Several properties of mineral admixtured lightweight mortars at elevated temperatures

The improvement of thermal and mechanical properties of mortars including expanded perlite aggregate (EPA) containing either clinoptilolite, a type of natural zeolite (NZ), waste glass powder (GP) or blast furnace slag (BFS) cured at elevated temperature was analyzed using thermal conductivity, compressive strength, flexure strength and dry unit weight. EPA mortar specimens were prepared by replacing a varying part of the portland cement with the above minerals. All mortar samples were prepared and cured at 23±1°C lime saturated water for 28 days. The maximum thermal conductivity of 1.3511W/mK was determined with the control samples containing plain cement. GP has shown 1 and 4% decrease for both 10, 20% GP and 25% EPA, respectively. Both BFS and NZ have a decreasing effect on thermal conductivity. The experiments were carried out, in which the samples were subjected to temperature of 300, 500 and 800°C for 2 h, then cooled in air. The results indicated that all the mortars exposed to temperature of 500 and 800°C shown a significant decrease in thermal conductivity, compressive strength and flexure strength. However, compared with the mortars including 25% EPA, adding the other admixtures at all level replacement decreased thermal conductivity, compressive strength, flexure strength and dry unit weight as a function of replacement percent. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fire resistance of geopolymer concrete produced from Elazığ ferrochrome slag

This paper presents the effect of elevated temperatures up to 700 °C on compressive strength and water absorption of two alkali‐activated aluminosilicate composites (one of them is river sand aggregate geopolymer concrete; the other one is crushed sand aggregate geopolymer concrete) and ordinary Portland cement based concretes. To obtain binding geopolymer material, Elaz?? ferrochrome slag was ground as fine as cement, and then it was alkali activated with chemical (NaOH and Na₂SiO₃). Geopolymer concrete samples were produced by mixing this binding geopolymer material with aggregates. At each target temperature, concrete samples were exposed to fire for the duration of 1 h. Fire resistance and water absorption of geopolymer and ordinary Portland cement concrete samples were determined experimentally. Experimental results indicated that compressive strength of geopolymer concrete samples increased at 100 °C and 300 °C temperatures when compared with unexposed samples. In geopolymer concrete samples, the highest compressive strength was obtained from river aggregates ones at 300 °C with 37.06 MPa. Water absorption of geopolymer concrete samples increased at 700 °C temperature when compared with unexposed samples. However, a slight decrease in water absorption of concrete samples was observed up to 300 °C when compared with unexposed samples. SEM and X‐ray diffraction tests were also carried out to investigate microstructure and mineralogical changes during thermal exposure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of elevated temperatures and cooling regimes on normal strength concrete

The compressive strength of normal strength concrete at elevated temperatures up to 700^°C and the effect of cooling regimes were investigated and compared in this study. Thus, two different mixture groups with initial strengths of 20 and 35 MPa were produced by using river sand, normal aggregate and portland cement. Thirteen different temperature values were chosen from 50 to 700^°C. The specimens were heated for 3 h at each temperature. After heating, concretes were cooled to room temperature either in water rapidly or in laboratory conditions gradually. The residual strengths were determined by an axial compressive strength test. Strength and unit weight losses were compared with the initial values. Throughout this study, ASTM and Turkish Standards were used. It was observed that concrete properties deteriorated with the heat; however, a small increase in strength was observed from 50 to 100^°C. Strength loss was more significant on the specimens rapidly cooled in water. Both concrete mixtures lost a significant part of their initial strength when the temperature reached 700^°C. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of cooling methods on residual compressive strength and cracking behavior of fly ash concretes exposed at elevated temperatures

