Effect of carbonation of modeled recycled coarse aggregate on the mechanical properties of modeled recycled aggregate concrete

The modeled recycled aggregate concrete (MRAC) which is an idealized model for the real recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) was used in this study. The MRCAs prepared with two types of old mortars were modified by an accelerated carbonation process. The effects of carbonation of MRCA on the micro-hardness of MRCA and the mechanical properties of MRAC were investigated. The results indicated that the micro-hardness of the old interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and the old mortar in the carbonated MRCAs was higher than that in the uncarbonated MRCAs, and the enhancement of the old ITZ was more significant than that of the old mortar. The compressive strength and modulus of MRACs increased when the carbonated MRCAs were utilized, and the improvement was more significant for MRAC prepared with a higher w/c. In addition, a numerical study was carried out and it showed that the improvement in strength by carbonation treatment was less obvious when the difference between the new and old mortar was larger.     

Base force element method based on the complementary energy principle for the damage analysis of recycled aggregate concrete

The finite element method (FEM) is an effective approach for exploring the failure mechanism of heterogeneous materials. According to the complementary energy principle, the use of FEM might suffer from several difficulties in terms of keeping the elements and their boundaries balanced, as well as finding interpolation functions. In this study, we introduced an efficient approach to researching the failure mechanism of the material, named base force element method (BFEM), according to complementary energy principle. Specifically, the element compliance matrix of an arbitrary quadrilateral element with four mid-edge nodes was expressed based on the complementary energy principle. Then, the node displacement was obtained by the governing equation using the Lagrange multiplier method. In addition, both the compliance matrix and the node displacement were represented as explicit expressions without the use of Gaussian integration. A numerical model of the recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) was established according to the Monte Carlo method. A comparative sample of the digital image model was also established using digital image technology. The influences of substituting recycled aggregate and the relative mechanical properties of adhered mortar to those of new mortar on the failure mechanism of RAC were studied. The simulation results indicated that the BFEM is an effective approach to researching the damage mechanism of heterogeneous materials.     

再生混凝土力学性能的研究进展

再生混凝土的应用,不仅能够解决废弃混凝土处理问题;又能降低因资源过度开采所引起的生态环境破坏,因而具有广阔的发展前景。相比于普通混凝土,再生混凝土的抗压强度、弹性模量以及抗疲劳性能较低,主要与再生骨料多方面因素的影响有关。对近年来再生混凝土力学性能相关研究进展进行了综述,再生骨料总吸水率是降低抗压强度的主要原因,疲劳性能则主要与再生骨料取代率和附着砂浆含量有关。在再生混凝土中掺加矿物掺合料能够改善新、旧双界面从而提高抗压强度和劈裂抗拉强度,掌握多个因素的影响和作用对再生骨料和再生混凝土进一步研究和应用具有重要意义。     

Failure processes of modeled recycled aggregate concrete under uniaxial compression

In order to investigate the failure processes of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC), cracking behavior of modeled RAC specimens under compressive loading was investigated using Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Strain and displacement contour maps were produced to analyze the cracks’ initiation and propagation during loading. The testing results indicate that the discrepancy between the elastic moduli of coarse aggregates and mortar matrix significantly influences the mechanical properties and crack patterns of the modeled materials. It is found that the failure process is related to the relative strength of coarse aggregate and mortar matrix. For modeled RAC, the first bond cracks appear around both the old and new interfacial transition zones (ITZ), and then propagate into the old and new mortar matrix by connecting each other. The observation implies that the initiations and propagations of microcracks are different between RAC and Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC). The findings in this investigation are useful to improve the mechanical properties of RAC by optimizing the mix proportion.     

Influence of field recycled coarse aggregate on properties of concrete

This paper investigates the influence of different amounts of recycled coarse aggregates obtained from a demolished RCC culvert 15 years old on the properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). A new term called “coarse aggregate replacement ratio (CRR)” is introduced and is defined as the ratio of weight of recycled coarse aggregate to the total weight of coarse aggregate in a concrete mix. To analyze the behaviour of concrete in both the fresh and hardened state, a coarse aggregate replacement ratio of 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 are adopted in the concrete mixes. The properties namely compressive and indirect tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, water absorption, volume of voids, density of hardened concrete and depth of chloride penetration are studied. From the experimental results it is observed that the concrete cured in air after 7 days of wet curing shows better strength than concrete cured completely under water for 28 days for all coarse aggregate replacement ratios. The volume of voids and water absorption of recycled aggregate concrete are 2.61 and 1.82% higher than those of normal concrete due to the high absorption capacity of old mortar adhered to recycled aggregates. The relationships among compressive strength, tensile strengths and modulus of elasticity are developed and verified with the models reported in the literature for both normal and recycled aggregate concrete. In addition, the non-destructive testing parameters such as rebound number and UPV (Ultrasonic pulse velocity) are reported. The study demonstrates the potential use of field recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) in concrete.     

