Abstract:
Sustainability in construction has become increasingly important in recent decades due
to the depletion of non-renewable resources. As a potential solution, recycled brick aggregate (RBA) has gained attention as an alternative to conventional natural aggregate
(NA) in concrete. This research investigates the viability of recycled brick aggregate
(RBA) as an alternative to natural aggregate in structural applications, specifically focusing on the shear behavior of reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. The study
employed both experimental testing and numerical modeling to evaluate the structural
performance of beams incorporating various proportions of RBA. Seven reinforced concrete beams of dimensions 200 mm × 300 mm × 1800 mm were constructed with RBA
replacement ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Two distinct treatment methods
were implemented to enhance the properties of RBA. All specimens were designed according to ACI 318-19 specifications to ensure shear failure. The beams were subjected
to four-point bending tests to evaluate their shear strength characteristics, and the
experimental results were complemented by numerical simulations using OpenSeesPy
software. The experimental findings revealed that beams constructed with treated RBA
exhibited shear strength characteristics comparable to those of conventional natural aggregate concrete beams. The numerical modeling demonstrated consistent agreement
with experimental results, showing similar trends in shear strength reduction as RBA
replacement ratios increased. While slight variations were observed between experimental and numerical results, both methods validated the potential of treated RBA as
a viable alternative in structural applications. This research contributes significantly
to the existing knowledge base regarding sustainable construction practices by providing comprehensive data on the structural behavior of RBA concrete beams. The
findings offer valuable insights for the implementation of RBA in structural elements,
particularly in applications where shear strength is a critical design consideration. The
results demonstrate that with appropriate treatment methods, RBA can be effectively
utilized in structural concrete while maintaining essential mechanical properties