This paper presents the effects of cooling methods on residual compressive strength and cracking behavior of concretes containing four different class F fly ash contents of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% as partial replacement of cement at various elevated temperatures. The residual compressive strength of the aforementioned fly ash concretes is measured after being exposed to 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C temperatures and two different cooling methods, for example, slow cooling and rapid water cooling. Results show that the residual compressive strengths of all fly ash concretes decrease with increase in temperatures irrespective of cooling regimes, which is similar to that of ordinary concrete. Generally, control ordinary concrete and all fly ash concretes exhibited between 10% and 35% more reduction in residual compressive strength because of rapid cooling than slow cooling except few cases. Cracks are observed over concrete specimens after being exposed to temperatures ranging from 400 to 800 °C. Samples that are slowly cooled developed smaller cracks than those rapidly cooled. At 800 °C, all fly ash concretes that are exposed to rapid cooling showed the most severe cracking. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows reduction of Ca(OH)₂ peak and formation of new calcium silicate peak in concretes containing 20% and 40% fly ash when subjected to 800 °C in both cooling methods. Thermo gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis results show increase in thermal stability of concrete with increase in fly ash contents. The existing Eurocode also predicted the compressive strength of fly ash concretes with reasonable accuracy when subjected to the aforementioned elevated temperatures and cooling methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures

This paper presents the compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes at elevated temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C. The source material used in the geopolymer concrete in this study is low‐calcium fly ash according to ASTM C618 class F classification and is activated by sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions. The effects of molarities of NaOH, coarse aggregate sizes, duration of steam curing and extra added water on the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures are also presented. The results show that the fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes exhibited steady loss of its original compressive strength at all elevated temperatures up to 400 °C regardless of molarities and coarse aggregate sizes. At 600 °C, all geopolymer concretes exhibited increase of compressive strength relative to 400 °C. However, it is lower than that measured at ambient temperature. Similar behaviour is also observed at 800 °C, where the compressive strength of all geopolymer concretes are lower than that at ambient temperature, with only exception of geopolymer concrete containing 10 m NaOH. The compressive strength in the latter increased at 600 and 800 °C. The geopolymer concretes containing higher molarity of NaOH solution (e.g. 13 and 16 m ) exhibit greater loss of compressive strength at 800 °C than that of 10 m NaOH. The geopolymer concrete containing smaller size coarse aggregate retains most of the original compressive strength of geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures. The addition of extra water adversely affects the compressive strength of geopolymer concretes at all elevated temperatures. However, the extended steam curing improves the compressive strength at elevated temperatures. The Eurocode EN1994:2005 to predict the compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes at elevated temperatures agrees well with the measured values up to 400 °C. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of different cement dosages, slumps, and pumice aggregate ratios on the thermal conductivity and density of concrete

Thermal conductivity coefficients of concretes made up of mixtures of pumice aggregate (PA) and normal aggregate were measured. To determine the effect of PA ratio, different cement dosage, and slumps on the thermal conductivity of concrete, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% pumice ratios were used in place of normal aggregate by volume, 200-, 250-, 350-, 400-, and 500-kg/m³ cement dosages, and 3±1-, 5±1-, and 7±1-cm slumps were used in this study. The analysis of the test results leads to the conclusion that PA decreased the density and thermal conductivity of concretes up to 40% and 46%, respectively. Increasing the cement dosage in the mixtures caused both density and thermal conductivity of the concrete to increase. The effect of slump on the density and thermal conductivity fluctuated.     

Effect of elevated temperatures on mechanical properties of high‐strength concrete containing varying proportions of hematite

Aggregates typically constitute 70 to 80 wt% of concrete, and therefore their type, size, and structure play an essential role in modifying the properties of concrete. When concrete is used for shielding nuclear applications, temperature is also a key factor. This study investigates the effects of elevated temperatures (25 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C), heating durations (1, 2, and 3 h), and cooling regimes (air, and water cooling) on mechanical properties of concrete containing different proportions of hematite. A sample of plain concrete was produced for comparison purposes by using river sand, crushed sand, and crushed aggregates. Replacement ratios of 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% were used for hematite aggregates. The cement content and water–cement ratio were 450 kg/m³ and 0.38, respectively. Slump values of fresh concretes as well as unit weight, compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and elasticity modulus values of hardened concrete were determined. The addition of hematite into concrete seems to improve its mechanical properties, and hematite concretes have better thermal stability at elevated temperatures than plain concrete does. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of expanded perlite aggregate, silica fume and fly ash on the thermal conductivity of lightweight concrete

