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CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSIONS

6.1 GENERAL

The objective of this research is to study the properties of lean

concrete with recycled aggregates and fly ash. A systematic materials
characterization process was performed in this study to evaluate the recycled
aggregates. The mechanical and durability properties of the lean concrete mix
of 1:6:12 (Cement: Fine aggregate: Coarse aggregate) by mass was studied.
The properties studied were compared with previous findings. The lean
concrete made with recycled aggregate and partial replacement of fine
aggregate with fly ash, proved to be a potential alternative construction
material not only from environmental and economical standpoints, but also
from performance considerations.

Following are the important conclusions derived from the

experimental investigation:

6.2 AGGREGATE PROPERTIES

 SSD density of recycled concrete aggregate and ceramic waste

aggregate are 2.28 and 2.46 respectively, which is greater than
the minimum recommended value of 2.00 as specified in
RILEM 1994.

 Water absorption of recycled concrete aggregate is 3.54% which

is within the maximum allowable value of 10% as specified in
RILEM 1994.
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 Water absorption of ceramic waste aggregate is 0.73%, which is

within the maximum allowable value of 10% as specified in
RILEM 1994.

 Crushing value of ceramic waste aggregate is 26% which is

within the permissible limits as per IS 383-1970.

 Ten percent fines value of recycled concrete aggregate is 119

kN and satisfies the requirement of BS 882-1992.

 Impact value (42%) and Los Angeles abrasion value (35%) of

recycled concrete aggregate is found to be less than that of
natural aggregate. The results show that the recycled concrete
aggregate can be used in concrete pavement courses other than
the wearing surfaces.

 Impact value (21%) and Los Angeles abrasion value (27%) of

ceramic waste aggregate is 1.24 and 1.35 times that of natural
aggregate and the results show that the ceramic waste aggregate
can be used in concrete pavement courses including wearing
surfaces.

 Mass loss in the sulphate soundness test after 5 cycles is 0.9%

for ceramic waste aggregate, which is very much less than the
IS code prescribed value of 12%. Mass loss in the soundness
test after 5 cycles for recycled concrete aggregate is 14.9% and
this is due to the attached mortar content.

6.3 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LEAN CONCRETE

6.3.1 Natural Aggregate Concrete

 The compressive strength of lean concrete made with natural

aggregate is 5.05 MPa at an age of 28d, which is more than the
minimum requirement of 5 MPa for lean concrete to be used in
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pavement construction as specified in Indian Roads Congress

Specification IRC 74-1979. However, the use of fly ash as
partial replacement of fine aggregate further improved the
compressive strength of lean concrete.

 The compressive strength of lean concrete made with natural

aggregate as coarse aggregate and fly ash as partial replacement
of fine aggregate is in the order of 8.55 to 11.44 MPa at an age
of 28d for 10 to 50% replacement. The compressive strength is
in the range of 1.69 to 2.27 times that of natural aggregate
concrete without fly ash. The compressive strength is more than
the minimum requirement as per IRC 74-1979.

 The split tensile strength of natural aggregate concrete with 50%

fly ash as replacement of fine aggregate is 2.105 MPa at an age
of 28d and is 1.91 times that of natural aggregate concrete made
without fly ash.

 The flexural strength of natural aggregate concrete with 10 to

50% fly ash as replacement of fine aggregate is in the order of
1.450 to 1.895 MPa at an age of 28d and satisfies the
requirement to be a semi rigid material as per Indian Roads
Congress specification IRC SP 20:2002.

6.3.2 Recycled Aggregate Concrete

 The compressive strength of lean concrete made with recycled

concrete aggregate is 4.5 MPa at an age of 28d, which is less
than the strength of lean concrete made with natural aggregate
of same proportion and less than the minimum requirement as
per IRC 74-1979. However, the use of fly ash as partial
replacement of fine aggregate improved the compressive
strength of lean concrete.
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 The compressive strength of lean concrete made with recycled

concrete aggregate as coarse aggregate and fly ash as partial
replacement of fine aggregate is in the order of 7.75 to
10.45 MPa at an age of 28d for 10 to 50% replacement. The
compressive strength is in the range of 1.72 to 2.32 times that of
recycled aggregate concrete made without fly ash. The
compressive strength is more than the minimum requirement as
per IRC 74-1979.

 The split tensile strength of recycled aggregate concrete with

50% fly ash as replacement of fine aggregate is 1.925 MPa at an
age of 28d and is 2.16 times that of recycled aggregate concrete
made without fly ash.

