feature

Recycled Water
in
Ready Mixed
Concrete
Operations By Colin Lobo
and Gary M. Mullings

Introduction water in concrete came from

Process and storm water manage- California in the early 1970s
ronmental regulations. NRMCA mem- bers
ment at ready mixed concrete opera- due to evolving envi-
collected data of water from typical sedimentation
tions is a growing issue for the industry.
pits and the effects on concrete when this water
As regulations and enforcement govern-
was used as mixing water. Based on these evalua-
ing discharge from plant sites evolve,
tions, criteria were developed and in 1978, ASTM
the option of reusing these sources of
C 94, Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete was
water will become a necessity, thus
revised to permit the use of wash water as mixing
moving the industry toward zero-dis-
water in concrete. State highway agen- cies for the
charge facilities. It is important that
most part still do not allow its use or if they do,
positive terminology is used in describ-
their requirements are more conservative than C
ing the source of water and that the
94. The criteria or requirements for wash water in
customer is informed of its use in a
C 94 have not changed since they were originally
positive manner. In this article, the
incorporated in the standard. In the ’70s,
term recycled water will be used for
producers in Cal- ifornia were looking for some
mixer wash water, storm water or gray
relief to use some of their recycled water and
water. Concrete producers face the
reduce the quality of effluent from their production
dichotomy whereby their customers are
facilities and were not really striving for zero-
generally resistant to allowing the use of
discharge facilities. They retained the problem of
recycled water in their concrete while
cleaning out debris from sedimentation pits,
producers are forced to move in that
handling it and disposing it in landfills. The
direction because it’s the environmen-
industry’s needs have changed and so should the
tally responsible thing to do and there
standard to allow an increased use of wash water
is a cost, sometimes unquantified, asso-
while pro- tecting the consumer. Current technol-
ciated with its disposal. It’s true that
ogy better facilitates the collection of process and
when moving toward zero discharge the
storm water with the asso- ciated solids, water
producer has to make an investment in
treatment and auto- mated measurement and
equipment, people and training, but in
batching.
the relatively short term this investment
ASTM C 94 has criteria for wash water that
will be recovered in a successful
can be invoked at the option of the purchaser.
applica- tion. Producers who are leaders
While these are optional requirements, the
in envi- ronmental management
uninitiated
initiatives have demonstrated this fact,
without includ- ing cost of
compliance and enforce- ment
penalties.
The initial need for using recycled
 water. This amounts to purchaser does not observe, or
about 15 pounds of solids perceive, any diminished quality or
producer, relative to use of recycled
in 1 cubic yard of a typical batch-to-batch variation. It takes just
water, should try to remain within
concrete mixture. Does it one bad story to generate a negative
these limits for any structural
matter if the solids added perception and essentially kill any ini-
concrete or slab application. The
to the mix from recycled tiative to move forward on this impor-
requirements apply to the total
water exceed this limit? It tant issue. ASTM committees have
mixing water in con- crete and are
depends on the concrete been deliberating for the last several
essentially limits on the water
ingredients, characteristics years on revising the provisions for mix-
chemistry for alkalis, sulfates and
of the recycled water, time ing water, and while the consensus
chlorides for reasons related to
of year and everything process can be frustrating, it hopefully
concrete durability. The other
else that one could think achieves a better standard that satisfies
limiting criterion is the amount of
of. The important issue is the producers and their customer.
total solids, which is limited to
that the concrete meets the This is a brief report of portions of
50,000 parts per million (ppm) or 5
requirements of the job
percent by mass of the total mixing
specification and the CONCRETE in focus ı 1

