The use of recycled aggregate concrete is mainly negatively affected by its poorer mechanical and long-term properties. However, there are few structural applications for which recycled aggregates can be used. In this case study, the possibility of use as massive external reinforcement wall is verified. For this structural application, the most important characteristics are freeze–thaw resistance, and carbonation resistance and then the mechanical properties such as compressive strength. Durability characteristics of the materials have been tested and improved in the study. The mechanical properties and durability of recycled aggregated concrete have been verified and crystalline mixture has been used to improve durability. The specific structural application of the massive external reinforcement wall is for the renovation of the Czech WW2 concrete fortification, which is one of the most important cultural heritages of the Czech Republic of the 20th century. However, these buildings have not yet been professionally rebuilt, but this research project aims to change this trend. The thickness of the bunker wall is between 0.5 and 3.5 m (depending on the type of bunker) which leads to a huge amount of concrete and primary resources consumption; however, the security function is not necessary today, so the reconstruction could be provided by recycled aggregate concrete. The results showed a positive effect of the crystalline mixture on the essential properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Recycled aggregate concrete with a complete replacement of aggregate by recycled concrete or masonry aggregate is possible to use for the reconstruction of the Czech WW2 concrete fortification and save natural aggregate as a primary resource.

The use of recycled masonry aggregate for concrete is mostly limited by the worse properties in comparison with natural aggregate. For these reasons it is necessary to find ways to improve the quality of recycled masonry aggregate concrete and make it more durable. One possibility is utilization of crystalline admixture which was verified in this study by laboratory measurements of key material properties and durability. The positive influence of mineral admixture was proved for freeze-thaw resistance. The positive impact to carbonation resistance was not unambiguous. In conclusion, the laboratory evaluation shows how to improve the durability of recycled masonry aggregate concrete, however, it is necessary to investigate more about this topic.

Use of high performance concrete with reinforcement made of technical textile is increasing and new applications are being found. This paper presents new technology for the lightening of the panels made of textile reinforced concrete, which is being developed. The main focus of this research is to produce concrete elements suitable for use as facade panels with the least possible weight and environmental impact. Mechanical characteristics were measured on testing specimens with thickness of 18 mm with lightening representing 47% of their volume. Minimum thickness of concrete was 4 mm and therefore the reinforcement was covered by approximately 1.5 mm of concrete matrix. The strength of experimental test panels was measured in four-point bending stress test. Due to one-sided lightening and asymmetrical cross-section therefore, the tests were performed in both directions. For better interpretation of the results were the specimens of lightened panels tested alongside non-lightened specimens with the same thickness. Based on measured values, maximal dimensions of lightened facade panels were designed.

The development of light and very thin concrete building structures and demand for extremely thin elements in design are inter alia reasons for the development of composite materials as non-traditional reinforcement. Composite materials are currently used as reinforcement mostly in the form of fiber reinforced polymer bars similar to traditional steel reinforcement bars, but the last decade sees also rise in the use of technical textiles. This article is focused on the interaction between impregnated textile reinforcement and high-performance concrete matrix and its easy determination using originally modified pullout test. The second aim of this article is improvement of interaction conditions between reinforcement and cementitious matrix using fine-grained silica sand applied on the surface of the composite reinforcement similarly to the traditional fiber reinforced polymer reinforcement with commonly used diameters. To investigate an effect of this modification a bending test was performed on small thin concrete slabs with different amounts of reinforcement.

High performance concrete reinforced by technical textiles has found a wide range of applications in recent years. One of the most widespread is the use of this composite for the very thin facade panels of various shapes and technical solutions. This paper presents an unique way how to lighten the facade panels made of high performance concrete (HPC) reinforced by technical textiles, which are additionally equipped with LEDs, so that a sufficient distance can be watch programmed based image displays.

Textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) is a material consisting of high-performance concrete (HPC) and tensile reinforcement comprised of carbon roving with epoxy resin matrix. However, the problem of low epoxy resin resistance at higher temperatures persists. In this work, an alternative to the epoxy resin matrix, a non-combustible cement suspension (cement milk) which has proven stability at elevated temperatures, was evaluated. In the first part of the work, microscopic research was carried out to determine the distribution of particle sizes in the cement suspension. Subsequently, five series of plate samples differing in the type of cement and the method of textile reinforcement saturation were designed and prepared. Mechanical experiments (four-point bending tests) were carried out to verify the properties of each sample type. It was found that the highest efficiency of carbon roving saturation was achieved by using finer ground cement (CEM 52.5) and the pressure saturation method. Moreover, this solution also exhibited the best results in the four-point bending test. Finally, the use of CEM 52.5 in the cement matrix appears to be a feasible variant for TRC constructions that could overcome problems with its low temperature resistance.