Effects of Using Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Tailings as Lightweight Aggregate on the Mechanical Properties of Specified Density Concrete

Municipal solid waste incineration tailings were used as lightweight aggregate(MSWIT-LA)in the preparation of specified density concrete to study the effects on compressive strength,axial compressive strength,flexural strength,microhardness,total number of pores,pore area,and pore spacing.The results showed that the internal curing and morphological effects induced by an appropriate quantity of MSWIT-LA improved the compressive response of specified density concrete specimens,whereas an excessive quantity of MSWIT-LA significantly reduced their mechanical properties.An analysis of pore structure indicated that the addition of MSWIT-LA increased the total quantity of pores and promoted cement hydration,resulting in a denser microstructure than that of ordinary concrete.The results of a principal component analysis showed that the mechanical response of specified density concrete prepared with 25%MSWIT-LA was superior to that of an equivalent ordinary concrete.It was therefore concluded that MSWIT-LA can be feasibly applied to achieve excellent specified density concrete properties while utilising municipal solid waste incineration tailings to protect the environment and alleviate shortages of sand and gravel resources.

Simulation of Fracture Process of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Based on Digital Image Processing Technology

The mechanical properties and failure mechanism of lightweight aggregate concrete(LWAC)is a hot topic in the engineering field,and the relationship between its microstructure and macroscopic mechanical properties is also a frontier research topic in the academic field.In this study,the image processing technology is used to establish a micro-structure model of lightweight aggregate concrete.Through the information extraction and processing of the section image of actual light aggregate concrete specimens,the mesostructural model of light aggregate concrete with real aggregate characteristics is established.The numerical simulation of uniaxial tensile test,uniaxial compression test and three-point bending test of lightweight aggregate concrete are carried out using a new finite element method-the base force element method respectively.Firstly,the image processing technology is used to produce beam specimens,uniaxial compression specimens and uniaxial tensile specimens of light aggregate concrete,which can better simulate the aggregate shape and random distribution of real light aggregate concrete.Secondly,the three-point bending test is numerically simulated.Thirdly,the uniaxial compression specimen generated by image processing technology is numerically simulated.Fourth,the uniaxial tensile specimen generated by image processing technology is numerically simulated.The mechanical behavior and damage mode of the specimen during loading were analyzed.The results of numerical simulation are compared and analyzed with those of relevant experiments.The feasibility and correctness of the micromodel established in this study for analyzing the micromechanics of lightweight aggregate concrete materials are verified.Image processing technology has a broad application prospect in the field of concrete mesoscopic damage analysis.

Influence Mechanism of Curing Regimes on Interfacial Transition Zone of Lightweight Ultra-High Performance Concrete

This study aims to clarify the effects of curing regimes and lightweight aggregate(LWA)on the morphology, width and mechanical properties of the interfacial transition zone(ITZ) of ultra-high performance concrete(UHPC), and provide reference for the selection of lightweight ultra-high performance concrete(L-UHPC) curing regimes and the pre-wetting degree LWA. The results show that, under the three curing regimes(standard curing, steam curing and autoclaved curing), LWA is tightly bound to the matrix without obvious boundaries. ITZ width increases with the water absorption of LWA and decreases with increasing curing temperature. The ITZ microhardness is the highest when water absorption is 3%, and the microhardness value is more stable with the distance from LWA. Steam and autoclaved curing increase ITZ microhardness compared to standard curing. As LWA pre-wetting and curing temperatures increase, the degree of hydration at the ITZ increases, generating high-density CSH(HD CSH) and ultra-high-density CSH(UHD CSH), and reducing unhydrated particles in ITZ. ITZ micro-mechanical properties are optimized due to hydration products being denser.

Experimental study on lightweight expanded clay at particle level:Breakage of isolated grains

In this study,more than 1500 particles of lightweight expanded clay aggregate(LECA)are individually loaded up to breakage,following different patterns of contact(from 2 to 7)using a purpose-built apparatus.Consequently,a statistical model for predicting the number of fragments into which a grain breaks as a function of the number of contacts and their diameter is proposed.The number of fragments is found to follow a statistical binomial-type distribution function that depends on the number of contacts.In addition,a model based on Bayesian networks,capable of assessing the number of fragments and their size(measured as normalized weight)as a function of the number of contacts,is implemented.The proposed method is applicable when performing discrete element method(DEM)simulations on granular media in which grain breakage plays a relevant role.

