Abrasion resistance and mechanical properties of high-volume fly ash concrete

The abrasion resistance and mechanical properties of concrete containing high-volume fly ash (HVFA) were investigated. Sand (fine aggregate) was replaced with 35, 45, and 55% of Class F fly ash by mass. The water to cement ratio and the workability of mixtures were maintained constant at 0.46 and 55 ± 5 mm respectively. Properties examined were compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and abrasion resistance expressed as depth of wear. Test results indicated that replacement of sand with fly ash enhanced the 28-day compressive strength by 25–41%, splitting tensile strength by 12–21%, flexural strength by 14–17%, and modulus of elasticity by 18–23% depending upon the fly ash content, and showed continuous improvement in mechanical properties up to the ages of 365 days. Replacing fly ash with sand significantly improved the abrasion resistance of concrete at all ages. Strong correlation exists between the abrasion resistance and each of the mechanical properties investigated.     

Development of recycled strain-hardening cement-based composite (SHCC) for sustainable infrastructures

This paper presents the experimental results of an attempt to develop sustainable strain-hardening cement-based composite (SHCC) using recycled materials. SHCC exhibits desirable mechanical properties, including strain hardening and ductility. However, SHCC is composed of silica sand and a high volume of cement, which makes it more energy intensive than conventional concrete. The aim of this study is to promote SHCC sustainability in infrastructure design through the use of recycled materials. Alternative recycled materials – sand, fly ash, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers – are used to partially replace silica sand, cement, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers, respectively, in SHCC specimens. The effects of the recycled materials on the mechanical behavior of the SHCC specimens are examined by conducting compressive tests, four-point bending (flexural) tests, and uniaxial tensile tests. Fundamental information is then used in the constitutive model to analyze and design infrastructures using SHCC with recycled materials. Test results indicate that fly ash improves both the bending and uniaxial tensile performance of SHCC due to an increase in chemical bond strength at the interface between the PVA fibers and cement matrices. However, SHCC that contains PET fibers does not perform well in the bending and uniaxial tensile tests due to the inferior material properties of the PET fibers, although its compressive behavior is similar to that of the PVA2.0 specimen. Also, it is noted that recycled sand increases the elastic modulus value of SHCC due to its larger grain size compared to that of silica sand. Based on the desire to maintain well-performing SHCC, a replacement ratio below 20% for fly ash or below 50% for recycled sand is deemed appropriate for creating sustainable SHCC, as concluded from this study.     

Properties of self-compacting concrete containing class F fly ash

An experimental program was carried out to study the properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) made with Class F fly ash. The mixes were prepared with five percentages of class F fly ash ranging from 15% to 35%. Properties investigated were self-compactability parameters (slump flow, J-ring, V-funnel, L-box and U-box), strength properties (compressive and splitting tensile strength), and durability properties (deicing salt surface scaling, carbonation and rapid chloride penetration resistance).     

Effects of fly ash fineness on the mechanical properties of concrete

The present study reviews the effects of fly ash fineness on the compressive and splitting tensile strength of the concretes. A fly ash of lignite origin with Blaine fineness of 2351?cm²/g was ground in a ball mill. As a consequence of the grinding process, fly ashes with fineness of 3849?cm²/g and 5239?cm²/g were obtained. Fly ashes with three different fineness were used instead of cement of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% and ten different types of concrete mixture were produced. In the concrete mixtures, the dosage of binder and water/cement ratio were fixed at 350?kg/m³ and 0.50, respectively. Slump values for the concretes were adjusted to be 100 ± 20?mm. Cubic samples were cast with edges of 100?mm. The specimens were cured in water at 20°C. At the end of curing process, compressive and splitting tensile strengths of the concrete samples were determined at 7, 28, 56, 90, 120 and 180?days. It was observed that compressive and splitting tensile strength of the concretes was affected by fineness of fly ash in short-and long-terms. It was found that compressive and tensile strength of the concretes increased as fly ash fineness increased. It was concluded that Blaine fineness value should be above 3849?cm²/g fineness of fly ash to have positive impact on mechanical properties of concrete. The effects of fly ash fineness on the compressive and splitting tensile strength of the concretes were remarkably seen in the fly ash with FAC code with fineness of 5235?cm²/g.     

