Performance of recycled concrete aggregates in the filling of segmental blocks in segmental retaining walls reinforced with geogrids

The generation of civil construction waste (CCW) and the non-rational consumption of natural aggregates (NA) are adversities faced within the scope of the Civil Construction Industry. Efforts are invested, such as non-generation, reduction, reuse, and recycling, associated with the insertion of unconventional products, such as geosynthetics. Recycling and the technical and economic feasibility of using recycled aggregates (RA) have been the object of other research that seeks to expand the range of applications of these materials to achieve acceptance and consolidation in the market. In geotechnical engineering, RA can be used in segmental retaining walls (SRW) as filling material for segmental blocks. This article presents the investigation of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as filling material for segmental blocks in SRW reinforced with geogrids (GG) as a replacement proposal for the NA used in this application. Therefore, the RCA and NA in the granulometric zone of 9.5/25 mm, were subjected to physical characterization and connection strength tests under normal stresses of 40 kN/m2, 50 kN/m2, 60 kN/m2, 80 kN/m2, and 100 kN/m2 to evaluate the interface elements' performance when subjected to load tensile. After carrying out the connection resistance tests on large equipment, it was verified that RCA are indicated for filler material for segmental blocks in SRW with GG with a height not exceeding 5 meters. The increase in normal tensions contributed to a more expressive reduction in the physical characteristics and performance of the connection resistance of the RCA about the test results with the use of NA.

Automated summary

The study investigates the application of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as filling material in segmental retaining walls (SRW) to replace natural aggregates (NA) in the market. After conducting physical characterization and connection strength tests on RCA and NA, it was found that RCA is suitable as filler material for segmental blocks in SRW with a height not exceeding 5 meters. The increase in normal stresses results in a significant reduction in the physical characteristics and connection strength of RCA compared to the use of NA.