Mechanical properties of epoxy asphalt mixture pavement with lightweight aggregate applied on bascule bridge

The high temperature anti-rutting performance,water stability and low temperature bending property of epoxy asphalt mixture with 0%,15%,25%,40%,and 70% granulated and circular lightweight aggregates by weight are tested,respectively.The dynamic responses under the vehicle load and in the opening process are analyzed to obtain the mechanical responses of pavements by using the finite element method.The complicated structure including a steel deck and a waterproof adhesive layer is made to verify the bond strength of the 2451-type epoxy asphalt binder.Research results show that the epoxy asphalt mixtures with lightweight aggregate replacement percentages from 0% to 70% all satisfy the requirements for steel bridge pavements.The epoxy asphalt mixture with a 70% circular lightweight aggregate replacement percentage is recommended because of its smaller density when compared with other epoxy asphalt mixtures.The shear stress increases with the increase in the opening angle and achieves its maximum at the maximum opening angle of 85°.Test results show that the Tianjin Bascule Bridge can be used for first opening after a 3 d pavement conditioning.

Investigation on the fabrication of lightweight aggregate with acid-leaching tailings of vanadium-bearing stone coal minerals and red mud

Proper treatment of acidleaching tailings(ALTs)of vanadiumbearing stone coal minerals is of great urgency.One approach is adding it into the raw materials during the preparation of lightweight aggregate(LWA).But clay is always needed.In this paper,another solid waste,red mud,was mixed with ALTs as a source of flux components instead of clay.Evaluation of the physical characteristics,morphological structures,as well as crystal phases during the sintering process were investigated.When their mixtures with a proper ratio were sintered at 1080℃,a glassy phase with certain viscosity was formed,and the gases generated simultaneously were encapsulated by the melt.Finally,LWA with a onehour water absorption as low as 1.46%,a bulk density as low as 728.76 kgm 3 and a compressive strength as high as 10.77 MPa was fabricated.

Effect of Lightweight Aggregate Pre-wetting on Microstructure and Permeability of Mixed Aggregate Concrete

The influence of lightweight aggregate （LWA） pre-wetting on the chemical bound water and pore structure of the paste around aggregate as well as concrete permeability were investi-gated. The results show that, in early age the dry LWA has significant effect on the formation of dense paste around it and improving the concrete impermeability. However the prewetted LWA has strong water-releasing effect in later age, which increases the hydration degree of the paste around it, and makes the adjacent paste develop a structure with low porosity and finer aperture, furthermore the concrete impermeability can be improved. It is suggested that, as for concrete with low durability requirement, the LWA without pre-wetting treatment can be used as long as meet the workability re-quirement of fresh concrete, the good impermeability of concrete can be gained as well. As for con-crete with high durability requirement, the prewetted LWA should be used, and the pre-wetting time should be extended as long as possible, in order to optimize the concrete structure in long term, and improve the concrete durability.

The Testing Strength Curves of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete by Rebound Method and Ultrasonic-rebound Combined Method

The strength curves of lightweight aggregate concrete （LWAC） were tested based on detecting LWAC with density of 1 400-1 900 kg/m3 and LWAC with strength grade of LC15-LC50 by rebound method and ultrasonic-rebound combined method.The results show that the common measured strength curves tested by above two methods can not satisfy the required accuracy of LWAC strength test.In addition,specified compressive strength curves of testing LWAC by rebound method and ultrasonic-rebound combined method are obtained,respectively.

Effect of Glass Powder on Chloride Ion Transport and Alkali-aggregate Reaction Expansion of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

The effects of glass powder on the strength development, chloride permeability and potential alkali-aggregate reaction expansion of lightweight aggregate concrete were investigated. Ground blast furnace slag, coal fly ash and silica fume were used as reference materials. The re- placement of cement with 25% glass powder slightly decreases the strengthes at ？ and 28 d, but shows no effect on 90 d＇s. Silica fume is very effective in improving both the strength and chloride penetration resistance, while ground glass powder is much more effective than blast furnace slag and fly ash in improving chloride penetration resistance of the concrete. When expanded shale or clay is used as coarse aggregate, the concrete containing glass powder does not exhibit deleterious expansion even if alkali-reactive sand is used as fine aggregate of the concrete.

Bending behaviour of lightweight aggregate concrete-filled steel tube spatial truss beam

A lightweight aggregate concrete-filled steel tube(LACFST) spatial truss beam was tested under bending load. The performance was studied by the analysis of the beam deflection and strains in its chords and webs. According to the test results, several assumptions were made to deduce the bearing capacity calculation method based on the force balance of the whole section. An optimal dimension relationship for the truss beam chords was proposed and verified by finite element analysis. Results show that the LACFST spatial truss beam failed after excessive deflection. The strain distribution agreed with Bernoulli-Euler theoretical prediction. The truss beam flexural bearing capacity calculation results matched test evidence with only a 3% difference between the two. Finite element analyses with different chord dimensions show that the ultimate bearing capacity increases as the chord dimensions increase when the chords have a diameter smaller than optimal one; otherwise, it remains almost unchanged as the chord dimensions increase.

