Performance deterioration of sustainable recycled aggregate concrete under combined cyclic loading and environmental actions

The effects of strength grades, loading modes, and stress levels on the performance deterioration of sustainable recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) subjected to mechanical loading or coupled mechanical loading and environmental actions are investigated in this study. Comparison analysis of residual properties of RAC suffered from single mechanical loading, coupled actions of mechanical loading, and salt-solution freeze-thaw cycles, as well as the combined actions of mechanical loading and salt-solution corrosion were experimentally studied. The results indicate that the stress level is the most influential factor affecting the durability of RAC followed by the RAC strength grade and the number of times the alternating load applied. Moreover, applying novel intermittent loading mode to simulate the durability of RAC under the coupled actions of sustained loading and environmental factors is feasible and reasonable. Additionally, the fitting equations were proposed to discuss the effects of number of times the alternating load applied, stress level, and mechanical strength on the mechanical strength loss and durability of RAC.

Automated summary

This study found that stress level is the most influential factor affecting the durability of sustainable recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), followed by RAC strength grade and the number of times the alternating load applied. Using a novel intermittent loading mode to simulate the durability of RAC under sustained loading and environmental factors is feasible and reasonable. Fitting equations were proposed to discuss the effects of alternating load cycles, stress levels, and mechanical strength on the mechanical strength loss and durability of RAC.