Research

13 pages, 10467 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Blast Furnace Slag Powder and Limestone Powder on the Mechanical Properties and Durability of Shotcrete Using Monocalcium Aluminate Setting Accelerator

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Materials 2022, 15(7), 2495; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15072495 - 28 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1426

Abstract

In this study, the effect of fine blast furnace slag powder (SP) and limestone powder (LSP) as a mineral admixture in shotcrete using monocalcium aluminate (CA) as a quick-setting accelerator was evaluated. The shotcrete was prepared with up to 25 wt.% substitutions of [...] Read more.

In this study, the effect of fine blast furnace slag powder (SP) and limestone powder (LSP) as a mineral admixture in shotcrete using monocalcium aluminate (CA) as a quick-setting accelerator was evaluated. The shotcrete was prepared with up to 25 wt.% substitutions of mineral admixture, i.e., (SP and LSP), and then the CA accelerator was incorporated by 5 wt.% of binders. To examine the optimal mixing ratio for mineral admixture in shotcrete, penetration resistance, compressive strength, XRD analysis, and MIP analysis were performed on the mortar. On the other hand, compressive strength test, chloride diffusion coefficient, and freeze–thaw resistance were conducted on concrete to evaluate the field applicability of shotcrete. The study revealed the addition of LSP improved setting time and early compressive strength while the addition of SP increased long-term compressive strength. With the addition of both SP and LSP, the early and long-term strength was increased due to the influence of the properties of each admixture. Furthermore, the addition of SP and LSP improves the resistance of shotcrete to chloride ions and freeze–thaw. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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20 pages, 4962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flexural and Impact Behaviors of Mortar Composite Including Carbon Fibers

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Md. Safiuddin

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George Abdel-Sayed

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Nataliya Hearn

Materials 2022, 15(5), 1657; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15051657 - 23 Feb 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1371

Abstract

This study investigated the flexural and impact performances of mortar composite made with carbon fibers (MCCF). Four mortar composites (MCCF1, MCCF2, MCCF3, and MCCF4) were produced, using 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% carbon fibers by volume, respectively. Another mortar composite without any carbon [...] Read more.

This study investigated the flexural and impact performances of mortar composite made with carbon fibers (MCCF). Four mortar composites (MCCF1, MCCF2, MCCF3, and MCCF4) were produced, using 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% carbon fibers by volume, respectively. Another mortar composite without any carbon fibers (MCCF0) was prepared for its use as a control mix. The freshly mixed mortar composites were tested for inverted slump cone flow time to ensure they had an adequate workability to cast test specimens under vibration. In addition, all fresh mortar composites were examined for density and air content. The hardened mortar composites were tested for their first-crack flexural strength, ultimate flexural strength, first-crack impact resistance, and ultimate impact resistance. Moreover, the first-crack flexural toughness, ultimate flexural toughness, first-crack impact toughness, and ultimate impact toughness were determined for all hardened mortar composites. The correlations among the hardened properties of the mortar composites were also sought. Finally, the optimum fiber content was defined from the overall test results and considering the costs of the mortar composites. The test results showed that the workability and density of the fresh mortar composite decreased, whereas its air content increased due to the inclusion of carbon fibers. However, MCCF3 possessed the highest density and lowest air content among all MCCF mixes. It also had a higher workability than MCCF4. In the hardened state, the first-crack flexural strength and impact resistance, as well as the ultimate flexural strength and impact resistance of mortar composite, increased significantly with the increasing volume content of carbon fibers. In addition, the first-crack flexural toughness, ultimate flexural toughness, first-crack impact toughness, and ultimate impact toughness increased greatly with the higher volume content of carbon fibers. Strong correlations between the flexural strength and impact resistance, and between the flexural toughness and impact toughness of the mortar composites, were observed. Above all, excellent flexural strength, flexural toughness, impact resistance, and impact toughness values were observed for MCCF4 (4% carbon fibers). The 28-day ultimate flexural strength and impact resistance of MCCF4 increased by 4.6 MPa and 134 blows, respectively, as compared to MCCF0. Moreover, the 28-day ultimate flexural toughness and ultimate impact toughness values of MCCF4 were higher than that of MCCF0, by 3739.7 N-mm and 2703.3 J, respectively. However, MCCF3 (3% carbon fibers) also exhibited a good performance under flexural and impact loadings. Based on the costs of all mortar composites and their performances in both fresh and hardened states, MCCF3 was derived as the best mortar mix. This implies that 3% carbon fibers can be defined as the optimum fiber content in the context of the present study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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16 pages, 4581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electromagnetic Wave Shielding Properties of Amorphous Metallic Fiber-Reinforced High-Strength Concrete Using Waveguides

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Materials 2021, 14(22), 7052; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14227052 - 20 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1594

Abstract

In this study, high-strength concrete containing hooked-end steel or amorphous metallic fibers was fabricated, and the electrical conductivity and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness were evaluated after 28 and 208 days based on considerations of the influences of the moisture content. Amorphous metallic fibers, which [...] Read more.

