Investigation of the Time-Dependent Deformation of Recycled Aggregate Concrete in a Water Environment

The water environment greatly affects the creep deformation of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). Hence, a humidity-stress-damage coupling numerical model was used for investigating the time-dependent deformation of RAC in the water environment in this study. Firstly, uniaxial compression and water absorption tests were performed to determine the calculation parameters of the creep numerical simulation of RAC in a water environment. Experimental results indicate that the elastic modulus and compressive strength drop as the water content increases. Then, the time-dependent deformation of RAC in a water environment was studied using a numerical simulation test of compressive creep when multiple stress levels were applied, and the critical stress for accelerated creep and the long-term strength of RAC were obtained. Finally, the influence of confining pressures on the long-term deformation of RAC in a water environment was discussed. When there is no confining pressure, the long-term strength of RAC is 23.53 MPa. However, when a confining pressure of 3.921 MPa is loaded onto RAC, the long-term strength of RAC is 47.052 MPa, which increases by 100%. Increasing confining pressures has an obvious effect on ensuring the long-term stable application of RAC in a water environment. Compared with the creep test, the method adopted in this study saves time and money and provides the theoretical basis for evaluating the time-dependent deformation of RAC in a water environment.