Thermal conductivity coefficients of concretes made up of mixtures of expanded perlite and pumice aggregates (PA) were measured. To determine the effect of silica fume (SF) and class C fly ash (FA) on the thermal conductivity of lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC), SF and FA were added as replacement for cement by decreasing the cement weights in the ratios of 10%, 20% and 30% by weight.The highest thermal conductivity of 0.3178 W/mK was observed with the samples containing only PA and plain cement. It decreased with the increase of SF and FA as replacement for cement. The lowest value of thermal conductivity, which is 0.1472 W/mK, was obtained with the samples prepared with expanded perlite aggregate (EPA) replacement of PA and 70% cement+30% FA replacement of cement. Both SF and FA had a decreasing effect on thermal conductivity. EPA (used in place of PA) also induced a decrease of 43.5% in thermal conductivity of concrete.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of lightweight concretes produced with pumice and tragacanth

This study was carried out to determine the possibilities of using tragacanth and pumice aggregate in lightweight concrete producing. The samples were produced with mixture combinations of materials such as pumice, tragacanth, and cement. The prepared material samples were subjected to some tests such as thermal conductivity, compressive strength, tensile strength, abrasion loss, and water absorption (WA). It was determined that density, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, tensile strength, abrasion loss, and WA varied as 0.728–1.772 g/cm³; 0.177–0.433 W/mK; 6.1–258.80 kg/cm²; 2.73–17.81 kg/cm²; 0.0–19.9%; and 20–56.8%, respectively. The results showed that the produced material samples were in lightweight concrete class according to thermal and mechanical properties. As to the observations, tests, experiments, and evaluations on lightweight concrete material samples, it was concluded that the lightweight concrete with tragacanth and pumice additive can be used as a coating and dividing material in buildings because of its insulating features.     

Residual compressive behavior of alkali‐activated concrete exposed to elevated temperatures

This paper reports the effect of elevated temperature exposures, up to 1200^°C , on the residual compressive strengths of alkali‐activated slag concrete (AASC) activated by sodium silicate and hydrated lime; such temperatures can occur in a fire. The strength performance of AASC in the temperature range of 400–800^°C was similar to ordinary Portland cement concrete and blended slag cement concrete, despite the finding that the AASC did not contain Ca(OH)₂ , which contributes to the strength deterioration at elevated temperatures for Ordinary Portland Cement and blended slag cement concretes. Dilatometry studies showed that the alkali‐activated slag (AAS) paste had significantly higher thermal shrinkage than the other pastes while the basalt aggregate gradually expanded. This led to a higher thermal incompatibility between the AAS paste and aggregate compared with the other concretes. This is likely to be the governing factor behind the strength loss of AASC at elevated temperatures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of different cement dosages, slumps and pumice aggregate ratios on the compressive strength and densities of concrete

Compressive strengths of concretes made up of mixtures of pumice aggregate (PA) and normal aggregate were measured. To determine the effect of PA ratio, different cement dosage and slumps on the compressive strength of concrete, (1) 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% pumice ratios were used instead of normal aggregate by volume, (2) 200, 250, 350, 400 and 500 kg/m³ cement dosages were used and (3) 3±1, 5±1 and 7±1 cm slumps were also used in this study.The analysis of the test results leads to the conclusion that PA decreased the density of concretes up to 41.5% and reductions occurred due to the increase of the PA ratio in the mixes. With the increase of cement dosage in the mixes, both density and compressive strength of concretes increased up to 3.2% and 265%, respectively, when compared to the control sample that contain 200 kg/m³ cement dosage. The effect of the slump on the density and compressive strength was varied. Elasticity moduli were decreased with an increase of PA ratio and increased with an increase of cement dosage. Water absorption improved with an increase of cement content.     

Influence of amount of recycled coarse aggregates and production process on properties of recycled aggregate concrete

In this study recycled coarse aggregates obtained by crushed concrete were used for concrete production. Four different recycled aggregate concretes were produced; made with 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% of recycled coarse aggregates, respectively. The mix proportions of the four concretes were designed in order to achieve the same compressive strengths. Recycled aggregates were used in wet condition, but not saturated, to control their fresh concrete properties, effective w/c ratio and lower strength variability. The necessity to produce recycled aggregate concrete with low-medium compressive strength was verified due to the requirement of the volume of cement. The influence of the order of materials used in concrete production (made with recycled aggregates) with respect to improving its splitting tensile strength was analysed. The lower modulus of elasticity of recycled coarse aggregate concretes with respect to conventional concretes was measured verifying the numeral models proposed by several researchers.     