环境湿度对玻璃纤维增强水泥力学性能的影响

通过开展在不同龄期、不同环境湿度下玻璃纤维增强水泥(GRC)试件的抗折强度、抗压强度试验和基体pH值测定,研究了环境湿度对掺加粉煤灰和硅灰等活性矿物掺合料的GRC试件力学性能的影响。结果表明:环境湿度对GRC试件的抗折强度有重要影响,相对湿度越大,随着龄期增加, GRC试件抗折强度降低越严重;在温度60℃、相对湿度95%条件下,经过56 d龄期后,掺有40%粉煤灰和10%硅灰的GRC试件抗折强度比未掺加粉煤灰和硅灰的GRC试件的抗折强度提高48.5%、抗压强度提高23.6%, GRC基体pH值降低6%。在相同的湿度条件下,掺有粉煤灰和硅灰试件的pH值在各个龄期都低于普通硅酸盐水泥试件,说明粉煤灰和硅灰的掺入能降低水泥水化液相的碱度,进而延缓了纤维受侵蚀的速度,显著改善了GRC试件的力学及耐久性能。通过对试验结果进行分析,利用MATLAB软件建立了GRC试件抗折强度和抗压强度与水泥砂浆基体pH值及时间的关系式。      

Effects of cold-bonded fly ash aggregate properties on the shrinkage cracking of lightweight concretes

This paper presents an experimental study on the restrained shrinkage cracking of the lightweight concretes made with cold-bonded fly ash lightweight aggregates. Two types of fly ash having different physical and chemical properties were utilized in the production of lightweight aggregates with different strengths. Afterwards, lower strength aggregates were also surface treated by water glass and cement–silica fume slurry to improve physical and mechanical properties of the particles. Therefore, a total of eight concrete mixtures were designed and cast at 0.35 and 0.55 water–cement ratios using four types of lightweight coarse aggregates differing in their surface texture, density, water absorption, and strength. Ring type specimens were used for restrained shrinkage cracking test. Free shrinkage, creep, weight loss, compressive and splitting tensile strengths, and modulus of elasticity of the concretes were also investigated. Results indicated that improvement in the lightweight aggregate properties extended the cracking time of the concretes resulting in finer cracks associated with the lower free shrinkage. Moreover, there was a marked increase in the compressive and splitting tensile strengths, and the modulus of elasticity.     

Mechanical performance of low cement reactive powder concrete (LCRPC)

The possibility of producing a reactive powder concrete (RPC) with low cement content was aimed in the scope of this study. Cement was replaced with class-C fly ash (FA) up to 60% for this purpose. Three different curing conditions (standard water curing, autoclave curing and steam curing) were applied to specimens. Two series of RPC composites were prepared with bauxite and granite aggregates. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and fracture energy of composites were investigated. Test results showed that, compressive strength of 200 MPa can be reached with low cement by using high-volume fly ash. Thermally treated specimens showed compressive strength beyond 250 MPa and high volume fly ash RPC have superior performance. Furthermore, compressive strength values reached up to 400 MPa with external pressure application during setting and hardening stages.     

Mechanical performance of low cement reactive powder concrete (LCRPC)

The possibility of producing a reactive powder concrete (RPC) with low cement content was aimed in the scope of this study. Cement was replaced with class-C fly ash (FA) up to 60% for this purpose. Three different curing conditions (standard water curing, autoclave curing and steam curing) were applied to specimens. Two series of RPC composites were prepared with bauxite and granite aggregates. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and fracture energy of composites were investigated. Test results showed that, compressive strength of 200 MPa can be reached with low cement by using high-volume fly ash. Thermally treated specimens showed compressive strength beyond 250 MPa and high volume fly ash RPC have superior performance. Furthermore, compressive strength values reached up to 400 MPa with external pressure application during setting and hardening stages.     

Optimization of the polymer concrete used for manufacturing bases for precision tool machines

