An explanation for the negative effect of elevated temperature at early ages on the late-age strength of concrete

Elevated curing temperature at early ages usually has a negative effect on the late-age strength of concrete. This article aims to study the mechanism of this phenomenon. The results show that elevated curing temperature at early ages has a negative effect on the late-age strength of hardened cement paste, but it has a greater negative effect on the late-age strength of cement mortar. After elevated temperature curing at early ages, the late hydration of cement is hindered, but the late reaction of fly ash is not influenced. Owing to the continuous reaction of fly ash, the late-age pore structure of cement–fly ash paste under elevated curing temperature is finer than that under standard curing temperature, and the late-age strength of cement–fly ash paste under elevated curing temperature is higher. However, the late-age strength of cement–fly ash mortar under elevated curing temperature is lower. Apparently, there are differences between the effects of elevated curing temperature on hardened paste and mortar. It is the deterioration of transition zone between hardened paste and aggregate that makes the negative effect of elevated curing temperature on the mortar (or concrete) be greater than the hardened paste. As the water-to-binder ratio decreases, the negative effect of elevated curing temperature on the transition zone tends to be less.     

新型聚合物水泥胶浆界面剂粘结性能及作用机理研究

采用新型聚合物水泥胶浆作为界面剂以提高新旧混凝土之间的粘结性能,通过拉拔粘结强度与劈裂抗拉粘结强度实验对5种不同类型的聚合物水泥胶浆界面剂的粘结性能进行了测试,并利用扫描电镜(SEM)分析研究了丁苯聚合物水泥胶浆的界面增强机理。实验结果表明,5种聚合物乳液中,丁苯聚合物水泥胶浆具有较好的拉拔粘结性能,当优选m(水泥)∶m(DB-1乳液)=3∶2时,其7d、28d拉拔粘结强度分别达到1.83MPa、2.41MPa,相比水泥净浆空白样分别提高了144%、96%;在劈裂抗拉粘结强度方面,水平方向浇筑时劈裂抗拉粘结强度相对较高,当聚合物水泥胶浆的优选m(水泥)∶m(DB-1乳液)=3∶2,水平浇筑时其28d劈拉粘结强度达到2.96MPa,明显高于不掺界面剂的试样以及掺加其它配比界面剂的混凝土试样;经过微观测试分析,丁苯DB-1聚合物水泥砂浆内部界面过渡区(ITZ)相比空白样明显致密,表明丁苯聚合物的加入有效填充了水泥基材料内部的宏观与微观缺陷,提高了界面过渡区的密实程度。     

High strength blended cement concrete incorporating volcanic ash: Performance at high temperatures

The strength and durability of high strength blended cement concretes incorporating up to 20% of volcanic ash (VA) subjected to high temperatures up to 800 °C are described. The strength was assessed by unstressed residual compressive strength, while durability was investigated by rapid chloride permeability (RCP), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), crack pattern observations and microhardness testing. High strength volcanic ash concrete (HSVAC) exhibited better performance showing higher residual strength, chloride resistance and resistance against deterioration at high temperatures compared to the control high strength OPC concrete. However, deterioration of both strength and durability of HSVACs increased with the increase of temperature up to 800 °C due to weakened interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between hardened cement paste (hcp) and aggregate and concurrent coarsening of the hcp pore structure. The serviceability assessment of HSVACs after a fire should therefore, be based on both strength and durability considerations.     

Bond strength prediction for deformed steel rebar embedded in recycled coarse aggregate concrete

This paper summarizes the results of an experimental investigation into the bond behavior between recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) and deformed steel rebars, with the main variables being the recycled coarse aggregate replacement ratio (RCAr) and water-to-cement ratio of the concrete mixture. The investigation into splitting cracking strength indicates that the degradation of the bond splitting tensile stress of the cover concrete was affected by not only the roundness of the coarse aggregate particles but also the weak interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the cement paste and the RCA that has a more porous structure in the ITZ than normal concrete. In this study, a linear relationship between the bond strength and the density of the RCA was found, but the high compressive strength reduced the effects of the parameters. To predict the bond strength of RAC using the main parameters, a multivariable model was developed using nonlinear regression analysis. It can be inferred from this study that the degradation characteristic of the bond strength of RAC can be predicted well, whereas other empirical equations and code provisions are very conservative.     

