In this work the effects of steam curing on the properties of recycled concrete aggregate were studied. The test results showed that the strength of concrete decreased as the recycled aggregate content increased. An initial steam curing regime increased the 1-day strength of the concrete but the corresponding 28 and 90-day strengths decreased. Furthermore, steam curing reduced the static modulus of elasticity of the concrete compared to that of the water cured concrete. However, the negative effect of steam curing diminished as the recycled aggregate content increased. Steam curing also decreased the drying shrinkage and increased the resistance against chloride ion penetration of the recycled concrete aggregate. The results demonstrate that one of the practical ways to utilize a higher percentage of recycled aggregates in concrete is “precasting” with an initial steam curing stage immediately after casting.