骨料粒径对混凝土劈拉性能及尺寸效应影响的细观数值研究

混凝土材料宏观力学行为的非线性及尺寸效应根源于其内部组成的非均质性。考虑材料细观结构非均质性的影响,建立由骨料颗粒、砂浆基质和界面过渡区组成的混凝土细观尺度力学模型。对尺寸为150 mm、250 mm、350 mm和450 mm的混凝土立方体模型劈裂抗拉破坏行为进行细观数值模拟,探讨骨料粒径（最大粒径分别为:10 mm、20 mm、30 mm和40 mm）的影响机制,并与试验结果进行对比分析。结果表明:1） 混凝土材料的劈裂抗拉强度随着骨料粒径增大而略微降低,最大骨料粒径达到30 mm左右时,强度降低趋势变缓;2） 四种骨料粒径下混凝土立方体劈裂抗拉强度均存在尺寸效应现象,相比于大骨料试件,小骨料试件的破坏更具脆性,因而其尺寸效应更显著;3） 混凝土劈裂抗拉强度尺寸效应行为与 Ba?ant和Weibull提出的尺寸效应理论相吻合。     

骨料级配对二维模型混凝土单轴抗拉强度影响的理论研究

混凝土尺寸效应及其宏观力学非线性根源于其材料细观组成的非均质性。结合混凝土细观结构形式,将混凝土看作由骨料颗粒、砂浆基质及界面过渡区组成的复合材料。采用双线性弹性损伤模型来描述砂浆基质及界面过渡区的力学行为,假定骨料颗粒为弹性体而不发生破坏,进而推导并获得了单轴拉伸条件下不同骨料颗粒级配混凝土断裂裂缝扩展路径长度及其抗拉强度的理论解。最后,对比了建立的理论公式结果与细观尺度数值模拟结果,验证了构建的关于裂缝长度及抗拉强度理论解的准确性和合理性。     

Variation in mechanical properties of natural and recycled aggregate concrete as related to the strength of their binding mortar

Experimental work was performed to study the effect of binding mortar strength on the mechanical properties of recycled natural aggregate concrete mixes as well as reference corresponding natural aggregate concrete mixes. The moduli of elasticity of both NAC and RAC were found to be higher than that of corresponding mortar by about 40% and 10% respectively, for all compressive strengths investigated. It was possible to reach compressive strength for RAC of 53.5 MPa. The ratios of compressive strength of NAC or RAC to that of mortar varied between (1.05–1.56) and (1.02–1.26) respectively, these ratios decreased with the increase in compressive strength. Also from the results of compressive strength, it was found that the ratios cylinder/cube compressive strengths of RAC and mortar were smaller than those of NAC. The ranges of values obtained were (0.71–0.84) and (0.69–0.75) for RAC and mortar respectively, while for NAC this ratio ranged between (0.81–0.92), these values were obtained for compressive strengths ranging between 15 to 55 MPa. It was found that it is better to relate the cylinder/cube strength ratio to the modulus of elasticity of the concrete or mortar rather than to its compressive strength. The flexural strength showed an opposite trend, the ratios of NAC and RAC to that of mortar ranged between (0.72–0.95)% and (0.61–0.80)% respectively. These ratios increased with the decrease in compressive strength of mortars. On the other hand, the splitting tensile strength of NAC was higher than that of RAC and mortar for all strength levels investigated. The ratio of NAC to mortar splitting tensile strength ranged between (1.13–1.69), while this ratio for RAC ranged between (0.87–1.36). Finally, several regressions were developed that can relate the mechanical properties of the three materials investigated.     

