A multi-scale homogenization approach for the effective thermal conductivity of dry lime–hemp concrete

Lime–hemp concrete is an environmentally friendly material that is used more and more in building construction. This study develops a multi-scale homogenization approach to model the effective thermal conductivity of this bio-based material. The developed model dedicated to non-compacted and compacted hemp concrete takes into account the shape and the orientations of pores of hemp particles as well as imperfect particle-binding interfaces. Unknown properties of the solid phase of hemp particles and binding, and that of the particle-binding interface are calibrated by inverse analysis using available experimental data. The model is then used to carry out a sensitivity analysis to study the effect of the porosities of hemp particles and binding, the volume fraction of hemp particles, density and temperature on the overall thermal conductivity of hemp concrete. Analytical solution proposed can be used for a fast estimation and optimization of the thermal conductivity of hemp concrete, which is very useful for the building design.     

Evaluation of pre-coated recycled concrete aggregate for hot mix asphalt

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) used for pavement construction can ease aggregate shortage problem and reduce environmental pollution. The mechanical properties of hot mix asphalt (HMA) with RCA are usually inferior to those of HMA with river crushed stone (CS). In this research, slag cement paste used for pre-coated RCA (PCRCA) with coating thickness of 0.25 mm, 0.45 mm and 0.65 mm to reinforce its ability is evaluated. The result shows that the PCRCA with coating thickness of 0.25 mm has the optimum coating paste volume for HMA mixture. The indirect tensile strength (ITS) test, moisture sensitivity test and wheel-track rutting test of HMA with substitution ratios of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% PCRCA mixture are discussed. The results indicate that the properties of PCRCA have highly pores contents, absorption of water and asphalt contents. However, the physical properties of the PCRCA used as aggregate and test of HMA with PCRCA are within the range of the specification requirements.     

Pull-out behavior of prestressing strands in steel fiber reinforced concrete

This paper presents the results of an experimental study investigating the effects of steel fibers on the mechanical properties of concrete and the enhancement of bond strength of prestressing strands in steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). The first part of the experimental program consisted of compression, tension and flexural tests on SFRC. Two types of steel fibers with 30 mm and 60 mm fiber lengths were used with five different fiber contents. The second part of the study consisted of simple pull-out tests on 12.7 mm and 15.2 mm diameter seven-wire untensioned prestressing strands embedded in concrete blocks. The pull-out tests were conducted with two different fiber lengths and five different fiber contents for each strand diameter. The steel fibers were observed to improve the pull-out resistance of strands by controlling the crack growth inside concrete blocks.     

NaOH预处理对橡胶混凝土性能的影响

研究了不同水胶比条件下,NaOH预处理方式和橡胶掺量对混凝土吸水性、毛细孔隙率、干燥收缩及力学性能的影响。结果表明,掺加经NaOH预处理的橡胶所配混凝土具有更低的吸水率、毛细孔隙率、脆性和更高的抗折强度,预处理对橡胶混凝土上述性能的改性作用与水胶比有关,水胶比较高时改性效果较好。     

Experimental study of the mechanical anisotropy of aerated concretes and of the adjustment parameters of the introduced porosity

The aerated concrete manufacturing process consists in the creation of macro porosity in a micro-mortar matrix with the help of an expansive agent (aluminum powder), which reacts with the water and the lime liberated by the hydration of the binder. Theoretical studies previously conducted on the idealization of aerated concrete have shown that its behavior can present mechanical and thermal anisotropies due to the configuration of the porosity (form, distribution and orientation of pores). Compared with spherical pores, ellipsoidal pores flattened uniaxially, with equal porosity, may improve the mechanical performances in the direction parallel to their long axis and the thermal performances in the perpendicular direction. The aim of this work is to evaluate the development of the macro-porosity by adjusting the different parameters of composition. The quantitative aspect and the qualitative aspect of the macro-porosity were considered at the same time; the former concerns the quantity of pores and the latter their geometrical configuration. Different compositions of non-autoclaved aerated concretes were studied, in which the nature of the binder, the quantity of water, the quantity of sand and the proportioning and the nature of the expansive agent varied. At first the paper presents the study of the influence of each parameter on the introduced porosity. This one is calculated as the difference between the apparent density of the basic matrix and the apparent density of the corresponding lightweight material. Then the incidence of the introduced porosity on the mechanical strengths and anisotropy of the material is studied. The results show a relationship between the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the introduced porosity. This relation is studied with respect to the relativity of the kinetics of setting and expansion, which seems to be a major parameter to optimize properties of aerated concretes.     

