Mechanical properties of lightweight concrete made with coal ashes after exposure to elevated temperatures

This study investigated the thermal resistance of lightweight concrete with recycled coal bottom ash and fly ash. Specimens were exposed to temperatures up to 800 °C then cooled to room temperature before conducting experiments. Compressive strength test, FF-RC test, TG analysis, and XRD analysis were performed to analyze the physicochemical effects of coal ashes on the thermal resistance of concrete. Test results indicated that both bottom ash and fly ash were associated with a substantial increase in the residual strength of thermal exposed concretes. The results were attributed to the surface interlocking effect and the smaller amount of SiO₂ for bottom ash. For fly ash, the formation of pozzolanic C-S-H gel and tobermorite retained water at high temperatures, and the consumption of Ca(OH)₂ lowered stress from rapid recrystallization after exposure to 600 °C. It was concluded that the incorporation of coal ashes allows for lightweight concrete with good thermal resistance.     

Recommendation of RILEM TC 200-HTC: Mechanical concrete properties at high temperatures—modelling and application

Mechanical concrete properties at high temperatures depend on many parameters. The main parameters are the specimen type and the test conditions. The report describes the test parameters and test procedures for relaxation tests in the range of 20 to 750°C. TC Membership: The draft of this document has been prepared by the following 16 Committee full members representing 12 countries. Chairman: U. Schneider, Austria; Secretary: R. Felicetti, Italy. Members: G. Debicki, France; U. Diederichs, Germany; J.-M. Franssen, Belgium; U.-M. Jumppanen, Finland; G.A. Khoury, UK; S. Leonivich, Republic Belarus; A. Millard, France; W. A. Morris, UK; L. T. Phan, USA; P. Pimienta, France; P. Rodrigues, Portugal; E. Schlangen, The Netherlands; P. Schwesinger, Germany; Y. Zaytsev, Russian Federation.     

Specimen size effect on the residual properties of engineered cementitious composites subjected to high temperatures

In this study, size effect on the residual properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) was investigated on the specimens exposed to high temperatures up to 800 °C. Cylindrical specimens having different sizes were produced with a standard ECC mixture. Changes in pore structure, residual compressive strength and stress–strain curves due to high temperatures were determined after air cooling. Experimental results indicate that despite the increase of specimen size, no explosive spalling occurred in any of the specimens during the high temperature exposure. Increasing the specimen size and exposure temperature decreased the compressive strength and stiffness. Percent reduction in compressive strength and stiffness due to high temperature was similar for all specimen sizes.     

Properties of high performance concrete containing fine-ground ceramics as supplementary cementitious material

This paper presents experimental work regarding the basic physical characteristics, mechanical and fracture-mechanics properties, durability characteristics, hydric and thermal properties of high performance concrete (HPC) with up to 60% of Portland cement replaced by fine-ground ceramics. Experimental results show that the amount of the ceramics in the mix is limited mainly by the resistance against de-icing salts which is found satisfactory only up to the cement replacement level of 10%. The mechanical and water transport properties are not significantly impaired by ceramic additions of up to 20%, whereas the effective fracture toughness, specific fracture energy, and chemical resistance (to MgCl₂, NH₄Cl, Na₂SO₄, HCl) are effectively maintained up to 40%. The frost resistance, water vapor transport and storage parameters and thermal properties are not significantly impaired even up to a 60% replacement level.     

Mechanical properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete: A review

A comprehensive investigation into the mechanical properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), considering various influential factors, is imperative in order to obtain fundamental information for its practical utilization. Therefore, this paper reviewed the early-age strength (or setting) development and mechanical properties of hardened UHPFRC. In connection with the latter, the effects of the curing conditions, coarse aggregate, mineral admixtures, fiber properties, specimen size, and strain-rate on the mechanical performance of UHPFRC were specifically investigated. It was obvious that (1) heat treatment accelerates the hydration process, leading to higher strength; (2) a portion of the silica fume can be replaced by fly ash, slag, and rice husk ash in mechanical perspective; (3) the use of deformed (hooked and twisted) or long straight steel fibers improves the mechanical properties at a static rate; and (4) high rate loading provides a noticeable increase in the mechanical properties. Alternatively, there are some disagreements between the results from various ‘size effect’ tests and the effectiveness of using twisted steel fibers at static and high rate loadings. Further research to reduce the production cost of UHPFRC is also addressed in an attempt to make its widespread use more practical.     

