Abstract- In recent years, rapid urbanization and infrastructure development have resulted in a significant increase in construction and demolition (C&D) waste, creating serious environmental concerns. At the same time, the excessive use of natural aggregates has led to depletion of natural resources. To address these issues, the use of recycled aggregates obtained from demolished concrete has emerged as a sustainable alternative in the construction industry. The present study focuses on the experimental investigation of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) using M30 grade concrete. Recycled coarse aggregates were prepared from previously tested concrete specimens and used as a replacement for natural coarse aggregates. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the compressive strength and durability performance of RAC. Concrete cube specimens of size 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm were cast and tested after 7 days and 28 days of curing. The results indicate that the compressive strength of RAC is lower compared to conventional concrete, especially at early ages. The average compressive strength achieved at 7 days is 10.1 N/mm², while at 28 days it increases to 20.3 N/mm². Although there is significant strength gain over time, the target strength of M30 grade concrete is not fully achieved when 100% recycled aggregates are used. The durability of concrete was evaluated using the chloride penetration test, which showed higher permeability in RAC due to the porous nature and presence of adhered mortar on recycled aggregates. The study concludes that recycled aggregate concrete can be effectively used for non-structural and low-strength applications. However, for structural use, partial replacement of recycled aggregates along with proper mix design and use of admixtures is recommended to improve strength and durability. The use of recycled aggregates contributes to sustainable construction by reducing waste and conserving natural resources.
Kamle et al. (Mon,) studied this question.