Research

22 pages, 3452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation Properties of Pervious and Water-Retaining Recycled Concrete to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Phenomena

by Bechara Haddad, Hamzé Karaky, Mohamed Boutouil, Bertrand Boudart and Nassim Sebaibi

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5384; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065384 - 17 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1812

The urban heat island (UHI) effect poses significant challenges to urban environmental quality and public health. Over the decades, research efforts have been made to develop various UHI mitigation strategies, including pavement materials, such as, water-retentive pavement, reflective pavement, and pervious concrete. This [...] Read more.

The urban heat island (UHI) effect poses significant challenges to urban environmental quality and public health. Over the decades, research efforts have been made to develop various UHI mitigation strategies, including pavement materials, such as, water-retentive pavement, reflective pavement, and pervious concrete. This paper focuses on the improvement of the hygric and water retention properties of pervious concrete to mitigate UHI phenomena. The hydric and hygroscopic tests were carried out under dry and wet conditions on four different pervious concretes, where natural aggregates were replaced with recycled aggregates at different mass percentages. The results show a significant improvement in these properties by increasing the amount of recycled aggregates incorporated in the mixtures. The mixes made from recycled aggregates alone showed an absorption that reached 75 L more than the control in one cubic meter under wet condition. With an upwelling capacity of up to 30 kg of retained water in a square meter under dry condition, these improvements in water performance represent this permeable concrete as a water retention pavement solution for UHI mitigation. Regarding the mechanical properties, a decrease of 50% in compressive strength was noted only when 100% of the recycled aggregate was incorporated, remaining at 20 MPa for other mixtures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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21 pages, 44131 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization of Fly Ash as a Viscosity-Modifying Agent to Produce Cost-Effective, Self-Compacting Concrete: A Sustainable Solution

by Asif Hameed, Ali Murtaza Rasool, Yasser E. Ibrahim, Muhammad Faheem Ud Din Afzal, Asad Ullah Qazi and Iqra Hameed

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11559; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811559 - 15 Sep 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2265

Abstract

Sufficient deformability can be achieved in concrete while maintaining segregation resistance either by using a chemical viscosity-modifying admixture (VMA) or increasing the fine content in the concrete. Using VMA, the initial cost of self-compacting concrete (SCC) increases, making it unsuitable for general construction. [...] Read more.

Sufficient deformability can be achieved in concrete while maintaining segregation resistance either by using a chemical viscosity-modifying admixture (VMA) or increasing the fine content in the concrete. Using VMA, the initial cost of self-compacting concrete (SCC) increases, making it unsuitable for general construction. As a result, alternative methods for lowering the cost of SCC must be investigated. In this study, we assess the effectiveness of fly ash (FA) as a viscosity-modifying agent in the production of cost-effective and durable SCC. We also forge new pathways for sustainable development. The percentage of FA, superplasticizer dose, and water/binder ratio were varied, whereas the amounts of cement and water, as well as fine/coarse aggregate content were kept constant. Fresh properties, such as flow, filling and passing abilities, viscosity, and segregation resistance, were measured. Compressive/flexural strength, density, water absorption, and rate of water absorption of hardened SCC were also determined. The test results showed that fly ash can be used as an alternative to a VMA to produce cost-effective, self-compacting concrete. The slump flow of the various fresh-state concrete mixes ranged from 200 to 770 mm, with an L-box ratio of 0 to 1 and a flow time of 2.18 to 88 s. At 28 and 56 days, the compressive strengths of the concrete mixes with fly ash were found to be comparable to those of the control concrete mixes with VMA. The cost of ingredients for a specific SCC mix is 26.8% lower than the price of control concrete, according to a cost comparison assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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18 pages, 8394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Latex and Vinyl Disposable Gloves as Recycled Fibers in 3D Printing Sustainable Mortars

by Seyed Sina Mousavi and Mehdi Dehestani

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 9908; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169908 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2581

Abstract

The disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a main concern of researchers. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic made this issue worse, so the production and use of large quantities of disposable gloves in recent years and the lack of a suitable [...] Read more.

The disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a main concern of researchers. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic made this issue worse, so the production and use of large quantities of disposable gloves in recent years and the lack of a suitable solution for the disposal of these recycled materials are some of the consequences of this pandemic. To address this issue, the present study performed a comprehensive experimental program to determine the possibility of using recycled latex and vinyl gloves as recycled fibers within extrusion-based 3D printing concrete. Moreover, a graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterial was also used to compensate for some undesired properties of mixtures. Flow table, buildability, and mechanical tests were performed in this study. Results show that the synergic effect of recycled fibers and GO significantly improved the 3D printing characteristics of mortar. Although very promising results were obtained in this study, findings show that using a high content of recycled fibers reduces the concrete compressive strength. However, the addition of GO significantly compensates for this reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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14 pages, 8732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Properties Evolution of Eco-Material Dedicated to Manufacturing Artificial Reef via 3D Printing: Long-Term Interactions of Cementitious Materials in the Marine Environment

by Fouad Boukhelf, Nassim Sebaibi, Mohamed Boutouil, Adrian I. Yoris-Nobile, Elena Blanco-Fernandez, Daniel Castro-Fresno, Carlos Real-Gutierrez, Roger J. H. Herbert, Sam Greenhill, Bianca Reis, João N. Franco, Maria Teresa Borges, Isabel Sousa-Pinto, Pieter van der Linden, Oscar Babé Gómez, Hugo Sainz Meyer, Emanuel Almada, Rick Stafford, Valentin Danet, Jorge Lobo-Arteaga, Miriam Tuaty-Guerra and Alice E. Hall Show full author list Hide full author list

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9353; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159353 - 30 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2441

Abstract

This paper deals with the evolution monitoring of biomass colonization and mechanical properties of 3D printed eco-materials/mortars immersed in the sea. Measurements of tensile strength, compressive strength, and Young’s modulus were determined on samples deployed along the Atlantic coast of Europe, in France, [...] Read more.

This paper deals with the evolution monitoring of biomass colonization and mechanical properties of 3D printed eco-materials/mortars immersed in the sea. Measurements of tensile strength, compressive strength, and Young’s modulus were determined on samples deployed along the Atlantic coast of Europe, in France, United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal. The samples were manufactured using 3D printing, where six mix designs with a low environmental impact binder were used. These mortars were based on geopolymer and cementitious binders (Cement CEM III), in which sand is replaced by three types of recycled sand, including glass, seashell, and limestone by 30%, 50%, and 100% respectively. The colonization of concrete samples by micro/macro-organisms and their durability were also evaluated after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of immersion. The results showed that both biomass colonization and mechanical properties were better with CEM III compared to geopolymer-based compositions. Therefore, the mixed design optimized according to mechanical properties show that the use of CEM III should be preferred over these geopolymer binders in 3D printed concrete for artificial reef applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 6508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance of Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) as an Impact Modifier for Polystyrene (PS): Effect of Functionalized Compatibilizers with Maleic Anhydride and Glycidyl Methacrylate

by Dayanne Diniz de Souza Morais, Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna, Elieber Barros Bezerra, Danyelle Campos de França, Edcleide Maria Araújo, Emanuel Pereira do Nascimento, Amanda Dantas de Oliveira and Tomás Jefferson Alves de Mélo

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9254; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159254 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1632

Abstract

In this work, the copolymers ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA), ethylene methyl methacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EMA-GMA), and styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) were used to compatibilize polystyrene (PS)/poly(caprolactone) (PCL) blends. The blends were processed in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and injection molded. Samples were investigated [...] Read more.

