Mechanical Properties and Environmental Evaluation of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete with Aeolian Sand.

Hongyan Chu,Danqian Wang,Liguo Wang,Fengjuan Wang,Taotao Feng

doi:10.3390/ma13143148

Hongyan Chu, Danqian Wang + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13143148

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Abstract

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has received increasing attention in recent years due to its remarkable ductility, durability, and mechanical properties. However, the manufacture of UHPC can cause serious environmental issues. This work addresses the feasibility of using aeolian sand to produce UHPC, and the mix design, environmental impact, and mechanical characterization of UHPC are investigated. We designed the mix proportions of the UHPC according to the modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing model. We studied the workability, microstructure, porosity, mechanical performance, and environmental impact of UHPC with three different water/binder ratios. The following findings were noted: (1) the compressive strength, flexural strength, and Young’s modulus of the designed UHPC samples were in the ranges of 163.9–207.0 MPa, 18.0–32.2 MPa, and 49.3–58.9 GPa, respectively; (2) the compressive strength, flexural strength, and Young’s modulus of the UHPC increased with a decrease in water/binder ratio and an increase in the steel fibre content; (3) the compressive strength–Young’s modulus correlation of the UHPC could be described by an exponential formula; (4) the environmental impact of UHPC can be improved by decreasing its water/binder ratio. These findings suggest that it is possible to use aeolian sand to manufacture UHPC, and this study promotes the application of aeolian sand for this purpose.

Highlights

Desertification is one of the most serious global environmental degradation problems, and deserts currently cover approximately 1/3 of the Earth’s land area
We investigated the mix proportion design, mechanical characterization, and environmental impact of Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) made with aeolian sand
The mix proportions of UHPC were designed according to the modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing theory. 40 wt.% cement was replaced by fly ash and silica fume in the UHPC designed in this study

Summary

Introduction

Desertification is one of the most serious global environmental degradation problems, and deserts currently cover approximately 1/3 of the Earth’s land area. In China, the desertification area is approximately 1.54 million km , accounting for approximately 16% of China’s land mass. With the development of the Chinese economy, the construction of China’s infrastructure has undergone sustained and rapid development, with the result that building sand availability cannot meet the demand. There is an acute shortage of medium and coarse sand in north-western China. In many regions of the Earth ( in large arid areas), the shortage of building sand is a growing problem. The development and utilization of aeolian sand have a practical significance from the perspective of sustainable development and have far-reaching social significance and practical engineering value for these areas

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