Reducing Curing Water Demand in Concrete Pavements Using Recycled Aggregates

Concept Note: Reducing curing water demand in concrete pavements using recycled concrete aggregates

Objective

• This proposal aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility and sustainability benefits of using RCA for internal curing of paving concrete, particularly in water-scarce environments.

Description

• Concrete pavements require large quantities of curing water due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, while India simultaneously generates over 1 billion tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste annually. By appropriate processing, porous recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) can be engineered to act as internal curing agents, absorbing water before mixing and gradually releasing it during hydration. This proposal aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility and sustainability benefits of using RCA for internal curing of paving concrete, particularly in water-scarce environments.

Impact

• The approach reduces external curing water demand, conserves natural aggregates, diverts C&D waste from landfills, and supports circular, low-carbon pavement construction aligned with SDGs 6, 11, and 12.