LAUSR

Abstract Although recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has been studied intensively over past two decades, its damping property is still not analyzed sufficiently. In this paper, a nonlinear damping model for RAC prisms subjected to cyclic uniaxial compression are presented. Then with the combination of the compressive strength and damping property of RAC, an optimum recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) content including particle size and replacement percentage are recommended. The cyclic uniaxial compression test was conducted to investigate the dynamic modulus and nonlinear damping property of RAC, meanwhile tests for the RAC’s static compressive strength and modulus of elasticity were also carried out. Then based on the nonlinear damping model and compressive strength, relationships among the compressive strength, damping property, load indicators and RCA content are analyzed to obtain the optimum RCA content. Test results indicate that RAC obtains a higher loss factor than NAC. The loss factor of RAC is an increasing power function of RCA particle size and a decreasing power function of RCA replacement percentage. However, the compressive strength and dynamic modulus of RAC decreases compare with that of natural aggregate concrete. The different choice of cyclic uniaxial compression load indicators (cyclic stress range, stress level or strain range) has significance impact on RAC damping property and optimum RCA content.