR) (AASHTO T 303). inspection, the RCA from Source A had a greater portion of adhered
Three tests were performed to evaluate the effects of RCA on fresh mortar compared with that for Sources B and C, and this is likely the
concrete properties, including air content (AASHTO T 152); slump reason that the abrasion loss for the Source A RCA was higher.
(AASHTO T 119); and density (AASHTO T 121). For concrete Degradation values were determined by using WSDOT T 113 as
used in pavements, the Washington State DOT requires air contents a measure of how much an aggregate will degrade when abraded in
between 3% and 7% and slumps between 1 and 3 in. These ranges the presence of water. Degradation values for the as-delivered RCA,
were achieved in each batch by withholding some of the mix water, for processed RCA after washing and sieving, and for blended coarse
or by adding air entraining admixture and water reducing admixture aggregates with 15%, 30%, and 45% replacement of coarse natu-
during batching, or both. ral aggregate with processed RCA are summarized in Table 2. The
Concrete samples were prepared for hardened concrete testing Washington State DOT requires a minimum degradation value for
according to AASHTO R-39. After 24 h, samples were demolded aggregates in new PCCP of 30 (10). All the RCA samples had deg-
and placed in lime-saturated water to cure until their test date. Five radation values that exceeded this limit, except for the as-delivered
tests were used to determine the effects of RCA on hardened con- RCA Source A. On the basis of the much lower values for the
crete properties, including compressive strength (AASHTO T 22); un­processed samples, likely a result of loosely bound fines adhering
modulus of rupture (MOR) (AASHTO T 177); coefficient of thermal to the as-delivered RCA being abraded during the test, RCA should
expansion (AASHTO T 336); drying shrinkage (AASHTO T 160); be washed and sieved to obtain adequate degradation performance
and freeze–thaw durability (AASHTO T 161). before use in new concrete pavements.
Compression cylinders were tested as follows: three cylinders The average 14-day ASR expansion values for the RCA from
at 7 days of age, three at 14 days, five at 28 days, and three at Sources A, B, and C were 0.07%, 0.17% and 0.09%, respectively.

TABLE 2   Degradation Test Results

Degradation Value, by Type of RCA

RCA Source As Delivered Processed 15% Substitution 30% Substitution 45% Substitution

A 15 55 77 75 70
B 37 49 77 75 73
C 40 69 76 76 78
Wen, McLean, and Willoughby 75

With the AASHTO T 303 test, if the mortar bar expands by more than TABLE 3   Fresh Concrete Test Results
0.1%, then the aggregate may be susceptible to deleterious expansion.
Additional testing is required to determine if the expansion is actually w/cm Slump Air Content
Mix Ratio (in.) (%) Density (lb/ft3)
caused by ASR reactivity. PCCP incorporating Source B RCA could
require ASR mitigation techniques, such as using low-alkali cement X-0-0 0.43 1.75 4.3 145.8
or fly ash. The original Source B concrete was not reported to exhibit
A-15-0 0.44 1.50 4.9 144.2
ASR in the field. This may indicate that the crushing process exposed
A-30-0 0.43 1.50 4.5 145.2
more internal surface area of the aggregates, causing the RCA to be
ASR susceptible. A-45-0 0.44 2.25 4.9 142.8
B-15-0 0.44 1.25 4.1 146.2
B-30-0 0.43 1.50 5.0 143.4
Effect of RCA on Fresh Concrete Properties B-45-0 0.43 1.25 4.3 145.8
C-15-0 0.44 2.50 5.6 144.2
Results for the slump, air content, water–cementitious materials ratio
C-30-0 0.44 2.00 5.1 144.4
(w/cm), and density of the concrete mixes tested in this study are
C-45-0 0.44 1.50 4.3 146.2
summarized in Table 3 and discussed as follows. As intended with
the batching process, all slumps and air contents were in the target X-0-20 0.40 1.75 4.1 146.8
ranges of 1 to 3 in. and 3% to 7%, respectively. A-15-20 0.40 1.25 4.2 145.4
The addition of RCA was found to decrease workability in batches A-30-20 0.42 2.00 4.5 144.8
where the w/cm was approximately constant. For example, despite A-45-20 0.40 1.50 4.5 144.6
having the same w/cm of 0.44, each of the 0% fly ash batches for B-15-20 0.41 1.75 4.7 145.8
Source C had a trend of decreasing slump with greater levels of RCA B-30-20 0.42 1.75 4.2 145.4
replacement. Slumps were 2.5, 2, and 1.5 in. for 15%, 30%, and B-45-20 0.41 2.00 4.7 143.4
45% RCA, respectively. The results also show that fly ash improved
C-15-20 0.39 1.75 4.1 146.8
the workability, allowing for lower w/cm while still producing
acceptable slumps. C-30-20 0.40 1.75 4.0 145.8
C-45-20 0.41 1.50 4.0 145.2