钢筋混凝土柱偏心受压力学性能的细观数值研究

钢筋混凝土构件的宏观力学性能由其组分-钢筋和混凝土两部分的力学性能决定。结合混凝土细观结构形式,认为混凝土是由骨料颗粒、砂浆基质及界面过渡区组成的复合材料,假定钢筋与混凝土之间完好粘结,基于钢筋混凝土柱偏心受压试验,建立了钢筋混凝土柱偏心受压加载下力学特性及破坏行为研究的细观尺度力学分析模型。通过对混凝土方形和矩形试件进行受压力学特性模拟,采用反演法确定了界面的力学参数,进而模拟了钢筋混凝土柱偏心受压加载下的宏观力学性能。结果表明,相比于宏观尺度模型,细观数值分析模型能够充分体现材料的非均质性,能够较好的模拟试件的宏观力学性能,并且能够细致的描述裂缝发展及试件破坏过程,与试验结果吻合良好。该文建立的细观尺度分析模型与方法,为钢筋混凝土构件层次宏观力学非线性及其尺寸效应研究提供了理论支持。     

On relationships between the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete: An overview

In this paper, a detailed investigation is conducted to analyze the relationships between the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). Based on a large number of experimental results published worldwide in literature from 1985 to 2004, an experimental database is developed with regard to the main mechanical properties of RAC. In particular, the relations between the compressive strength, the density, the splitting tensile strength, the flexural strength, and the elastic modulus are investigated and discussed in detail. It is found that the interrelationships between the mechanical properties of RAC could be quite different from those of normal concrete. Some improved new equations are proposed for the prediction of the relations between the mechanical properties of RAC based on the statistical regression analysis with the least squares method.     

考虑初始缺陷影响的混凝土梁动态弯拉破坏模式分析

考虑到混凝土细观非均质性的影响,从细观角度出发,认为混凝土是由骨料、界面过渡区、砂浆基质及初始缺陷组成的四相复合材料,建立了混凝土简支梁的二维随机骨料模型。采用耦合材料应变率效应的塑性损伤本构模型来描述砂浆基质及界面的力学性能;假定骨料不产生损伤破坏,设定为弹性。对无缺陷、2%和5%孔隙率的混凝土梁进行弯拉破坏数值研究,探讨初始缺陷及加载速率对混凝土梁弯拉破坏模式、弯拉强度及宏观应 力-应变关系的影响。数值结果表明:混凝土弯拉破坏模式及宏观力学性能具有明显的加载速率相关性;初始缺陷的存在对混凝土破坏模式及宏观力学性能具有很大的影响。     

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.     

The Effect of Initial Defects on Overall Mechanical Properties of Concrete Material

Considering the fact that the initial defects, like the imperfect interfacial transition zones (ITZ) and the micro voids in mortar matrix, weaken the mechanical properties of concrete, this study develops corresponding constitutive models for ITZ and matrix, and simulates the concrete failure with finite element methods. Specifically, an elastic-damage traction-separation model for ITZ is constructed, and an anisotropic plastic-damage model distinguishing the strength-difference under tension and compression for mortar matrix is proposed as well. In this anisotropic plastic-damage model, the weakening effect of micro voids is reflected by introducing initial isotropic damage, the distinct characteristic of tension and compression which described by decomposing damage tensor into tensile and compressive components, and the plastic yield surface which established on the effective stress space. Furthermore, by tracking the damage evolution of concrete specimens suffering uniaxial tension and compression, the effects of imperfect status of ITZ and volume fraction of initial voids on the concrete mechanical properties are investigated.     

Quantification of the residual mortar content in recycled concrete aggregates by image analysis

As the supply of suitable fresh aggregates in some locations is rapidly dwindling and such aggregates need to be transported from distant locations, there will be more and more economic and environmental reasons to use recycled concrete aggregates in making new concrete. The nature and properties of recycled concrete aggregates have a definite impact on the performance of recycled aggregate concrete and the effects can vary considerably. Existing literature and studies conducted by the authors have shown that the amount and properties of the residual mortar in the recycled concrete aggregates significantly affect the mechanical and durability properties of the new concrete. Consequently, a quick laboratory method was developed to determine the residual mortar content of recycled concrete aggregates, to serve as a quality control tool for such aggregates. In order to validate the results obtained by that laboratory test procedure, image analysis was used to quantify the residual mortar content in the different size fractions of the recycled concrete aggregates tested. The results confirmed that the quick laboratory test provides an accurate measurement of the residual mortar content in recycled concrete aggregates.     