 The flexural strength of recycled aggregate concrete with 10 to

50% fly ash as replacement of fine aggregate is in the order of
1.035 to 1.450 MPa at an age of 28d and satisfies the
requirement to be a semi rigid material as per Indian Roads
Congress specification IRC SP 20:2002.

 The modulus of elasticity of recycled aggregate concrete made

without fly ash is 6.15 GPa at an age of 28d and is only 70% of
that of natural aggregate concrete made without fly ash. The
modulus of elasticity is found to be 10.19 GPa for 50%
replacement of fine aggregate with fly ash and is 1.66 times that
of recycled aggregate concrete made without fly ash.

6.3.3 Ceramic Aggregate Concrete

 The compressive strength of lean concrete made with ceramic

waste aggregate is 4.54 MPa at an age of 28d, which is less than
the strength of lean concrete made with natural aggregate of
same proportion and less than the minimum requirement as per
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IRC 74-1979. However, the use of fly ash as partial replacement

of fine aggregate improved the compressive strength of lean
concrete made with ceramic waste aggregate.

 Compressive strength of lean concrete made with ceramic waste

aggregate as coarse aggregate and fly ash as partial replacement
of fine aggregate, is in the order of 7.82 to 11.35 MPa at an age
of 28d for 10 to 50% replacement. The compressive strength is
in the range of 1.72 to 2.50 times that of ceramic aggregate
concrete made without fly ash. The compressive strength is
more than the minimum requirement as per IRC 74-1979.

 The split tensile strength of ceramic aggregate concrete with

50% fly ash as replacement of fine aggregate is 1.985 MPa at an
age of 28d and is 2.09 times that of ceramic aggregate concrete
made without fly ash.

 The flexural strength of ceramic aggregate concrete with 10 to

50% fly ash as replacement of fine aggregate is in the order of
1.252 to 1.695 MPa at an age of 28d and satisfies the
requirement to be a semi rigid material as per Indian Roads
Congress specification IRC SP 20:2002.

 The modulus of elasticity of ceramic aggregate concrete made

without fly ash is 6.59 GPa at an age of 28d and is only 75% of
that of natural aggregate concrete made without fly ash. The
modulus of elasticity is found to be 11.31 GPa for 50%
replacement of fine aggregate with fly ash and is 1.72 times that
of ceramic aggregate concrete made without fly ash.
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6.4 DURABILITY PROPERTIES OF LEAN CONCRETE

 Porosity of lean concrete made with natural aggregate, recycled

concrete aggregate and ceramic waste aggregate decreases with
increase in the percentage replacement of fine aggregate with
fly ash upto a maximum of 50%.

 There is no significant difference between the porosity of the

ceramic aggregate concrete and natural aggregate concrete.

 Partial replacement of fine aggregate with fly ash in lean

concrete increases the resistance to sulphate attack.

 Depth of water permeation is reduced by the use of fly ash as

partial replacement of fine aggregate in all the lean concrete
mixtures.

 Sorptivity coefficient (maximum value of 0.339 mm/min0.5) of

all the lean concrete mixtures made with and without fly ash
show an excellent category as per ranges suggested by
Olorunsogoa (2002).

 Abrasion resistance of lean concrete is found to increase with

increase in fly ash content as partial replacement of fine
aggregate.

 A model has been developed relating the compressive strength

and porosity of concrete to its abrasion. This may be used for
rapid prediction of the abrasion of lean concrete with any
strength and associated porosity value and to assess the lean
concrete pavement where signs of poor performance have been
detected.
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6.5 PERFORMANCE OF MODEL PAVEMENT

 The strength of the core samples reveals that the insitu strength
of the lean concrete is equal to strength of the samples tested in
the laboratory.

 The properties such as water absorption, water sorptivity,

sulphate resistance and abrasion resistance of core specimens
reveal that the durability properties of the pavement concrete
during the one year of service are excellent.

 The condition survey performed on the model pavement

reveals that the performance of the pavement is good.

6.6 SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE WORK

 Study on the properties of lean concrete with recycled

aggregates as coarse aggregate and fly ash as replacement for
cement may be carried out.

 Microstructure of recycled concrete may be carried out.

 Detailed investigation of durability properties including

shrinkage, carbonation depth, chloride permeability and air
permeability may be carried out.

 Accelerated pavement tests may be carried out in the field to

predict the pavement performance.

6.7 CONTRIBUTION OF THE RESEARCH

Lean concrete made with recycled aggregate and fly ash, will help
in solving the problem of waste disposal and utilization of industrial wastes in
bulk. Adoption of this lean concrete in pavement construction will result in
bulk utilization of industrial wastes, which indirectly controls environmental
pollution and depletion of natural resources.