In this study, high-strength concrete containing hooked-end steel or amorphous metallic fibers was fabricated, and the electrical conductivity and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness were evaluated after 28 and 208 days based on considerations of the influences of the moisture content. Amorphous metallic fibers, which have the same length and length/equivalent diameter ratio as hooked-end steel fibers, were favored for the formation of a conductive network because they can be added in large quantities owing to their low densities. These fibers have a large specific surface area as thin plates. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness clearly improved as the electrical conductivity increased, and it can be expected that the shielding effectiveness will approach the saturation level when the fiber volume fraction of amorphous metallic fibers exceeds 0.5 vol.%. Meanwhile, it is necessary to reduce the amount of moisture to conservatively evaluate the electromagnetic shielding performance. In particular, when 0.5 vol.% of amorphous metallic fibers was added, a shielding effectiveness of >80 dB (based on a thickness of 300 mm) was achieved at a low moisture content after 208 days. Similar to the electrical conductivity, excellent shielding effectiveness can be expected from amorphous metallic fibers at low contents compared to that provided by hooked-end steel fibers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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15 pages, 3943 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Explosive Spalling Behavior of Single-Sided Heated Concrete According to Compressive Strength and Heating Rate

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Materials 2021, 14(20), 6023; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14206023 - 13 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1461

Abstract

In this study, the effects of heating rate and compressive strength on the spalling behavior of single-sided heated ring-restrained concrete with compressive strengths of 60 and 100 MPa were investigated. The vapor pressure and restrained stress inside the concrete were evaluated under fast- [...] Read more.

In this study, the effects of heating rate and compressive strength on the spalling behavior of single-sided heated ring-restrained concrete with compressive strengths of 60 and 100 MPa were investigated. The vapor pressure and restrained stress inside the concrete were evaluated under fast- and slow-heating conditions. Regardless of the heating rate, the concrete vapor pressure and restrained stress increased as the temperature increased, and it was confirmed that spalling occurred in the 100-MPa concrete. Specifically, it was found that moisture migration and restrained stress inside the concrete varied depending on the heating rate. Under fast heating, moisture clogging and restrained stress occurred across the concrete surface, causing continuous surface spalling for the 100-MPa concrete. Under slow heating, moisture clogging occurred, and restrained stress continuously increased in the deep area of the concrete cross-section owing to the small internal temperature difference, resulting in explosive spalling for the 100-MPa concrete with a dense internal structure. Additionally, while the tensile strength of concrete is reduced by heating, stress in the heated surface direction is generated by restrained stress. The combination of stress in the heated concrete surface and the internal vapor pressure generates spalling. The experimental results confirm that heating rate has a significant influence on moisture migration and restrained stress occurrence inside concrete, which are important factors that determine the type of spalling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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17 pages, 6604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Chloride-Ion Diffusion Characteristics of Wave Power Marine Concrete Structures

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Materials 2021, 14(19), 5675; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14195675 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1455

Abstract

Wave power marine concrete structures generate electrical energy using waves. They are exposed to a multi-deterioration environment because of air and hydrostatic pressure and chloride attack. In this study, the effect of air pressure repeatedly generated by water level change of wave power [...] Read more.

Wave power marine concrete structures generate electrical energy using waves. They are exposed to a multi-deterioration environment because of air and hydrostatic pressure and chloride attack. In this study, the effect of air pressure repeatedly generated by water level change of wave power marine concrete structures on the chloride-ion diffusion of marine concrete was analyzed. The chloride-ion diffusion of wave power marine concrete structures was evaluated. The results show that the air chamber and bypass room, which were subjected to repetitive air pressures caused by water level changes, showed a higher water-soluble chloride-ion content compared to the generator room and docking facility, which were subjected to atmospheric pressure. Field exposure tests and indoor chloride attack tests were performed using fabricated specimens to analyze the effect of pressure on chloride-ion penetration. It was confirmed that Portland blast furnace slag had a greater inhibitory effect on chloride-ion penetration than ordinary Portland cement. The concrete specimens subjected to pressure showed increased capillary pores and micro-cracks. We devised an equation for calculating the diffusion coefficient based on measured data and estimating the diffusion coefficient for the location receiving repeated air pressure by using the diffusion coefficient of the location receiving general atmospheric pressure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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16 pages, 5032 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Innovative Method for Sustainable Utilization of Blast-Furnace Slag in the Cleaner Production of One-Part Hybrid Cement Mortar

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Hamdy A. Abdel-Gawwad

Materials 2021, 14(19), 5669; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14195669 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1386

Abstract

Hybrid cement (HC) can be defined as alkali activated-blended-Portland cement (PC). It is prepared by the addition of an alkaline solution to high-volume aluminosilicate-blended-PC. Although this cement exhibits higher mechanical performance compared to conventional blended one (aluminosilicate–PC blend), it represents lower commercial viability [...] Read more.

Hybrid cement (HC) can be defined as alkali activated-blended-Portland cement (PC). It is prepared by the addition of an alkaline solution to high-volume aluminosilicate-blended-PC. Although this cement exhibits higher mechanical performance compared to conventional blended one (aluminosilicate–PC blend), it represents lower commercial viability because of the corrosive nature of alkaline solution. Therefore, this study focuses on the preparing one-part HC using dry activator–based BFS (DAS). DAS was prepared by mixing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with BFS at low water to BFS ratio, followed by drying and grinding to yield DAS-powder. Different contents of DAS (equivalent to 70 wt.% BFS and 1, 2, and 3 wt.% NaOH) were blended with 30 wt.% PC. A mixture containing 70 wt.% BFS and 30 wt.% PC was used as a reference sample. The mortar was adjusted at a sand–powder (BFS-PC and/or DAS-PC) weight ratio of 3:1. The microstructural analysis proved that DAS-powder is mainly composed of sodium calcium aluminosilicate–activated species and unreacted BFS. These species can interact again with water to form calcium aluminum silicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) and NaOH, suggesting that the DAS acts as a NaOH-carrier. One-part HC mortars having 1, 2, and 3 wt.% NaOH recorded 7th day compressive strength values of 82%, 44%, and 27%, respectively, higher than that of the control sample. At 180 days of curing, a significant reduction in compressive strength was observed within the HC mortar having 3 wt.% NaOH. This could be attributed to the increase of Ca (within C-S-H) replacement by Na, forming a Na-rich phase with lower binding capacity. The main hydration products within HC are C-S-H, C-A-S-H, and chabazite as part of the zeolite family. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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16 pages, 2891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties for the Static and Dynamic Compression of Concrete Eroded by Sulfate Solution

