The Durability of Alkali-Activated Materials in Comparison with Ordinary Portland Cements and Concretes:A Review

China is the largest producer and user of ordinary Portland cement(OPC),and the rapid growth of infrastructure development demands more sustainable building materials for concrete structures.Alkali-activated materials(AAMs)are a new type of energy-saving and environmentally friendly building material with a wide range of potential applications.This paper compares the durability of AAMs and 0 PC-based materials un der sulfate attack,acid corrosion,carb on ation,and chloride penetratio n.Different AAMs have shown distinct durability properties due to different compositions being formed when different raw materials are used.According to the calcium(Ca)concentration of the raw materials,this paper interprets the deterioration mechanisms of three categories of AAMs:calcium-free,low-calcium,and calcium-rich.Conflicts found in the most recent research are highlighted,as they raise concerns regarding the consistenee and long-term properties of AAMs.Nevertheless,AAMs show better durability performances than OPC-based materials in general.

Effects of fibers on expansive shotcrete mixtures consisting of calcium sulfoaluminate cement,ordinary Portland cement,and calcium sulfate

The mining industry often uses shotcrete for ground stabilization. However, cracking within shotcrete is commonly observed, which delays production schedules and increases maintenance costs. A possible crack reduction method is using expansive shotcrete mixture consisting of calcium sulfoaluminate cement(CSA), ordinary Portland cement(OPC), and calcium sulfate(CS) to reduce shrinkage. Furthermore, fibers can be added to the mixture to restrain expansion and impede cracking. The objective of this paper is to study the effects of nylon fiber, glass fiber, and steel fiber on an expansive shotcrete mixture that can better resist cracking. In this study, parameters such as density, water absorption, volume of permeable voids, unconfined compressive strength(UCS), splitting tensile strength(STS), and volume change of fiber-added expansive mixtures were determined at different time periods(i.e. the strengths on the 28 th day, and the volume changes on the 1 st, 7 th, 14 th, 21 st, and 28 th days). The results show that addition of fibers can improve mixture durability, in the form of decreased water absorption and reduced permeable pore space content. Moreover, the expansion of the CSA-OPC-CS mixture was restrained up to50% by glass fiber, up to 43% by nylon fiber, and up to 28% by steel fiber. The results show that the STS was improved by 57% with glass fiber addition, 43% with steel fiber addition, and 38% with nylon fiber addition. The UCS was also increased by 31% after steel fiber addition, 26% after nylon fiber addition, and16% after glass fiber addition. These results suggest that fiber additions to the expansive shotcrete mixtures can improve durability and strengths while controlling expansion.

Effect of Additional Surfaces on Ordinary Portland Cement Early-Age Hydration

Early-age hydration of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was studied in the presence of two additional surfaces. Additional surfaces are known to accelerate the early-age hydration of OPC. Autocatalytic reaction modelling was used to determine acceleration mechanism of additional surfaces. Heat development of the hydration was measured with semi-adiabatic calorimetry and the results were modelled with an autocatalytic reaction. Autocatalytic reaction modelling was able to determine number of initially active nucleation sites in early-age hydration. OPC hydration followed autocatalytic reaction principles throughout induction period and accelerating period. Both of the added surfaces, limestone filler and calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) coated limestone filler accelerated the early-age hydration. According to autocatalytic modelling, the C-S-H coated filler increased the number of initially active nucleation sites. Pristine limestone filler accelerated the early-age hydration by providing the additional nucleation sites throughout the early-age hydration. The difference was explained with common theories of nucleation and crystal growth. Autocatalytic model and measured calorimeter curve started to significantly deviate at the inflection point, where the reaction mode changed. The reaction mode change depended on the average particle distance. Early-age hydration, modelled as autocatalytic reaction was able to improve understanding of OPC early-age hydration and quantify the number of initially active nucleation sites. Understanding and quantifying the acceleration mechanisms in early-age hydration will aid larger utilization of supplementary cementitious materials where understanding the early-age strength development is crucial.