Effect of fly ash on the microstructure of cement mortar

A microstructural study of mortars prepared with a low-alkali, low-C₃A cement and a Class F fly ash, both of Swedish origin, was carried out using the scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray analytical technique. Supplementary phase analyses were made by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis. Normally, CH crystals in the transition zone grow with their c axis parallel (or the (0 0 1) cleavage plane perpendicular) to the aggregate surface. The encapsulation of the fly ash particles by the growing CH reduces the amount of orientated CH at the aggregate-paste interface. The growth mechanism of these crystals is discussed. The reduction of CH, most significant after 28 days of hydration, is mainly due to the reaction of CH with the fly ash glass phase. Initially, the replacement of cement by fly ash weakens the paste-aggregate interfacial zone due to reduction of contact points, and increases the local water-to-cement ratio. This, however, improves significantly when the fly ash has reacted. In order to enhance the reaction of fly ash, extra gypsum was added. The results show that gypsum can accelerate the fly ash reaction, but the products formed, and the beneficial effects of gypsum, are mainly determined by the total amount of gypsum in the paste.     

Modeling the influence of the interfacial zone on the DC electrical conductivity of mortar

The interfacial zone separating cement paste and aggregate in mortar and concrete is believed to influence many of the properties of these composites. The available experimental evidence, obtained on artificial geometries, indicates that the DC electrical conductivity of the interfacial zone, because of its higher porosity, may be considerably larger than that of the bulk cement paste matrix. This paper presents the theoretical framework for quantitatively understanding the influence of the interfacial zone on the overall electrical conductivity of mortar, based on realistic random aggregate geometries. This understanding is also used, via an electrical analogy with Darcy's law, to make predictions about the effect of the interfacial zone on fluid permeability. The results obtained for mortar should also pertain to concrete.     

Particle size effect on the strength of rice husk ash blended gap-graded Portland cement concrete

Rice husk ash (RHA) has been used as a highly reactive pozzolanic material to improve the microstructure of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the cement paste and the aggregate in high-performance concrete. Mechanical experiments of RHA blended Portland cement concretes revealed that in addition to the pozzolanic reactivity of RHA (chemical aspect), the particle grading (physical aspect) of cement and RHA mixtures also exerted significant influences on the blending efficiency. The relative strength increase (relative to the concrete made with plain cement, expressed in %) is higher for coarser cement. The gap-grading phenomenon is expected to be the underlying mechanism. This issue is also approached by computer simulation. A stereological spacing parameter (i.e., mean free spacing between mixture particles) is associated with the global strength of the blended model cement concretes. This paper presents results of a combined mechanical and computer simulation study on the effects of particle size ranges involved in RHA-blended Portland cement on compressive strength of gap-graded concrete in the high strength/high performance range. The simulation results demonstrate that the favourable results for coarser cement (i.e., the gap-graded binder) reflect improved particle packing structure accompanied by a decrease in porosity and particularly in particle spacing.     

低应力水平下混凝土中氯离子扩散行为多尺度分析方法

混凝土的扩散渗透性能与其微观结构（包括细观尺度上粗骨料颗粒与砂浆之间的界面过渡区及砂浆本身的微观结构等）密切相关。在微观尺度上,砂浆和界面过渡区均可视为由无孔砂浆基质和孔隙水夹杂相组成的两相复合材料,二者的主要区别表现为孔隙率不同。在外荷载作用下,砂浆和界面过渡区的毛细孔隙率及孔隙连通性会发生改变,从而改变混凝土的扩散渗透性能。基于此,该文建立了低应力水平下混凝土中氯离子扩散行为多尺度理论分析方法,获得了混凝土表观扩散系数与外荷载（以体应变表征）及砂浆和界面过渡区当前孔隙率的定量关系。分析所采用的主要参数为砂浆和界面过渡区的毛细孔隙率、无孔砂浆基质和骨料相的力学参数、骨料相和界面过渡区的体积分数、外荷载等。与已有文献数据对比知,该文分析结果与之吻合良好,表明了理论分析方法的合理性与准确性。此外,基于该方法,探讨分析了混凝土微/细观结构对其宏观扩散性能的影响。     

Transition zone studies of new-to-old concrete with different binders

The weak transition zone between new and old concrete controls many properties of repaired concrete. The transition zone between aggregates and cement pastes of normal concrete has been studied by a number of researchers. But to date, there is little information available about the interfacial zone between new and old concrete. In this paper, major properties of the transition zone between new and old concrete with different binders were studied by using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The bond strength was also investigated. The test results show that the binder is a vital factor, which affects the morphology (size and shape), mineralogy and the microstructure of the transition zone in repaired concrete.     