feature continued

the research conducted at the hardened concrete properties. A typical cubic foot mixer, tempered with water
NRMCA Alfred H. Smith Research air-entrained portland cement concrete to a very high slump and water slurry
Laboratory to answer some questions on mix design without any admixtures was was decanted over a 150 µm (No. 100
reusing recy- cled water in concrete. selected using stock materials from the sieve). The water slurry passing the
The study was intended to simulate a research laboratory. The design mixture sieve was captured in a five-gallon
practical situation where a producer has characteristics and proportions are pro- bucket and represented the wash water
an environmental management system vided in Table 1. The experimental from the mixer. This wash water was
that includes a returned concrete variables used in Phase I of the study kept agitated using a motorized paddle
reclaimer that gener- ates recycled are listed in Table 2. Note that the to keep the solids in suspension for
water slurry. The slurry is kept agitated solids contents of the recycled water, the duration of the testing. The water
in tanks and is used in a controlled 3
slur- ry solids content varied from
at 30 and 60 lb/yd , are at levels that
manner as a portion or all of the batch about 40 percent solids by mass to
are double and four times the current
water in concrete mixtures. An about 25 per- cent toward the end of
limit for solids in ASTM C 94. This
important point to note is that the the series at nine days as it was
series was replicated three times for a
char- acteristics of the slurry in this periodically diluted to maintain a
total of 48 concrete batches.
tank will be quite variable as water is sufficient volume for the
removed and
added to it from truck wash out during tests. A portion of the recycled water
any production day. Figure 1 illustrates Table 1 – Design Proportions and was allowed to stand for about two
the variation of solids content with Characteristics of Concrete hours and clear water was siphoned
time from an actual recycled water Portland Cement 600 lb/cu.yd off the top to represent clarified
holding tank. Adding this variable Mixing Water 300 lb/cu.yd. recycled water.
product with- out control is sure to Natural Sand 1,100 lb/cu.yd.
cause batch-to- batch variations of Limestone coarse
concrete properties. It is imperative that aggregate, max. size 1 inch 1,800 lb/cu.yd.
the producer has a sys- tem in place that Air content 4 to 6%
recognizes this variabil- ity and Slump 3 to 5 inches
adjusts for it so that the
customer does not see differences in
concrete performance properties in Table 2 – Experimental variables in
sub- sequent loads of concrete. Phase I of the Study
The first phase of the study also Water • Tap water (Control)
includes a situation where a producer • Clarified recycled water
might use relatively clear water from a • Recycled water at 30 lb Figure 2 – Laboratory Set-up to Maintain Agitated
sedimentation pit after the solids have solids per cubic yard Recycled Water Slurry
settled out. The reader is advised that • Recycled water at 60 lb
the data and trends are very specific to solids per cubic yard When concrete mixtures were made,
the materials and conditions used in Age of slurry • 4 ± 1 hour samples of the recycled water slurry
this study. • 1 day were obtained and the density was mea-
• 3 days sured by determining the mass of
Procedures • 9 days water in a container of known
The first phase of the NRMCA volume. The water slurry sample was
study was to quantify the basic effects Recycled water then dried to constant mass in a
of using recycled water on fresh and A concrete mixture was mixed in a 1 microwave oven to determine the
percentage of solids by mass. At least
two samples of recycled water were
tested in this manner on each day and
the average was used to establish to quantify the sample is heated to 750ºC. A portion
the water slurry density and solids progressing degree of of the solids was dissolved in acid to
content. Solids were filtered out hydration of cement in determine the insoluble residue. Since
from the water slurry to measure these solids. Loss on cementitious materials dissolve in acid,
the loss on ignition and specific ignition is the loss in mass
gravity. This information is useful when an oven-dried
Figure 1 – Variation in Solids Content in Recycled Water. Courtesy: M.D.A. Thomas, U of New Brunswick the insoluble residue represents the fine
2 ı SPRING 2003