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Ao Yao

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Jinyu Xu

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Wei Xia

Materials 2021, 14(18), 5387; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185387 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1592

Abstract

The mechanical properties of the static and dynamic compression of concrete eroded by a 15% sodium sulfate solution were explored with a 70-mm-diameter true triaxial static-dynamic comprehensive loading test system, and an analysis of the weakening mechanisms for the degree of macroscopic damage [...] Read more.

The mechanical properties of the static and dynamic compression of concrete eroded by a 15% sodium sulfate solution were explored with a 70-mm-diameter true triaxial static-dynamic comprehensive loading test system, and an analysis of the weakening mechanisms for the degree of macroscopic damage and microscopic surface changes of eroded concrete were conducted in combination with damage testing based on relevant acoustic characteristics and SEM scanning. The experience obtained in this paper is used to analyze and solve the problem that the bearing capacity of concrete buildings is weakened due to the decrease in durability under the special conditions of sulfate erosion. The results showed that, in a short time, the properties of concrete corroded by sulfate solution were improved to a certain extent due to continuous hydration. When the corrosion time was prolonged, the internal concrete structure was destroyed after it was eroded by sulfate, and its dynamic and static strength, deformability, and energy absorption were reduced to differing degrees, thus greatly inhibiting the overall mechanical performance of concrete; the dynamic compressive strength changed with strain that exhibited a significant strain rate effect; and, under the influence of sulfate erosion and hydration, the longitudinal wave velocity increased first and then decreased. The longitudinal wave velocity was slower than that of concrete under normal environment and distilled water immersion condition. SEM and acoustic wave analysis indicated that the internal concrete structure was destroyed after it was eroded by sulfate, and its dynamic and static strength, deformability, and energy absorption were reduced to differing degrees, thus greatly inhibiting the overall mechanical performance of concrete. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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21 pages, 7107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing the Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete to Increase Its Resistance to Projectile Impact

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Anna L. Mina

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Konstantinos G. Trezos

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Michael F. Petrou

Materials 2021, 14(17), 5098; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14175098 - 06 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2768

Abstract

This study describes an extensive experimental investigation of various mechanical properties of Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). The scope is to achieve high strength and ductile behaviour, hence providing optimal resistance to projectile impact. Eight different mixtures were produced and tested, three mixtures of [...] Read more.

This study describes an extensive experimental investigation of various mechanical properties of Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). The scope is to achieve high strength and ductile behaviour, hence providing optimal resistance to projectile impact. Eight different mixtures were produced and tested, three mixtures of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) and five mixtures of UHPFRC, by changing the amount and length of the steel fibres, the quantity of the superplasticizer, and the water to binder (w/b) ratio. Full stress–strain curves from compression, direct tension, and flexural tests were obtained from one batch of each mixture to examine the influence of the above parameters on the mechanical properties. The Poisson’s ratio and modulus of elasticity in compression and direct tension were measured. Additionally, a factor was determined to convert the cubic strength to cylindrical. Based on the test results, the mixture with high volume (6%) and a combination of two lengths of steel fibres (3% each), water to binder ratio of 0.16% and 6.1% of superplasticizer to binder ratio exhibited the highest strength and presented great deformability in the plastic region. A numerical simulation developed using ABAQUS was capable of capturing very well the experimental three-point bending response of the UHPFRC best-performed mixture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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15 pages, 4388 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Compressive Creep and Shrinkage of High-Strength Concrete Based on Limestone Coarse Aggregate Applied to High-Rise Buildings

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Materials 2021, 14(17), 5026; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14175026 - 02 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2640

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Concrete undergoes shrinkage regardless of the influence of external forces. The deformation of concrete is crucial for the structural stability of high-rise and large-scale buildings. In this study, the shrinkage and compressive creep of 70–90 MPa high-strength concrete used in high-rise buildings were [...] Read more.

