Modified cost-benefit analysis of the production of ready-mixed self-consolidating concrete prepared with a recycled concrete aggregate

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is sustainable, recycled concrete waste that is used as a component of green concretes and that, in the long term, can be a substitute for natural aggregates, which, in turn, can result in the preservation of natural aggregates. The objective of this paper is to modify the cost-benefit analysis generation model of ready-mixed self-consolidating concretes made with RCAs. The model focuses on analyzing the financial effects that favor the production and delivery operations of RCAs rather than those of natural concretes. An inductive qualitative approach was adopted to conduct an inquiry into the cost-benefit assessment of ready-mixed self-consolidating concrete production prepared with recycled concrete aggregate. The study results indicate that the RCA price cannot fall below that of the natural concrete aggregate (NCA) regardless of the production plants used. The major finding of this paper is that production establishments of RCAs can be used for the large-scale production of recycled aggregate concretes at fair prices. Front-end loader and overhead bin plants for ready-mixed concrete may be used to reduce the increasing costs of RCA production. Nevertheless, recycled concrete pricing effects and demand and supply factors pose challenges that are barely accounted for.