Autogenous Shrinkage of High Strength Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

The characteristic of autogenous shrinkage（AS） and its effect on high strength lightweight aggregate concrete（HSLAC） were studied.The experimental results show that the main shrinkage of high strength concrete is AS and the amount of cement can affect the AS of HSLAC remarkably,At the early stage the AS of HSLAC is lower than that of high strength normal concrete,but it has a large growth at the later stage.The AS of high strength normal concrete becomes stable at 90d age,but HSLAC still has a high AS growth .It is found that adjusting the volume rate of lightweight aggregate,mixing with a proper dosage of fly ash and raising the water saturation degree of lightweight aggregate can markedly reduce the AS rate of HSLAC.

Influence of Polymer Addition on Performance and Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

The influence of polymer addition on microstructure, performance and mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concrete was investigated. It was found that the addition of polymer improved the performance and mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concrete. It was ascertained that the modification of microstructural uniformity and densification with the addition of polymer is responsible for the enhancement of mechanical properties. With respect to compressive strength and bending strength, the lightweight aggregate concrete added with 13% ethylene-acetate ethylene interpolymer (EVA) exhibits preferred mechanical properties. Key words lightweight aggregate concrete - polymer - microstructure - mechanical properties CLC number TU 528.2 Foundation item: Supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (50272045)Biography: Jiang Cong-sheng (1963-), male, Ph. D candidate, Associate professor, research direction: advanced architectural materials.

Engineering properties of sintered waste sludge as lightweight aggregate in a densified concrete mixture

The global trend towards carbon reduction,energy conservation,and sustainable use of resources has led to an increased focus on the use of waste sludge in construction.We used waste sludge from a reservoir to produce high-strength sintered lightweight aggregate,and then used the densified mixture design algorithm to create high-performance concrete from the sintered aggregate with only small amounts of mixing water and cement.Ultrasonic,electrical resistance and concrete strength efficiency tests were perfo...

Evaluation method of cracking resistance of lightweight aggregate concrete

The cracking behavior of lightweight aggregate concrete(LWAC) was investigated by mechanical analysis, SEM and cracking-resistant test where a shrinkage-restrained ring with a clapboard was used. The relationship between the ceramsite type and the cracking resistance of LWAC was built up and compared with that of normal-weight coarse aggregate concrete(NWAC). A new method was proposed to evaluate the cracking resistance of concrete, where the concepts of cracking coefficient ζt(t) and the evaluation index Acr(t) were proposed, and the development of micro-cracks and damage accumulation were recognized. For the concrete with an ascending cracking coefficient curve, the larger Acr(t) is, the lower cracking resistance of concrete is. For the concrete with a descending cracking coefficient curve, the larger Acr(t) is, the stronger the cracking resistance of concrete is. The evaluation results show that in the case of that all the three types of coarse aggregates in concrete are pre-soaked for 24 h, NWAC has the lowest cracking resistance, followed by the LWAC with lower water absorption capacity ceramsite and the LWAC with higher water absorption capacity ceramsite has the strongest cracking resistance. The proposed method has obvious advantages over the cracking age method, because it can evaluate the cracking behavior of concrete even if the concrete has not an observable crack.

Preparation of Novel Core-shell Non-sintered Lightweight Aggregate and Its Application in Wallboard for Better Properties

Due to the relatively high density of conventional non-sintered lightweight aggregate(NLA),a low-density core-shell NLA(CNLA) was developed.Moreover,two types of porous lightweight aggregate concrete (PLAC) for wallboard were designed,using both foam and lightweight aggregates.The effects of LA on lightweight concrete workability,compressive strength,dry shrinkage,and thermal conductivity were studied and compared.The bulk density of CNLA can be lowered to 500 kg/m^(3),and its cylinder crushing strength is 1.6 MPa.PLACs also have compressive strengths ranging from 7.8 to 11.8 MPa,as well as thermal conductivity coefficients ranging from 0.193 to 0.219 W/(m·K^(-1)).The CNLA bonds better to the paste matrix at the interface transition zone,and CNLA concrete has a superior pore structure than SLA concrete,resulting in a 20% improvement in fluidity,a 10% increase in strength,a 6% reduction in heat conductivity,and an 11% decrease in drying shrinkage.

