Research

16 pages, 8053 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization Design of Mix Proportion for Fly Ash–Silica Fume–Basalt Fiber–Polypropylene Fiber Concrete under Steam Curing Condition

by Ziqian Li, Gang Li, Chong Wang, Wei Li and Huaping Zheng

Materials 2024, 17(9), 1971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17091971 - 24 Apr 2024

Viewed by 265

Abstract

To enhance the physical and mechanical characteristics of steam-cured concrete, an orthogonal experimental design was utilized to examine the effects of varying contents of fly ash (0 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%), silica fume (0 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 [...] Read more.

To enhance the physical and mechanical characteristics of steam-cured concrete, an orthogonal experimental design was utilized to examine the effects of varying contents of fly ash (0 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%), silica fume (0 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%), basalt fiber (0 vol%, 0.05 vol%, 0.1 vol%, 0.2 vol%), and polypropylene fiber (0 vol%, 0.05 vol%, 0.1 vol%, 0.2 vol%) on its mechanical properties. Utilizing range and variance analyses, this study identified four preliminary optimized compositions of concrete incorporating fly ash, silica fume, basalt fiber, and polypropylene fiber. On this basis, in order to determine the optimal mix proportion, the mechanical performances, the pore characteristics, and the microstructure of four optimized mix proportions were analyzed. According to the results of macroscopic, fine, and microscopic multi-scale tests, the addition of 15 wt% fly ash, 10 wt% silica ash, 0.2 vol% basalt fiber, and 0.1 vol% polypropylene fiber to the steamed concrete is the best to improve the performance of the steamed concrete. Compared to ordinary concrete, the compressive strength increases by 28%, the tensile strength increases by 40%, and the porosity decreases by 47.2%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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28 pages, 8305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Performance of Ceramic Tiles with Steel Slag and Waste Clay Bricks

by Ying Ji, Enyao Li, Gang Zhu, Ruiqi Wang and Qianqian Sha

Materials 2024, 17(8), 1755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081755 - 11 Apr 2024

Viewed by 329

Abstract

Steel slag and waste clay bricks are two prevalent solid waste materials generated during industrial production. The complex chemical compositions of these materials present challenges to their utilization in conventional alumina silicate ceramics manufacturing. A new type of ceramic tile, which utilizes steel [...] Read more.

Steel slag and waste clay bricks are two prevalent solid waste materials generated during industrial production. The complex chemical compositions of these materials present challenges to their utilization in conventional alumina silicate ceramics manufacturing. A new type of ceramic tile, which utilizes steel slag and waste clay brick as raw materials, has been successfully developed in order to effectively utilize these solid wastes. The optimal composition of the ceramic material was determined through orthogonal experimentation, during which the effects of the sample molding pressure, the soaking time, and the sintering temperature on the ceramic properties were studied. The results show that the optimal ceramic tile formula was 45% steel slag, 35% waste clay bricks, and 25% talc. The optimal process parameters for this composition included a molding pressure of 25 MPa, a sintering temperature of 1190 °C, and a soaking time of 60 min. The prepared ceramic tile samples had compositions in which solid waste accounted for more than 76% of the total material. Additionally, they possessed a modulus of rupture of more than 73.2 MPa and a corresponding water absorption rate of less than 0.05%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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18 pages, 9978 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influences of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastic on the Hygrothermal and Mechanical Performance of Plasterboard with Polymethylhydrosiloxane Content

by Victoria Romano-Matos, Alain Tundidor-Camba, Sergio Vera, Ivan Navarrete and Alvaro Videla

Materials 2024, 17(7), 1652; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071652 - 03 Apr 2024

Viewed by 340

Abstract

New composites produced with recycled waste are needed to manufacture more sustainable construction materials. This paper aimed to analyze the hygrothermal and mechanical performance of plasterboard with a polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) content, incorporating recycled PET microplastic waste and varying factors such as PMHS dose, [...] Read more.

New composites produced with recycled waste are needed to manufacture more sustainable construction materials. This paper aimed to analyze the hygrothermal and mechanical performance of plasterboard with a polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) content, incorporating recycled PET microplastic waste and varying factors such as PMHS dose, homogenization time, and drying temperature after setting. A cube-centered experimental design matrix was performed. The crystal morphology, porosity, fluidity, water absorption, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity of plasterboards were measured. The results showed that incorporating recycled PET microplastics does not produce a significant difference in the absorption and flexural strength of plasterboards. However, the addition of recycled PET reduced the thermal conductivity of plasterboards by around 10%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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17 pages, 7751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Manufactured Sand and Steam-Curing Temperature on the Compressive Strength of Recycled Concrete with Different Water/Binder Ratios

by Xiaolin Liu, Xinjie Wang, Tianrui Zhang, Pinghua Zhu and Hui Liu

Materials 2023, 16(24), 7635; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16247635 - 14 Dec 2023

Viewed by 722

Abstract

New building materials (manufactured sand and recycled coarse aggregates) can conserve raw materials and protect the environment. Prefabricated members can shorten the construction time of a structure. To use manufactured sand and recycled coarse aggregate in the preparation of precast member concrete, an [...] Read more.

