On 20 February 2026, the final conference of the PRIN 2022 SARCOS project (Steel And Recycled COncrete Slab) brought together students, researchers, and professionals at the University of Cagliari to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the ecological transition in the construction sector. During the event, the main outcomes of the project were presented by Marta Saccone and Monica Valdés, highlighting the research carried out on steel–concrete composite slabs incorporating recycled aggregates, with a particular focus on structural perfo...

📢On 20 February 2026, the SARCOS project (PRIN 2022 – Steel And Recycled COncrete Slab) will host a dedicated conference in Cagliari, focused on advancing the scientific and design foundations for the integration of recycled aggregates into steel–concrete composite slabs. The objective of the SARCOS project is clear: to reduce the consumption of natural aggregates, enhance material circularity, and provide robust technical tools to support a concrete transition toward more sustainable construction practices. During the conference, the main outc...

🚀 New Open-Access Paper Published in Materials and Structures The SARCOS project presents its latest research on the finite element modelling of steel–concrete composite slabs incorporating recycled concrete aggregates (RAC), now available in open access. 🔍 What does this paper contribute? Advanced nonlinear FE models (ABAQUS) calibrated on 12 full-scale experimental tests Explicit modelling of steel–concrete interface behaviour through a cohesive interaction law Clear evidence that recycled aggregates, while reducing concrete stiffness, enhan...

🌍 Thrilled to share our latest publication in the Journal of Building Engineering: “Longitudinal shear behaviour in Recycled Aggregate Concrete Composite Slabs: A state-of-the-art review” Free link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114002 This work explores one of the most critical yet under-investigated aspects of sustainable composite structures: the influence of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) on the longitudinal shear performance of steel–concrete composite slabs, which represents one of the governing and most critical failure mechanis...

Coming home from an inspiring week at 10th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, held on the beautiful island of Rhodes! 🇬🇷 It was an honor to contribute to this major international event by presenting our papers: Mechanical Performance of Composite Slabs with Recycled Concrete Aggregates: The SARCOS Project Deformability of Steel-Concrete Composite Slabs The conference provided a fantastic setting to discuss sustainability, innovation, and resilience in structural engineering, a...

❄️Four months ago, the SARCOS project shared an update on the freeze–thaw testing of RCA-based sustainable concrete. Today, the project is pleased to announce the successful completion of 56 freeze–thaw cycles. This durability test is essential for assessing how recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) mixtures perform under severe thermal stress, especially in climates where concrete must withstand repeated freezing and thawing. Our aim? 👉 To determine whether RCA-based concrete can maintain structural and mechanical integrity comparable to traditio...

🎉 Proud to share our latest review article published in Buildings MDPI: "Enhancing Concrete Sustainability: A Critical Review of the Performance of Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCAs) in Structural Concrete" Open Access Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081361 This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical and durability performance of RCAs in structural applications, exploring key parameters such as compressive and tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, bond behavior, creep, and carbonation. It also highlights the poten...

❄️Within the framework of its research on recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) ♻️, the SARCOS project is carrying out freeze–thaw durability tests to assess the behaviour of sustainable concrete mixtures under severe environmental conditions. The testing protocol reproduces cyclic freezing and thawing, representing a key durability mechanism for concrete structures exposed to repeated thermal variations in cold climates. The objective is to assess how RCA-based concretes withstand these cycles in comparison with conventional mixtures and to verif...

🌱🔬Sustainability in construction is more critical than ever, and the SARCOS project has investigated the incorporation of Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA) into new concrete mixes. Within this framework, carbonation tests are being conducted to evaluate the carbonation depth of RCA-based concretes. 🔍 Why is this important? Carbonation affects concrete durability by reducing alkalinity, which can lead to reinforcement corrosion. Since RCA has different porosity and absorption properties compared to natural aggregates, understanding its carbonat...

📢 Exciting news! Excited to share our publication in Structures: "Mechanical Behavior of Composite Slabs with Recycled Concrete Aggregates: A Preliminary Study." The study's findings indicate that RCA can improve the longitudinal shear strength of composite slabs, making it a viable option for sustainable construction. This validates the path outlined in the paper, which promotes the use of RCA in composite slabs for a more environmentally friendly construction industry. Key Findings: Environmental Impact: Utilizing RCA reduces reliance on na...

🎉 News in the SARCOS Project! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the conclusion of the experimental campaign of the Steel And Recycled Concrete Slab (SARCOS) project, during which 36 slabs composed of recycled aggregate concrete were tested at Università degli Studi di Cagliari. The main objectives of the SARCOS project include: Evaluation of the rheological, mechanical, and durability performance of concrete with recycled aggregates. Development of a reliable experimental test protocol for sustainable slabs. Study of the influence of different ty...

🎉 News in the SARCOS Project! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the first successful casting of composite slab samples for the Steel And Recycled Concrete Slab (hashtag#SARCOS) project! 🌍🏗️ This week, the first composite slabs samples have been casted in the Heidelberg Materials Site in Carbonia. This milestone represents an important step of an exciting journey towards a more environmentally friendly construction method. In the next week we will finalize the construction of the whole 36 samples necessary for the experimental campaign.

We are thrilled to announce the development of Project SARCOS, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing the construction industry by incorporating recycled aggregates into steel-concrete composite slabs. This project, made possible by the generous support of our sponsor Spinelli , marks a significant step towards sustainable construction practices. In collaboration with Spinelli, we have just received a shipment of metal sheets in Cagliari, which will serve as the foundation for casting the composite slabs in the coming months. This...

In a significant stride towards sustainable construction practices, the Steel And Recycled Concrete Slab (SARCOS) project proudly announces the launch of its new website, accessible to everyone free of charge. This groundbreaking initiative is focused on revolutionizing the construction industry by extending the application of recycled aggregates to steel–concrete composite slabs. Traditionally, these slabs have been exclusively crafted using concrete composed of natural aggregates.

The Project Sarcos website: coming soon In an exciting development for the construction and sustainability sectors, the Steel And Recycled Concrete Slab (SARCOS) project team announce that its website is currently under construction and will soon be available for public access. This eagerly awaited online platform promises to offer a wealth of information on the innovative research project aimed at revolutionizing the use of materials in construction by promoting the integration of recycled aggregates into steel–concrete composite slabs. The fo...