Materials Today: Proceedings 42 (2021) 2561–2565

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Materials Today: Proceedings

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Evaluate the durability and effect of water absorption of recycled

aggregate used in pavement
Eman Abdulhasan Mohammed Al-Ghalibi, Safaa A.Mohamad ⇑
Highway and Transportation Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Recycled aggregates RA is the one of the most popular methods used to improve road sustainability,
Available online 5 February 2021 whether from concrete or asphalt pavement materials. The life cycle perspective for all construction
material are important to find the way it plays in contributing to the sustainability of the paving system.
Keywords: When evaluate the life cycle the responsible people can check the possibility social, environmental and
Water absorption economic impacts that appeared in life cycle, as well as to evaluate potential trade-offs. This study rep-
Recycled aggregate resents the possibility of using recycled aggregates in the paving to provides the required durability and
Sustainable material
strength. There are several factors that affect the behavior of the aggregates including strength of aggre-
Durability of aggregate
Bulk specific gravity of aggregate
gates, gradation, specific weight, shape, permeability . . . etc.). The most important parameter in mix
design of pavement is the water absorption of the aggregates. The RA saturated in water more than
24 h and to observe the absorption of aggregates water absorption most be determined. The experimen-
tation shows that pavement contains (recycled asphalt pavement RAP or recycled concrete aggregate
RCA)can enhance the performance and durability of the pavement due to the high permeability of the
old material that covered the virgin aggregate (mortar in RCA and bituminous in RAP), the interfacial
transition zone ITZ enhanced by the new bituminous and made stronger bond between the recycled
aggregate (RCA or RAP) and the asphalt. Water absorption measurement of aggregates was analyzed.
The results are closely aligned with the time depend on the entire absorption period and when saturation
is complete the change become constant. The saturation time of RA that obtained was more than 24 h.
Ó 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 3rd International Con-
ference on Materials Engineering & Science.

1. Introduction tant requirement for effective use of resources and environmental

Construction industry generates excessive waste and all this
waste must be recycled and reused. Various types of recyclable
construction materials are currently used in civil engineering
applications such as the recycled aggregates RA for partial or total
replacement with natural aggregates NA. The recycled concrete
aggregates RCA obtained from crushed concrete and composed
from mortar and natural aggregates and RAP composed from
asphalt and natural aggregates. Due to the old cover on the surface
of NA the mechanical and physical properties of RA are worse than
those of natural aggregates [1].
The aggregates represent the largest proportion in the asphalt
mix, therefore, studying engineering characteristics is an impor-
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: imanalghalbi@uomustansiriyah.edu.iq (E.A.M. Al-Ghalibi),
safaaadnanm@uomustansiriyah.edu.iq (S. A.Mohamad).
preservation, Therefore, studying the properties of recycled aggre-
gates is important. Many researches all over the world especially
the past two decades studied the use of RA such as RAP, RCA, recy-
cled glass RG, etc. [2,3]. RCA obtained from a result of renovation
and construction projects as solid waste (demolition waste or con-
struction). These literature survey like, Papp et al., 1998; Bennert
et al., 2000; Nataatmadja and Tan, 2001; Blankenagel, 2005; Con-
ceicao et al., 2011; Arulrajah, 2012; Jimenez et al., 2012; Jayakody
et al., 2014), The RCA has been used basically as a base course and
subbase course material [4,5]. But, few research studies the use of
RCA in hot-mix asphalt for example (Hossain et al., 1993; Pereira
et al., 2004; Rebbechi and Green, 2005; Berthelot et al., 2010;
Celaura et al., 2010; Wu et al., 2013) [6,7]. Accordingly, in this
research the RCA and RAP used as coarse aggregate and several
tests were made for each type of RA separately and in combination.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.579
2214-7853/Ó 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 3rd International Conference on Materials Engineering & Science.
Eman Abdulhasan Mohammed Al-Ghalibi and S. A.Mohamad Materials Today: Proceedings 42 (2021) 2561–2565

2. Objectives of study Table 1

Combined gradation of aggregate and mineral filler for surface course layer, Type IIIA.

There are two objectives of the study: (i) Measuring the absorp- Sieve Sieve opening, % passing
tion capacity of recycled aggregates and comparing it with the size mm
Mid-point Specification limit of S.C.
absorption capacity of natural aggregates to demonstrate the gradation R.P
workability when used for road construction. (ii) evaluate proper- 3/400 19 100 100
ties of pavement prepared with 100% recycled aggregate (RCA, 1/200 12.5 95 90–100
RAP). Therefore, the experimental program deals with evaluation 3/800 9.5 83 76–90
of the aggregate properties 100% recycled aggregates. Fig. 1 sum- No.4 4.75 59 44–74
No.8 2.36 43 28–58
marizes the experimental program and list of physical. No.50 0.3 13 5–21
No.200 0.075 4–10 4–10

