Cost-Benefit Analysis of Vibrated Cement Concrete and Self-Compacting Concrete Containing Recycled Aggregates and Natural Pozzolana

Abstract

The development of economical and durable concrete is of prime importance while considering the life cycle cost of the structure, which includes the initial cost of the material and labor as well as the cost of maintenance and repair. Sustainability in concrete construction can be attained by the incorporation of regionally available raw materials as well as recyclable materials in construction. The development of durable Vibrated cement concrete (VCC) and Self compacting concrete (SCC) having adequate strength, which is cost-effective, environment-friendly, and thus sustainable is required to meet the current requirements in the construction industry. Moreover, in the study, the use of volcanic ash (VA) and recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) resulted in the economic development of Vibrated cement concrete and Self-compacting concrete (SCC). Promoting the production and use of SCC among ready-mix companies and local bodies to meet the shortage in housing necessitates conduction a comparative cost-benefit analysis to produce and place VCC and SCC by using conventional materials as well as sustainable materials in addition to finding the relative costs of different materials, as well as labor cost from the local market. The study confirmed the economic benefit of SCC over VCC as well as the added advantage of incorporating recycled aggregates and regionally available volcanic ash in the SCC mix.