Concrete undergoes shrinkage regardless of the influence of external forces. The deformation of concrete is crucial for the structural stability of high-rise and large-scale buildings. In this study, the shrinkage and compressive creep of 70–90 MPa high-strength concrete used in high-rise buildings were evaluated based on the curing conditions (sealed/unsealed), and the existing prediction models were examined. It was observed that the curing condition does not significantly affect the mechanical properties of high-strength concrete, but the use of limestone coarse aggregate increases the elastic modulus when compared to granite coarse aggregate. The autogenous shrinkage of high-strength concrete is greater than that of normal-strength concrete owing to self-desiccation, resulting in a large variation from the value predicted by the model. The drying shrinkage was observed to be similar to that predicted by the model. Compressive creep was affected by the curing conditions, compressive strength, loading level, and loading age. The compressive creep of high-strength concrete varied significantly from the prediction results of ACI 209; ACI 209 was modified based on the measured values. The shrinkage and compressive creep characteristics of high-strength concrete must be reflected to predict the deformation of an actual structure exposed to various conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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14 pages, 5608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Microcapsule-Based Self-Healing Cementitious Composites

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Materials 2021, 14(17), 4866; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14174866 - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2181

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Self-healing concrete designs can protect against deterioration and improve durability. However, there is no unified conclusion regarding the effective preparation and mechanical properties of self-healing concrete. In this paper, microcapsules are used in cement-based materials, the reasonable dosage of microcapsules is determined, and [...] Read more.

Self-healing concrete designs can protect against deterioration and improve durability. However, there is no unified conclusion regarding the effective preparation and mechanical properties of self-healing concrete. In this paper, microcapsules are used in cement-based materials, the reasonable dosage of microcapsules is determined, and the self-healing performance of the microcapsule self-healing system under different curing agents is explored. The microcapsules and curing agent are shown to enhance the flexural and compressive strength of mortar specimens at relatively low contents. The optimal microcapsule content in terms of compressive strength is 1–3%. When the content of the microcapsule reaches 7%, the strength of the specimen decreases by approximately 30%. Sodium fluorosilicate is better-suited to the microcapsule self-healing cement-based system than the other two fluorosilicates, potassium fluorosilicate and magnesium, which have similarly poor healing performance as curing agents. Healing time also appears to significantly influence the microcapsule self-healing system; mortar specimens that healed for 28 days are significantly higher than those that healed for 7 days. This work may provide a valuable reference for the design and preparation of self-healing cementitious composite structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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24 pages, 6655 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effect of Fiber Blending Ratio on the Tensile Properties of Steel Fiber Hybrid Reinforced Cementitious Composites under Different Strain Rates

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Materials 2021, 14(16), 4504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14164504 - 11 Aug 2021

Viewed by 1571

Abstract

In this study, a high-performance hybrid fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (HP-HFRCC) was prepared, by mixing hooked steel fiber (HSF) and smooth steel fiber (SSF) at different blending ratios, to evaluate the synergistic effect of the blending ratio between HSF and SSF and the strain [...] Read more.

In this study, a high-performance hybrid fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (HP-HFRCC) was prepared, by mixing hooked steel fiber (HSF) and smooth steel fiber (SSF) at different blending ratios, to evaluate the synergistic effect of the blending ratio between HSF and SSF and the strain rate on the tensile properties of HP-HFRCC. The experimental results showed that the micro- and macrocrack control capacities of HP-HFRCC varied depending on the blending ratio and strain rate, and the requirement for deriving the appropriate blending ratio was confirmed. Among the HP-HFRCC specimens, the specimen mixed with HSF 1.0 vol.% and SSF 1.0 vol.% (H1.0S1.0) exhibited a significant increase in the synergistic effect on the tensile properties at the high strain rate, as SSF controlled the microcracks and HSF controlled the macrocracks. Consequently, it exhibited the highest strain rate sensitivities of tensile strength, strain capacity, and peak toughness among the specimens evaluated in this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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16 pages, 5281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influencing Factors on the Healing Performance of Microcapsule Self-Healing Concrete

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Materials 2021, 14(15), 4139; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14154139 - 25 Jul 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2366

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The amounts of the components in a microcapsule self-healing system significantly impact the basic performance and self-healing performance of concrete. In this paper, an orthogonal experimental design is used to investigate the healing performance of microcapsule self-healing concrete under different pre-damage loads. The [...] Read more.

The amounts of the components in a microcapsule self-healing system significantly impact the basic performance and self-healing performance of concrete. In this paper, an orthogonal experimental design is used to investigate the healing performance of microcapsule self-healing concrete under different pre-damage loads. The strength recovery performance and sound speed recovery performance under extensive damage are analyzed. The optimum factor combination of the microcapsule self-healing concrete is obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) are carried out on the concrete samples before and after healing to determine the healing mechanism. The results show that the healing effect of self-healing concrete decreases with an increase in the pre-damage load, and the sound speed recovery rate increases with an increase in the damage degree. The influence of the sodium silicate content on the compressive strength and compressive strength recovery rate of the self-healing concrete increases, followed by a decrease. The optimum combination of factors of the microcapsule self-healing system is 3% microcapsules, 30% sodium silicate, and 15% sodium fluosilicate. The results can be used for the design and preparation of self-healing concrete. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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14 pages, 4416 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Cracking Mechanism of Early-Age Restrained Concrete under High-Temperature and Low-Humidity Environment

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Materials 2021, 14(15), 4084; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14154084 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1564

Abstract

How to prevent the cracking of tunnel lining concrete under a high-temperature and low-humidity environment has gradually become a challenge faced by the engineering community. Actually, the concrete structure will be restrained, which easily leads to cracking. Aiming at this problem, a self-restraint [...] Read more.