3. Materials

3.1. The aggregate used

This study included three types of aggregates, (i) natural aggre-

gate (Nibaee)NA (ii)Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and (iii)
recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). The sieve 4.75 mm has been
used throughout the experiments and used the RA that retained
on this sieve.
The natural aggregate NA bought from Taji, north of Baghdad.
This aggregate combination was chosen in order to produce a
12.5 mm surface layer mixture according to (SCRB/R9, 2003).
Recycled asphalt pavement RAP materials were collected from
the west of Baghdad city (Adel neighborhood), its penetration
grade is (40–50) and the asphalt content was 4.6%. (according to
SCRB, R/9, 2003) (Mayoralty of Baghdad, 2014). The RAP, sieved,
and regrouped at a predetermined percentage using natural aggre-
gate and a new grade of asphalt (40–50). Recycled concrete aggre-
gate RCA collected from the laboratory of the College of
Engineering of Al-Mustansiriyah University, which is a waste
results from concrete blocks. All the RCA cleaned from all
unwanted material then the crushing process begins. RCA crushed
by hammer to get small parts then used the crushing machine to
get the smaller sizes, the recycled aggregates grains are produced
in various grades.
3.2. The gradation of aggregates
The selected gradation for the aggregate is shown in Table 1.
The nominal size of aggregates is (12.5 mm), Type IIIA. All the types
of aggregates (NA, RCA and RAP) that used in this study sieved by
sieve analysis process to get all the various gradients. Plate 1 shows
recycled concrete aggregate RCA gradation.
Plate 1. Selected surface course gradation.
4. Results and discussion
4.1. Test result of absorption (% Abs.) of aggregates
The comparison between the rate of absorption for all variation
of aggregates shows in Fig. 2. The increase in the weight of the
aggregates due to the presence of water in the pores of the mate-
rial, but this does not include the adhesion of water to the outer
surface of the particles. All the results show in Tables 2-4 for
(NA, RCA and RAP) respectively.
Where:
A: Oven dry weight
B: saturated surface dry weight
C: weight in water.
%Abs: ¼ ½ðB  AÞ=A  100 ð1Þ
4.2. The Bulk specific gravity (Gsb) of aggregates
Fig. 3 show Gsb for different samples of recycled coarse aggre-
gates. Bulk specific gravity is the ratio between the weight of
aggregates in the air and the volume of aggregates which is defined
as consists of solid particles, impermeable voids and permeable
voids at a specified temperature.
Gsb ¼ A=ðB  CÞ ð2Þ

Fig. 1. Summarizes the experimental program. Fig. 2. Rate of absorption for all types of aggregates.

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Eman Abdulhasan Mohammed Al-Ghalibi and S. A.Mohamad Materials Today: Proceedings 42 (2021) 2561–2565

Table 2
Results on water absorption for natural aggregate (NA).

A B C Gsb Gsb SSD Gsa %Abs

NA 1985.6 2013.1 1249.5 2.600314 2.636328 2.69746 1.384972
1885.4 2014.8 1249.1 2.462322 2.631318 2.963068 6.863265
1967 2010.6 1150.5 2.286943 2.337635 2.409063 2.216573
av. 1946 2012.833 1216.367 2.44986 2.535094 2.689863 3.48827

Table 3
Results on Water Absorption for Recycle concrete aggregate (RCA).

A B C Gsb Gsb SSD Gsa %Abs

RCA 2155 2234 1277.4 2.25277 2.335354 2.455561 3.665893
2033 2100 1218.8 2.307081 2.383114 2.49693 3.295622
1970 2045 1177.7 2.271417 2.357892 2.486432 3.807107
av. 2052.667 2126.333 1224.633 2.27709 2.358787 2.479641 3.589541

Table 4
Results on water absorption for Recycle asphalt pavement (RAP).

A B C Gsb Gsb SSD Gsa %Abs

RAP 1978 2016.4 1147.1 2.275394 2.319567 2.380551 1.941355
1972 2019 1127 2.210762 2.263453 2.333728 2.383367
1979 2027 1156.4 2.273145 2.328279 2.405787 2.425467
av. 1976.333 2020.8 1143.5 2.2531 2.303767 2.373355 2.250063

aggregate, to the weight in air of an equal volume of gas-free water

at specific temperature.
The Fig. 4 shows the Gsa for various specimens of recycled
coarse aggregates.
Gsa ¼ A=ðA  CÞ ð3Þ

4.4. The Bulk SSD specific gravity (Gsb SSD) of aggregates

Bulk SSD Specific Gravity is the ratio of the weight of unit vol-
ume of aggregates in air, with the weight of water within the voids
filled to the extent achieved by submerging in water for approxi-
mately 15 min, to the weight in air of an equal volume of gas-
Fig. 3. Gsb for different samples of recycled coarse aggregates.
free distilled water at a stated temperature. The Fig. 5 show Gsb
SSD for different samples of recycled coarse aggregates
Gs SSD ¼ B=ðB  CÞ ð4Þ

4.5. LOS Angeles test

Calculate the corrosion ratio of gravel materials using the Los

Angeles corrosion device he samples were checked according to
specifications (ASTM-C131, 2004), laboratory test results have
been shown in Table 5. The test results show the validity of the
recycled aggregates for road use.