Effect of RCA on Hardened Concrete Properties

The average compressive strengths for 7 days, 28 days, and 90 days
are listed in Table 4. The average 28-day compressive strengths are
shown graphically in Figure 1. The data range bars shown in the figure
represent the maximum and minimum test values for each data
set. The 28-day strengths for all samples exceeded the minimum
compressive strength value of 4,000 pounds per square inch (psi)
required by the Washington State DOT for use in PCCPs. For the
results of this study, RCA replacement did not have a statistically sig-
nificant effect on compressive strength, based on ANOVA analysis.
The slight variations present in the compressive strengths are likely
a result of different air contents and w/cm in the various batches.

TABLE 4   Average Compression Strength Results

Mix 7-Day (psi) CV (%) 14-Day (psi) CV (%) 28-Day (psi) CV (%) 90-Day (psi) CV (%)

X-0-0 3,750 1.8 4,350 2.3 4,830 1.6 5,520 0.7

A-15-0 3,750 4.2 4,180 10.5 4,920 3.3 5,420 1.5
A-30-0 4,330 0.1 4,870 1.4 5,470 4.0 5,900 1.1
A-45-0 3,840 3.4 4,620 0.8 5,130 1.8 5,570 2.6
B-15-0 3,980 4.1 4,880 1.1 5,400 1.0 6,100 2.3
B-30-0 3,870 2.5 4,820 1.2 5,310 2.2 5,790 3.2
B-45-0 4,090 8.0 5,160 2.4 5,520 2.9 6,120 4.8
C-15-0 3,360 1.4 3,810 1.3 4,340 2.9 4,920 5.5
C-30-0 3,520 0.6 4,260 2.0 4,740 2.4 5,320 1.6
C-45-0 3,790 2.3 4,450 3.7 4,940 2.1 5,750 1.4
X-0-20 3,710 4.4 4,570 6.0 5,340 1.6 6,280 1.7
A-15-20 3,900 4.4 4,660 3.4 5,590 2.8 6,560 2.5
A-30-20 3,740 1.7 4,500 2.1 5,290 5.4 6,270 2.5
A-45-20 3,760 4.0 4,500 3.8 5,500 4.0 6,400 1.5
B-15-20 3,620 1.0 4,380 1.1 5,180 0.9 6,210 1.7
B-30-20 3,630 2.2 4,380 3.0 5,220 2.0 6,190 2.9
B-45-20 3,300 1.3 4,090 1.0 4,760 1.7 5,800 0.4
C-15-20 3,440 2.4 4,110 2.2 4,680 3.8 5,520 2.1
C-30-20 3,610 1.1 4,350 1.4 4,810 1.2 5,750 1.1
C-45-20 3,890 1.6 4,390 1.1 5,150 2.1 6,400 3.0

Note: CV = coefficient of variation.

76 Transportation Research Record 2508

6,500 RCA source

A B C

Compressive Strength (psi)

6,000

5,500

5,000

4,500

4,000
0% 15% 30% 45%
RCA Replacement
(a)

6,500 RCA source

A B C
Compressive Strength (psi)

6,000

5,500

5,000

4,500

4,000
0% 15% 30% 45%
RCA Replacement
(b)

FIGURE 1   Average 28-day concrete compressive strength versus

RCA replacement: (a) 0% fly ash and (b) 20% fly ash.

