Geotechnical characteristics of recycled crushed brick blends for pavement sub-base applications

TLDR

The study evaluates the suitability of recycled crushed brick blended with recycled concrete aggregate or crushed rock for pavement sub‑base by comparing their engineering properties to Australian state road authority specifications. Laboratory tests—including particle‑size distribution, modified Proctor compaction, density, water absorption, CBR, Los Angeles abrasion, pH, organic content, and repeated load triaxial—were conducted on mixtures containing 10–50 % crushed brick blended with recycled concrete aggregate or crushed rock. Results show that up to 25 % crushed brick can be safely incorporated, with repeated load triaxial tests indicating only marginal effects on permanent deformation and resilient modulus relative to changes in dry density and moisture content.

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a laboratory investigation on the characterization of recycled crushed brick when blended with recycled concrete aggregate and crushed rock for pavement sub-base applications. The engineering properties of the crushed brick blends were compared with typical state road authority specifications in Australia for pavement sub-base systems to ascertain the potential use of crushed brick blends in these applications. The experimental programme included particle-size distribution, modified Proctor compaction, particle density, water absorption, California bearing ratio (CBR), Los Angeles abrasion, pH, organic content, and repeated load triaxial tests. Laboratory tests were undertaken on mixtures of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, and 50% crushed brick blended with recycled concrete aggregate or crushed rock. The research indicates that up to 25% crushed brick could be safely added to recycled concrete aggregate and crushed rock blends in pavement sub-base applications. The repeated load triaxial test results on the blends indicate that the effects of crushed brick content on the mechanical properties in terms of permanent deformation and resilient modulus of both the recycled concrete aggregate and crushed rock blends were marginal compared to the effects on dry density and moisture content.