Dielectric characterization of concrete at high temperatures

For reliable modelling of microwave heating of concrete its complex permittivity has to be known precisely within the full range of working temperatures. Dielectric characterization of dry concrete cured with different water-to-cement (w/c) ratios and concrete samples from nuclear power plant constructions was performed during heating and cooling cycles from room temperature to 700 °C and back. On average, higher permittivity values are found for concretes cured with smaller w/c ratio (more dens and less porous) as compared to concretes cured with higher w/c ratio (lighter and more porous). Samples from nuclear power plant reveals a permittivity close to the concrete prepared with lowest w/c ratio. Permittivity change along increasing temperature correlates with moisture loss and thermal decomposition reactions. These reactions are irreversible that lead to a permittivity divergence in heating and cooling scenarios. The variations of concrete permittivity because of w/c ratio, water transport and decomposition reactions are discussed.     

Thermo-mechanical properties of fiber reinforced raw perlite concrete

The effect of hooked steel, wavy steel and polypropylene fibers on the thermo-mechanical properties of raw perlite aggregate concrete was investigated. In order to determine the effect of fiber ratio on the thermo-mechanical properties of 100% raw perlite concrete, 0.25%, 0.75%, 1.25%, and 1.75% fiber ratios were used by volume of the sample and also, 350 kg/m³ cement dosage and 3 ± 1 cm slump were used. When compared to the control sample that contains no fiber, (1) with the increase of steel fiber ratio in the mixtures thermal conductivity (TC), unit weight, splitting-tensile strength, and flexural strength of concretes increased, (2) with the increase of steel fiber ratio in the mixtures compressive strength of concretes decreased, and (3) with the increase of polypropylene fiber ratio in the mixtures TC, unit weight, compressive strength, splitting-tensile strength, and flexural strength of concretes decreased.     

Mechanical and thermal expansion properties of glass fibers reinforced PEEK composites at cryogenic temperatures

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been widely used as matrix material for high performance composites. In this work, 30% chopped glass fibers reinforced PEEK composites were prepared by injection molding, and then the tensile, flexural and impact properties were tested at different temperatures. The modulus, strength and specific elongation of glass fibers reinforced PEEK at room temperature, 77 K and 20 K have been compared. And the fracture morphologies of different samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed a dependence of mechanical properties of glass fibers reinforced PEEK composites on temperature. The coefficient of thermal expansion of unfilled PEEK and glass fibers reinforced PEEK were also investigated from 77 K to room temperature. The results indicated that the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of PEEK matrix was nearly a constant in this temperature region, and it can be significantly decreased by adding glass fibers.     

Strain rate dependent properties of ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHP-FRC) under tension

The results of an experimental investigation of UHP-FRC tensile response under a range of low strain rates are presented. The strain rate dependent tests are conducted on dogbone specimens using a hydraulic servo-controlled testing machine. The experimental variables are strain rate, which ranges from 0.0001 1/s to 0.1 1/s, fiber type, and fiber volume fraction. Five different types of fibers are considered including straight and twisted fibers with different geometric properties. The rate sensitivity of the composite material in tension is evaluated in terms of its first cracking strength, post-cracking strength, energy absorption capacity, strain capacity, elastic modulus, fiber tensile stress and number of cracks. The test results show pronounced rate effects on post-cracking strength and energy absorption capacity. Further, post cracking strength varies linearly with the fiber reinforcing index and energy absorption capacity varies linearly with the product of the fiber length and the reinforcing index, as predicted from the theory for fiber reinforced concrete.     

高应力重复加卸载下GFRP筋与混凝土的粘结性能

对20 个GFRP 筋标准拔出试件进行了单调静力加载和高应力重复加卸载的粘结性能试验, 考察了粘结强度、加载端滑移量、粘结刚度及滞回耗能的变化规律。研究结果表明, GFRP 筋的粘结性能在等幅(Δτ=017τu ) 应力循环下表现不稳定, 在变应力幅重复加卸载下, 粘结强度衰减较为明显, 得到的包迹线和共同点曲线与单调静力加载τ s 曲线形状基本一致, 同一滑移量下共同点曲线上的粘结应力与包迹线上的粘结应力比值在0150～0. 75 变化。重复加卸载下GFRP 筋肋的损伤程度比单调静力加载下的情况更为严重, 混凝土界面没有发现劈裂裂纹。从滑移量、能量耗散和刚度衰减变化情况来看, 加载历史和损伤累积状态对这些变量的影响最为明显。      

Assessment of mechanical properties of concrete incorporating carbonated recycled concrete aggregates

