Research on Multi generation Recycled Aggregate Permeable Concrete: Physical, Hydraulic, and Environmental Properties

Research Overview: According to the study published in Volume 547 of Construction and Building Materials (November 14, 2026), authors L.D. Dadd, B. Collins, H. Lemon, C. Knowles, N. Martin, and P. Visintin investigated the physical, hydraulic, and environmental properties of multi generation recycled aggregate permeable concrete. This study belongs to the field of building materials formulation and performance research, involving the application of recycled aggregates in permeable concrete and their impact on the overall performance of materials.

Core performance dimensions of concern

From the research title and source information, the work focuses on three levels:

• Physical properties: the performance of permeable concrete at the structural level after the introduction of multiple generations of recycled aggregates;;
• Hydraulic performance: The permeability and drainage related characteristics of permeable concrete;
• Environmental performance: Environmental benefit assessment corresponding to the multi generation recycling of recycled aggregates.

.

The study incorporates the “intergenerational” concept of recycled aggregates into the performance analysis framework of permeable concrete, which means that material design should not only focus on the quality fluctuations of single recycled aggregates, but also consider the cumulative impact of changes in aggregate characteristics after multiple cycles on the overall performance of concrete. This approach has methodological significance for promoting recycled materials in architecture and home decoration scenes.

Significance for the Building and Home Decoration Materials Industry

Permeable concrete is commonly used in building and home decoration scenarios such as permeable paving, courtyard floors, sidewalks, and lightweight road surfaces. Its formula design and performance balance directly affect the durability and user experience of the project.

. The introduction of multi generation recycled aggregates provides a path to reduce the consumption of natural aggregates and improve the resource utilization rate of construction waste, but at the same time, it also puts forward higher requirements for mix design, pore structure control, and long-term performance stability. In the overall system of building and home decoration materials, concrete modification is often interrelated with issues such as weather resistance and structural protection of building materials. For example, PVC profiles require a weather resistant and stable system to resist UV and thermal oxidative aging in outdoor doors, windows, and pipeline systems. The reasonable combination of antioxidants and light stabilizers is a common technical means; Similarly, permeable concrete also faces durability challenges in outdoor exposed environments, and formula design needs to balance permeability and long-term performance. Although the study did not directly involve polymer additives, its systematic investigation of the material properties of recycled aggregates under multiple cycles provides a reference for understanding the balance between “recycled materials+long-term performance” in the fields of construction and home decoration. It also suggests that in the sustainability process of building materials, performance verification should be promoted simultaneously with environmental benefit assessment.

Industry Insights

The significance of this study is to expand the use of recycled aggregates from single generation recycling to multi generation recycling, and to evaluate physical, hydraulic, and environmental performance within the same framework.

. For practitioners in the construction and home decoration materials industry, this means that when using recycled aggregates to prepare permeable concrete, it is necessary to track the influence of aggregate sources and cycle times on the mix proportion more carefully, and reserve space for performance fluctuations in the design phase. Meanwhile, the environmental performance evaluation results of permeable concrete can also provide data support for green building material selection and home permeable paving schemes.

Source: Construction and Building Materials, Volume 547, published on November 14, 26; Authors L.D. Dadd, B. Collins, H. Lemon, C. Knowles, N. Martin, P. Visintin.

Information source:Porous concrete with multi-generation recycled aggregate: physical, hydraulic and environmental performance， Organized by Herun Chemical.