Recycled aggregate concrete is a kind of new material which recycles waste concrete with the significant advantages of environmental protection and economic benefit, as a main measurement to realize the sustainable development of construction, resource and environment. Especially after Wenchuan earthquake, tons of construction waste have been produced with the amount far surpass the annual production of construction waste in China, resulting in a great challenge of reconstruction to the quake area. In this paper, the basic properties of recycled aggregate concrete and its application performances in structures are presented according to the current research achievements from home and abroad. Meanwhile, the mechanical performances of recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tubes and the application outlook of recycled aggregate concrete used in steel tube composite structures are discussed taking the superiorities of composite structure into account. Furthermore, the necessity and feasibility to promote the research and application of recycled aggregate concrete during the post-earthquake reconstruction in China are proposed.