Due to its superior damping ratio, high adhesion and fast curing, polymer concrete is used in manufacturing bases for a wide range of precision machines. The coefficient of thermal expansion for polymer concrete is one of the main parameters that can affect the level of accuracy in precision tool machines. Flexural strength is a fundamental strength of the base. In this study six aggregates (basalt, spodumene, fly ash, river gravel, sand and chalk) were investigated. Polymer concrete samples were prepared with different compositions of aggregates containing the same resin volume fraction (aggregates 83% and risen 17%). A four points flexural test was employed to measure the flexural strength of the polymer concrete samples. The coefficient of thermal expansion for polymer concrete was measured using a custom built device. The preliminary optimum composition, with the highest flexural strength and lowest thermal expansion coefficient, was found to be basalt, spodumene and fly ash. Basalt, sand and fly ash composition was the second in the rank. The second composition was nominated for further optimization in terms of resin volume fraction in consideration of its ability to adapt a smaller amount of resin. Different samples of polymer concrete were prepared with a variety of resin volume fractions as follows; 17%, 15% and 13%. The resin volume fraction has been demonstrated to have a significant effect on the coefficient of thermal expansion and flexural strength for polymer concrete. The final optimized composition was basalt, sand and fly ash (filler 87% and resin 13%). ANSYS 13 software was employed in visualizing the influence of polymer concrete compositions on the thermal expansion of the base and how it affected the level of precision of the tool machine.     

Optimization of the polymer concrete used for manufacturing bases for precision tool machines

Due to its superior damping ratio, high adhesion and fast curing, polymer concrete is used in manufacturing bases for a wide range of precision machines. The coefficient of thermal expansion for polymer concrete is one of the main parameters that can affect the level of accuracy in precision tool machines. Flexural strength is a fundamental strength of the base. In this study six aggregates (basalt, spodumene, fly ash, river gravel, sand and chalk) were investigated. Polymer concrete samples were prepared with different compositions of aggregates containing the same resin volume fraction (aggregates 83% and risen 17%). A four points flexural test was employed to measure the flexural strength of the polymer concrete samples. The coefficient of thermal expansion for polymer concrete was measured using a custom built device. The preliminary optimum composition, with the highest flexural strength and lowest thermal expansion coefficient, was found to be basalt, spodumene and fly ash. Basalt, sand and fly ash composition was the second in the rank. The second composition was nominated for further optimization in terms of resin volume fraction in consideration of its ability to adapt a smaller amount of resin. Different samples of polymer concrete were prepared with a variety of resin volume fractions as follows; 17%, 15% and 13%. The resin volume fraction has been demonstrated to have a significant effect on the coefficient of thermal expansion and flexural strength for polymer concrete. The final optimized composition was basalt, sand and fly ash (filler 87% and resin 13%). ANSYS 13 software was employed in visualizing the influence of polymer concrete compositions on the thermal expansion of the base and how it affected the level of precision of the tool machine.     

玄武岩格栅增强水泥基复合材料单轴拉伸力学性能试验及本构关系模型

考虑玄武岩纤维增强树脂合物基复合材料(BFRP)格栅层数和水泥基复合材料(ECC)配比等因素,对BFRP增强大掺量粉煤灰/矿粉ECC棒骨试件进行了静力单轴拉伸试验,研究掺加增强粉煤灰/矿粉ECC的抗拉力学性能。结合试验数据,基于Richard和Abbot的弹塑性应力-应变公式提出掺加增强ECC的应力-应变本构关系模型。试验结果表明:随着掺加层数的增加,格栅增强ECC的极限抗拉强度显著增大。同配合比掺矿粉制成的ECC抗压强度、开裂应变及应力高于掺粉煤灰制成的ECC。掺加增强掺矿粉ECC试件相对掺粉煤灰ECC试件具有较好的抗拉力学性能。计算结果表明,建立的单轴受拉本构关系模型可以有效地预测掺加增强ECC的应力-应变关系和极限抗拉强度。     

玄武岩-碳纤维/矿渣混凝土力学性能正交试验

应用正交试验法开展了16组玄武岩-碳纤维(BF-CF)/矿渣混凝土和1组C40级基准混凝土的塌落度、立方体抗压强度和劈裂抗拉强度试验,研究了BF、CF和矿渣三种因素对BF-CF/矿渣混凝土力学性能的影响。结果表明:BF-CF/矿渣混凝土立方体抗压强度和劈裂抗拉强度均高于C40基准混凝土,立方体抗压强度最大提高了21.0%,劈裂抗拉强度最大提高了35.3%。BF和CF的掺入均会减小混凝土的塌落度,BF对于塌落度的减小更加明显,BF对塌落度的最大降幅为67.1%;矿渣代砂率是影响BF-CF/矿渣混凝土立方体抗压强度的显著因素,随着矿渣代砂率的增大,立方体抗压强度先增大后减小,矿渣对立方体抗压强度的最大提高幅度为7.6%;BF是影响BF-CF/矿渣混凝土劈裂抗拉强度的显著因素,劈裂抗拉强度随BF体积率的增加而增大,BF对劈裂抗拉强度的最大增幅为12.0%,CF对劈裂抗拉强度的提升不明显。对正交试验的结果进行回归分析得出BF-CF/矿渣混凝土立方体抗压强度和劈裂抗拉强度预测模型,模型精度较高。      