sand fraction, which was about 10 measured to estimate the initial setting the range of 70 to 75ºF and air con-
per- cent of the mass of the dry solids. time. A 4 x 8-inch cast cylinder was tents and slumps were at target levels
placed in an insulated 5-gallon contain- within the acceptable tolerances.
Concrete batches er. A thermocouple embedded in the
On each day, four concrete batches center of the cylinder was connected Water Demand
with the four types of mixing water list- to a data logger to obtain the rate of Figure 3 illustrates the calculated
ed in the first row of Table 2 were heat evolution of the concrete. A mixing water content for all the batches
mixed. The concrete batches were nom- correlation was established between at 30 minutes to achieve and maintain
inally 0.75 cubic foot size batches in a 1 initial set from the C 403 method and a the target five-inch slump. The chart
cubic foot revolving drum laboratory point on the heat signature curve. After indicates that the mixing water
mixer. Standard ASTM procedures some confi- dence was achieved with content for the nine control batches
were used to mix the concrete batches this correla- tion, set time was was quite similar and averaged about
3

and to conduct the fresh and hardened measured using the heat signature for 308 lb/yd . The chart also indicates
concrete tests. To achieve the target the batches in the third round of the effects of using clarified recycled
solids contents in the mixing water, replication. water and recy- cled water slurry to
recycled water slurry with known solids Specimens for hardened concrete incorporate 30 and 3
60 lb/ solids per
content was diluted with a calculated tests from each batch included four 4 yd . The recycled water slurry was used
quantity of tap water used. Clarified x 8-inch cylindrical specimens for at ages of four hours, one day, three
recycled water was used at 100 com- pressive strength determination at days and nine days as indicated in
percent of the added water in those seven and 28 days; one 4 x 14-inch Table 2.
respective batches. cylinder with embedded gage studs When clarified water was used, the
for drying shrinkage measurement; mixing water content was essentially
Testing one 4 x 14- inch cylinder for freeze- similar to the control batches.
Concrete mixtures were mixed to a thaw testing; and one 4 x 8-inch When recycled water slurries were
target slump of 5 inches. After the ini- cylinder for rapid chloride incorporated to achieve the target solids
tial mixing for eight minutes, slump permeability testing. content of 30 and 60 pounds, the mix-
and density were measured. Air content ing water demand to achieve and
(gravimetric) was calculated from the Results and Discussion main- tain the target slump increased.
measured density. Concrete from these The results of three replicate batches The increase is proportional to the
tests was returned to the mixer. The for the same experimental condition amount of solids and the age of the
mixer was covered to prevent evapora- were very reproducible and within typi- recycled water slurry. With four-hour
tion and the concrete was periodically cal batch-to-batch variation quantified old slur- ries, the increase in mixing
agitated and retempered with water as for procedures used at the research water was minimal, but as the slurry is
necessary to retain the target five-inch lab- oratory. The average value of aged past one day, a higher water
slump until approximately 30 minutes three replicates of each condition is demand is noticeable.
after the ingredients were batched in reported in many cases in the By monitoring the loss on ignition
the mixer. This was done to simulate a subsequent discus- sion. Detailed data and specific gravity of the slurry
30-minute delivery time of ready mixed on calculated con- crete mixture solids, it was observed that the contin-
concrete and what might typically proportions, slump, temperature, ued cement hydration with time caus-
occur in practice. It is important to air content and hardened concrete test es the solids to get finer and of a
note that the batches were adjusted to results are available and are not lower specific gravity. These finer or
achieve a similar target slump and not reported here for the sake of brevity. fluffier
to a constant water-cement ratio. Concrete temperatures were in
After the 30-minute period, the
concrete was discharged into a sample
container and the mass of discharged
concrete was determined so that precise
mixture proportions could be calculat-
ed.
Fresh concrete tests included evolution (or heat signature) of the
slump, temperature and density. Initial concrete was
setting time was measured by two
methods. The first method was in
accordance with ASTM C 403 by the
penetration resistance on a wet-sieved
mortar. On several batches, the heat
Figure 3 – Mixing Water Content for Individual Concrete
Batches