The influence of aggregate type on the physical and mechanical properties of high‐performance concrete subjected to high temperature

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the behaviour of high‐performance concretes after high temperature exposure. The high temperature exposure is related to the potential risk of fire, and mechanical properties analysis is needed afterwards to assess the residual strength of the material. The results presented in the paper show the properties evolution of four concretes made with four different aggregate types: basalt, granite, dolomite and riverbed gravel. The mix compositions allow comparisons, because the cement paste and mortar compositions and their volumes remain the same for all the four concretes. Moreover, the aggregate particle size distribution was chosen to be quasi identical so that this factor does not affect the concrete behaviour. The decrease of tensile strength value with the increase of temperature is more pronounced than compressive strength reduction thus, the exponential and power function equations were proposed to describe f_tT–f_cT relationship. The change of modulus of elasticity in relative values is similar, although the initial values of modulus are different and correspond to the aggregate type. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of elevated temperatures on concrete incorporating ferronickel slag as fine aggregate

This study evaluates the effect of elevated temperature exposure on concrete incorporating ferronickel slag (FNS) as a replacement of natural sand. Concrete cylinders were exposed up to 800°C, and the changes in compressive strength, mass, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and microstructure were investigated. The concretes containing up to 100% FNS aggregate showed no spalling and similar cracking to that of the concrete using 100% natural sand. For exposures up to 600°C, the residual strengths of concretes containing 50% FNS were 7% to 10% smaller than the concrete with 100% sand. Use of 30% fly ash as cement replacement improved residual strength by pozzolanic reaction for exposures up to 600°C. An equation has been found from the correlation between residual strength and UPV. Therefore, UPV can be used as a nondestructive test to estimate the extent of postfire damage and residual strength of concrete incorporating FNS aggregate and fly ash.     

Properties of rubberized concretes containing silica fume

A test program was carried out to develop information about the mechanical properties of rubberized concretes with and without silica fume. Two types of tire rubber, crumb rubber and tire chips, were used as fine and coarse aggregate, respectively, in the production of rubberized concrete mixtures which were obtained by partially replacing the aggregate with rubber. Six designated rubber contents varying from 2.5% to 50% by total aggregate volume were used. The concretes with silica fume were produced by partial substitution of cement with silica fume at varying amounts of 5–20%. Totally, 70 concrete mixtures were cast and tested for compressive and splitting tensile strengths, and static modulus of elasticity in accordance to ASTM standards. The design strength level ranging from 54 to 86 MPa was achieved using water–cementitious material (w/cm) ratios of 0.60 and 0.40. Test results indicated that there was a large reduction in the strength and modulus values with the increase in rubber content. However, the addition of silica fume into the matrix improved the mechanical properties of the rubberized concretes and diminished the rate of strength loss. Results also revealed that a rubber content of as high as 25% by total aggregate volume might be practically used to produce rubberized concretes with compressive strength of 16–32 MPa.     

Model analysis of fracture and failure of concrete as a composite material

The purpose of the present paper is to examine the effect of the mechanical properties and the surface condition of coarse aggregate on the fracture and failure of concrete under uniaxial compression. Two-phase model concretes consisting of mortar matrix and coarse aggregate made of mortar are used to study the failure progress. The fracture process, stress-strain behavior and compressive strength of model concretes are examined in terms of the relative compressive strength of coarse aggregate and mortar matrix, the surface condition of coarse aggregate and other factors.     