TABLE 5   Average 14-Day Modulus of

RCA appeared to cause a small decrease in late age strength gain, Rupture Results
but it was determined to not be statistically significant. Fly ash
decreased early-age compressive strengths while increasing later-age Mix Average MOR (psi) CV (%)
compressive strength.
The average 14-day MOR results are listed in Table 5 and shown X-0-0 800 2.9
graphically in Figure 2. The MOR strengths for all samples exceed A-15-0 765 2.7
the minimum MOR of 650 psi required by Washington State DOT A-30-0 775 5.0
for use in PCCP. For the results of this study, RCA replacement did A-45-0 725 3.5
not have a statistically significant effect on MOR strength, based on B-15-0 845 3.5
ANOVA analysis. B-30-0 790 5.2
Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) results are shown in Table 6. B-45-0 770 8.5
RCA replacement did not have a statistically significant effect on C-15-0 730 4.2
CTE values. The results did not show any trend with using RCA. C-30-0 800 4.6
CTE values for normal concrete typically range from 3.2 to 7.0 mil- C-45-0 790 7.7
lionths per °F (10). All of the concrete mixes had CTE values within X-0-20 775 6.3
this range, except for the C-45-20 mix, which had a slightly lower A-15-20 780 2.8
CTE value. Therefore, based on the results obtained in this study, A-30-20 720 6.3
PCCPs made with RCA would be expected to have thermal expansion A-45-20 750 4.9
behavior similar to that of normal concrete. B-15-20 775 6.9
Average drying shrinkage results beginning after 28 days of B-30-20 775 4.3
age are shown in Table 7. This test was performed only for RCA B-45-20 725 2.2
from Sources B and C. A negative value indicates shrinkage of the
C-15-20 780 7.3
specimen. The results did not show any trend associated with using
C-30-20 760 3.3
RCA. Drying shrinkage strains for normal concrete are typically
C-45-20 810 2.6
between 4E-4 and 8E-4 (10). All specimens had drying shrinkage
Wen, McLean, and Willoughby 77

950 RCA source

A B C
900

850

MOR (psi)
800

750

700

650
0% RCA 15% RCA 30% RCA 45% RCA
RCA Replacement
(a)

900 RCA source

A B C

850
MOR (psi)

800

750

700

650
0% RCA 15% RCA 30% RCA 45% RCA
RCA Replacement
(b)

FIGURE 2   Average 14-day MOR versus RCA replacement: (a) 0% fly ash
and (b) 20% fly ash.

strains that are within the range of ordinary concrete at the 140-day Summary, Conclusions,
shrinkage measurement. and Recommendations
Results from the durability tests did not show any difference in
performance for the concrete mix incorporating RCA. Freeze–thaw RCA properties were determined for specific gravity, absorption
durability tests in this study were limited to test samples prepared from capacity, Los Angeles abrasion loss, degradation value, and ASR.
two mixes and subjected to a maximum of 100 freezing and thawing Test results showed that RCA from all three sources has a lower spe-
cycles. The results reported here should therefore be considered as a cific gravity and greater absorption capacity than do natural aggre-
preliminary investigation of the durability of concrete mixes with RCA. gates. The RCA from all three sources met Washington State DOT
requirements on Los Angeles abrasion loss and degradation value
for processed RCA. Additional tests may need to be performed to
TABLE 6   Average CTE Results evaluate whether the RCA from Source B is vulnerable to potential
deleterious expansion owing to ASR
Average 28-Day CTE Results The effects of RCA on fresh concrete properties were evaluated
Fly Ash RCA (in./in. per °F), by RCA Source by measuring slump, air content, and density. Slump and air con-
Replacement Replacement tent were controlled parameters in the batching process, with targets
(%) (%) A B C
specified by Washington State DOT of 1 to 3 in. for slump and 3%
0  0 5.2 E−06 5.2 E−06 5.2 E−06 to 7% for air content. Slump was controlled by withholding mix
15 4.6 E−06 5.3 E−06 5.0 E−06 water or by adding water-reducing admixture, and air content was
30 4.8 E−06 5.3 E−06 4.2 E−06 controlled by the amount of air entraining admixture used in the
45 5.0 E−06 5.0 E−06 4.7 E−06 batch. Slump and air content for all batches were within these target
20  0 5.2 E−06 5.2 E−06 5.2 E−06 ranges. RCA was found to decrease the slump and density of fresh
15 5.0 E−06 5.1 E−06 5.6 E−06 concrete. RCA did not have a significant effect on air content.
30 4.8 E−06 5.1 E−06 4.8 E−06
45 5.0 E−06 5.6 E−06 2.9 E−06
The effects of RCA on hardened concrete properties were evaluated
by measuring compressive strength, MOR, CTE, drying shrinkage, and
78 Transportation Research Record 2508