CONCRETE in focus ı 3
 Recycled Water
at the University of Toronto

I
n 1996, ready mixed concrete produc- water cement ratio. Results from this The study included an evaluation
ers in Ontario, Canada, commis- study and several field study cases of on a wide range of concrete
sioned the University of Toronto to external slabs on grades placed in properties. Selected data are reported
conduct a study, similar to the NRMCA 1996 were reported to the Canadian here.
study, on the effects of wash water in Standards Association (CSA) in 1998 The study also measured the chem-
concrete. The important differences in (personal communication, Dr. istry of the recycled water and the
the U. of Toronto study were that M.D.A. Thomas, currently at the alkalies, chlorides and sulfates were
wash water slurries were used from University of New Brunswick). significantly below the limiting criteria
concrete production facilities and The experimental variables in this in ASTM C 94. Increased scaling was
laboratory mixtures were prepared to study were: observed when concrete slabs made
a constant with recycled water at a higher solids
Table 1: Experimental Variables content were tested by ASTM C 672,
Air entrained Non-air entrained Test Method of Concrete Surfaces
Cement content, kg/m3 (lb/cu.yd.) 375 (630) 250 (420) Exposed to Deicing Chemicals. Field
w/cm ratio 0.40 0.62 slabs have not revealed an increased
Solids from recycled water, kg/m3 (lb/cu.yd.) • 0 (control) • 0 (control) scaling. ASTM C 672 does result in a
• 10 (17) • 20 (34)
more severe exposure and indication of
• 20 (34) • 40 (67)
scaling that has not been observed in
• 40 (67) field concrete.

Figure 1.1: Slump of air entrained and non-air entrained concretes Figure 1.3: 28-day compressive strength of air entrained and non-air entrained concretes

Figure 1.2: Setting time of air entrained and non-air entrained concretes Figure 1.4: ASTM C 1202 results for air entrained and non-air entrained concretes

4 ıı SPRING 2003
Study
feature continued from page 3

is the effect on set-

ting time. Hydrated
cement and calcium
hydroxide (hydrated
lime) are known to
accelerate setting
characteristics.
Problems with set-
This study also indicates that the
ting with the use of
primary issue with the use of recy-
recycled water slurry
cled water at higher solids content
will be exacerbated
is the acceleration of the setting Figure 4: Initial Setting Time of Concrete in summer but can
time. At the same w/cm ratio
possibly be used to
strength, permeability, shrinkage
advantage in cooler
and other characteristics were particles cause the increased water
temperatures. These
similar to the control batches. demand. Specific gravity of dried slurry
set time data illus-
Figure 1.1 illustrates the slump solids varied from around 3.10 at four
trate that the four-
of the concrete mixtures. Since hours to 2.50 and lower at ages one
hour old slurry had lesser effect on
the w/cm ratio was constant, using day and later.
setting time than slurry that was aged
an increasing solid content from
for one day or longer. Setting times of
recy- cled water slurries resulted in Initial Setting Time
concrete with slurries aged for one day
lower slump. Figure 4 illustrates the effects of
or longer were essentially similar, possi-
Figure 1.2 illustrates the setting using recycled water on initial setting
bly because most of the cement solids
characteristics of the concrete mix- time. Values reported are the average of
had hydrated at one day.
tures. Similar to the NRMCA study, three replicate batches for each condi-
increasing solids content resulted in tion. The setting time of the control is
Compressive Strength
faster set times in both types of con- the average of nine concrete batches.
Figure 5 illustrates the 28-day com-
crete The initial setting time of the con-
pressive strength of concrete batches rep-
trol batch was around 4.9 hours. The
Figure 1.3 illustrates the com- resenting each experimental condition.
setting time of the batches with clari-
pressive strength of these mixtures. The data represents the average of
fied recycled water was similar to that
As concrete was mixed to a three replicate batches for each
of the control batches. When recycled
constant water-cementitious condition.
water slurry was used, the setting time
materials ratio, similar strengths The compressive strength data
was accelerated and the faster setting
were obtained regardless of the reflects the well-known fact that
time was proportional to the amount
amount of solids from recycled increased water content in the
of solids and the age of the water
water in the mixtures. concrete will cause a reduction in
slurry.
Figure 1.4 illustrates the results strength. The reduction in strength
The primary problem with reusing
of ASTM C 1202, Test Method for correlates well to the additional water
recycled water with solids in concrete
Electrical Indication of Concrete’s used in the respective batches. The
Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetra- lower compres- sive strength of
tion, also known as the rapid chlo- batches containing recycled water
ride permeability test. For similar with higher solids con- tent could be
materials, a higher value of the adjusted for by reducing
charge passed will result in concrete the water content of
with a higher permeability. It can be these batches using
concluded from Figure 1.4 that the appropriate mixture
permeability was not affected when adjustments. (See
recycled water slurry was used in Figure 5)
these mixtures of the same w/cm The data also
ratio. ■ show that the batch-
es with the four-
hour-old slurry did
have a compressive
Figure 5: Compressive Strength at 28 days
strength similar to
the control batches,
which is related to
the lower mixing
water demand and