Effects of compaction method and rubber content on the properties of concrete paving blocks

A wide variety of recycled waste has been successfully used in the production of concrete paving blocks. It is known that the mechanical properties of these concrete products tend to be inconsistent, which is understandable in view of the range of mix designs as well as the variety of materials and compaction methods that were adopted in the production. In this study, recycled waste tyre (crumb rubber) was used to replace sand by volume at the level of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% in order to investigate how the soft rubber particles behave under plant-machine compaction method during the production of rubberized concrete paving blocks (RCPB). In the hardened stage, the physical properties as well as mechanical properties of RCPB including density, compressive strength, bending strength and skid resistance were studied. The results showed that as a small proportion (∼10%) of soft rubber particles was included in the mixture, the particles easily distorted and filled the voids between the solid particles. This filling mechanism reduced the porosity of concrete mixtures and effectively developed an adequate adhesion between the particles, resulting in higher gain in strengths. On the contrary, as the rubber ratio increased more than 10%, which the deformability is more predominant than the filling mechanism, this results in higher total stress concentrations and rebound stress of rubber particles, thus, increasing the porosity and micro-cracks, resulting in loss in strengths. Nevertheless, the presence of rubber in concrete did not demonstrate brittle failure, but rather a ductile which had an ability to withstand post-failure loads. In comparison, the mechanical properties of plant-made RCPB performed better than that of corresponding manually-made RCPB. Therefore, plant-compaction method is recommended for future RCPB production and crumb rubber content used to replace sand by volume should be kept at or less than 10%.     

Optimization of the formulation of micro-polymer concretes

This research investigates the optimization of micro-polymer concretes (MPC) formulations in order to produce a construction material that has excellent physical and mechanical properties, such as minimum void content, high Young’s modulus and excellent strength properties. An epoxy resin reinforced with a graded mixture of coarse and fine sands is used as a binder to design the micro-polymer concretes. Effects of curing time and binder contents were evaluated through ultrasonic wave propagation method and flexural, compressive, direct and tensile tests, performed at room temperature. The porosity of different MPC formulations as well as the distribution of the voids size is investigated as a function of curing time using mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP). Results show that with increasing the binder content, the total pore volume and the maximum pore size are reduced significantly. The kinetics and the mechanisms of diffusion of water in MPC depend strongly on the mass fraction of resin. All the mechanical properties of MPC stabilize after 3 days curing at ambient temperatures. The micro-polymer concrete designed with a polymer content of 9% shows the highest physical and mechanical characteristics such as strengths, rigidity, the lower voids content and thus the best durability. The experimental results reveal that the mechanical behavior of MPC is time dependent. Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the microstructure and the porosity and to understand the failure mechanism of MPC.     

多因素对再生骨料透水混凝土性能的影响及其协同优化研究

研究了骨料级配、水灰比、砂率、设计孔隙率、胶骨比等因素对再生骨料透水混凝土透水系数、抗压强度与弯拉强度的影响;并通过改变水泥品种、添加增强剂、电炉渣与再生骨料复配等方式协同优化再生骨料透水混凝土透水性能、力学性能、抗冻性能、路用性能。结果表明:再生骨料透水混凝土抗压强度和透水性能影响因素主次顺序均为:设计孔隙率>骨料级配>砂率>水灰比;建议再生骨料透水混凝土设计孔隙率为10%~20%,水灰比为0.29~0.32,砂率控制在5%~10%,胶骨比为0.29;采用电炉渣可以大幅提升透水混凝土的力学性能和耐磨性能,但其透水性和抗冻性相差不大。     

Effect of waste marble dust content as filler on properties of self-compacting concrete

Day by day, the amount of the marble dust (MD) as a waste material is significantly of increasing in Turkey. Therefore, the utilization of the waste MD in self-compacting concrete (SCC), as filler material, is the main objective of this study. Besides, the MD is used directly without attempting any additional process. Thus, this would be another advantage for this objective. For this purpose, MD has replaced binder of SCC at certain contents of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg/m³. After then, slump-flow test, L-box test and V-funnel test are conducted on fresh concrete. Furthermore, compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic velocity, porosity and compactness are determined at the end of 28 days for the hardened concrete specimens. The effect of waste MD usage as filler material on capillarity properties of SCC is also investigated. According to the test results, it is concluded that the workability of fresh SCC has not been affected up to 200 kg/m³ MD content. However, the mechanical properties of hardened SCC have decreased by using MD, especially just above 200 kg/m³ content.     

