Application of Construction and Building Debris as Base and Subbase Materials in Rigid Pavement

TLDR

The study investigates the characteristics and performance of dry and wet recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as base and subbase materials for concrete pavement through laboratory and field tests. The authors evaluated RCA physical properties—moisture‑density relationship, particle index, fine aggregate angularity—and performance metrics such as compactibility, stability, shear resistance, and particle breakage in the laboratory using a Gyratory Testing Machine, while field pavement sections with RCA base and subbase were assessed with a falling weight deflectometer to compare deflection behavior to crushed stone aggregate. The tests demonstrate that dry and wet RCA exhibit suitable physical properties and performance for use as base and subbase materials in concrete pavement.

Abstract

This research presents the test results of a laboratory and field study performed to investigate the characteristics and performance of dry and wet recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as base and subbase materials for concrete pavement. The physical properties of the RCA were investigated in terms of the moisture-density relationship, particle index, and fine aggregate angularity. Performance concerns have focused on compactibility, stability, shear resistance, and particle breakage of the RCA. These were evaluated in the laboratory using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gyratory Testing Machine. The falling weight deflectometer was used to measure the deflection of pavement sections constructed with RCA base and subbase in the subbase material and may be comparable to crushed stone aggregate.