Natural carbonation of self-compacting concretes

This experimental work involves a study of the carbonation depth in self-compacting concretes at different ages and also analyses their porous microstructure, since these aspects are directly related to each other. Eight different concretes were used, four self-compacting (SCC) and four normally-vibrated (NVC). The carbonation rate was found to be lower in SCC than NVC, due to the fact that limestone fines produce less porosity and a finer microstructure. The difference between both types of concrete tends to disappear as their fines content becomes similar. It was also observed that, under the test conditions (RH 60.8%), for pore sizes under 0.065 μm CO₂ diffusion in the interior of the concrete is not significant. An expression is proposed to estimate carbonation rate in concrete from the volume of pores over 0.065 μm and the threshold diameter.     

Hydric, thermal and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete containing different fillers

Water vapor diffusion coefficient, water absorption coefficient, water permeability, thermal conductivity, compressive strength and freeze resistance properties of two self-compacting concretes (SCC) containing limestone filler and fly ash are determined in the paper. The results indicate that strength development is faster in the material containing limestone filler but after 90 days the strength values in both materials are almost the same. Liquid water transport and heat transport are faster in SCC with limestone filler while the water vapor transport is faster in the material containing fly ash. This corresponds well with the much better freeze resistance of the material with fly ash compared to that with limestone filler and with the results of mercury intrusion porosimetry.     

Combined effect of two sustainable technologies: Self-compacting concrete (SCC) and controlled permeability formwork (CPF)

The work presented in this paper aims at contributing to sustainable construction through enhancement of durability of concrete structures. Full size precast elements were cast with both self-compacting concrete (SCC) and conventional vibrated concrete (CC) using controlled permeability formwork (CPF). SCC is known to impart a more homogeneous and finer microstructure, compared to conventional concrete, therefore leading to more durable reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structures. CPF enables, in fresh concrete, drainage of excess water and air besides retaining binder particles at the concrete surface, leading to a blow-hole free surface and enhanced quality of the outer layers. The research program developed was designed to compare performance of two different CPF systems and also assess the combined effect of using CPF on SCC compared to CC.     

On the time dependency of the chloride migration coefficient in concrete

From studies of the chloride penetration behaviour in laboratory tests and real structures, a clear time dependency of the chloride diffusion coefficient is observed. In order to get insight in this complicated problem, laboratory tests were performed with the non-steady state migration test, described in NT BUILD 492, up to 5 years concrete age. The influence of the type and amount of cement and filler and the amount of water on the migration coefficient and the so-called age factor of 16 self-compacting concrete mixes (SCC) and four traditional vibrated concrete mixes (TC) were investigated.The capillary porosity was introduced as parameter to describe the influence of the concrete composition. An increasing capillary porosity leads to an increased non-steady state migration coefficient and a decreasing age factor.     

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.     

矿物掺合料对干粉砂浆物理性能及孔结构的影响

研究了石灰石、矿渣和粉煤灰3种矿物掺合料分别对干粉砂浆的工作性能和力学性能的影响,并探讨了掺有掺合料时干粉砂浆的宏观力学性能和其微观孔结构之间的关系。结果表明:粉煤灰在掺量小于30%时能够提高砂浆的流动度,但掺量再继续增大时,砂浆流动度反而下降;掺入矿渣粉略能提高砂浆的流动度;石灰石粉在一定程度上降低砂浆流动度;同时石灰石粉能够提高砂浆的保水率,而矿渣粉和粉煤灰却降低砂浆的保水率。随着石灰石、矿渣和粉煤灰掺量的增加,砂浆28 d强度均有不同程度的降低,影响顺序为石灰石>粉煤灰>矿渣;与空白样相比,内掺占水泥质量50%的石灰石粉和矿渣粉时,28 d砂浆硬化体的总孔隙率分别增加10.2%、7.7%,而掺等量粉煤灰时总孔隙率则基本不变。以石灰石替代50%的水泥时,28 d砂浆硬化体中d>100 nm的多害孔增加24.0%,而以粉煤灰替代50%的水泥时,砂浆中多害孔基本不变,以等量的矿渣粉替代时d>100 nm的多害孔减少6.5%。     

石灰石粉高流动砂浆性能的室内试验研究

利用石灰石粉作为粉体材料是生产低强度高流动混凝土的方法之一。基于此目的,研究了石灰石粉的不同体积掺量对高流动砂浆流动性能、力学性能及微观孔结构的影响。研究结果表明:随着石灰石粉掺量的增加,砂浆达到最佳流动度所需的减水剂掺量逐渐减少,砂浆试件的抗压强度和抗折强度出现一定程度的降低,砂浆中大于200 nm的有害孔的数量明显减少,而小于50 nm的孔的数量明显增多。试验结果证明了石灰石粉具有明显的减水效果和填充作用。     

Self-compacting concrete with different levels of pulverized fuel ash

This research investigated self-compacting concrete (SCC) with levels of up to 80% cement replacement by fly ash in mixes adjusted to give constant fresh concrete properties. The hardened concrete and the relationships between hardened properties were then studied.The results show that SCC with up 80% cement replaced by fly ash is possible. To keep the filling ability constant, replacement of cement with fly ash would require an increase in water/powder (W/P) ratio and a reduction in superplasticiser dosage. They also show fly ash have negative effects on passing ability, consistence retention and hardened concrete properties such as strength. The comparison between SCC and normally vibrated concrete (NVC) shows that their material properties of are similar. The successful completion of this project can lead to the use of higher volume fly ash in SCC.     