In this work, the copolymers ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA), ethylene methyl methacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EMA-GMA), and styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) were used to compatibilize polystyrene (PS)/poly(caprolactone) (PCL) blends. The blends were processed in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and injection molded. Samples were investigated by torque rheometry, capillary rheometry, impact strength, tensile strength, heat deflection temperature (HDT), dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermogravimetry (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Torque rheometry indicated that glycidyl methacrylate functional groups and maleic anhydride groups interact with PCL. Capillary rheometry evidenced that at shear rates lower than 10,000 s⁻¹, the PS/PCL/SEBS-g-MA blends presented the highest apparent viscosity among the blends. Such behavior was possibly due to the good interaction between SEBS-g-MA and the PS and PCL phases. Consequently, the properties of impact strength, elongation at break, tensile strength, and elastic modulus were improved by 30%, 109%, 33.8%, and 13.7%, respectively, compared with the non-compatibilized PS/PCL system. There was a reduction in the HDT of all blends compared with neat PS, given the elastomeric characteristics of PCL and compatibilizers. The DMTA results revealed two independent peaks in the blends (one around −53 °C concerning the PCL phase and another at 107 °C related to PS), confirming their immiscibility. The PS/PCL/SEBS-g-MA blends showed higher morphological stability, confirming their good mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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17 pages, 4494 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Effective Elastic Properties for Wood–Cement Composites: Experimental and Computational Investigations

by Jean Gérard Ndong Engone, Ahmed El Moumen, Chafika Djelal, Abdellatif Imad, Toufik Kanit and Jonathan Page

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8638; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148638 - 14 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1426

Abstract

In this work, wood–cement composites (WCC) based on poplar sawdust were developed and fabricated by the extrusion process. The volume fraction of wood particles in the mixes was varied from 23% to 46%. The mechanical properties of these WCC were characterized in compression [...] Read more.

In this work, wood–cement composites (WCC) based on poplar sawdust were developed and fabricated by the extrusion process. The volume fraction of wood particles in the mixes was varied from 23% to 46%. The mechanical properties of these WCC were characterized in compression to determine the maximum compressive strength and the Young’s modulus. In the second part, these Young’s modulus values were estimated in compression using a 3D numerical homogenization which takes into account the variability in wood particle lengths and the random distribution in the mixes. The obtained results show a good agreement between the experimental data and numerical calculations up to a 35% volume fraction. The model’s poor estimation for large volume fractions (over 35%) could be attributed to the experimental sample size, which is not representative for large volume fractions, the percolation of the wood particles into the mixes and the inhibition of the cement setting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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14 pages, 4636 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Compressed Earth Blocks Using Sediments and Alkali-Activated Byproducts

by Fouad Belayali, Walid Maherzi, Mahfoud Benzerzour, Nor-Edine Abriak and Ahmed Senouci

Sustainability 2022, 14(6), 3158; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063158 - 08 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2399

Abstract

Sediment dredging is necessary and vital to preserve maritime activities and prevent floods. The management of these sediments represent an environmental challenge for many countries all over the world. This study focuses on evaluating the feasibility of using dredged sediments for the manufacturing [...] Read more.

Sediment dredging is necessary and vital to preserve maritime activities and prevent floods. The management of these sediments represent an environmental challenge for many countries all over the world. This study focuses on evaluating the feasibility of using dredged sediments for the manufacturing of compressed earth blocks (CEB). The alternative construction material has the potential of reducing the need for dredged sediment onshore storage or ocean dumping. Several experimental tests have been conducted on two geopolymer types, which were obtained by mixing sediments from the northern region of France, fly ash (FA), and grounded blast furnace slag (GBFS). The geopolymers, which were activated using an eight-molar concentrated sodium hydroxide solution (NH), were cured at a temperature of 50 °C. The results have shown that a geopolymer content of 36% of FA and 10% of GBFS along with (NH) alkaline solution has significantly improved the mechanical properties of CEBs, which have outperformed those of Portland Cement-stabilized traditional blocks. The use of NH has resulted in the formation of crystalline calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) amorphous gel. Adding GBFS to the mix has enhanced the geopolymer paste compressive strength and microstructure because of the formation of additional C-S-H. The valorization of dredged sediments in CEB based on geopolymer stabilization can contribute to the reduction of the CO₂ footprint of the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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13 pages, 3041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study of Blended Binders with Metakaolin

by Christian Cremona, Stéphanie Vildaer and Maxim Cadillac

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10548; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910548 - 23 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1439

Abstract

Three metakaolins are evaluated for use as supplementary cementitious materials in cement-based systems. The metakaolins vary in mineralogical composition and in fabrication (traditional and flash calcination), but are quite similar in their surface area (16–19 m²/g), but are quite similar in [...] Read more.

