High-recycled-content concrete for energy-efficient building construction

Concrete materials incorporating different recycled aggregates were evaluated based on thermal, mechanical and durability characteristics. Recycled mixed plastics, wood, tire, steel and concrete were examined as concrete aggregates. The thermal properties investigated were thermal conductivity and specific heat. Durability under wet-dry and temperature cycles, heat resistance, compressive and flexural strengths, and impact resistance were also evaluated. Two buildings, one with normal concrete and the other with concrete with high recycled plastic content were designed, constructed and monitored for energy-efficiency. The results showed that the refined thermal properties of recycled plastic concrete lower the cooling and heating loads of buildings.