Purpose　Based　on　the　random　aggregate　model　of　recycled　aggregate　concrete　(RAC),　this　paper　aims　to　focus　on　the　effect　of　loading　rate　on　the　failure　pattern　and　the　macroscopic　mechanical　properties.　Design/methodology/approach　RAC　is　regarded　as　a　five-phase　inhomogeneous　composite　material　at　the　mesoscopic　level.　The　number　and　position　of　the　aggregates　are　modeled　by　the　Walraven　formula　and　Monte-Carlo　stochastic　method,　respectively.　The　RAC　specimen　is　divided　by　the　finite-element　mesh　to　establish　the　dynamic　base　force　element　model.　In　this　model,　the　element　mechanical　parameters　of　each　material　phase　satisfy　Weibull　distribution.　To　simulate　and　analyze　the　dynamic　mechanical　behavior　of　RAC　under　axial　tension,　flexural　tension　and　shear　tension,　the　dynamic　tensile　modes　of　the　double-notched　specimens,　the　simply　supported　beam　and　the　L　specimens　are　modeled,　respectively.　In　addition,　the　different　concrete　samples　are　numerically　investigated　under　different　loading　rates.　Findings　The　failure　strength　and　failure　pattern　of　RAC　have　strong　rate-dependent　characteristics　because　of　the　inhomogeneity　and　the　inertial　effect　of　the　material.　Originality/value　The　dynamic　base　force　element　method　has　been　successfully　applied　to　the　study　of　recycled　concrete.