CONCRETE in focus ı 5
feature continued

designed to evaluate In this phase of the study, the recy-

whether the treat- cled water slurry was obtained in the
ment of wash same manner and placed in three sepa-
water with a rate containers. Two of these containers
hydration were dosed with the hydration stabiliz-
stabilizing admix- ing admixture at two hours after the
ture (HSA) could initial contact of water with the
offset some of the cement. The two hours was chosen to
negative effects simulate when a mixer truck might
with high solids return to the plant and wash out with
recycled slurries water that contained HSA.
Figure 6 – The progression of hydration of the cement (effectiveness of the observed in Phase I The Low dosage was established
admixture dosage) was quantified from the loss on ignition on the dry solids from
the slurries.
of the study. Phase from other tests to maintain the
II also included a cement solids from hydrating about
condition where 1.5 day
possibly some cementing value from the mixing water using recycled water and the High dosage was established
unhydrated cement solids. slurry was at the ASTM limit for to keep the cement solids from
solids content of 15 pounds per cubic hydrating for eight days. The
Durability Properties yard. progression of hydration of the
Data on drying shrinkage, freeze- The same concrete mix design and cement (effectiveness of the admixture
thaw resistance and rapid chloride per- procedures were used for Phase II of the dosage) was quantified from the loss on
meability were collected and are not study. The details of the experimental ignition on the dry solids from the
included or illustrated in this report. conditions are listed in Table 3. The slurries. These results are illustrated in
Mixtures that had a higher mixing data was generated from two replica- Figure 6. A low loss on ignition value
water content had a concomitant tions of the experimental series. corresponds to a low degree of
increase in results for drying shrinkage hydration of cement. Data in Figure 6
and rapid chloride permeability. These Table 3 – Experimental variables in Phase II are from the actual slurries used in the
higher values can be offset if appropri- of the Study Water concrete batches.
ate steps are taken to reduce the • Tap water (Control)
mixing water content of those • Recycled water at 15 Within ASTM C 94 Limits
mixtures. lb solids per cubic yard Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the
Freezing and thawing was conducted • Recycled water at 45 lb setting time and 28-day compressive
in accordance with Procedure A of solids per cubic yard strength of concrete, respectively, of
ASTM C 666, which is the most HSA Treatment • No admixture concrete batches with solids
severe exposure of freezing in water • Low Dosage (1.5 content at the 50,000-ppm limit (or
and thaw- ing in water. The samples day protection) 3
15 lb/yd ) of ASTM C 94. The slurry
were exposed to in excess of 600 freeze- • High Dosage (8 day ages were four hours, one day and
thaw cycles. Typical evaluations are protection) seven days. Mixing water
conducted for 300 cycles. All the Age of slurry • 4 ± 1 hour requirements were 0 (at four hours) to
samples had adequate air contents and • 1 day 15 lbs/yd3 higher than that of the
the durability factor for all conditions • 7 days control batches for target slump.
exceeded 90 percent when the tests were The data indicate that setting time
terminated. Typical failure criteria for (expressed as percent of control) and
freeze-thaw evaluations are when the strength were similar to control,
durability factor falls below 80 percent except for modest setting time
in 300 cycles. The severe expo- sure of acceleration
Procedure A caused scaling of the
freeze-thaw specimens. Mass loss quanti-
fied to an average 2.5 percent of the
original mass of the specimen. There was
no distinct experimental condition that
showed a higher level of scaling.