How to prevent the cracking of tunnel lining concrete under a high-temperature and low-humidity environment has gradually become a challenge faced by the engineering community. Actually, the concrete structure will be restrained, which easily leads to cracking. Aiming at this problem, a self-restraint device of concrete specimens was designed in this paper, which aims to more realistically simulate the restrained state of concrete structures during construction. SEM, EDS and XRD detection methods were used to study the macroscopic and microscopic properties of an early-age restrained concrete specimen under a high-temperature and low-humidity environment, and the results were compared with those of a non-restrained concrete specimen. The results show that the change in the internal relative humidity of the concrete was an extremely slow process, and the response rate of the internal humidity of the concrete was much slower than that of the temperature. A cubic curve model was used to fit the measured concrete damage degree with the loading age, and the fitting effect was good. Under the environment of high temperature and low humidity, the loading age from the 0.6th day to the 1st day was the period of a relatively large fluctuation in the concrete temperature and humidity, and the restraint would aggravate the damage of the concrete. The damage degree increased with the increase in the loading age, the microcracks gradually increased and, finally, macrocracks were formed. The restraint effect was to intensify the formation of microcracks, affect the hydration of the cement at the micro level and, finally, increase the risk of concrete cracking perpendicular to the restrained direction at the macro level. The research results may provide guidance for research on the cracking mechanism of tunnel lining concrete constructed under a high-temperature and low-humidity environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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15 pages, 4013 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of High-Ductility Concrete against Combined Sulfate Attack and Dry–Wet Cycles

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Lingling Li

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Junping Shi

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Jialiang Kou

Materials 2021, 14(14), 4035; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14144035 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1966

Abstract

Concrete will deteriorate and damage under sulfate attack.In order to study the degradation characteristics of HDC under sulfate attack, the mechanical properties of high-ductility concrete (HDC) were investigated using the uniaxial compressive strength test of HDC specimens soaked in different concentrations of sulfate [...] Read more.

Concrete will deteriorate and damage under sulfate attack.In order to study the degradation characteristics of HDC under sulfate attack, the mechanical properties of high-ductility concrete (HDC) were investigated using the uniaxial compressive strength test of HDC specimens soaked in different concentrations of sulfate solution and subjected to different times of dry–wet cycles. The variations in the compressive strength, loss rate of compressive strength, and the max compressive strength under the action of sulfate attack and dry–wet cycles were analyzed. The analytical expressions of damage variables were given. SEM was used to observe the microstructure of the sample, and the microdamage mechanism of the HDC was explored. The deterioration of the HDC was found to be the result of the combined action of sulfate attack and dry–wet cycles and was caused by physical attack and chemical attack. PVA prevented the rapid development of deterioration. On the basis of the change of compressive strength, the damage variable was established to quantitatively describe the degree of damage to HDC. The experimental results showed that with the increase in the number of dry–wet cycles, the compressive strength of HDC generally increased first and then decreased. As the concentration of the sulfate solution increased, the loss rate of the compressive strength of HDC generally increased and the max compressive strength gradually decreased. With the increase inthe number of dry–wet cycles, HDC first showed self-compacting characteristics and then gradually became destroyed. Compared with ordinary concrete (OC), HDC is superior to OC in sulfate resistance and dry–wet cycles. This study provided a test basis for the engineering application of HDC in sulfate attack and dry–wet cycles environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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17 pages, 8608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mechanical Properties of Early Aged Shotcrete under Internal Sulfate Attack

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Materials 2021, 14(13), 3726; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14133726 - 02 Jul 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1493

Abstract

Shotcrete is the primary material for tunnel support due to its early rapid hardening characteristics. During tunnel construction in a sulfate environment, the hardening law of concrete will be affected. In this study, samples were prepared at six different curing times and immersed [...] Read more.

Shotcrete is the primary material for tunnel support due to its early rapid hardening characteristics. During tunnel construction in a sulfate environment, the hardening law of concrete will be affected. In this study, samples were prepared at six different curing times and immersed in four different concentrations of sulfate solutions. A uniaxial test was conducted and analyzed to investigate the effect of sulfate attack on the mechanical properties of early aged shotcrete materials. Results indicated that waterlogged shotcrete does not have apparent cracks on the outside. The stress–strain curve or ultimate compressive strength of the samples showed that the effect of sulfate on shotcrete should be differentiated into chemical and physical sulfate attacks, according to the concentration of sulfate ions. The two parameters in the equation of the hardening behaviors of sulfate attack samples, ultimate compressive strength, and time constant, are related to sulfate concentration. The crack damage stress threshold of samples demonstrates that high-concentration sulfate corrosion leads to an impact on the durability of shotcrete. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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16 pages, 61642 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Synthetic Polypropylene Fiber–Reinforced Renewable Oil Palm Shell Lightweight Concrete

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Materials 2021, 14(9), 2337; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14092337 - 30 Apr 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1927

Abstract

Oil palm shell (OPS) is an agricultural solid waste from the extraction process of palm oil. All these wastes from industry pose serious disposal issues for the environment. This research aims to promote the replacement of conventional coarse aggregates with eco-friendly OPS aggregate [...] Read more.