New building materials (manufactured sand and recycled coarse aggregates) can conserve raw materials and protect the environment. Prefabricated members can shorten the construction time of a structure. To use manufactured sand and recycled coarse aggregate in the preparation of precast member concrete, an economical and practical steam-curing scheme must be developed such that the compressive strength of precast manufactured sand recycled concrete (MRC) meets the requirements for hoisting. The effects of different steam-curing temperatures (standard curing, 40 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C) on the compressive strength of MRC with three water/binder ratios (W/B) (0.46, 0.42, and 0.38) were studied. In addition, the microstructure of MRC was examined using a scanning electron microscope. The equivalent age–compressive strength model was used to estimate the recycled concrete with manufactured sand. The results showed that the strength of MRC with a water–cement ratio of 0.46, 0.42, and 0.38 reached 33.9, 38.7, and 45.1 MPa, respectively, after 28 days of standard curing. The results also indicated that an increase in the steam-curing temperature had a positive effect on the early compressive strength of MRC and a negative effect on the 28 d compressive strength. This behavior was more obvious for MRC with a low W/B ratio. For MRC with a W/B of 0.46, 0.42, and 0.38, after steam-curing for 6 h, the compressive strength reached 32–65%, 36–70%, and 40–77% of the design strength, respectively. The optimum steam-curing temperatures for MRC with W/B of 0.46, 0.42, and 0.38 were 60 °C, 60 °C, and 50 °C. A decrease in W/B has a negative impact on the accuracy of MRC estimation using the equivalent age–compressive strength model. The maximum deviation of the prediction was within 10%, and the accuracy of the model was acceptable. This study provides a useful reference for the production of prefabricated MRC components in factories and subsequent construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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20 pages, 5460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seawater Corrosion Resistance of Duplex Stainless Steel and the Axial Compressive Stiffness of Its Reinforced Concrete Columns

by Zhenhua Ren, Lizheng Fang, Hui Wang, Peng Ding and Xiantao Zeng

Materials 2023, 16(23), 7249; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16237249 - 21 Nov 2023

Viewed by 731

Abstract

In order to explore the corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steel under seawater corrosion and the compressive stiffness of its reinforced concrete columns, this study first performed seawater corrosion resistance tests on HRB400 ordinary steel rebar and S32205 duplex stainless steel rebar. The [...] Read more.

In order to explore the corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steel under seawater corrosion and the compressive stiffness of its reinforced concrete columns, this study first performed seawater corrosion resistance tests on HRB400 ordinary steel rebar and S32205 duplex stainless steel rebar. The effect of the corrosion product film on the corrosion behavior was investigated through polarization curve tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. The results showed that the corrosion rate of S32205 duplex stainless steel in a seawater environment was approximately 1/15 that of the HRB400 ordinary steel rebar. The anodic polarization curve of duplex stainless steel rebars exhibited a greater slope than that of carbon steel rebars. In the simulated seawater environment, the corrosion rate of these two kinds of steel bars showed different trends. The corrosion rate of ordinary steel bar HRB400 first decreased and then increased, while that of duplex stainless steel S2205 increased steadily. Furthermore, 18 short concrete columns reinforced with ordinary and duplex stainless steel rebars were subjected to the axial compression test and stiffness analysis; the stiffness of the short columns was calculated from the test data. The theoretical values agreed with the test values, with a stiffness calculation error of less than 5%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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19 pages, 6951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modified Lignin-Based Cement Solidifying Material for Improving Engineering Residual Soil

by Xiang Yu, Hongbo Lu, Jie Peng, Jinming Ren, Yongmin Wang and Junhao Chen

Materials 2023, 16(22), 7100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16227100 - 09 Nov 2023

Viewed by 614

Abstract

Although lignin improves the strength and modulus of soil, it is less active when unmodified, and it exhibits more limited effects on soils in combination with traditional Ca-based curing agents. Lignin-solidified soil also exhibits deficiencies, such as poor durability under dry–wet cycling conditions, [...] Read more.