Phase II
With the observation that recycled
water slurries used at four hours did not Figure 7 –
Setting time of
cause significant detrimental effects on concrete
mixing water demand and setting batches with
time, the second phase of the study recycled water
at the ASTM
was C 94 solids
limit
6 ı SPRING 2003
Simple Procedures for
Quality Control
When Using Recycled Water

T
he primary criteria for question- time and this will serve as calibration
able sources of mixing water in for the density measurement if the
ASTM C 94 are for setting time hydrometer will be used during pro-
and strength. When compared to using duction.
tap water (control), the setting time
should not be accelerated by more Solids content
than one hour or retarded by more The quickest way is to dry a
than 90 minutes; and the seven-day sample of recycled water slurry in a
strength should not be less than 90 microwave oven (Figure 2.3). Use a
percent of control. Test methods glass dish with fiberglass cloth (check
referenced in ASTM C 94 are those at boat repair shop). Obtain the empty
used for cement testing – ASTM C mass of the dish and the cloth.
109 standard mortar cube, and ASTM Pour the recycled water slurry sam-
C 191 Vicat set. Equipment for these ple from the density measurement into
tests typically is not used in the glass dish and cover with the
laboratories at concrete plants and a Figure 2.2 – Density measurement of water using a fiber- glass cloth to prevent loss of
revision is being attempted to permit hydrometer solids dur- ing drying.
these tests on concrete sam- ples with
the same criteria.
Density
While the solids content is the
The more accurate method is to
requirement in the standard, producers
determine the mass of recycled slurry
will typically measure the density (spe-
water in container of known volume
cific gravity) of recycled water slurry
(Figure 2.1). Another common proce-
and establish blending percentages of
dure is the use of a hydrometer
slurry and tap (or well) water to meet
(Figure 2.2). This is less accurate as
a target density. A water slurry at
the solids tend to settle rapidly.
50,000 ppm correlates to a density
To determine the density, use a
of about
cylindrical container with a glass or
1.03 g/mL. Figure 2.3 – Determining solids content in a
Plexiglas plate that fits over it. Calibrate microwave oven
The following are recommended
the volume of the container in accor-
tests and procedures that can be used
dance with procedures used for cali- Place the dish in a microwave oven
to determine blending percentages of
brating air or unit weight buckets, as and dry it until all the water has
recy- cled water slurry and tap water
in ASTM C 29. evapo- rated. Determine the mass of
to com- ply with a limit on solids.
Obtain the mass of the empty con- the dish until two subsequent
tainer and plate. weighings do not change by much
Take a representative sample of (0.5 g). The percent- age of solids in
recy- cled slurry water from the pit the recycled water slurry can now be
and fill it in the container. Cover the calculated. Convert percent solids to
container with the plate ensuring that ppm by multiplying by 10,000.
there are no air bubbles in the
container. Wipe the outside dry and Develop a correlation
obtain the mass. The density is the net Make these measurements on recy-
mass of water in the container divided cled water slurry on several days to
by its volume. cover the range of solids contents that
The operator might also obtain will be anticipated at a production
hydrometer readings on a separate sam- facility. Add to this data with periodic
ple of recycled water slurry at the
Figure 2.1 – Density measurement of water by mass same
CONCRETE in focus ı 7
lish a linear relationship (for slurry density and the solids content
tests on the recycled water slurry. Estab- simplicity) between the (see Figure 2.4). Based on target density
of the mixing water, one can calculate (50,000 – 2000)
the blending percent- ages. of this recycled water slurry and tap RW = –––––––––––––––– = 34%
water (assume density of 1.00 and (144,000 – 2000)
Example total dissolved solids of 2000 ppm for
Figure 2.4 illustrates a sample rela- sim- plicity), for a target solids The same equation can be used if
tionship of recycled water density and content, the following relationship can the preference is to work with water
solids content in ppm. This relation- be used: density, where the respective water den-
ship holds only for this particular con- RW x SRW + (1 – RW) x STW = TS sity replaces the solids content.
crete plant. A spreadsheet and graphing Where: Blending recycled water slurry and
software (like MS Excel) can be used to tap water is frequently done with in-
RW = Recycled slurry water
plot this relationship and obtain an
TW = Tap water = (1-RW) line water density gages and automated
equation.
SRW = Solids content of recycled adjustments. Ensure that the software is
In this example the relationship
slurry water doing these calculations accurately and
between the solids content and the
den- sity is as follows: STW = Solids content of tap water calibrate these density gages using the
Solids content, ppm = 1356495 TS = Target solids content (limit) simple procedures described here. The
(Density) – 1348016 in mixing water producer should check the density of
If the density of the slurry on a par- The percent recycled slurry water recycled water at a minimum frequency
ticular day is 1.10, using this can be calculated by rearranging the of two per day. When mixing water is
equation, the solids content is previous equation: used at a higher solids content, there
approximately 144,000 ppm. are other adjustments necessary to
(TS-STW) batch ingredients to compensate for
To determine blending percentage RW = ––––––––––
(SRW-STW) the water and solids in the recycled
water slurry and to establish more
If the target solids content is the accurate mixture proportions and
ASTM C 94 limit or 50,000 ppm, the water-cement ratio. The producer
percentage recycled water slurry to should also docu- ment strength and
blend with tap water in this example setting time data to provide to the
will be: customer on request. ■