TABLE 7   Average Drying Shrinkage Results

Average Shrinkage Strain [in./in. (CV%)], by Day

Mix 28 32 35 42 56 84 140

X-0-0 0.0 E+00 (0) −8.7 E−05 (18) −1.8 E−04 (13) −3.4 E−04 (9) −4.4 E−04 (8) −5.3 E−04 (19) −6.5 E−04 (5)
C-15-0 0.0 E+00 (0) −7.7 E−05 (20) −1.2 E−04 (26) −2.5 E−04 (15) −3.6 E−04 (12) −4.7 E−04 (10) −5.9 E−04 (7)
C-30-0 0.0 E+00 (0) −6.7 E−05 (9) −1.5 E−04 (28) −2.4 E−04 (13) −4.0 E−04 (14) −5.5 E−04 (12) −6.7 E−04 (5)
C-45-0 0.0 E+00 (0) −1.3 E−04 (15) −2.1 E−04 (25) −3.3 E−04 (15) −5.0 E−04 (13) −6.8 E−04 (13) −7.0 E−04 (11)
B-15-0 0.0 E+00 (0) −1.5 E−04 (14) −1.7 E−04 (3) −1.9 E−04 (19) −3.4 E−04 (6) −4.6 E−04 (8) −5.5 E−04 (5)
B-30-0 0.0 E+00 (0) −1.5 E−04 (29) −1.7 E−04 (30) −4.2 E−04 (11) −5.1 E−04 (11) −6.0 E−04 (5) −6.8 E−04 (9)
B-45-0 0.0 E+00 (0) −1.2 E−04 (22) −2.1 E−04 (5) −2.2 E−04 (3) −3.6 E−04 (6) −5.2 E−04 (2) −5.9 E−04 (2)
X-0-20 0.0 E+00 (0) −5.7 E−05 (20) −1.8 E−04 (10) −3.4 E−04 (4) −4.3 E−04 (2) −5.2 E−04 (3) −6.0 E−04 (5)
C-15-20 0.0 E+00 (0) −5.3 E−05 (60) −2.0 E−04 (8) −3.4 E−04 (6) −4.5 E−04 (9) −5.3 E−04 (7) −6.0 E−04 (6)
C-30-20 0.0 E+00 (0) −1.1 E−04 (10) −1.7 E−04 (6) −3.9 E−04 (4) −4.7 E−04 (0) −6.1 E−04 (1) −6.7 E−04 (3)
C-45-20 0.0 E+00 (0) −1.1 E−04 (24) −2.1 E−04 (7) −3.4 E−04 (7) −4.3 E−04 (7) −5.6 E−04 (5) −6.2 E−04 (4)
B-15-20 0.0 E+00 (0) −7.7 E−05 (59) −1.7 E−04 (24) −2.8 E−04 (16) −4.7 E−04 (15) −5.4 E−04 (10) −6.6 E−04 (10)
B-30-20 0.0 E+00 (0) −2.7 E−05 (87) −2.0 E−04 (13) −2.3 E−04 (12) −3.8 E−04 (9) −4.5 E−04 (10) −6.0 E−04 (5)
B-45-20 0.0 E+00 (0) −2.0 E−04 (46) −1.9 E−04 (46) −3.6 E−04 (25) −5.3 E−04 (16) −6.6 E−04 (11) −7.1 E−04 (13)

freeze–thaw durability. Test results showed that up to a 45% replace-
ment of coarse natural aggregate with RCA had no significant effect on
any of the hardened concrete properties tested. In addition, all samples
tested met Washington State DOT minimum strength requirements for
use in concrete pavements. These results were obtained using RCA
acquired from demolished pavements incorporating high-quality
original materials.
Results indicate that RCA of similar quality to those incorporated
in this study would be viable for use in new concrete pavements at
up to 45% replacement of natural coarse aggregate. Properties of the
RCA can be characterized using standards tests, including resistance
to abrasion and the amount of adhered mortar. While no maximum
effective RCA substitution rate was established in this study, the
results show that a 45% substitution of coarse natural aggregate with
high-quality RCA meets all Washington State DOT requirements for
use in new PCCPs. RCA should be washed and sieved to remove fine
particles prior to being used as a replacement for natural aggregates
in new concrete. To address performance concerns related to ASR
of RCA, each RCA source should be tested for ASR following the
crushing process, and mitigated as necessary.
Further study should be performed to determine the minimum
criteria RCA must meet for use as an aggregate in concrete pave-
ments as well as to evaluate higher RCA replacement rates. RCA
sources may require individualized quality control testing to address
mitigation or other issues that can be identified only through quali-
fication testing. Construction of a test section incorporating RCA
is recommended to gain experience with real-world applications.
Experience with the test section will be beneficial in developing
implementation criteria and specifications related to the use of RCA
in pavements.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial and technical
support provided by the Washington State Department of Transpor-
tation and the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium. The
contributions of graduate students Spencer Boyle, Tim Spry, and
Danny Mjelde are also gratefully acknowledged.
References
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ment of Transportation, 2006. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs
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  3. FHWA, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2007. Use of Recycled Con-
crete Pavement as Aggregate in Hydraulic-Cement Concrete Pavement.
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The Standing Committee on Concrete Materials and Placement Techniques
peer-reviewed this paper.