Influence of Selected Curing Techniques on Compressive Strength of Concrete From Palm Kernel Shell Ash and Ordinary Portland Cement

This paper discusses the findings of an experimental study on the effect of various curing procedures on the compressive strength of concrete pro­duced by partially substituting portland cement with Palm Kernel Shell Ash(PKSA).Palm kernel shell ash was utilized in a 1:2:4 mix ratio as a partial substitute for ordinary Portland cement(OPC)at percentage levels of 0%,10%,and 15%.River sand with particles passing a 4.75 mm BS sieve was used,as well as crushed aggregate with a maximum size of 20 mm,and palm kernel shell ash with particles passing a 212μm sieve.The compressive strength of the test cubes(150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm)was determined after 7,28,and 56 days of curing.The results demonstrated that test cubes containing Palm kernel shell ash developed strength over a longer curing period than ordinary Portland cement concrete samples and that the strength changes depending on the amount of PKSA in the cube samples.The findings showed that at 28 days,test cubes with 5%,10%,and 15%PKSA content in all curing procedures utilized obtained a greater compressive strength.Curing by immersion produced the highest compres­sive strength in all replacement level while the concrete cured by sprinkling and spraying gives a lower strength in all replacement level.

Study of bond strength between various grade of Ordinary Portland Cement(OPC)and Portland Pozzolane Cement(PPC)mixes and different diameter of TMT bars by using pullout test

Since last two decades,the Portland Pozzolane Cement(PPC)is extensively used in structural concrete.But,till to date,a few literature is available on bond strength of concrete using PPC mixes.There are many literatures available on bond strength of concrete mixes using Ordinary Portland Cement(OPC).Hence,a comparative study was conducted on bond strength between OPC and PPC mixes.In the present investigation,total 24 samples consisting of M20,M35 and M50 grades of concrete and 16 and 25 mm diameter of TMT bar were tested for 7 and 28 days.The pullout bond test was conducted on each specimen as per IS:2770-1967/1997[1]and the results were observed at 0.25 mm slip at loaded end called as critical bond stress and at maximum bond load called as maximum bond stress.It was observed that the critical bond strength of PPC mixes is 10%higher than OPC mixes.Whereas,marginal improvement was noticed in maximum bond strength of PPC mixes.Hence,based on these findings,it could be concluded that development length for PPC mixes could be reduced by 10%as compared with same grade of OPC mixes.

Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Gap Graded Cold Asphalt Containing Cement Utilising By-Product Material

The little stiffness modulus, high voidage and long curing time has limited the use of CBEM＇s （cold bituminous emulsion mixtures） in road and highways to pavement experiencing low traffic. The aim of this study is to improve the properties of gap graded CRA （cold rolled asphal0 containing OPC （ordinary portland cement） as filler by addition of a by-product material as an activator. OPC was added to the CRA as a replacement to the conventional mineral filler （0%-100%）, while LJMUA （Liverpool John Moores University Activator） was added as an additive in the range from 0%-3% by total mass of aggregate. Laboratory tests included stiffness modulus and uniaxial creep test to assess the mechanical properties. The results have shown a considerable improvement in the mechanical properties from the addition of LJMUA to the CRA containing OPC especially for the early life stiffness modulus that is the main disadvantage of the cold mixtures.

Determination of the Compressive Strength of Concrete from Binary Cement and Ternary Aggregates

One of the most active fields of research embraced by many disciplines, including civil engineering, is material reuse. It is known that ceramics wastes from various construction and demolition sites and manufacturing processes are dumped away into the environment, resulting in the pollution that threatens both agriculture and public health. Therefore, the utilization of ceramic waste in construction industries would help to protect the environment from such pollutions. This paper presents the results of an experimental analysis of the effects of partial replacement of coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, and ordinary Portland cement with the ceramic waste, at percentage levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%;and the assessment of the strength property of the concrete produced with optimum combination of the constituents. Compressive strengths of this concrete were determined at 7, 28, and 56 days of curing using 150 × 150 × 150 mm cube specimens. Test results showed that the compressive strength of the concrete decreased as the content of ceramic waste present in the concrete increased. Thus, concrete produced from the partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement with ground ceramics gave compressive strengths of 16.6 N/mm2 and 13.4 N/mm2 at 5% and 20% replacement levels respectively. Similarly, the compressive strengths of concrete from the partial replacement of sand with fine ceramics were 13.8 N/mm2 and 10.9 N/mm2 for 5% and 20% replacements respectively. For 5% and 20% replacement levels of granite with crushed ceramics in concrete gave a compressive strength of 11.6 N/mm2 and 9.7 N/mm2, respectively. For concrete derived from the partial replacement of stone dust with fine ceramics, the compressive strengths were 19.6 N/mm2 and 18.10 N/mm2 respectively for 5% and 20%. For concrete produced from the partial replacement of bush gravel with crushed ceramics, the compressive strengths obtained were 10.9 N/mm2 and 8.98 N/mm2 respectively for 5% and 20% replacements. Finally, the concrete derived from the optimal combination of binary cement, ternary fine, and coarse aggregate had a compressive strength of 22.20 N/mm2 which is higher than the compressive strength of the control mixture at 18.10 N/mm2. The result of the ANOVA carried out showed that the compressive strength obtained for each partial replacement of different components is statistically significant at 5%, i.e. the change in the compressive strength of the concrete produced is due to the presence of ceramic waste.

