Study of carbonation-induced corrosion of steel in concrete with Recycled Asphalt Pavement aggregates (RAP)

Given the need to do eco-sustainable buildings, interest in aggregates for concrete alternative to natural ones is increasing, including the milled material deriving from pavement maintenance (Recycled Asphalt Pavement, RAP). Availability of RAP and its compatibility with ordinary aggregates make its use potentially sustainable, even if its effects on the durability of reinforced concrete structures are not yet clear. As part of the RAPCON project, funded by Fondazione Cariplo, an experimental study was carried out by taking into account various types of reinforcement in contact with concretes different for percentage of RAP, type of cement and water/cement ratio. This note discusses carbonation resistance of studied concretes and corrosion behaviour of the reinforcement by highlighting the importance of designing adequately mixtures with RAP to create durable reinforced concrete structures in function of environmental aggressiveness conditions.