考虑材料组成特性的混凝土轴拉破坏过程细观数值模拟

为反映骨料、砂浆及其之间的界面过渡区的组合特点和材料性能,基于材料细观非均匀性和有限元方法的混凝土破坏过程细观数值模拟需进行复杂、细致的网格剖分,导致了繁重的前处理工作和可观的计算量。该文对混凝土材料细观单元材质组成的单一化假定进行改进,将内嵌界面过渡区材料的规则化单元视为一种广义复合材料单元,建立了复合型界面损伤模型。采用等效方法确定单元的复合弹性关系,通过有限元法计算单元的局部应力;用细观层次上弹性力学性能的弱化描述单元组成材料的损伤,混凝土材料的破坏过程通过单元各组分的损伤模拟。应用该复合型界面损伤模型研究了混凝土试件的单轴拉伸破坏过程,细观数值模拟结果符合混凝土试件的宏观破坏特征,表明该模型可作为分析混凝土材料破坏过程的一种有效途径。     

混凝土碱骨料反应及力学性能细观模拟

混凝土碱骨料反应是降低混凝土耐久性的主要因素之一,充分认识其对混凝土力学性能的劣化机理,有助于防治碱骨料反应对混凝土结构的危害。该文用颗粒元（PFC2D）方法建立了由骨料、砂浆和界面三相共同组成的混凝土细观模型,模拟了碱骨料反应引起的混凝土膨胀变形与微裂缝扩展过程,并对碱骨料反应劣化后的混凝土试件进行劈裂抗拉试验,研究碱骨料反应对混凝土力学性能的影响。数值模拟结果表明,该模型可有效预测混凝土碱骨料反应膨胀趋势,碱骨料反应显著降低了混凝土的劈裂抗拉强度。     

再生粗骨料硅烷浸渍处理对混凝土介质传输性能的影响

由于残余砂浆的存在,再生粗骨料的物理力学指标远不及天然骨料,致使再生混凝土力学和耐久性能较差;此外,水分及有害离子侵入混凝土内部是引起混凝土材料性能劣化的主要原因。本试验用质量分数为8wt%的硅烷乳液浸渍强化再生粗骨料,通过抗压强度、毛细吸水和抗氯离子侵蚀试验对硅烷浸渍前后不同骨料质量取代率(0%、30%、50%)的再生混凝土介质传输性能进行了研究,最后利用SEM对再生混凝土内部的微观结构进行分析。试验结果表明,硅烷浸渍处理再生粗骨料的吸水率显著降低,由其制备的混凝土强度稍有所下降;再生混凝土毛细累积吸水量明显减少,且抗氯盐侵蚀性能显著提高,其中骨料质量取代率为50%的再生混凝土浸渍处理后氯离子扩散系数降低了37.5%。研究表明,硅烷浸渍处理再生粗骨料是提高再生混凝土耐久性的有效途径。      

再生混凝土动态直接拉伸的试验研究

利用大直径(75 mm)分离式霍普金森拉杆(SHTB),对再生粗骨料取代率分别为0%、25%、50%、75%和100%的5组圆柱体再生混凝土试样进行应变率范围为100~102s-1的动态直接拉伸实验,研究再生混凝土的动态直接拉伸力学性能及其破坏形态。试验结果表明,再生混凝土的抗拉强度随平均应变率的增加而增大,而再生混凝土的破坏形态与平均应变率有关,这表明再生混凝土具有明显的率敏感性。在相同水灰比下,再生混凝土准静态拉伸强度比普通混凝土低1.3%~15.9%,动态拉伸强度比普通混凝土低1.7%~29%,此研究为再生混凝土的工程应用提供一定的理论依据。     

Properties of interfacial transition zones in recycled aggregate concrete tested by nanoindentation

The properties of new Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) and old ITZ in Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) were investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and nanoindentation. From the SEM images, obvious voids and high concentration of calcium hydroxide can be found in both old ITZ and new ITZ in RAC. Based on the nanoindentation study, it is indicated that the thicknesses of old and new ITZs are in the range 40–50 μm and in the range 55–65 μm, respectively. It is also found that the average indentation modulus of old ITZ is 70–80% of that of old paste matrix, while the average indentation modulus of new ITZ is 80–90% of that of new paste matrix. Additionally, the influences of mix proportion, aggregate types and hydration age on the properties of ITZs in RAC are discussed in this study.     

The use of building rubbles in concrete and mortar

Abstract

The main components of building rubble collected from demolished structures are waste concrete, brick and tile. A series of experiments using recycled aggregates of various compositions from building rubble were conducted. The test results show that building rubble can be transformed into useful recycled aggregate through proper processing. When the recycled aggregate was washed, the negative effects on the recycled concrete were greatly reduced. This is especially meaningful for flexural strength. Recycled coarse aggregate is the weakest phase given a low water/cement ratio. This effect will dominate the mechanical properties of recycled concrete. On the contrary, using recycled aggregate in concrete has little effect on its mechanical properties if the water/cement ratio is high. This mechanism does not occur in recycled mortar. The quantity of recycled fine aggregate will govern the mortar strength reduction percentage. Although using brick and tile in concrete will affect its mechanical properties, the effect is limited.