泡沫掺量对发泡碱激发矿渣聚合物性能和孔隙特征的影响

以水玻璃激发矿渣为胶凝材料,采用压缩空气发泡方式制备了泡沫矿渣聚合物材料,通过Image-Pro plus(IPP)表征了不同泡沫掺量下泡沫矿渣聚合物的孔隙结构特征,并研究了泡沫掺量对泡沫矿渣矿物聚合物干密度、抗压强度和导热系数的影响.结果表明:当泡沫掺量为4.45%~10.70%(质量分数)时,随泡沫掺量增加,泡沫矿渣聚合物的孔隙率增加、平均孔径及孔圆度值增大,泡沫矿渣聚合物相应的干密度、抗压强度和导热系数均呈负指数关系降低且相关性强;当泡沫掺量为4.45%~12.00%(质量分数)时,所制备碱激发矿渣聚合物泡沫材料的干密度389~1325 kg/m3、抗压强度1.12~17.81 MPa、导热系数0.0813~0.2211 W/(m·K),其综合性能优于通用水泥泡沫混凝土制品.     

The effect of high temperature on the residual mechanical performance of concrete made with recycled ceramic coarse aggregates

This paper presents an experimental study on the residual mechanical properties of concrete with recycled ceramic coarse aggregate (RCCA) after exposure to elevated temperatures. Four concrete mixes were produced: a control concrete and three concrete mixes with replacement ratios of 20, 50 and 100% of natural aggregate (NA) by RCCA. The specimens were subjected to temperatures of 200, 400 and 600°C, for a period of 60 min. After cooling down to room temperature, the following concrete properties were evaluated: (i) compressive strength; (ii) splitting tensile strength; (iii) modulus of elasticity; (iv) ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV); and (v) water absorption by immersion. At ambient temperature, as expected, the replacement of NA by RCCA resulted in a performance reduction of concrete. After exposure to elevated temperature, in general, the results obtained indicated an improvement of the residual relative mechanical properties of the mixes with RCCA, particularly after exposure to 400 and 600°C. However, exposure to the highest temperature (600°C) tended to cause spalling in concrete mixes containing RCCA. Significant linear correlations were observed between the residual compressive strength of all concrete mixes and both the UPV and the water absorption by immersion. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of cooling methods on high-temperature residual mechanical characterization of strain-hardening cementitious composites

Residual strength tests are commonly used to characterize the high-temperature mechanical properties of concrete materials. In these tests, the specimens are heated to a target temperature in a furnace and then cooled down to room temperature, followed by mechanical testing at room temperature. This research investigates the influence of the cooling method on the residual strength of Strain Hardening Cementitious Composites (SHCC) after exposure to 400°C and 600°C. Two types of cooling methods — furnace-cooling (within a closed furnace) and water-cooling (immersed in a water tank) — were adopted. Four different SHCC previously investigated by the authors for high-temperature residual mechanical and bond behavior with steel were studied. Two different specimen sizes were tested under uniaxial compression and flexure to characterize the residual compressive strength and modulus of rupture. The effect of the cooling method was prominent for the normalized residual modulus of rupture at 400°C, but not at 600°C. The cooling method had no effect on the normalized residual compressive strength of any material at either of the two temperatures, except one of the SHCC (PVA-SC) at 400°C. Specimen size also had no effect on the normalized residual compressive strength and modulus of rupture irrespective of the cooling method.     

同掺再生粗细骨料混凝土的力学与耐久性能研究

为了探讨同时掺入大掺量再生粗骨料和细骨料制备C40及以上强度等级再生混凝土的可行性,在C45天然骨料混凝土配合比的基础上,采用II类再生粗骨料、I类再生细骨料,以同掺再生粗细骨料质量替代率为25%、50%、75%、100%配制了4组再生混凝土,研究了再生粗细骨料替代率对再生混凝土基本力学性能和耐久性能的影响规律。结果表明:当同掺再生粗细骨料的替代率为25%时,混凝土的力学性能下降很小,替代率为50%、75%的混凝土的抗压强度分别达到C45、C40等级,替代率100%的全再生粗细骨料混凝土的28 d抗压、劈拉、轴压强度和弹性模量等力学性能指标较天然骨料混凝土降低12.0%~23.2%,并达到C35抗压强度等级。增加再生粗细骨料的替代率会降低混凝土的耐久性,但即使是全再生粗细骨料混凝土仍可获得高的耐久性,其抗碳化性能、抗氯离子渗透性、抗冻性能分别达到T-IV、RCM-IV和F300等级,说明在混凝土中同时掺用50%及以上再生粗细骨料配制C40及以上强度等级的再生混凝土是可行的。