Oil palm shell (OPS) is an agricultural solid waste from the extraction process of palm oil. All these wastes from industry pose serious disposal issues for the environment. This research aims to promote the replacement of conventional coarse aggregates with eco-friendly OPS aggregate which offers several advantages, such as being lightweight, renewable, and domestically available. This paper evaluates the mechanical and thermal performances of renewable OPS lightweight concrete (LWC) reinforced with various type of synthetic polypropylene (SPP) fibers. Monofilament polypropylene (MPS) and barchip polypropylene straight (BPS) were added to concrete at different volume fractions (singly and hybrid) of 0%, 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.4%. All specimens were mixed by using a new mixing method with a time saving of up to 14.3% compared to conventional mixing methods. The effects of SPP fibers on the mechanical properties were investigated by compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and residual strength. The strength of the oil palm shell lightweight concrete hybrid 0.4% (OPSLWC–HYB–0.4%) mixture achieved the highest compressive strength of 29 MPa at 28 days. The inclusion of 0.3% of BPS showed a positive outcome with the lowest thermal conductivity value at 0.55 W/m °C. Therefore, the results revealed that incorporation of BPS fiber enhanced the performance of thermal conductivity tests as compared to inclusion of MPS fiber. Hence, renewable OPS LWC was proven to be a highly recommended environmentally friendly aggregate as an alternative solution to replace natural aggregates used in the concrete industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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27 pages, 3313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity in Concentrated Cementitious Suspensions: Probabilistic Approximation and Bayesian Analysis

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Materials 2021, 14(8), 1971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14081971 - 14 Apr 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2761

Abstract

We present a new focus for the Krieger–Dougherty equation from a probabilistic point of view. This equation allows the calculation of dynamic viscosity in suspensions of various types, like cement paste and self-compacting mortar/concrete. The physical meaning of the parameters that intervene in [...] Read more.

We present a new focus for the Krieger–Dougherty equation from a probabilistic point of view. This equation allows the calculation of dynamic viscosity in suspensions of various types, like cement paste and self-compacting mortar/concrete. The physical meaning of the parameters that intervene in the equation (maximum packing fraction of particles and intrinsic viscosity), together with the random nature associated with these systems, make the application of the Bayesian analysis desirable. This analysis permits the transformation of parametric-deterministic models into parametric-probabilistic models, which improves and enriches their results. The initial limitations of the Bayesian methods, due to their complexity, have been overcome by numerical methods (Markov Chain Monte Carlo and Gibbs Sampling) and the development of specific software (OpenBUGS). Here we use it to compute the probability density functions that intervene in the Krieger–Dougherty equation applied to the calculation of viscosity in several cement pastes, self-compacting mortars, and self-compacting concretes. The dynamic viscosity calculations made with the Bayesian distributions are significantly better than those made with the theoretical values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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14 pages, 45110 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Residual Mechanical and Porosity Properties of Cement Mortar under Axial Stress during Heating

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Zhifei Gao

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Linbing Wang

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Hailu Yang

Materials 2021, 14(8), 1944; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14081944 - 13 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1496

Abstract

The preload load on concrete during heating is considered to cause a ‘densification’ of cement mortar which led to the increased compressive strength. In order to assess the influence of coupled load and heating effects on porosity characteristics of concrete, the porosity of [...] Read more.

The preload load on concrete during heating is considered to cause a ‘densification’ of cement mortar which led to the increased compressive strength. In order to assess the influence of coupled load and heating effects on porosity characteristics of concrete, the porosity of mortar after mechanical and thermal loading was measured by X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT). The preload at pre-stress ratios of 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 (ratio of stress applied to the specimen to its compressive strength at room temperature) were applied on mortar specimens during heating. The residual compressive strengths of the heated and stressed mortar specimens were tested after cooling to room temperature. Combined analyses of the residual compressive strength test results and porosity test results, it shows that the porosity of the specimens under the coupled stressing and heating conditions were slightly lower than that under the unstressed conditions; however, the conclusion that the increase of compressive strength of stressed mortar was caused by the ‘densification’ of cement paste was insufficient. The preload reduced the cracks in the mortar, especially the crack induced due to the thermal mismatch in aggregates and hardened cement paste (HCP), and this may account for the increased compressive strength of stressed mortar. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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14 pages, 4601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of a Nitrite/Nitrate-Based Accelerator on the Strength Development and Hydrate Formation in Cold-Weather Cementitious Materials

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Materials 2021, 14(4), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14041006 - 20 Feb 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2107

Abstract

Recently, there has been increased use of calcium-nitrite and calcium-nitrate as the main components of chloride- and alkali-free anti-freezing agents to promote concrete hydration in cold weather concreting. As the amount of nitrite/nitrate-based accelerators increases, the hydration of tricalcium aluminate (C₃A [...] Read more.

Recently, there has been increased use of calcium-nitrite and calcium-nitrate as the main components of chloride- and alkali-free anti-freezing agents to promote concrete hydration in cold weather concreting. As the amount of nitrite/nitrate-based accelerators increases, the hydration of tricalcium aluminate (C₃A phase) and tricalcium silicate (C₃S phase) in cement is accelerated, thereby improving the early strength of cement and effectively preventing initial frost damage. Nitrite/nitrate-based accelerators are used in larger amounts than usual in low temperature areas below −10 °C. However, the correlation between the hydration process and strength development in concrete containing considerable nitrite/nitrate-based accelerators remains to be clearly identified. In this study, the hydrate composition (via X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance), pore structures (via mercury intrusion porosimetry), and crystal form (via scanning electron microscopy) were determined, and investigations were performed to elucidate the effect of nitrite/nitrate-based accelerators on the initial strength development and hydrate formation of cement. Nitrite/nitrate-AFm (aluminate-ferret-monosulfate; AFm) was produced in addition to ettringite at the initial stage of hydration of cement by adding a nitrite/nitrate-based accelerator. The amount of the hydrates was attributed to an increase in the absolute amounts of NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ ions reacting with Al₂O₃ in the tricalcium aluminate (C₃A phase). Further, by effectively filling the pores, it greatly contributed to the enhancement of the strength of the hardened cement product, and the degree of the contribution tended to increase with the amount of addition. On the other hand, in addition to the occurrence of cracks due to the release of a large amount of heat of hydration, the amount of expansion and contraction may increase, and it is considered necessary to adjust the amount used for each concrete work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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14 pages, 1708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Internal Curing Effect of Pre-Soaked Zeolite Sand on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag

