Geo-environmental properties and microstructural characteristics of sustainable limestone calcined clay cement(LC3)binder treated Zn-contaminated soils

Limestone calcined clay cement(LC3)is an environment-friendly and sustainable cementitious material.It has recently gained considerable attention for the stabilization/solidification(S/S)of soils contaminated by heavy metals.However,the existing studies on S/S of Zn-contaminated soils using LC3 in terms of hydraulic conductivity and microstructural properties as compared to ordinary Portland cement(OPC)are limited.This study focuses on the evaluation of the mechanical,leaching,and microstructural characteristics of Zn-contaminated soils treated with different contents(0%,4%,6%,8%,and 10%)of low-carbon LC3.The engineering performance of the treated Zn-contaminated soils is assessed over time using unconfined compressive strength(UCS),hydraulic conductivity(k),toxicity characteristic leaching procedure(TCLP),and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure(SPLP)tests.Experimental results show that the UCS of Zn-contaminated soils treated with LC3 ranged from 1.47 to 2.49 MPa,which is higher than 1.63%–13.07%for those treated with OPC.The k of Zn-contaminated soils treated with LC3 ranged from 1.16×10^(−8)to 5.18×10^(−8)cm/s as compared to the OPC treated samples.For the leaching properties,the leached Zn from TCLP and SPLP is 1.58–321.10 mg/L and 0.52–284.65 mg/L as the LC3 contents ranged from 4%to 10%.Further,the corresponding pH modeling results indicate that LC3 promotes a relatively suitable dynamic equilibrium condition to immobilize the higher-level Zn contamination.In addition,microscopic analyses demonstrate that the formations of hydration products,i.e.,Zn(OH)_(2),Zn_(2)SiO_(4),calcium silicate hydrate(C–S–H),calcium silicate aluminate hydrate(C–A–S–H)gel,ettringite,and CaZn(SiO_(4))(H_(2)O),are the primary mechanisms for the immobilization of Zn.This study also provides an empirical formula between the UCS and k to support the application of LC3-solidified Zn-contaminated soils in practical engineering in the field.

Experimental investigation on dynamic mechanical properties of sandy clay treated with alkali-activated metakaolin cement and discrete polypropylene fibers

The dynamic mechanical properties and dynamic energy absorption capacity of marine sandy clay,which was stabilized by cement with partial substitution of alkali-activated metakaolin(AAMK)and discrete polypropylene fibers,were experimentally investigated at strain rates of 80-280 s^(-1).The AAMK,as partial replacement of cement,is eco-friendly and economical,and polypropylene fibers with corrosion resistance can withstand severe environmental conditions.Dynamic mechanical properties of 16 different mix ratios were experimentally examined via split Hopkinson compression pressure bar(SHPB)tests.Typical macroscopic post-impact fragment patterns Ⅰ and Ⅱ were observed in dynamic stress-strain curves and macroscopic fragmentations.The results confirmed an obvious enhancement in the dynamic compressive strength and energy absorption density due to the use of cement with partial substitution of AAMK and the addition of polypropylene fibers and sand.Based on scanning electron microscopy(SEM)tests and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)tests,cemented sandy clay specimens treated with 0.2%fiber contents or higher exhibited a denser network of soil particles with hydration products.The connection mechanism and typical interface between fiber-sand-hydrate-sandy clay particles were observed via SEM tests.Furthermore,an optimal mix ratio was proposed to satisfy the demands of high dynamic mechanical properties,energy absorption capacity,and economic and environmental constraints.The optimal mix ratio corresponded to 0.2% fiber content or higher and sand content of up to 16%.Additionally,it was observed that the dynamic compressive strength of samples with 0.1% fibers or less deteriorated.Based on absorption energy density and failure modes analysis,the fiber content should be higher than or equal to 0.2% to effectively reduce the degree of fragmentation and increase the size of fragments.

Degradation of limestone calcined clay cement(LC^(3))mortars under sulfate attack

Limestone Calcined Clay Cement(LC^(3)) is a newly proposed low-carbon cement,which can effectively reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions of the traditional cement industry without changing the basic mechanical properties of cement-based materials.In this study,the degradation process of mortar samples of limestone and calcined clay cementitious material under sulfate attack is studied by both macroscopic and microscopic analysis.The results show that compared with pure Portland cement,the addition of calcined clay and limestone can significantly reduce the expansion rate,loss of dynamic modulus and mass loss of mortar specimens under sulfate attack.The addition of calcined clay and limestone will refine the pore size distribution of mortar specimens,then inhibiting the diffusion of sulfate and formation of corrosive products,therefore leading to a significant improvement of the sulfate resistance.