Evaluating Physical and Mechanical Properties of

Composite Steel-Reinforced Recycled Concrete Beam

Chapter 5

Members

De Vera, John Eric F. (A73) - 2020101053

Tolentino, Alexces M. (B71) - 2020101796

Viray, Russel Edward T. (A75) – 2020102586

Thesis Adviser:

Engr. Ivan Marquez

Approved By:

_________________

Engr. Ivan Marquez

 CHAPTER 5

Conclusion

To conclude, this research discusses the history and importance of concrete in the

construction industry. It highlights the issue of sand scarcity, which is an essential ingredient in

concrete, and the environmental impact of construction waste. The research emphasizes the need

for sustainable construction practices and mentions the benefits of using recyclable and renewable

resources to minimize the industry's environmental impact. The research also discusses the use of

crushed concrete in combination with other materials to ensure durability and reduce waste. The

focus is on producing steel-reinforced concrete beams through concrete recycling, which is

cheaper and more environmentally friendly. The study aims to determine whether recycled

concrete beams perform similarly to ordinary concrete beams and whether they are a better

alternative. The research aims to compare the physical and mechanical properties of steel-

reinforced recycled beams and ordinary concrete beams. It also evaluates the structural

performance of the steel-reinforced recycled concrete beams against earthquakes. The study

provides valuable insights into the use of recycled materials in construction and informs future

practices in the field. This research aims to test the physical and mechanical properties of a

composite steel-reinforced recycled concrete beam and compare it with an ordinary concrete beam

to determine its efficiency. The results of the study will benefit civil engineering students, future

researchers, and the community by providing insights into how the recycled beam performs and

whether it can reduce waste and lower construction costs while functioning similarly to the

ordinary concrete beam.The study conducted experimental research to compare the physical and

mechanical properties of a composite steel-reinforced recycled concrete beam to an ordinary

concrete beam using ASTM C496. The study also aimed to determine the recycled concrete beam's

durability and seismic performance. The experiment lasted approximately 4-6 weeks and focused

only on cylindrical concrete beams. The study did not cover other types of beams or materials.

Calculations, assumptions, and selections were made to consider a proper and appropriate design.

Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) refers to crushed concrete and other materials, such

as asphalt and brick, that have been repurposed for use in new construction projects. RCA is

obtained from demolished buildings, roads, and bridges, which are then crushed and sorted by size.

This process removes any contaminants, such as wood or metal, and produces a clean and high-

quality aggregate. RCA can be used in a variety of construction projects, such as roadways,

sidewalks, and building foundations. It is an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative

to using virgin materials. By using RCA, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in

landfills, conserve natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the

production of new materials. RCA has several benefits, including lower cost, better durability,

and improved strength compared to traditional aggregates. It also has a lower environmental

impact, as it reduces the need for new mining and quarrying activities, and helps to conserve

natural resources. Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) can affect the mechanical and seismic

performance of concrete structures. The percentage of RCA replacement, axial compression ratio,

stirrup ratio, and shear span ratio are significant design parameters that influence the behavior of

concrete columns and joints under cyclic loading. Increasing the RCA replacement percentage

leads to a decrease in ductility and energy dissipation capacity but can be compensated by proper

axisymmetric compression and stirrup ratio design. Using RCA in concrete decreases its

compressive strength and modulus of elasticity, but applying it to structural elements is still a

reasonable decision. The use of carbon fiber cloth in rectangular steel tube frame columns filled
with RCA improves their seismic performance, energy dissipation capability, and ductility.

Temperature also affects the behavior of SRRAC beams, with higher temperatures and RCA

replacement ratios leading to weight loss and reduced initial stiffness and bearing capacity. There

have been several studies conducted to explore the use of recycled aggregates and alternative

reinforcement materials in concrete construction. The use of concrete waste as recycled concrete

aggregates (RCA) has shown promise in non-load bearing concrete Lego® bricks, with the 50%

replacement producing the highest strength. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) has also been

identified as a suitable internal reinforcement material for recycled concrete beams, enhancing

their mechanical performance and efficiency. The use of ultra-high-strength steel bars and steel

fibers in precast concrete constructions has also been explored, showing good deformation

capacity and enhanced lateral load capacity. Additionally, adding graphene flakes to recycled

aggregate concrete (RAC) has been found to improve its mechanical characteristics, especially

when aggregates were washed to eliminate excessive dust. Finally, a study found that concrete-

filled steel tubular (CFST) columns with recycled coarse aggregates and stirrups have improved

fire resistance compared to conventional CFST columns without stirrups.

The split tensile strength of concrete is a critical parameter that reflects its ability to resist

tensile stresses. Various factors can influence the splitting tensile strength of concrete, such as mix

design, curing conditions, aggregate properties, and testing methods. Researchers have conducted

extensive studies to investigate the effects of these factors on the splitting tensile strength of

concrete. One significant factor affecting the splitting tensile strength of concrete is mix design.

The incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials like fly ash and silica fume has been

shown to improve the splitting tensile strength of concrete. Another significant factor is curing

conditions. The use of water curing has been found to be an effective method of improving the
splitting tensile strength of concrete. Aggregate properties are also crucial factors influencing the

splitting tensile strength of concrete. The size and angularity of coarse aggregates can impact the

splitting tensile strength of concrete. Larger and more angular coarse aggregates have been found

to reduce the splitting tensile strength of concrete. Testing methods for splitting tensile strength

have also been studied. Some researchers have compared splitting tensile strength with other

mechanical properties like compressive strength and flexural strength. These studies have shown

that splitting tensile strength can be a more sensitive indicator of the mechanical properties of

concrete than the other two tests. Overall, understanding the factors that influence the splitting

tensile strength of concrete is important for assessing the mechanical properties of concrete

accurately. Further research is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the

relationship between these factors and the splitting tensile strength of concrete.

Experimental research is a scientific method that involves manipulating one or more

variables to observe their effects on a dependent variable, and it allows researchers to draw causal

inferences about the relationship between variables. The objective and systematic nature of this

approach helps to minimize bias and increase the validity of the results.The laboratory of Mapúa

University has been chosen as the research locale for the preparation and experiment, as it is

equipped with all the necessary tools and equipment needed to conduct the test with the highest

level of precision and obtain accurate results. The researchers will perform experiments on both

the ordinary concrete beam and the steel-reinforced recycled concrete beam to determine their

load-bearing capacity and ability to withstand stress and tension. The objective is to compare the

strength and stability of the steel-reinforced recycled concrete beam with that of the ordinary

concrete beam, and to evaluate its suitability for use in infrastructure. The concrete mix ratio for

both beams will be 1:1.5:3, consisting of one part cement, 1.5 parts sand, and 3 parts aggregate,
with water added at half the amount of cement. The only difference is that the steel-reinforced

recycled concrete beam will contain crushed concrete debris from demolished residential

structures. The beams will be tested using the ASTM C496 standard, which measures their splitting

tensile strength. To accomplish this, the beams will be placed on a testing machine that applies a

uniform load until the beam fails or cracks. Following the experiment, the results will be recorded

on a table, which will serve as the instrument for analyzing and comparing the results of the two

beams.

The researchers compared the maximum force of ordinary and recycled concrete beams

during the 21st and 28th day of curing. The results showed that the ordinary concrete beam had a

higher split tensile strength compared to the recycled concrete beam in all four tests. The difference

in maximum force observed between the two specimens was relatively small, ranging from 4% to

18%. Overall, the study provides insights into the strength characteristics of different types of

concrete.

The researchers compares the maximum stress during the 21st and 28th day of curing of

ordinary and recycled concrete specimens. The results indicate that concrete made with recycled

materials generally has a slightly higher split tensile strength than concrete made with recycled

materials, but the strength of recycled concrete can be enhanced through careful selection and

processing of materials and appropriate quality control measures. The difference in strength

between ordinary and recycled concrete ranges from 4% to 22%, depending on the specimen and

curing time. Despite the lower strength observed in recycled concrete, its use can provide several

environmental benefits, including reducing the demand for virgin materials, reducing waste, and

lowering the carbon footprint of the construction industry.

 Lastly, the researchers discuss the break stress of four concrete specimens made with

ordinary and recycled materials. The first and third specimens made with recycled materials have

significantly lower break stress than their ordinary counterparts, indicating that the presence of

impurities in the recycled materials can weaken the concrete. However, the second and fourth

specimens made with recycled materials have comparable or slightly higher break stress than their

ordinary counterparts, suggesting that the use of high-quality recycled aggregates can produce

concrete with similar or even improved strength. Proper testing and quality control measures are

essential when using recycled materials in concrete production.

Recommendation

During the gathering of materials, the group had difficulty finding demolished waste since the

study was conducted after the pandemic when the construction is still not as operating as it used

to. There are few demolished areas around Metro Manila and most of them were cleared already

and their waste disposed of. So, it is recommended to look for demolition sites which will make

the gathering of materials easier.

While preparing the specimens for the experiment, the researchers noticed that the crushed

recycled demolished waste was uneven in size since they were only crushed manually using a

hammer. Also, during the mixing process, the researchers had difficulty mixing demolition waste

with the cement, sand, and water since its particles are bigger than the regular gravel. Hence,

machines are recommended for crushing the waste and during the mixing stage, making the

process easier and more convenient.

The researchers also focused on ASTM C496, which is the Splitting Tensile Strength Test, so for

future studies, tests such as the C78 (Flexural Strength Test) and C39(Compression Test) are both

recommended to be conducted.

Lastly, since the study only focused on purely using demolish waste as a substitute for aggregate,

it would be beneficial for future researchers to explore modifying mix ratios and using both gravel

and recycled concrete for concrete mix. Which would provide more accurate data which will be

more suitable and beneficial in the construction industry.