Figure 2.4 – Correlation between density and solids content for recycled water slurry

8 ı SPRING 2003
 feature continued from page 22

admixture. The concrete There are many examples in Japan,

batches used recycled Europe, Canada and the U.S. where
water slurries such that these types of systems are being
45 pounds of solids per successfully used.
cubic yard were incorpo-
rated in the batches. As
expected from Phase I,
the batches with the
untreated slurries had a
higher mixing water
Figure 8 – 28-day compressive strength for concrete batches with recycled requirement to achieve
water at the ASTM C 94 solids limit the target slump and an
associated reduction in
strength is noted. Setting
time of these batches,
and lower strength for the batches was accelerated relative to the control Figure 11 – Schematic of HSA treated concrete wash
with the seven-day-old slurry. These batches. out system Courtesy: Knelson Concrete Recovery System
devia- tions from control for concrete In the batches that had the slurry
with the four-hour and one-day-old Another option for the producer is to
with the Low dose of HSA, the setting
maintain a certain consistency of the
slurries are within permissible limits time and strength with the one-day- recycled water solids in consecutive
for water in ASTM C 94. old treated slurries were similar to batches while ensuring that it meets job
control batches, but the same negative performance requirements. Some
HSA Treated Slurries effects were observed when this slurry reclaimer manufacturers will install a
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate selected was used at an age of seven days. Recall separate feed tank. When recycled water
data for setting time and 28-day com- that the HSA dosage was selected to reaches a certain solids content, it is
pressive strength of concrete, respective- prevent cement hydration for about diverted to this feed tank and this water is
ly, of concrete batches with and one day. used as batch water. This tank now has
without slurries treated with the HSA In batches with the slurry treated a constant solids content and can be
with the High dose of HSA, the used in fixed quantities to maintain
setting batch-to- batch consistency.
time and strength of
batches using the seven- Conclusions
day-old treated recycled These conclusions are pertinent to
water slurry were similar the materials and conditions used in this
to that of the control research study. These observations are
batches. based on mixing concrete to a target
These data illustrate slump. The associated effects on concrete
that hydration stabilizing properties, except for setting time, were
admixtures can work to primarily a result of the additional mixing
facilitate the use of water needed to achieve and maintain
recycled water slurries at the target slump of five inches.
solids con- tent that exceed
the current limits of
ASTM C 94.
Figure 9 - Setting time of concrete batches with HSA treated and Achieving this state will require some capital
untreated recycled water at 45 pound solids per cubic yard
expense and company commitment. For this
Figure 10 – 28-day Compressive Strength of concrete batches with HSA option to be economically viable, the goal should be to
treated and untreated recycled water at 45 pound solids per cubic yard
establish a mass balance such that the volume of recycled
water generated at a concrete production facility is
completely used in a defined period. The economics
will need to consider the market area of operation and
the cost of regulatory compliance.
1. Using recycled water with a solids content at or clarified batches. The data from this study
less than the ASTM C 94 limit should comply recycled indicates that the use of clarified
with the mix- ing water criteria for strength and set- water water should be able to comply with
ting time in the standard. However, recycled water were the mixing water criteria in ASTM
aged to seven days seemed to have marginally similar C 94.
detrimental effects in this study. to the 3. Using recycled water slurries at signifi-
2. Performance properties of concrete batches with control CONCRETE in focus ı 9