Although lignin improves the strength and modulus of soil, it is less active when unmodified, and it exhibits more limited effects on soils in combination with traditional Ca-based curing agents. Lignin-solidified soil also exhibits deficiencies, such as poor durability under dry–wet cycling conditions, and thus, the amelioration effect is limited. This study investigated the enhancement of cement-solidified soil using hydroxylated lignin with sodium silicate and quicklime used as activators to improve the engineering performance and durability of the treated soil. Using respective cement, sodium silicate, quicklime, and lignin contents of 7%, 0.4%, 0.2%, and 0.2% with respect to the dry mass of the slag soil, the strength and cohesion of the composite-solidified soil were 1.5 times those of cement-solidified soil, whereas the internal friction angle increased by 5.1°. At a solidifying age of 14 d, the penetration resistance almost doubled, indicating a significant improvement in the bearing capacity of the soil. The results suggest that modified lignin-based admixtures may significantly enhance the performance of cement-solidified soil. The cement curing admixture used in this study provides theoretical and technological support for curing agent preparation and the utilization of slag. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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19 pages, 14072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Self-Healing Properties of OPC-Slag Cement Immersed in Seawater Using UPV Measurements

by Choonghyun Kang, Yongmyung Park and Taewan Kim

Materials 2023, 16(21), 7018; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16217018 - 02 Nov 2023

Viewed by 667

Abstract

In this study, OPC-slag cement, which partially replaced ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), was immersed in seawater at three temperatures and the self-healing effect was evaluated through ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) measurement. In addition, test specimens without cracks were immersed and cured in [...] Read more.

In this study, OPC-slag cement, which partially replaced ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), was immersed in seawater at three temperatures and the self-healing effect was evaluated through ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) measurement. In addition, test specimens without cracks were immersed and cured in the same seawater environment to compare the characteristics of UPV and crack-healing effects. The results of the study showed that increasing the GGBFS content or immersion temperature improved the healing effect up to 30 days after immersion, but there was no significant effect after 30 days of immersion. In a saltwater environment, a thick layer of brucite was deposited near the crack, blocking the inflow of seawater and impeding the formation of additional healing material. According to visual observation, the crack entrance appears to have been covered and healed by the brucite layer. However, the brucite layer in the crack area increases the UPV in the early stages of immersion, which may lead to a misconception that it is self-healed, and there is a possibility of overestimating the self-healing effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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15 pages, 2639 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Orthogonal Test Study on the Preparation of Self-Compacting Underwater Non-Dispersible Concrete

by Haibin Geng, Huijuan Wang, Xiaoke Li, Lin Wang, Hao Zhong and Changyong Li

Materials 2023, 16(19), 6599; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196599 - 08 Oct 2023

Viewed by 766

Abstract

To ensure a limited washout loss rate and the self-compaction of underwater concrete, the mix proportion design of underwater non-dispersible concrete is a key technology that has not been completely mastered. In view of this aspect, an orthogonal test study was carried out [...] Read more.

To ensure a limited washout loss rate and the self-compaction of underwater concrete, the mix proportion design of underwater non-dispersible concrete is a key technology that has not been completely mastered. In view of this aspect, an orthogonal test study was carried out in this paper on the workability, washout resistance, and compressive strength of underwater non-dispersible concrete. Six factors with five levels were considered, which included the water/binder ratio, the sand ratio, the maximum particle size of the coarse aggregate, the content of the dispersion resistance agent, the content of superplasticizer, and the dosage of fly ash. Using a range and variance analysis, the sensitivity and significance of these factors were analyzed on the slump and slump-flow, the flow time, the washout loss rate, the pH value, and the compressive strength at the curing ages of 7 days and 28 days. The results indicated that the water/binder ratio and the content of the dispersion resistance agent were strong in terms of their sensitivity and significance on the workability and washout resistance, and the water/binder ratio and the dosage of fly ash were strong in terms of their sensitivity and significance on the compressive strength. With the joint fitness of the test results, formulas for predicting the slump-flow, washout loss rate, and compressive strength of underwater non-dispersible concrete were proposed considering the main impact factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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16 pages, 5663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on Bio-Reinforcement of Calcareous Sand through Hydrochloric Acid Solution Precipitation into Cementing Solution

by Zhao Jiang, Renjie Wei, Di Dai, Liangliang Li, Zhiyang Shang, Jiahui Tang, Jie Peng and Ping Li

Materials 2023, 16(19), 6348; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196348 - 22 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 833

Abstract

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology holds great potential in enhancing soil properties. MICP can be employed to enhance the stability and strength of diverse sandy soil, but it has the shortcoming of low curing efficiency. In response to the identified problem, this [...] Read more.

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology holds great potential in enhancing soil properties. MICP can be employed to enhance the stability and strength of diverse sandy soil, but it has the shortcoming of low curing efficiency. In response to the identified problem, this study aims to investigate an optimized treatment protocol that involves formulating a cementing solution in a hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution to enhance the solidification rate in the MICP reaction and evaluate its effectiveness. The results indicate that when preparing a 1 M cementing solution in a 0.2 M HCl solution, it promotes the rapid bonding of calcareous sand particles, resulting in an unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 1312.6 kPa in the sand column after five treatments. Compared to the conventional test group, the experimental group containing HCl exhibited an approximately 1357% increase in UCS. The analysis unveiled the pivotal role of metal ions dissolved from calcareous sand by HCl in enhancing the UCS of MICP-treated calcareous sand. The proposed experimental methodology serves as a valuable tool for designing treatment strategies for MICP-cemented calcareous sand in practical engineering applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sustainable Construction and Building Materials (2nd Edition))

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