Expansion Performance and Microstructure of High-performance Concrete using Differently Scaled MgO Agents and Mineral Powder

To investigate the assumptions proposed in this paper,the evolution law governing the strength and expansion performance of MgO and nano-MgO micro-expansive concrete in the environment of mineral powder was firstly observed in this study.Secondly,SEM,XRD,and TG-DSC microscopic tests were conducted to reveal the effects of the active mineral-powder admixture on the hydration degree and expansion performance of MgO and nano-MgO in HPC.Our experimental results successfully verified our hypothesis,which indicated that the expansion performance of macro-MgO and nano-MgO was indeed depressed by the addition of active mineral power admixtures,even though the mechanical property of concrete composites was effectively improved.Furthermore,the hydration test also demonstrated the negative interference on the mineral powders,which was induced by the expansion agents.It is found the amounts of hydrates tend to decrease because the mineral powder ratio reaches and exceeds 40%.Moreover,it is also concluded the effect of expansion agents is governed by the alkalinity cement paste,especially for the nano-MgO.In other words,the expansion performance of nano-MgO will vary more obviously with the hydration process,than MgO.The results of this study provide that effective experimental and theoretical data support the hydration-inhibition mechanism of magnesium expansive agents.

The Influence of Mesoscopic Characteristics of Mineral Powders Fillers on the Rutting Factor(G^(*)/sinδ)of Asphalt Mortar

This study aims to investigate the efiect of the mesoscopic characteristics of mineral powder fillers on the rutting resistance of asphalt mortar.Extraction and sieving tests were used to obtain the buton rock asphalt(BRA)ash with particle size smaller than 0.075 mm,which is consistent with that of the conventional mineral powder.The mesoscopic characteristics of BRA ash and conventional mineral powder were measured by SEM image analysis and the osmotic free pressure water method.Mesoscopic structure models of structural and free asphalts in mortar were obtained.The 70#matrix asphalt was used to prepare two kinds of asphalt mortar with BRA ash and conventional mineral powders fillers.The rutting factor of the two asphalt mortars was tested by dynamic shear test(DSR).Test results show that the ash extracted from BRA has a similar mesoscopic classification with the conventional mineral powder.Still,its fractal dimensions are larger,indicating the particles in BRA ash have more complex shapes and rougher surfaces,which is beneficial for forming structural asphalt and subsequently increasing the rutting factor(G*/sinδ),i e,improving the rutting resistance of the asphalt mortar.

Effect of Substitution of Cement by Mineral Powders on the Physico-mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Sand Concretes

The approach that contributes to the development of eco-materials in construction is the use of mineral powders,which can improve mechani­cal properties and reduce cement consumption.This article aims to study the effect of substitution by mass of cement with mineral powders on the physicomechanical properties and microstructure of sand concretes.The used mineral powders are A:the limestone,B:the natural pozzolan,C:the hydraulic lime,D:(1/3 limestone+1/3 natural pozzolan+1/3 hydraulic lime),and E:(1/2 natural pozzolan+1/2 hydraulic lime).The studied percentages are 5%,10%and 15%,in both separated and combined states.The studied properties are workability,compressive strength,the elastic­ity modulus in compression,shrinkage and microstructure analysis.The objective is to target the optimal percentage of the substitution of cement with mineral powders,which ensures the best compromise between the main properties of the studied sand concretes.The obtained results show that the optimal percentage is in favor of the substitution of cement by 10%D(1/3 limestone,1/3 natural pozzolan and 1/3 hydraulic lime).Even the 15%of mineral powder D,presented similar performances compared to the sand concrete(without mineral powders).Finally,in the context of the development of eco-materials,it should be noted that the 10%D and 15%D(1/3 limestone,1/3 natural pozzolan and 1/3 hydraulic lime)contribute to decrease the use of cement and consequently to reduce of CO2 emissions.

Evaluation on Moisture Resistance of Asphalt Mixture with Active Mineral Powder

A new type of filler named 'active mineral powder' (AMP) was introduced and applied in asphalt mixture in order to improve the adhesive property of gneiss or granite aggregates and asphalt. The treated mixtures contained 2% AMP by weight of the total aggregates as filler. The moisture stabilization properties of various combined mixtures were analyzed using the adhesive test,Marshall stability and indirect tensile strength tests. Five frost-thaw cycles test was conducted to further investigate the effect of active filler on asphalt mixtures in the indirect tensile strength experiment. The results show that active filler improves the moisture stability of mixtures with gneiss and granite. The active mechanism of AMP was also discussed in this paper.