Preparation and properties of geopolymer-lightweight aggregate refractory concrete

Geopolymer-lightweight aggregate refractory concrete (GLARC) was prepared with geopolymer and lightweight aggregate. The mechanical property and heat-resistance (950 ℃) of GLARC were investigated. The effects of size of aggregate and mass ratio of geopolymer to aggregate on mechanical and thermal properties were also studied. The results show that the highest compressive strength of the heated refractory concrete is 43.3 MPa,and the strength loss is only 42%. The mechanical property and heat-resistance are influenced by the thickness of geopolymer covered with aggregate,which can be expressed as the quantity of geopolymer on per surface area of aggregate. In order to show the relationship between the thickness of geopolymer covered with aggregate and the thermal property of concrete,equal thickness model is presented,which provides a reference for the mix design of GLARC. For the haydite sand with size of 1.18-4.75 mm,the best amount of geopolymer per surface area of aggregate should be in the range of 0.300-0.500 mg/mm2.

Synthesis of Lightweight Spherical Forsterite Aggregates and Research on Their Application in Mgo Based Castables

Magnesite fine powder, natural silica powder,light-burned magnesia fine powder, silica fume and middle grade magnesia fine powder were used as the starting materials,and silica sol as binder to get high purity lightweight spherical forsterite aggregates. The mixture was granulated on a disc pelletizer and then calcined at 1 400 ℃ for 3h. The synthesized spherical forsterite aggregates were added in Mg O based castables with MgO-SiO2-H2O binding system to replace equaldensity high purity common forsterite aggregates. Effect of spherical forsterite aggregates addition on properties of MgO based castables was investigated. The results show that: compared with common aggregates,lightweight spherical forsterite aggregates can improve castables ’flow ability and decrease water addition; addition of spherical aggregates has little effect on cold strength of castables; with the increase of spherical aggregate addition,shrinkage of specimens after drying and heating at intermediate temperatures decreases,but the expansion of specimens after heating at high temperatures increases,bulk density decreases and apparent porosity increases,and thermal conductivity declines.

Brittleness Generation Mechanism and Failure Model of High Strength Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

The brittleness generation mechanism of high strength lightweight aggregate con-crete(HSLWAC) was presented, and it was indicated that lightweight aggregate was the vulnerable spot, initiating brittleness. Based on the analysis of the brittleness failure by the load-deflection curve, the brittleness presented by HSLWAC was more prominent compared with ordinary lightweight aggregate concrete of the same strength grade. The model of brittleness failure was also established.

Influence of Kyanite Content on Microstructures and Properties of Castables Containing Spherical Lightweight Mullite Aggregates

Five lightweight mullite castables were prepared using the lightweight mullite aggregate（M45A） with narrow particle size distribution and spherical shape,mullite powder（M45P）,kyanite powder,microsilica and Secar 71 cement as raw materials. After the specimens fired at 1100 ℃,1200 ℃ and 1300 ℃ for 3h,respectively,the effects of kyanite contents（ 8%,10%,12%,14%,16% by mass） on the physical properties,phase composition and microstructures were investigated through an X-ray diffractometer（ XRD）,a scanning election microscopy（ SEM） and a microscopy measurement method,etc. The results show that,for the specimens fired at 1300 ℃ with the kyanite content from 8%to16%, the bulk densities and apparent porosities change little,but the cold modulus of rupture and the crushing strengths decrease significantly,and the linear change rates increase from-0.87% to 0.64%. The most apposite mode is the specimen containing 12% kyanite fired at 1300 ℃, which has a high crushing strength of 29.3 MPa,a low linear change of 0.18%,an apparent porosity of 36.8% and a bulk density of 1.73 g/cm^3.

Properties of Castables Made of Spherical Lightweight Mullite Aggregates

The castables were prepared from spherical lightweight mullite aggregates,bauxite,SiO2 fine powder,α-Al2O3 fine powder and calcium aluminate cement.The performance changes of the castables were studied after heat treatment at 110℃for 24 h,1100℃for 3 h,1200℃for 3 h and 1300℃for 3 h.The results illustrate that the cold modulus of rupture and hot modulus of rupture of the castable increase with the rising heat treatment temperature.The cold crushing strength shows a“V”change trend when the heat treatment temperature rises from 1100 to 1300℃.After the specimen is heat treated at 1300℃,the thermal conductivity is 0.500 W·m-1·K-1,0.586 W·m-1·K-1,0.595 W·m-1·K-1 at 300,600 and 900℃,respectively.The SEM analysis explains the change trends of these properties.The prepared lightweight mullite castables can be applied as the working lining of hot-blast furnaces.