Properties of Sawdust Concrete

This work examined the structural properties of concrete obtained by partially replacing cement with sawdust ash.The sawdust ash which is a pozzolan was obtained by burning sawdust which is a waste product from processing of timber in an open air.The burnt ash was passed through a 150μm metric sieve to obtain the ash used.Physical and chemical analysis were performed on the ash to verify its suitability as a partial substitute for cement in concrete.Chemical analysis was also carried out on the Ordinary Portland Cement(OPC)sample.Concrete mixes were produced by replac­ing OPC with 0%,5%,10%,20%and 30%of Sawdust Ash(SDA).Both fresh and hardened properties of the concrete produced were investigated.The chemical investigation on the ash showed that it contained most of the basic compounds found in OPC making it suitable to serve as a partial substitute for OPC in concrete.Investigation on the concrete showed that both the workability and density of the concrete reduce as the SDA content increases.Analysis on the hardened concrete revealed that the compressive strength of the concrete decreases as the ash content increases for the early ages of curing.However,from 21 days curing age upwards,the compres­sive strength decreases as SDA increases up to 10%of SDA at which the compressive strength rose to a maximum value,and then starts reducing again as the percentage SDA increases.Thus,the SDA concrete gained rap­id strength at later ages indicating its pozzolanic activity.

SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM MIXES CONTAINING RECYCLED AGGREGATES AND INDUSTRIAL BY-PRODUCTS

A vast amount of construction and demolition(C&D)wastes are generated in Western Australia(WA)of which a major portion goes to landfills.The diversion of C&D waste from landfills would be the single most significant opportunity for WA to improve its recovery performance.C&D waste materials have already been investigated for their appropriateness and use in pavement and concrete.This work is the continuation of the authors’previous work involving further experimental tests to prove the structural suitability of a building’s structural member(i.e.,beam)made of recycled aggregates and industrial by-products.The concrete mixes considered in this study are 100NA+100 OPC(Control),100RA+100OPC,50RA+50NA+90OPC+10SF and 50RA+50NA+60OPC+30FA+10SF.The Reinforced Concrete(RC)beam made of 50RA+50NA+60OPC+30FA+10SF concrete mix was found to be the only eco-efficient option.This option has reduced the level of environmental impacts in a cost-competitive manner.The use of this eco-efficient option could also provide new employment opportunities and significant improvements in terms of land and energy resources conservation and bio-diversity enhancement.

Influencing factors and optimization on mechanical performance of solid waste-derived rapid repair mortar

There is a great demand for high performance rapid repair mortar(RRM)because of the wide use of cement concrete.Solid-waste-based sulfoaluminate cement(WSAC)is very suitable as a green cementitious material for repair materials because of its characteristics of high early-age strength and short setting time.However,the influence and optimization of various factors of WSAC-based RRM,such as water-to-RRM ratio,binder-to-sand ratio and additives,as well as the further solid waste replacement of aggregate,remain to be studied.This paper comprehensively studied the influence of the above factors on the performance of WSAC-based RRM and obtained a green high-performance RRM by optimizing these factors.The experimental results showed that the early and late strength of the obtained RRM is excellent,and the setting time and fluidity are appropriate,which reflected good mechanical properties and construction performance.Ordinary Portland cement(OPC)doping could not improve RRM strength.It was feasible to prepare RRM with gold tailing sand replacing part of the quartz sand.This paper provides data and a theoretical basis for the preparation of high-performance RRM based on solid waste,expanding the high value utilization of solid waste,which is conducive to the development of a low carbon society.