Utilization of bagasse ash as a pozzolanic material in concrete

The physical properties of concrete containing ground bagasse ash (BA) including compressive strength, water permeability, and heat evolution, were investigated. Bagasse ash from a sugar factory was ground using a ball mill until the particles retained on a No. 325 sieve were less than 5wt%. They were then used as a replacement for Type I Portland cement at 10, 20, and 30wt% of binder. The water to binder (W/B) ratio and binder content of the concrete were held constant at 0.50 and 350 kg/m³, respectively.The results showed that, at the age of 28 days, the concrete samples containing 10–30% ground bagasse ash by weight of binder had greater compressive strengths than the control concrete (concrete without ground bagasse ash), while the water permeability was lower than the control concrete. Concrete containing 20% ground bagasse ash had the highest compressive strength at 113% of the control concrete. The water permeability of concrete decreased as the fractional replacement of ground bagasse ash was increased. For the heat evolution, the maximum temperature rise of concrete containing ground bagasse ash was lower than the control concrete. It was also found that the maximum temperature rise of the concrete was reduced 13, 23, and 33% as compared with the control concrete when the cement was replaced by ground bagasse ash at 10, 20, and 30wt% of binder, respectively. The results indicate that ground bagasse ash can be used as a pozzolanic material in concrete with an acceptable strength, lower heat evolution, and reduced water permeability with respect to the control concrete.     

Physical, mechanical and thermal properties of concrete in different curing media containing ZnO2 nanoparticles

In the present work, the effect of curing medium on microstructure together with physical, mechanical and thermal properties of concrete containing ZnO₂ nanoparticles have been investigated. Portland cement was partially replaced by ZnO₂ nanoparticles with the average particle size of 15 nm and the specimens were cured in water and saturated limewater for specific ages. The results indicate that ZnO₂ nanoparticles up to maximum of 2.0% produces concrete with improved compressive strength and setting time when the specimens cured in saturated limewater. The optimum level of replacement for cured specimens in water is 1.0 wt%. Although the limewater reduces the strength of concrete without nanoparticles when it is compared with the specimens cured in water, curing the specimens bearing nanoparticles in saturated limewater results in more strengthening gel formation around ZnO₂ nanoparticles causes more rapid setting time together with high strength. Accelerated peak appearance in conduction calorimetry tests, more weight loss in thermogravimetric analysis and more rapid appearance of peaks related to hydrated products in X-ray diffraction results, all indicate that ZnO₂ nanoparticles could improve mechanical and physical properties of the specimens.     

纤维纳米混凝土的微观增强机理与强度计算方法

将微观分析与宏观性能试验相结合,探讨钢纤维体积分数和纳米材料掺量对纤维纳米增强混凝土微观机理与物理力学性能的影响。根据复合材料力学理论,并结合相关文献试验结果的统计分析,建立了考虑纳米材料和纤维影响的纤维纳米混凝土强度计算模型。结果表明:在混凝土中掺入适量的纤维和纳米材料,改善了混凝土的微观结构,增加了混凝土的密实性,提高了混凝土的物理力学性能;随钢纤维体积分数从0%增大到1.5%,拌和物坍落度从40 mm逐渐减小到25 mm,纤维纳米混凝土抗压强度、劈拉强度和抗折强度分别提高12%,32%和12.5%;随着纳米SiO2掺量（质量分数）从0%增大到2%,拌和物坍落度减小95 mm,初凝、终凝时间分别减小52.3%和35.9%,纤维纳米混凝土抗压强度、劈拉强度和抗折强度分别提高9%,24%和14.7%;随着纳米CaCO3掺量从0%增大到2%,拌和物坍落度减小50 mm,初凝、终凝时间分别减小35.2%和3.8%,纤维纳米混凝土抗压强度、劈拉强度和抗折强度分别提高8%,20%和8.8%。     