粉煤灰对磷酸盐水泥耐水性能的影响

通过掺加粉煤灰改善磷酸盐水泥的耐水性能,同时研究了粉煤灰对磷酸盐水泥工作性能、体积稳定性和粘结强度的影响。结果表明,粉煤灰掺量达到30%时,耐水性增强,水养条件下抗压强度和抗折强度提高近40%;粉煤灰掺量为10%时,流动度提高近20%;粉煤灰掺量为20%时,粘结强度达到最大。随着粉煤灰掺量的增大,膨胀率降低,体积稳定性提高。     

Behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubular columns incorporating fly ash

The subject of this work is to investigate the effect of fly ash on the strength of concrete filled steel tubular columns from 28 to 365 days. A contrast study was carried out on concrete filled steel tubular columns incorporating 10–40 wt% fly ash, and for control Portland cement concrete filled steel tubular columns. The effect of pre-coating the inner surface of steel tubes with a thin layer of fly ash was also studied. Assessments of the concrete mixes were based on the compressive strength and the bond strength. The results show that a lower replacement with fly ash can improve both bond strength and compressive strength, while a higher replacement with fly ash requires a relatively longer time to achieve similar beneficial effects. Pre-coating the inner surface of steel tubes with a thin layer of fly ash can notably improve the bond strength. The microstructure of the interface between concrete and steel tube was also studied by using scanning electron microscopy analyzer.     

Improving the structure of the interfacial zone and its influence on the long-term behavior of mortars

The structure of the interfacial zone between cement paste and aggregate was improved by using a pretreated quartz aggregate on whose surface the hydraulic mineral β?C₂S was directly formed. The composition and morphology of the structure of the interfacial zone was examined, and its influence was studied by comparisons between mortars made with pretreated quartz aggregate and with normal quartz aggregate. The results showed that the composition and morphology of the interfacial zone were substantially improved by the hydration of the mineral β?C₂S of the pretreated quartz aggregate. The influence of the interfacial structure on the strength of mortars was related to structural development. It appears to be slight at early hydration, but significant at late hydration.     

Workability and strength behaviour of concrete with cold-bonded fly ash aggregate

This paper discusses the development of empirical models for workability and compressive strength of cold-bonded fly ash aggregate concrete in terms of mixture proportioning variables such as cement content, water content and volume fraction of cold-bonded aggregate through statistically designed experiments based on Response Surface Methodology. Factor level of cement is taken from 250 to 450 kg/m³ to introduce weak as well as strong matrix phase in the concrete. Apart from water content, workability of concrete is highly influenced by main and interaction effect of volume fraction of cold-bonded aggregate in the composition. Response surface indicate that increase in cement content causes to change the predominant failure mode from mortar failure to aggregate fracture and concrete strength decreases with increase in volume fraction of aggregate at higher cement contents. The models developed have been found useful in arriving typical relationship to establish a mixture proportioning methodology for cold-bonded fly ash aggregate concrete.     

Effect of water curing conditions on the hydration degree and compressive strengths of fly ash–cement paste

This paper explains the effect of water curing condition on compressive strengths of fly ash–cement paste by quantitative data of hydration degree. Hydration of fly ash–cement paste was estimated by Rietveld analysis and selective dissolution. The result shows that the hydration degree of belite is affected by water curing conditions, more so than that of fly ash and alite. Fly ash still continues to hydrate even without an extra, external supply of water. The strong dependence of fly ash–cement concrete on curing conditions does not come from the hydration degree of fly ash, but rather comes from the hydration degree of cement, especially belite. When the water to binder ratio is low enough, the hydration of cement plus small hydration of fly ash are considered to be enough for adequate compressive strength at the beginning. Then, compressive strength of fly ash–cement paste becomes less sensitive to the water curing period.     

偏高岭土-矿渣基地聚物与花岗岩骨料界面的分布特性及影响因素

以碱激发偏高岭土-矿渣作为胶凝材料、花岗岩为骨料制备地聚物混凝土,通过扫描电镜SEM-EDS及显微硬度分析研究地聚物与骨料的界面粘结区的微观结构、分布,以及液固比和骨料尺寸对地聚物-骨料界面的影响。研究结果表明,在地聚物与骨料的界面区域存在界面过渡区(ITZ),包含了以N-A-S-H凝胶为主的固相和收缩裂缝,化学组分与地聚物凝胶有较大不同。界面过渡区沿骨料周围不同位置表现出明显的分布不均匀特性,骨料下缘处的界面过渡区的微观结构和硬度都显著更差。随着液固比及骨料半径的增大,其分布的不均匀性增加:骨料下界面ITZ中的裂缝宽度增大,N-A-S-H凝胶厚度减小且强度降低;但配比及骨料尺寸对骨料上界面及侧界面的ITZ影响并不显著。骨料下界面ITZ应是偏高岭土-矿渣基地聚物混凝土的薄弱区域。     