Three metakaolins are evaluated for use as supplementary cementitious materials in cement-based systems. The metakaolins vary in mineralogical composition and in fabrication (traditional and flash calcination), but are quite similar in their surface area (16–19 m²/g), but are quite similar in mineralogical composition. Performance of metakaolin mixtures will be compared to two control mixtures (standard concrete for foundation C40/50 and high performance concrete C60/75). In this study, the properties of fresh concrete and the mechanical and durability properties of hardened concrete will be examined. The rheological behaviour are aimed to determine the effect of metakaolin on mixture workability. Compressive, tensile and flexural strength and elastic modulus will be measured at various concrete ages. The influence of metakaolin on durability is assessed through rapid chloride migration and carbonation measurements. For high performance concrete mixtures, drying and autogenous shrinkage will be monitored and creep measurements are performed and compared. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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23 pages, 8757 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Low Carbon Binders Manufactured from Calcined Canal Sediments and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS)

by Rachid Hadj Sadok, Walid Maherzi, Mahfoud Benzerzour, Richard Lord, Keith Torrance, Agnes Zambon and Nor-Edine Abriak

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169057 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2691

Abstract

This research study evaluated the effects of adding Scottish canal sediment after calcination at 750 °C in combination with GGBS on hydration, strength and microstructural properties in ternary cement mixtures in order to reduce their carbon footprint (CO₂) and cost. A [...] Read more.

This research study evaluated the effects of adding Scottish canal sediment after calcination at 750 °C in combination with GGBS on hydration, strength and microstructural properties in ternary cement mixtures in order to reduce their carbon footprint (CO₂) and cost. A series of physico-chemical, hydration heat, mechanic performance, mercury porosity and microstructure tests or observations was performed in order to evaluate the fresh and hardened properties. The physical and chemical characterisation of the calcined sediments revealed good pozzolanic properties that could be valorised as a potential co-product in the cement industry. The results obtained for mortars with various percentages of calcined sediment confirmed that this represents a previously unrecognised potential source of high reactivity pozzolanic materials. The evolution of the compressive strength for the different types of mortars based on the partial substitution of cement by slag and calcined sediments showed a linear increase in compressive strength for 90 days. The best compressive strengths and porosity were observed in mortars composed of 50% cement, 40% slag and 10% calcined sediment (CSS10%) after 90 days. In conclusion, the addition of calcined canal sediments as an artificial pozzolanic material could improve strength and save significant amounts of energy or greenhouse gas emissions, while potentially contributing to Scotland’s ambitious 2045 net zero target and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in the UK and Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 5562 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reusing Geopolymer Waste from Matrices Based on Metakaolin or Fly Ash for the Manufacture of New Binder Geopolymeric Matrices

by Rabii Hattaf, Abdelilah Aboulayt, Azzedine Samdi, Nouha Lahlou, Mohamed Ouazzani Touhami, Moussa Gomina and Redouane Moussa

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8070; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148070 - 20 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2733

Abstract

The increasing use of geopolymer materials in the construction and civil engineering sectors generates a large amount of non-biodegradable waste that will end up in landfills. It is therefore necessary to anticipate solutions for the proper management of this waste. In this work, [...] Read more.