Effect of Grade of Concrete on the Performance of Self-Compacting Concrete Beams Subjected to Elevated Temperatures

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a new generation concrete that consolidates without any external effort. Due to its advantages over the conventional concrete, the usage of SCC increases day by day. Understanding the behaviour of SCC is important in the design of structures subjected to elevated temperature. A study was carried out to understand the behaviour of SCC beams of various grades exposed to elevated temperatures under flexural loading. The beams were exposed to a temperature of 900°C. The heated specimens were cooled either by air or water. The research work was carried out for different grades of concrete. It is found from the results that the loss of strength of SCC beams of higher grades was more than that of the lower grade SCC beams. It was also found that the reduction in compressive, tensile and flexural strength of the specimens depends on type of heating and cooling conditions.     

Bond behaviour of reinforcement in self-compacting concretes

This experimental work examines the bond strength between reinforcement steel and concrete, and the top-bar effect in self-compacting concretes. Eight different concretes were used, four self-compacting (SCC) and four normally-vibrated (NVC). Tests were conducted on 200 mm cube specimens and 1500 mm high columns. It was found that, at moderate load levels, SCC performed with more stiffness, which resulted in greater mean bond stresses. The ultimate bond stresses are also somewhat greater although, due probably to the negative effects of the bleeding having less impact on failure, the differences between SCC and NVC are reduced considerably, and even disappear completely for concretes of more than 50 MPa. On the other hand, the top-bar effect is much less marked in SCC, and therefore a change in the factor that takes into account this effect in the formulas used for calculating the anchorage length of the reinforcement is proposed for these concretes.     

Mechanical and durability properties of concrete made with dredged marine sand

The process of depletion of sources of natural aggregates challenges the production of technically and environmentally adequate concrete. Alternative material from marine sources, especially for concrete maritime structures, could represent an acceptable solution for this problem and it might also be of great interest for port management. This research work describes the study of the mechanical and durability properties of concretes fabricated with dredged marine sand (DMS) as a fine granular corrector in partial substitution of raw sand (from 15% to up to 50% by raw sand mass) designed for harbor pavements. Three DMS samples were extracted from the Port of Barcelona. The material was stockpiled in the open air and no washing, drying or decontamination process was carried out. Mineralogical, physical and chemical properties of DMS material were determined. Eight different mixtures were produced incorporating three types of DMS material as granular corrector in partial substitution of crushed limestone raw sand. The concretes were submitted to compressive strength tests after 7 and 28 days of moist curing, as well as density, absorption, accessible pores, elastic modulus, tensile and splitting tensile strength, abrasion, capillary suction, water penetration under pressure and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests, all of them after 28 days of moist curing. This study shows that dredged marine sand can be successfully used as a fine aggregate for concrete production. This is justified by the similar physical and mechanical properties of concrete made with DMS comparing to reference concrete. It was verified that the use of DMS in substitution of raw sand maintained or reduced the accessible pores, the sorptivity and the water penetration depth under pressure.     

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.     

Influence of connectivity of concrete pores and associated diffusion of oxygen on corrosion of steel under high humidity

This paper investigates the limitation of oxygen diffusion under high relative humidity condition in comparison to submerged, alternate wetting–drying and air dry conditions and its influence on the corrosion rate of steel by blocking the pores of concrete with moisture and reducing the connectivity required for transfer of gaseous oxygen from the environment to the steel bar surface. This was achieved through multi-variable experimentation for which the previous research is limited and has difference of opinion. It is concluded from the observed trend in the case of high relative humidity and submerged condition that once concrete specimens are subjected to these conditions; there is a reactivation of curing and hydration process which leads to low porosity and connectivity of concrete pores making it harder for oxygen to diffuse. The findings are quantified in terms of practical field variables such as cover depth and water/cement ratio. This deep experimental investigation involving a variety of material and environmental variables under a wide spectrum of boundary conditions will help in better understanding and will open several significant future prospects of research in the modeling of corrosion under limited oxygen availability.     

An analytical study on the water penetration and diffusion into concrete under water pressure

Because concrete is a type of porous material, water or air can permeate freely into the concrete and that decreases the durability of concrete. Therefore, it is possible to permeate some corrosion inhibitors from the surface of concrete to inside the concrete due to its porosity even the steel-frame location by applying water pressure.The objective of this study is to investigate the depth of the water penetration in concrete forced under pressure. For achieving this purpose, the experiments for the depth of penetration were executed through selecting related factors and levels, such as water pressure and water pressurizing time. The water flow in concrete was examined theoretically and experimentally. As a result, in the case of the low water pressure approximately at 0.15 MPa or less, it was found that the flow showed a Darcy seepage flow and the same flow as an ordinary sand stratum. However, in the case of the high water pressure, the flow was diffused as a seepage flow that is accompanied by an internal deformation of concrete. This study attempts to develop a method that penetrates corrosion inhibitors to the location of steel bars and investigate the penetration depth of corrosion inhibitors by verifying water penetration in concrete under applied pressure.     