Studies on fly ash/coir/sugarcane reinforced epoxy polymer matrix composite

In the past years studies were conducted on natural fibre reinforced polymer composites to observe their mechanical properties in order to decide their industrial applications. These composites have already been used in many applications from aerospace to sporting equipment. These green composites can be used as a replacement for synthetic composites. This is because the natural fibres are eco-friendly, biodegradable, renewable, etc. In this work, an attempt is made to reinforce fly ash, coir fibre and sugarcane fibre with epoxy polymer matrix. Central composite design under response surface methodology (RSM), one of the approaches of design of experiments (DOE) is used to determine optimum sample preparation conditions of fly ash, coir fibre and sugarcane fibre. Both tensile and flexural (three-point bending) tests are conducted on these fabricated composites to determine their materialistic characteristics. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is carried out using Minitab software to find the influence of fly ash, coir fibre, sugarcane fibre on composites. Regression equations obtained from analysis of variance is used to calculate values. Experimental and calculated values are compared and their error % are calculated and tabulated. Response surface optimization study is carried to find the optimized parameters of composites. It is observed that, increase in wt.% of coir fibre and decrease in wt.% of fly ash and sugarcane fibre, increases yield stress and these parameters have mixed impact on ultimate tensile stress. The addition of fly ash, coir fibre and sugarcane fibre in low percentages increases Young's modulus. Increase in wt.% of fly ash and coir fibre and decrease in wt.% of sugarcane, increases flexural modulus and flexural stress.     

Effects of mineral admixtures on fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concretes: binary,ternary and quaternary systems

The paper presented herein investigates the effects of using supplementary cementitious materials in binary, ternary, and quaternary blends on the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concretes (SCCs). A total of 22 concrete mixtures were designed having a constant water/binder ratio of 0.32 and total binder content of 550 kg/m³. The control mixture contained only portland cement (PC) as the binder while the remaining mixtures incorporated binary, ternary, and quaternary cementitious blends of PC, fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), and silica fume (SF). After mixing, the fresh properties of the concretes were tested for slump flow time, L-box height ratio, V-funnel flow time, setting time, and viscosity. Moreover, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and electrical resistivity of the hardened concretes were measured. Test results have revealed that incorporating the mineral admixtures improved the fresh properties and rheology of the concrete mixtures. The compressive strength and electrical resistivity of the concretes with SF and GGBFS were much higher than those of the control concrete.     

高性能PVA纤维增强水泥基材料的制备与性能

为了获得高性能PVA纤维增强水泥基复合材料的制备方法,研究了砂的颗粒级配、水胶比和粉煤灰掺量对高延性纤维增强水泥基复合材料(Engineered Cementitious Composites,ECC)的弯曲性能、抗压、抗折强度及开裂模式的影响。结果表明:随着砂的细度模数降低,ECC的跨中挠度增大,早期强度提高,但后期强度变化不明显。随着水胶比的增大,ECC的初始开裂荷载降低,跨中挠度增大,平均裂缝宽度增加。0.25水胶比的ECC的抗压强度可以满足高强度等级的要求。0.35水胶比的抗压强度可以满足对普通强度等级的要求。随着粉煤灰掺量的增加,ECC的初始开裂荷载降低、抗折和抗压强度逐渐降低,ECC的跨中挠度提高,平均裂缝宽度变小。在水胶比一定的条件下,采用细砂,适当增加粉煤灰掺量有助于提高ECC的韧性和延性。     