An accelerated carbonation technique was employed to strengthen the quality of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) in this study. The properties of the carbonated RCAs and their influence on the mechanical properties of new concrete were then evaluated. Two types of RCAs, an old type of RCAs sourced from demolished old buildings and a new type of RCAs derived from a designed concrete mixture, were used. The chosen RCAs were firstly carbonated for 24 h in a carbonation chamber with a 100% CO₂ concentration at a pressure level of 0.1 Bar and 5.0 Bar, respectively. The experimental results showed that the properties of RCAs were improved after the carbonation treatment. This resulted in performance enhancement of the new concrete prepared with the carbonated RCAs, especially an obvious increase of the mechanical strengths for the concrete prepared with the 100% carbonated new RCAs. Moreover, the replacement percentage of natural aggregates by the carbonated RCAs can be increased to 60% with an insignificant reduction in the mechanical properties of the new concrete.     

超高性能混凝土在埋置炸药下的抗爆试验及数值模拟

该文研究了超高性能混凝土在埋置炸药爆炸载荷作用下的动态力学性能和损伤规律。通过改变混凝土靶体的配合比和炸药放置深度,得到了不同试验条件下混凝土靶体的破坏数据,采用非线性有限元法对靶体的毁伤效果进行了数值模拟,模拟结果与实际情况吻合较好。研究结果表明混杂纤维增强的超高性能混凝土具备更加优异的抗爆炸性能,炸药在靶体中的放置深度对混凝土的抗爆性能有显著影响。     

Stress curves and mechanical properties of high performance concrete

Abstract

In this research, high performance concrete (HPC) was designed by the minimum void ratio method, and slag and silica fumes partially replaced cement, as well as fly ash replacing about 15% of sand. Stress curves for compressive, splitting and flexure strengths of HPC specimens were measured and indicated the experimental concretes had better pastes to void ratios than control batches ratio N=V_p /V_v =1.3. The result indicates that pozzolanic materials provide not only a chemical strength effect, but also a physical packing effect. The compressive stress curves may keep growing as the concrete ages.     

Thermal properties of lightweight dry-mix shotcrete containing expanded perlite aggregate

This paper describes the thermal properties of lightweight dry-mix shotcrete using expanded perlite aggregate (EPA). Mixes made with different EPA/sand ratios were sprayed through the dry-mix shotcreting technique onto wooden molds to produce panels for mechanical and thermal testing. The density, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), splitting tensile strength (STS), and the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) were measured at various ages. Further, the ISO approved transient plane source (TPS) technique was employed to measure the thermal properties at 28 days. The results illustrate that shotcrete mixes with EPA have similar UCS and superior STS compared to cast concrete. Adding EPA led to a drop in thermal conductivity and diffusivity. When compared with cast concrete, shotcrete had lower specific heat capacity. This study found dry-mix shotcrete incorporating EPA at up to 75% sand substitution as a mechanically viable and thermally resistant alternative to cast concrete containing regular aggregates.     

Effect of mineral admixtures and steel fiber volume contents on the behavior of high performance fiber reinforced concrete

High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (HPFRC) is a structural material with advanced mechanical properties. The structural design of HPFRC members is based on the post-cracking residual strength provided by the addition into the mix of the fibers. Moreover, the addition of different types of mineral admixtures influences the overall behavior of this material. In order to optimize the performance of HPFRC in structural members, it is necessary to evaluate the mechanical properties and the post-cracking behavior in a reliable way. As a result, an experimental study on six different sets of HPFRC specimens was carried out. The main parameters that varied were the fiber volume content and the types of mineral addition. The behavior in compression, in flexural tension and the shrinkage properties were evaluated and critically analyzed in order to give a guide for structural use.The results showed that by adding high fiber volume content and the Algerian blast furnace slag into the mix, the HPFRC material obtained has a very good performance and it is suitable for use in practice.     

Effects of heat treatment on oil palm shell coarse aggregates for high strength lightweight concrete

In this study, the effects of heat treatment on oil palm shell (OPS) coarse aggregates are evaluated for high strength lightweight concrete (HSLWC). OPS coarse aggregates are subjected to heat treatment at two temperature settings (60 and 150 °C) and duration of heat treatment (0.5 and 1 h). The reduction in density is found to be within the range of HSLWC when heat-treated OPS aggregates are added into the oil palm shell concrete (OPSC). The results reveal that workability of the OPSC increases with an increase in temperature and duration of heat treatment of the OPS aggregates. It is found that the maximum achievable 28-days and 90-days compressive strength is 49 and 52 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) is examined and the results showed that a good condition is achieved for the OPS HSLWC at the age of 3 days. The average modulus of elasticity (i.e. (E) value), is found to be 15.9 GPa for all mixes, which is higher than that reported in previous studies and is within the range of normal weight concrete. Hence, the findings of this study are of primary importance as they reveal that the selection of a suitable temperature and duration of heat treatment for OPS aggregates can be used as a new eco-friendly alternative method to enhance HSLWC.     