Fig. 4. Gsa for different samples of recycled coarse aggregates.

4.3. The apparent specific gravity (Gsa) of aggregates

Apparent specific gravity defined as the ratio of the weight of

the aggregates in air of a unit volume of the impermeable portion
of aggregates and that does not include the permeable pores in Fig. 5. Gsb SSD for different samples of recycled coarse aggregates.

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Eman Abdulhasan Mohammed Al-Ghalibi and S. A.Mohamad
Table 5
Results of mechanical corrosion aggregate.
Aggregate types Mechanical corrosion% specifications
NA 17.6 MAX 40%
RCA 15.2
RAP 16.1
4.6. Soundness test
This test is performed to determine the resistance of the aggre-
gate to the weathering process. This test is completed by flooding
Repeated form in sodium or magnesium sulfate solution and peri-
odic drying of the form by means of an oven Drying. The stability
test was carried out by the chemical method according to Ameri-
can Standard C88-ASTM (2004.05,). The coarse aggregate model
is dipped in a solution of sodium sulfate and fine in a solution of
saturated magnesium sulfate for a period of (16–18) hours, then
dry it in an oven at a temperature of 110 C°. This process is
repeated (5) times, then the amount of weight loss is measured
according to this standard and it was results are shown in Table 6.
The test results show the validity of the recycled aggregates for
road use.
4.7. Evaluation of water absorption for mixes for different types of
aggregates
Water absorption is elevated by test three samples of aggregate
and take the average. All the types of aggregates were submerged
24 h in water, the test shows that the value of water absorption of
the aggregates were increased with time and the increased in value
of water absorption vary with type of aggregates. Test results indi-
cate that the nature and the size of aggregates effected on water
absorption. Fig. 2 shows that the natural aggregates NA with size
4–12.5 mm fraction and the 12.5–20 mm, the water absorption
value of recycled asphalt pavement RAP is lower than recycled con-
crete aggregate RCA due to the high percentage of porosity of RCA
(8.29%) than the percentage of porosity of RAP (0%). The water
absorption value of NA decreased with the increase in size of
aggregates, But the results show that the RCA and RAP aggregates
with size 4–12.5 mm fraction the water absorption values is higher
than aggregates with size 12.5–20 mm fraction, due to the crush-
ing effect of recycled aggregates RA. The crushing process have
increased the pore connectivity by creating the cracks and lead
to increase the coefficient of water absorption. The results of water
absorption value of recycled aggregates RA (RCA and RAP) at the
saturated time show that the value of water absorption of aggre-
gates size 5–12 mm fraction are higher than the size 12–20 mm.
This is due to the amount of old cover of mortar, which is higher
for small fraction than to coarse aggregate and that lead the water
permeation inside the particles and leaching out of mix by materi-
als in solution, this case unfavorable effect on its durability in
future. The penetration of material depends on the term call the
permeability, the permeability of the mix is defined as the property
that administered the rate of flow of the fluid into a porous solid
[2,3]. Wherefore the permeability factor is indicator to determine
the ability of mix to gets saturated easily with water, The perme-
Table 6
Results of stability test for aggregate.
Aggregate types Corrosion of coarse aggregates% specifications
NA 1.0573 MAX 12%
RCA 0.915
RAP 0.963
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Materials Today: Proceedings 42 (2021) 2561–2565
ability has an effect on the mix at low temperatures (freezing). In
this paper, permeability test is experimented: water permeability.
Tables 2-4 summarize the results on water absorption for (NA, RCA
and RAP) respectively.
It is apparent that the recycled aggregate (RCA and RAP) can
help to enhance the durability, in terms of permeability and defor-
mation. The results show that pavement contain (RCA or RAP) can
improve the performance of pavement due to the strong bond that
developed of interfacial transition zone ITZ in comparison with
natural aggregate NA process [9]. The quality of aggregate depends
on surface characteristics, porosity, chemical bonding and the
preparation technique of specimen which was difficult to measure.
Nonetheless, when the bond strength between the paste and
aggregate increases, the pavement also increases [8].
5. Conclusion
Water absorption of aggregates was analyzed. The results are
closely aligned with the time depend on the entire absorption per-
iod and change was become constant when the sample saturation
completely. The saturation period time of RA was more than 24 h.
From the above tests:
1. The RCA from the concrete wastes have high absorption and
low specific weight and compared than the NA.
2. The RAP have low water absorption and low specific gravity
than the NA.
3. The water absorption of recycled asphalt pavement RAP is
lower than recycled concrete aggregates RCA.
4. Improving the performance of RCA by using surface modifica-
tion to reduce water absorption and increase paving efficiency.
5. Application of RAP in pavements has limitations as it shows low
water absorption.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Eman Abdulhasan Mohammed Al-Ghalibi: Conceptualization,
Data curation, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Methodology.
Safaa A.Mohamad: Investigation, Project administration,
Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing
- original draft, Writing - review & editing.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
to influence the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgements
The authors grateful to the University of AL- Mustansiriyah
(www.uomustansiriyah.edu.iq) and college of Engineering for their
assistance.
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