The effects of limestone aggregate on concrete properties

The use of limestone in the construction industry has been increasing due to benefits as aggregate. Some of these benefits include good strength, low possibility of alkali-silica reaction and the decrease in drying shrinkage in concrete. This research discusses the consumption and general characteristics of the limestone aggregate in USA and Japan. Then experiments were conducted on mixtures of different proportions of fine limestone and sand at different water/cement (W/C) ratios. The W/C ratios selected were 45%, 55% and 65% with fine limestone replacements of 0%, 30%, 50% and 100%. The water absorption and porosity of fine limestone and sand were measured to find a relation with the water entrapped in the pores of the surface of the rock and the drying shrinkage.The results show the increases in the compressive and flexural strengths and modulus of elasticity when the fine limestone proportion increases in the mixture. The most outstanding results are found on the drying shrinkage, which decreases considerably with the increase in fine limestone proportions.     

A comparative study of the mechanical properties,fracture behavior,creep, and shrinkage of chemically based self-consolidating concrete

This study presents the results of an experimental investigation that compares the mechanical properties, fracture behavior, creep, and shrinkage of a chemically-based self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mix with that of a corresponding conventional concrete (CC) mix. The CC and SCC mix designs followed conventional proportioning in terms of aggregate type and content, cement content, air content, water-cementitiuos materials (w/cm) ratio, and workability. Then, using only chemical admixtures, the authors converted the CC mix to an SCC mix with all of the necessary passing, filling, flowability, and stability requirements typically found in SCC. The high fluidity was achieved with a polycarboxylate-based high-range water-reducing admixture, while the enhanced stability was accomplished with an organic, polymer-based viscosity-modifying admixture. The comparison indicated that the SCC and CC mixes had virtually identical tensile splitting strengths, flexural strengths, creep, and shrinkage. However, the SCC mix showed higher compressive strengths and fracture energies than the corresponding CC mix.     

Effect of aggregate type on properties of hardened self-consolidating lightweight concrete (SCLC)

In this study, the effects of aggregate type on the physical and mechanical properties of hardened self-consolidating concrete produced with lightweight aggregate (SCLC) were investigated. In experiments, three coarse lightweight aggregate (LWA) types, pumice, volcanic tuff and diatomite, and normal limestone aggregate were used. Different combinations of water to binder ratio and superplasticizer dosage levels were prepared for the SCLC mixtures. The total powder content (cement and mineral additives) was constant in the experiments. Physical properties such as thermal conductivity, dry unit weight, porosity and capillarity; mechanical properties such as compressive and splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and abrasion resistance were determined in hardened condition. The results, in general, showed that SCLC with LWA in lower unit weight has lower mechanical and physical properties except for thermal properties when compared to properties of SCC.     

石灰石粉细度对水泥基材料力学性能的影响

试验研究了内掺和外掺两种情况下不同细度石灰石粉对混凝土抗压、抗折强度和抗压弹性模量的影响。试验结果表明,内掺时,混凝土力学性能有所降低,外掺时则可以提升,且随着石灰石粉细度的增加,降低的程度逐渐减小,而提升的趋势则愈加明显。因此,提高石灰石粉细度对改善石灰石粉水泥基材料力学性能是有利的。     

木质素系高性能引气减水剂GCL1-D的性能和作用机理研究

随着高性能混凝土的发展,研制开发性能优良、对混凝土强度和耐久性效果好的高性能引气减水剂已成为混凝土工程亟待解决的问题.试验研究了木质素系高性能引气减水剂CCL1-D对砂浆及混凝土应用性能的影响,并初步探索其作用机理.结果表明,GCL1-D具有优良起泡性能,溶液最大泡径仅1.0mm.掺加0.4%GCL1-D的混凝土减水率为18.1%,3d和28d混凝土强度比分别达161%和145%,28d砂浆抗渗比达到418%.掺加GCL1-D硬化砂浆的3d和28d开口孔隙率较空白砂浆的降低了28%和21%,最可几孔径仅为空白砂浆的26%,且孔径小于0.015mm的孔含量最多,孔径大于0.065mm的孔相对较少,最大孔径为1.05mm.GCL1-D在砂浆中引入的气泡细腻,增强了减水分散作用,微细孔阻断了水渗透通道,提高了硬化砂浆和混凝土的抗渗性能和抗压强度.     

石灰石粉在水泥与混凝土中应用的研究进展

石灰石粉用作水泥混合材和混凝土掺合料是目前国内外研究的热点。本文系统地介绍了石灰石粉在水泥混合材和混凝土掺合料方面的研究成果。由于具有的一系列优异性能,在强调水泥和混凝土高性能化的今天,石灰石粉具有广阔的应用前景。