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Materials 2021, 14(4), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14040718 - 03 Feb 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1633

Abstract

This study clarifies the effects of pre-soaked zeolite sand as an internal curing material on the hydration, strength, autogenous shrinkage, and durability of alkali-activated slag (AAS) mortars. The liquid-to-binder ratio (L/b) of all of the AAS mortars was 0.55. Sodium hydroxide solution was [...] Read more.

This study clarifies the effects of pre-soaked zeolite sand as an internal curing material on the hydration, strength, autogenous shrinkage, and durability of alkali-activated slag (AAS) mortars. The liquid-to-binder ratio (L/b) of all of the AAS mortars was 0.55. Sodium hydroxide solution was used as an alkali activator and an internal curing liquid. Calcined zeolite and natural zeolite sand replaced the standard sand at 15% and 30%, respectively. The setting time, autogenous shrinkage, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and surface electrical resistivity were tested. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The addition of zeolite significantly reduces the autogenous shrinkage of AAS mortar. Compared with the control group, 30% calcined zeolite reduced the autogenous shrinkage by 96.4%. Moreover, the autogenous shrinkage of the AAS mortars was noticed in two stages (a variable temperature stage and an ambient temperature stage), and the two stages split at one day of age. (2) The compressive strength of all of the specimens increased as the zeolite sand content increased, and the highest compressive strength was obtained for AAS combined with 30% natural zeolite sand. (3) Internal curing accelerated the formation of the second peak of heat flow and reduced the accumulated heat release. (4) Calcined zeolite sand delayed the setting time of the AAS mortars. (5) The addition of zeolite significantly reduced the surface electrical resistivity of the AAS mortars. In summary, zeolite sand is extremely useful as an internal curing agent to reduce autogenous shrinkage and to increase the compressive strength of AAS mortars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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9 pages, 2343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Fracture Parameters of Concrete

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Zhanqiao Wang

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Jin Gou

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Danying Gao

Materials 2021, 14(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14010129 - 30 Dec 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1802

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the influence of the volume fraction of steel fibers on the fracture parameters of concrete. Fifty notched steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams and ordinary concrete beams with 100 mm × 100 mm × 515 mm were cast and tested [...] Read more.

This study aimed to determine the influence of the volume fraction of steel fibers on the fracture parameters of concrete. Fifty notched steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams and ordinary concrete beams with 100 mm × 100 mm × 515 mm were cast and tested via a three-point bending test. Among them, the type of steel fiber was the milling type (MF), and the volume fraction of steel fiber added was 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%, respectively. The effects of the steel fiber volume fraction (V_F) on the critical stress intensity factor (K_IC), fracture energy (G_F), the deflection at failure(δ₀), the critical crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD_C) and the critical crack tip opening displacement (CTOD_C) were studied. Through the analysis of test phenomena and test data such as the load-deflection (P-δ) curve, load-crack mouth opening displacement (P-CMOD) curve and load-crack tip opening displacement (P-CTOD) curve, the following conclusions are drawn: with the increase of the steel fiber volume fraction, some fracture parameters increase gradually and maintain a certain linear growth. The gain ratio of the fracture parameters increases significantly, and the gain effect is obvious. Through this law of growth, the experimental statistical formulas of fracture energy and the critical stress intensity factor are summarized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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12 pages, 2778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pore Filling Effect of Forced Carbonation Reactions Using Carbon Dioxide Nanobubbles

by

Jihoon Kim

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Ryoma Kitagaki

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Heesup Choi

Materials 2020, 13(19), 4343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13194343 - 29 Sep 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2704

Abstract

Various methods for repairing and modifying concrete surfaces have been proposed and applied to improve the durability of existing concrete structures. Surface modification through forced carbonation is a method of densification that forms calcium carbonate in the pores on the surface of concrete [...] Read more.

Various methods for repairing and modifying concrete surfaces have been proposed and applied to improve the durability of existing concrete structures. Surface modification through forced carbonation is a method of densification that forms calcium carbonate in the pores on the surface of concrete to improve its durability. In this study, to evaluate the applicability of this surface modification method to existing buildings, a series of experiments was conducted in which mortar specimens were repeatedly immersed in a carbon dioxide nanobubble aqueous solution. By evaluating the weight change and absorption rate, it was determined that the higher the water/cement ratio of the mortar specimen, the higher the pore filling effect owing to immersion in the carbon dioxide nanobubble aqueous solution. In addition, the effect of clogged pores generated by the precipitation of calcium carbonate was confirmed, and it was found that the higher the water/cement ratio of the mortar specimen, the higher the pore filling effect due to clogging. We believe that our findings contribute to the development of research and construction practices associated with concrete repair and restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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23 pages, 8102 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Incorporation of Waste Glass as an Activator in Class-C Fly Ash/GGBS Based Alkali Activated Material

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Materials 2020, 13(17), 3906; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13173906 - 03 Sep 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2682

Abstract

In this study, an alkaline activator was synthesized by dissolving waste glass powder (WGP) in NaOH-4M solution to explore its effects on the formation of alkali-activated material (AAM) generated by Class-C fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). The compressive [...] Read more.

