Sustainable Self-Compacting Concrete with Recycled Aggregates, Ground Granulated Blast Slag, and Limestone Filler: A Technical and Environmental Assessment

Fadhila Hamza, Tahar AliBoucetta, Mourad Behim, Selma Bellara, Ahmed Senouci and Walid Maherzi ()
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Fadhila Hamza: Laboratory of Materials Geo-Materials and Environment, Badji Mokhtar-Annaba University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
Tahar AliBoucetta: Laboratory of Materials Geo-Materials and Environment, Badji Mokhtar-Annaba University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
Mourad Behim: Laboratory of Materials Geo-Materials and Environment, Badji Mokhtar-Annaba University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
Selma Bellara: Builders Ecole d’Ingenieurs, Builders Lab, ComUE NU, 1 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 14610 Epron, France
Ahmed Senouci: Department of Construction Management, University of Houston, Houston, 77204 TX, USA
Walid Maherzi: Institut Mines-Télécom, 1015 Rue Charles Bourseul, University of Lille, 59500 Douai, France

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-30

Abstract: This study investigates the use of demolition waste as recycled coarse aggregates (RCAs) to replace natural coarse aggregates (NCAs), and the use of ground granulated blast slag (GGBS) and limestone filler (LF) as a supplementary cementitious material, in self-compacting concrete (SCC), with proportions of 150 kg/m 3 for GGBS and 180 kg/m 3 for LF. Various SCC mixtures were prepared with RCA proportions of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%, while maintaining fixed dosages of LF and GGBS. Initially, RCA was incorporated in a dry state, followed by a water dosage adjustment for mixtures containing 100% RCA, equivalent to 20 min of RCA absorption. The experimental investigation evaluated the evolution of flow properties through tests such as slump flow, flow time (T500), L-box, sieve stability, fresh density, and air content. The static yield stress and plastic viscosity were also calculated using mathematical models. Additionally, hardened properties, including short-term and long-term compressive strength and capillary water absorption, were assessed. An environmental impact analysis of using demolition waste was conducted, revealing that a total NCA replacement with RCA is viable for both fresh and hardened states, provided that the RCA water absorption is managed and a reactive mineral additive is incorporated. For a 50% replacement of natural aggregates with recycled aggregates, this approach significantly reduces environmental impacts, lowering fossil fuel consumption by up to 35% and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 32%.

Keywords: self-compacting concrete (SCC); recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs); ground granulated blast slag (GGBS); fresh concrete characteristics; hardened concrete performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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