Investigation of properties of low-strength lightweight concrete for thermal insulation

In this study, block elements with diatomite, which have different aggregate granulometries and cement contents, were produced and the effect of these parameters on physical and mechanical properties of block elements were investigated. Diatomite samples were taken from the region of Afyon. In the mixes, water/cement ratio was kept at 0.15. Analyses include compressive strength, thermal conductivity, ultrasonic velocity tests, bulk density and specific porosity. According to experimental results, while dry unit weight is varied between 900 and 1190 kg/m³, compressive strength of 7–56 days specimens ranged from 2.5 to 8 MPa. Materials with a ratio of 30% fine, 40% medium and 30% coarse size have the best compressive strength and thermal insulation in all series. Due to low thermal conductivity, lightweight aggregate concrete with diatomite can be used to prove high isolation in the structure.     

Influence of limestone filler and viscosity-modifying admixture on the porous structure of self-compacting concrete

The objective of this experimental work is to study porosity in self-compacting concrete (SCC) made without adding limestone filler, comparing the results with other SCC and with normally-vibrated concrete (NVC). Several types of concrete were made, keeping the w/c ratio constant. The results show that the air content in SCC depends on the flowability and viscosity of the material, putting a forward an expression to estimate the air content in accordance with these two parameters. SCC shows a finer and more tortuous porous structure than NVC, leading to lower permeability to water under pressure. Nevertheless, in the absence of pressure, when water penetrates by capillary action, the results obtained from the different types of concrete were very similar, with differences below 3.5%. This is due to the fact that the content of pores over 0.5 μm is practically the same in SCC and NVC, but for smaller pore sizes, which are therefore only accessed when water under pressure is applied, the differences in porosity between the different samples is more pronounced. On the other hand, it was observed that the use of more fluid mixtures permitted more impermeable concrete to be obtained. The use of viscosity-modifying admixture on SCC as a replacement for limestone filler does not affect the total volume of pores, but generates a slightly more coarse porous microstructure, thereby leading to concretes in which water penetration depth under pressure is a little higher (around 4 mm).     

The effect of high temperatures on the mechanical properties of concrete made with different types of aggregates

The main objective of this paper was to assess the benefits of using materials that were formed at high temperatures as an aggregate for concrete that was exposed to high temperature. The fire resistance of concrete made with some locally available, potential “fire-resistant” aggregates, such as diabase, steel slag, crushed bricks and crushed tiles, was investigated. The specimens of measurements 4×4×16 cm³ were kept in molds for 24 h and, after demolding, were kept in water at room temperature of about 20±2 °C until testing. At the age of 28 days, the specimens, with moisture content within the limits of 3-5%, were exposed to high temperatures in a previously heated test furnace. The residual mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strengths) of these concretes after natural cooling were compared with the residual mechanical properties of concrete made with commonly used river and dolomite aggregates. The replacement of natural concrete aggregates with brick and steel industry waste materials was justified, not only in terms of increased fire resistance, but also in terms of more responsible waste disposal.     

Experimental study on double composite action in the negative flexural region of two-span continuous composite box girder

In the negative flexural region of continuous composite girder, cracking of concrete slab results in a reduction in the sectional stiffness and may affect the durability of reinforcement. Double composite action defined as attaching additional concrete to steel bottom flange to improve local buckling strength can be a way to increase the sectional stiffness. It has many advantages for construction while disadvantages also exist. In this case, two continuous composite girders, both of which had two 9 m long spans with 300 mm extension at each edge support and were 0.55 m high, were designed to study the mechanical properties in concrete crack, formation of sectional plastic hinge, load-carrying capacity, etc. One was a conventional composite girder named CCG and the other one was designed with double composite action in the negative flexural region named DCG. Moreover, evaluations of concrete crack width, based on different design codes, and cracking moment were compared with test results and agreed with each other. It indicated double composite action made concrete crack development slower in service load stage. The evaluation of sectional bending-carrying capacity of CCG in the negative flexural region based on the mechanical model with full plastic section of Euro Code 4 and an analogous method was found to evaluate that of DCG. The evaluation results coincided with test results proved the summation which can be drawn from test results.     