The increasing use of geopolymer materials in the construction and civil engineering sectors generates a large amount of non-biodegradable waste that will end up in landfills. It is therefore necessary to anticipate solutions for the proper management of this waste. In this work, new geopolymer materials were fabricated by partially replacing the reactive raw minerals (fly ash, FA, or metakaolin, MK) with used geopolymers (fully fly ash-based, FAref, or metakaolin-based, MKref), in order to develop a strategy to reuse geopolymer waste. Their workability and setting behavior were studied in the fresh state, and the geopolymerization process was investigated by calorimetry and by electrochemistry. Mechanical properties and the ability for coating mineral aggregates were assessed, and the resulting adhesion properties were analyzed using matrix/sand mortars. It appears that the new geopolymer materials as well as the mortars are endowed with good performances. The compressive strengths are above 50 MPa and therefore meet the requirements of different construction materials. This demonstrates the recyclability of geopolymer materials. Moreover, an analysis of the influence of the substitution of recycled geopolymers on the setting and on the mechanical performances of mortars makes it possible to propose a binder-recycled geopolymer interaction model for the formation of new binding matrices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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16 pages, 7420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reactivity Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Formation of Carboaluminate Phases in Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Blended Cements

by Walid Deboucha, Nassim Sebaibi, Yassine El Mendili, Aurélie Fabien, U. Johnson Alengaram, Nordine Leklou, Mahmoud N Hamdadou, Alexandra Bourdot and Stéphanie Gascoin

Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6504; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116504 - 07 Jun 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2932

Abstract

The reactivity effect of calcium carbonate, present in ground oyster shells and limestone filler, on the formation of carboaluminate phases in ground granulated blast furnace slag blended cement pastes was reported in this paper. Six different binary and ternary blended cement pastes were [...] Read more.

The reactivity effect of calcium carbonate, present in ground oyster shells and limestone filler, on the formation of carboaluminate phases in ground granulated blast furnace slag blended cement pastes was reported in this paper. Six different binary and ternary blended cement pastes were prepared using ground granulated blast furnace slag, ground oyster shells and limestone filler with different replacement levels (from 5 to 35%). The carboaluminate formation was assessed and quantified directly using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and indirectly by following the aluminate phase’s reaction (heat flow) and consumed calcium carbonate using Isothermal Calorimetry (IC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), respectively. Further, the overall reaction degree calculated based on TGA results and the compressive strength were determined to support the findings obtained. The results revealed that the calcium carbonate present in ground oyster shells is more reactive when compared to that present in limestone filler, where more formed hemi- and monocarboaluminate phases were observed in mixtures containing ground oyster shells. An enhancement in compressive strength and overall reaction degree was observed by adding 5% ground oyster shells as cement replacement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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19 pages, 5601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Manufacturing of Low-Carbon Binders Using Waste Glass and Dredged Sediments: Formulation and Performance Assessment at Laboratory Scale

by Abdelhadi Bouchikhi, Walid Maherzi, Mahfoud Benzerzour, Yannick Mamindy-Pajany, Arne Peys and Nor-Edine Abriak

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4960; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094960 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2243

Abstract

Few studies focus on the co-valorization of river dredging sediments (DS) and residual waste glass (RWG) in alkali-activated binders. This study investigates the use of DS as an aluminosilicate source by substituting a natural resource (metakaolin (MK)), while using RWG as an activator [...] Read more.

Few studies focus on the co-valorization of river dredging sediments (DS) and residual waste glass (RWG) in alkali-activated binders. This study investigates the use of DS as an aluminosilicate source by substituting a natural resource (metakaolin (MK)), while using RWG as an activator (sodium silicate source). Suitable treatments are selected to increase the potential reactivity of each residue. The DS is thermally treated at 750 °C to promote limestone and aluminosilicate clays’ activation. The RWG (amorphous, rich in silicon, and containing sodium) is used as an alkaline activator after treatment in 10 M NaOH. Structural monitoring using nuclear magnetic resonance (²⁹NMR and ²⁷NMR), X-ray diffraction, and leaching is conducted to achieve processing optimization. In the second stage, mortars were prepared and characterized by determining compressive strength, water absorption, mercury porosimetry and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Results obtained show the great advantage of combining RWG and DS in an alkali-activation binder. The treated RWG offers advantages when used as sodium silicate activating solution, while the substitution of MK by calcined sediments (DS-750 °C) at 10%, 20%, and 30% leads to improvements in the properties of the matrix such as an increase in compressive strength and a refinement and reduction of the pore size within the matrix. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable Development)

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