In this study, an alkaline activator was synthesized by dissolving waste glass powder (WGP) in NaOH-4M solution to explore its effects on the formation of alkali-activated material (AAM) generated by Class-C fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). The compressive strength, flexure strength, porosity and water absorption were measured, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) were used to study the crystalline phases, hydration mechanism and microstructure of the resulting composites. Results indicated that the composition of alkali solutions and the ratios of FA/GGBS were significant in enhancing the properties of the obtained AAM. As the amount of dissolved WGP increased in alkaline solution, the silicon concentration increased, causing the accelerated reactivity of FA/GGBS to develop Ca-based hydrate gel as the main reaction product in the system, thereby increasing the strength and lowering the porosity. Further increase in WGP dissolution led to strength loss and increased porosity, which were believed to be due to the excessive water demand of FA/GGBS composites to achieve optimum mixing consistency. Increasing the GGBS proportion in a composite appeared to improve the strength and lower the porosity owing to the reactivity of GGBS being higher than that of FA, which contributed to develop C-S-H-type hydration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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11 pages, 3478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Physical Properties of Mortar for Section Restoration Using Calcium Nitrite and CO₂ Nano-Bubble Water

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Materials 2020, 13(17), 3897; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13173897 - 03 Sep 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2798

Abstract

This study investigated the physical properties of section-restoration mortar with calcium nitrite (Ca(NO₂)₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) nanobubble mixing water to develop materials and methods for the repair and reinforcement of cracks in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. [...] Read more.

This study investigated the physical properties of section-restoration mortar with calcium nitrite (Ca(NO₂)₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) nanobubble mixing water to develop materials and methods for the repair and reinforcement of cracks in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. As the calcium nitrite content increased, the generation rate and generated amount of nitrite-based hydration products also increased, owing to the rapid reaction between NO₂⁻ ions in calcium nitrite and C₃A(Al₂O₃). Further, the reaction with C₃S and C₂S was accelerated, thereby increasing the generation rates of Ca(OH)₂ and C-S-H. The large amount of Ca²⁺ ions in these hydration products reacted with CO₃²⁻ ions in CO₂ nanobubble water, thereby increasing the generation of calcite-based CaCO₃ in the cement matrix. This appears to have affected strength development and durability improvement via the densification of the structure. These results suggest that the performance of polymer cement mortar for repairing concrete structures can be improved if calcium nitrite and CO₂ nanobubble water are properly combined and applied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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16 pages, 6040 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spalling Resistance of Fiber-Reinforced Ultra-High-Strength Concrete Subjected to the ISO-834 Standard Fire Curve: Effects of Thermal Strain and Water Vapor Pressure

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Materials 2020, 13(17), 3792; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13173792 - 27 Aug 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2578

Abstract

The prevention and mitigation of spalling in high-strength concrete (HSC) rely on mixing polypropylene (PP) as an additive reinforcement. The dense internal structures of ultra-high-strength concrete (UHSC) result in risks associated with a high thermal stress and high water vapor pressure. Herein, the [...] Read more.

The prevention and mitigation of spalling in high-strength concrete (HSC) rely on mixing polypropylene (PP) as an additive reinforcement. The dense internal structures of ultra-high-strength concrete (UHSC) result in risks associated with a high thermal stress and high water vapor pressure. Herein, the effects of pore formation and thermal strain on spalling are examined by subjecting fiber-laden UHSC to conditions similar to those under which the ISO-834 standard fire curve was obtained. Evaluation of the initial melting properties of the fibers based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) demon strated that although nylon fibers exhibit a higher melting point than polypropylene and polyethylene fibers, weight loss occurs below 200 °C. Nylon fibers were effective at reducing spalling in UHSC compared to polypropylene and polyethylene fibers as they rapidly melt, leading to pore formation. We anticipate that these results will serve as references for future studies on the prevention of spalling in fiber-reinforced UHSC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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15 pages, 13812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Lightweight Concrete Cores on the Thermal Performance of Vacuum Insulation Panels

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Materials 2020, 13(11), 2632; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13112632 - 09 Jun 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2580

Abstract

The performance of vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) is strongly affected by several factors, such as panel thickness, design, quality of vacuum, and material type. In particular, the core materials inside VIPs significantly influence their overall performance. Despite their superior insulation performance, VIPs are [...] Read more.

The performance of vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) is strongly affected by several factors, such as panel thickness, design, quality of vacuum, and material type. In particular, the core materials inside VIPs significantly influence their overall performance. Despite their superior insulation performance, VIPs are limited in their widespread use as structural materials, because of their low material strength and the relatively expensive core materials. As an alternative core material that can compensate these limitations, foamed concrete, a type of lightweight concrete with very low density, can be used. In this study, two different types of foamed concrete were used as VIP core materials, with their effects on the thermal behavior of the VIPs having been evaluated using experimental and numerical methods. To confirm and generate numerical models for VIP analysis, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was utilized. The obtained results show that insulation effects increase effectively when panels with lightweight concrete are in a vacuum, and both foamed concrete types can be effectively used as VIP core materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Mechanical Behavior of Cement and Concrete Composites)

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