Comparison of compressive and splitting tensile strength of high-strength concrete with and without polypropylene fibers heated to high temperatures

This paper presents the results of an extensive experimental study on the compressive and splitting tensile strength of high-strength concrete with and without polypropylene (PP) fibers after heating to 600 °C. Mixtures were prepared with water to cementitious materials ratios of 0.40, 0.35, and 0.30 containing silica fume at 0%, 6%, and 10% cement replacement and polypropylene fibers content of 0, 1, 2, and 3 kg/m³. A severe strength loss was observed for all of the concretes after exposure to 600 °C, particularly the concretes containing silica fume despite their good mechanical properties at room temperature. The range of 300–600 °C was more critical for concrete having higher strength. The relative compressive strengths of concretes containing PP fibers were higher than those of concretes without PP fibers. The splitting tensile strength of concrete was more sensitive to high temperatures than the compressive strength. Furthermore, the presence of PP fibers was more effective for compressive strength than splitting tensile strength above 200 °C. Based on the test results, it can be concluded that the addition of 2 kg/m³ PP fibers can significantly promote the residual mechanical properties of HSC during heating.     

Influence of bacteria on the compressive strength, water absorption and rapid chloride permeability of fly ash concrete

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out to evaluate the influence of Sporoscarcina pasteurii bacteria on the compressive strength and rapid chloride permeability of concrete made without and with fly ash. Cement was replaced with three percentages (10, 20 and 30) with fly ash by weight. Three different cell concentration (0, 10³,10⁵,10⁷ cells/ml) of bacteria were used in making the concrete mixes. Tests were performed for compressive strength, water absorption and rapid chloride permeability at the age of 28 days. Test results indicated that inclusion of S. pasteurii in fly ash concrete enhanced the compressive strength, reduced the porosity and permeability of fly ash concrete. Maximum increase (22%) in compressive strength and four-times reduction in water absorption was observed with 10⁵ cells/ml of bacteria. This improvement in compressive strength was due to deposition on the bacteria cell surfaces within the pores.Calcite deposition in concrete observed nearly eight times reduction in chloride permeability of fly ash concrete. The present work highlights the influence of bacteria on the properties of concrete made with supplementing cementing material such as like fly ash. Usage of bacteria like S. pasteurii improves strength and durability and strength of fly ash concrete through self-healing effect.     

植生型多孔混凝土的配合比及力学性能研究

根据植物生长所需条件对植生型多孔混凝土的配合比进行了研究，并对其物理力学性能进行考察。结果表明：多孔混凝土的抗压强度随水胶比增大、灰骨比增大以及骨料粒径的减小而增加；适合的植生型多孔混凝土配合比为：水胶比0．36，灰骨比0．17，骨料级配为5-10mm的占总量的20％，15～20mm的占总量的80％。     

Utilization of separator bag filter dust for high early strength cement production

This paper presents the feasibility of incorporating ultra-fine particles collected in the separator bag filter during the process of manufacturing cement (SBFC) as an substitution material for cement. Approximately 2.5% of SBFC is produced during OPC manufacturing process. Also, the average size of SBFC particles is about 5 μm, the average size of OPC particles is about 14 μm. This method does not require additional processes needed in the existing processes to manufacture high early strength cement such as modifying mineral components and adjusting the firing temperature. Moreover, it can also solve the issue of efficiency decrease resulted from the increase of the grinding time applied in the existing process of manufacturing microcement. In order to investigate the characteristic properties of this cement mixture, cement blends have been produced by using different amounts of SBFC. While the blaine value of 100% SBFC was significantly higher (6953 cm²/g) than that of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), its chemical composition showed no significant difference. Cement paste, mortar mixtures have been prepared by using cement blends incorporating 0, 50 and 100% SBFC by weight. Flowability, setting time and compressive strength tests has been performed. Test results showed that substitution of SBFC negatively affect the flowability of cement paste and mortar mixtures. Moreover, setting times shortened, compressive and flexural strength values increased by the substitution of SBFC. Finally, microstructure analysis of cement paste samples showed that incorporation of SBFC reduced the internal porosity by 9% as determined by the proposed method. The internal porosity of paste was measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The compressive strength and bending strength of mortar were higher in the order of 100, 50 and 0% SBFC mixed.