Efficiency,skin strength and sorptivity of fly ash concretes

Four grades of concrete with and without fly ash were devised and tested for compressive strength. The concretes were cured in three different curing regimes. The skin strength of concretes under inadequate curing was calculated by assuming a linear model for the variation of strength, and the strength difference between cement and fly ash concretes has been worked out. The skin strength of cement concretes was found to be higher than that of fly ash concretes. The test results were found to be affected by the size of the test specimen, when proper curing was not provided. The difference in sorptivity of fly ash and cement concretes cured for four days and not provided with any initial curing has been included. For all grades of concrete, the sorptivity of fly ash concrete was found to be marginally higher. The difference in sorptivity between fly ash and cement concretes was observed to increase as the strength of the mix decreased. The effect of initial curing was found to be highly significant. The sorptivity of samples with no curing was twice as much as those with four days initial curing. Besides the material properties, the age and strength of a fly ash concrete were also found to be important factors in determining the cementing efficiency of the fly ash.     

Effect of fly ash fineness on compressive strength and pore size of blended cement paste

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the effect of fly ash fineness on compressive strength, porosity, and pore size distribution of hardened cement pastes. Class F fly ash with two fineness, an original fly ash and a classified fly ash, with median particle size of 19.1 and 6.4 μm respectively were used to partially replace portland cement at 0%, 20%, and 40% by weight. The water to binder ratio (w/b) of 0.35 was used for all the blended cement paste mixes.Test results indicated that the blended cement paste with classified fly ash produced paste with higher compressive strength than that with original fly ash. The porosity and pore size of blended cement paste was significantly affected by the replacement of fly ash and its fineness. The replacement of portland cement by original fly ash increased the porosity but decreased the average pore size of the paste. The measured gel porosity (5.7–10 nm) increased with an increase in the fly ash content. The incorporation of classified fly ash decreased the porosity and average pore size of the paste as compared to that with ordinary fly ash. The total porosity and capillary pores decreased while the gel pore increased as a result of the addition of finer fly ash at all replacement levels.     

Internal curing of Class-F fly-ash concrete using high-volume roof-tile waste aggregate

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a high volume of roof-tile waste coarse aggregate (5–13 mm) as an internal curing agent on the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, pore structure, and hydration and pozzolanic reactions in paste of fly-ash concrete with a low water-to-binder ratio of 0.30. The fly-ash concrete specimens in which the replacement ratio of cement by Class-F fly ash was 40% by mass and that of normal coarse aggregate by roof-tile waste aggregate was 40% by volume, were cured up to 728 days. Internal curing with roof-tile waste aggregate increased the compressive strength of the fly-ash concrete by 8.4–16.5% and decreased the modulus of elasticity by 4.9–12.8%. The use of a high volume of waste aggregate decreased the volume of the capillary pores in the 0.01–10 µm range and the volume proportion of the 0.02–0.33-µm pores after 28 days, but increased the volume proportion of 0.003–0.02-µm pores slightly at 7 days and significantly up to 728 days, and the consumption of Ca(OH)₂ in the fly-ash concrete. This roof-tile waste aggregate can be used as an internal water reservoir to increase the compressive strength and to improve the pore structure of concrete with a high-volume (40%) replacement of Class-F fly ash.     

Influence of fly ash as a cement addition on the hardened properties of recycled aggregate concrete

The effects of the use of Class F fly ash as a cement addition on the hardened properties of recycled aggregate concrete were determined. In this study, four series of concrete mixtures were prepared with water-to-cement (w/c) ratios of 0.55, 0.50, 0.45 and 0.40. The recycled aggregate was used as 0%, 20%, 50% and 100% replacements of coarse natural aggregate. Furthermore, fly ash was employed as 0% and 25% addition of cement. Although the use of recycled aggregate had a negative effect on the mechanical properties of concrete, it was found that the addition of fly ash was able to mitigate this detrimental effect. Also, the addition of fly ash reduced the drying shrinkage and enhanced the resistance to chloride ion penetration of concrete prepared with recycled aggregate. Moreover, it was found that the drying shrinkage and chloride ion penetration decreased as the compressive strength increased. Compared with the results of our previous study, the present study has quantified the advantages of using fly ash as an additional cementitious material in recycled aggregate concrete over the use of fly use as a replacement of cement.     

Studies on mechanics of development of physical and mechanical properties of high-volume fly ash-cement pastes

High-volume fly ash concrete for structural applications was developed at CANMET. In this concrete fly ash to ‘total cementitious material’ was maintained over 55%. The purpose of this work was to investigate, by the use of similar paste mixtures of the same fly ash and cement, the mechanism by which the mechanical properties were developed. Mechanical property-porosity relations, pore size distribution, permeability, degree of hydration and Ca(OH)₂ content measurements were made. It was observed that the fly ash-cememt reaction occurred relatively early at 3 to 7 days and it was concluded that the cement matrix and residual unreacted fly ash form a good mechanical bond.