feature continued
cantly higher than the ASTM C 94 crete in freeze-thaw environments. cation, Newington Concrete and
limit for solids resulted in increased 7. Results of this laboratory study indi- New Rock Materials, Newington, VA
mixing water demand and accelerated cate that hydration stabilizing admix- 6. Dave Beckham, personal communica-
setting time. The effects were more tures can be used to overcome the tion, Knelson Concrete Recovery Sys-
pronounced with an increase in the negative effects of age and higher tem, British Columbia, Canada
age of the slurry past one day and an solids content in recycled mixing 7. A Novel Method Of Recycling
increase in the solids content. water. ■ Returned Concrete Using Extended
4. At the higher solids content, four- Life Admix- tures, Seiji Nakamura and
hour-old slurries had a minimal References Lawrence R. Roberts, Proceedings of
effect on the setting time and water 1. ASTM C 94, Specification for Ready Congress of the European Ready
demand of the concrete mixtures. Mixed Concrete, ASTM, West Con- Mixed Concrete Organization
Setting time and strength for these shohocken, Pennsylvania, www. (ERMCO), 1998
batches were similar to control. This astm.org
indicates that hydrated cement in the 2. Gray Water Recycling, Article in 3 Acknowledgements
slurry solids at later ages is the parts, Greg Vickers, The Concrete This research study would not have
primary reason for the negative Producer, from October 2002, Han- been possible without the planning and
effects on water demand and setting ley-Wood LLC, www.worldofcon dedication of Richard D. Gaynor, previ-
time. crete.com ously executive vice president at NRMCA
5. Mixtures that had a higher water 3. Slurry Compensation Calculations¸ per- and NAA, and the assistance of Soliman
con- tent due to the use of higher sonal communication from Rich Ben-Barka, senior lab technician at the
solids recycled slurry had an Szecsy, Lattimore Materials Corpora- AH Smith Research Lab. The financial
associated reduction in strength and tion, Dallas, Texas and technical assistance of the following
increase in drying shrinkage and 4. Use Of Slurry Water In Concrete – Field is also gratefully acknowledged: Portland
rapid chloride permeability results. & Laboratory Investigations; Implica- Cement Association; Grace Construction
6. Freeze thaw results of all concretes in tions for Standards, M. D. A. Thomas, Products; Master Builders; Holnam, Inc.
this study were acceptable, indicating personal communication and presen- (now Holcim); Transit Mix Concrete,
that when recycled water is used, tation to CSA, 1998 Colorado Springs, CO; Boral Materials;
attaining adequate air entrainment 5. Scott Hammersly, personal communi- The Aberdeen Group (now Hanley-
and strength will provide durable con- Wood) and Cadman.