Utilization of sweet sorghum fiber to reinforce fly ash-based geopolymer

Geopolymer has been of great research interest as a material for sustainable development. As ordinary Portland cement, however, geopolymer exhibits brittle behavior with low tensile strength, ductility, and fracture toughness. This paper investigates the reinforcement of fly ash-based geopolymer with alkali-pretreated sweet sorghum fiber. The sweet sorghum fiber comes from the bagasse (residue), a waste after the juice is extracted from sweet sorghum stalks for ethanol production. Specifically, the unit weight of fly ash-based geopolymer specimens containing different contents of sweet sorghum fibers was measured. Unconfined compression, splitting tensile, and flexural tests were conducted to investigate the effect of incorporated sweet sorghum fiber on the mechanical properties of fly ash-based geopolymer. Scanning electron microscopy imaging was also performed to study the microstructure of the sweet sorghum fiber–geopolymer composite. The results indicate that the unit weight of the sweet sorghum fiber–geopolymer composite decreases with higher fiber content. Although the inclusion of sweet sorghum fiber slightly decreases the unconfined compressive strength, the splitting tensile, and flexural strengths as well as the post-peak toughness increase with the fiber content up to 2 % and then start to decrease. The splitting tensile tests also clearly show the transition from the brittle failure of the plain geopolymer specimen to the “ductile” failure of the geopolymer specimen containing sweet sorghum fiber.     

Compressive properties of sandwiches with functionally graded rubber core and jute–epoxy skins

The compressive behaviour of a new class of sandwich composite made up of jute fiber reinforced epoxy skins and piece-wise linear fly ash reinforced functionally graded (FG) rubber core is investigated in flat-wise mode. FG samples are prepared using conventional casting technique. Presence of gradation is quantified physically by weight method. This paper addresses the effect of weight fraction of fly ash, core to thickness ratio (C/H) and orientation of jute on specific compressive modulus and strength. In each trial five replicates are tested with lower amount of fly ash below the upper skin of sandwich (rubber-up). Results of experimentation are subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) to find the influential factor governing the compressive behaviour. Furthermore piece-wise linear gradation is modeled in finite element and strength values are compared with experimental results. Sandwich sample with fly ash content of 40%, C/H of 0·4 and orientations of 30°/60° registered better performance. Specific strength is observed to increase upto 30% filler content followed by stabilization. Finite element results for strength match very well with experimental ones.     

微胶囊-玄武岩纤维/水泥复合材料的力学性能

以水泥、玄武岩纤维和脲醛/环氧树脂微胶囊为主要材料,制备水泥基复合材料标准试样,研究纤维掺量、纤维长度、微胶囊质量分数、水灰质量比和养护龄期对复合材料抗折强度和抗压强度的影响,利用正交实验确定微胶囊-玄武岩纤维/水泥自修复复合材料力学性能的最优配比。实验结果表明：抗折强度随着纤维掺量的增加而增加,抗压强度随着纤维掺量增加而减小;随着纤维长度的增加,抗折强度略有增加,抗压强度略有降低;抗折强度随着微胶囊质量分数的增加呈现出先增加后减小的趋势,而抗压强度则呈现下降趋势;抗折强度与抗压强度随养护龄期的增加而呈增加的趋势;材料经损伤后修复,抗折强度修复率为117%,恢复率为103%,抗压强度修复率为71%,恢复率为97%。     

Influence of fibre type on flexural behaviour of self-compacting fibre reinforced cementitious composites

This paper investigates the flexural properties of self-compacting fibre reinforced cementitious composites that contain high fly ash volume. Seven types of fibres were compared at the same volume fraction and in similar matrices containing high-volume fly ash and having a high compressive strength of around 85 MPa at 28 days. Third-point bending test was conducted on beam specimens to obtain their load–deflection curves, and investigate their fracture behaviour, flexural strength, deflection and toughness. The results showed that using straight steel and micro-polyvinyl alcohol fibres produced composites demonstrating stable deflection-hardening with multiple-cracking phenomenon. This behaviour resulted in high flexural strength, along with large maximum deflection and toughness values, which are important for applications in cementitious composites. This study indicates that fibres with both sufficiently high aspect ratio and high tensile strength are necessary for achieving deflection-hardening in self-compacting cementitious composites with high-strength matrices containing high-volume fly ash.     

Performance of cement mortar made with recycled high impact polystyrene

This paper investigates the possibility of utilizing recycled high impact polystyrene (HIPS) as a sand substitute in cement mortar, in order to reduce the solid waste disposal problem and thereby environmental pollution and energy consumption. The results show that the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of mortar are decreased by replacing sand with HIPS, but the decrease in the splitting tensile strength is much smaller. HIPS makes the mortar become more ductile and increases the energy dissipation capacity. HIPS decreases the dry bulk density, dynamic modulus of elasticity, thermal conductivity, and also water vapor permeability, but does not affect the resistance to freeze–thaw cycles. The use of mortar made with various percentages of HIPS offers promise for applications as medium or light weight concrete, mostly due to its improved thermal isolation, while adding value to a post-consumer plastic material that is now generally treated as solid waste.