Cost-Benefit Analysis of Using Recycled Coarse Aggregate In Plain and Fiber Reinforced Concrete

The tendency of demolition has increased to improve economic gains, functional and structural performance, and unloading expenses due to the inaccessibility of an appropriate site in a nearby area. As a result, effective utilization of construction and demolition waste materials in the form of a Recycled Coarse Aggregate of 20 mm & 10 mm is possible while conserving non-renewable natural resources. Even though recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) is a cost-effective material that provides solutions to solid waste management, it is also viewed as second-rate in terms of its basic properties compared to natural coarse aggregate (NCA). This study attempted to design two mix proportions for natural aggregate concrete (NAC) and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). RAC supplemented with Hooked Steel Fibers at a rate of 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75% per cubic metre. Compressive strength considered a benefit parameter, whereas the state schedule of rates (SSR), 2020-21, was used to estimate cost. The experimental results discovered that RAC with 0.25% steel fibres(SF) per cubic metre found 7.27% less compressive strength results than NAC in Mix-1 of M25 grade, whereas it is 11.64% less compared to NAC of Mix-2 of M40 grade at 28 days, respectively. This related decrease in compressive strength compared to NAC is within the acceptable limit of Indian Standards. At the same time, cost analysis of RAC with 0.25% steel fibres per cubic metre observed 1.26% and 2.16% more than NAC of M25 & M40. It revealed that 0.25% SF per metre cube in RAC provides an economically viable solution in terms of cost and benefits compared to NAC of a similar mixture.