Response of high performance concrete plates to impact of non-deforming projectiles

The relatively recent technology, which enables the production of high strength concrete (HSC), makes HSC a prospective material for the construction of impact-resisting barriers. However, current penetration formulae are based on test data of normal strength concrete (NSC) and their extrapolation to higher concrete strengths is unsafe. The response of 80×80 cm high performance concrete (HPC) plate specimens to an impact of non-deforming steel projectiles was examined in an experimental study. The tests were planned with an aim to observe the influence of the concrete mix ingredients and amount and type of reinforcement on the performance of HSC under this type of loading. The variants that were examined were the aggregates (different types and maximum size), addition of micro-silica (MS) and steel fibers, and reinforcement details. The main findings show that design of HPC barriers to withstand impact loads involves several aspects. These are aimed at achieving enhanced properties of the structural element, where only one of which is the concrete's compressive strength.     

Mechanical and photocatalytic properties of hydroxyapatite/titania nanocomposites prepared by combined high gravity and hydrothermal process

Hydroxyapatite/titania nanocomposites of different ratios have been successfully synthesized by combined high gravity and hydrothermal methods. SEM and TEM observations showed that small spheres of TiO₂, identified as anatase crystals of 10–15 nm, were deposited on HAp rod-like crystals. EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of Ca, P, Ti and O. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the presence of hydroxyapatite and anatase phase. More number of anatase peaks appeared in the XRD patterns with higher colloidal concentration of TiO₂ in the HAp/TiO₂ compound. Mechanical stability of the HAp/TiO₂ nanocomposites was determined by reinforcing them with high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) and the tensile strength of the samples was analyzed. Photocatalytic activity of the HAp/TiO₂ particles was examined by decomposition of methyl orange (MO). The results showed that photocatalytic properties of HAp/TiO₂ composites are more effective than that of individual HAp and TiO₂ which implied that the HAp improved the photocatalytic activity of well known photocatalyst TiO₂.     

Two-layer pre-stressed beams consisting of normal and steel fibered high strength concrete

The paper is focused on analysis of two-layer bending pre-stressed beams consisting of steel fibered (SF) high strength concrete (HSC) in compressed zone and normal strength concrete (NSC) in tensile zone. Investigation of such beams is important for RC structural design, because calculation of fibers volume ratio is significant, like that of reinforcing steel bars for usual RC elements. In other words, such elements are made of high performance concrete (HPC). There is a growing tendency that more effective HPC structures replace NSC ones, first of all in pre-stressed elements. Definition of the HSC class lower limit, to be used in the compressed zone of a two-layer pre-stressed beam, is given. It was demonstrated that SF have little effect on the beam elastic deflections. However, the ultimate deflections of the section increase because additional potential for plastic energy dissipation (PED) in the bending element. NSC, used in the section tensile zone, contributes additionally about 20% to the section’s PED potential compared to one-layer HSC beams. In order to guarantee sufficient section’s ductility of the pre-stressed beams, required to withstand dynamic loadings, a minimum SF ratio is proposed to be considered. The fibers take the tensile stresses, yielding cracks in the concrete matrix. A design method for calculation of the SF volume ratio, as a function of required ductility, is proposed. A numerical example, illustrating the efficiency of this method is presented.     

Mechanical properties of normal strength mild steel and high strength steel S690 in low temperature relevant to Arctic environment

The development of Arctic oil and gas fields requires low temperature high strength steel materials that can resist critical loads in extreme environments. This paper investigates the mechanical properties such as stress–strain curves, elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and fracture strain of normal mild steel and high strength S690 steel to be used in low temperatures relevant to arctic environment. Tensile tests are carried out on steel coupons at different temperatures ranging from −80 °C to +30 °C in a cooling chamber. The influences of the low temperatures on the mechanical properties of mild steel and high strength steel are compared and their differences are discussed. Regression analyses are also carried out on the test data to develop empirical formulae to predict the elastic modulus, yield strength, and ultimate strength of the steels at ambient low temperatures. Finally, design formulae are recommended and their accuracies are further confirmed by the test data including those from the literature.