Study on Physical and Mechanical Properties of High-Water Material Made by Seawater

Abstract

In maritime engineering, marine-derived construction materials are seen as an efficient and cost-effective alternative. HWM is a novel inorganic cementitious material characterized by its high water content, rapid setting, and early strengthening. In this study, first, HWM was proposed to be produced from seawater and used in a maritime environment. Two groups of HWM samples with varied w/c ratios were prepared with fresh water and seawater, and their behavior was examined to assess the viability of HWM produced with seawater. The microstructures and chemical compositions were studied using SEM and XRD. Results indicated that as the w/c ratio increased from 3:1 to 6:1, the water content, density, and uniaxial compressive strength of HWM produced from seawater varied from 72.1% to 77.5%; 1.25 to 1.12 g/cm3, and 1.47 MPa to 0.39 MPa, respectively, which is 2–10% lower, 0.8–2.2% higher, and 13–45% stronger than that from fresh water. The chemical composition of HWM mixed with seawater is predominantly composed of ettringite, C-S-H gel, aluminum (Al(OH)3) glue, M-S-H gel, and Mg(OH)2. SO42− and Mg2+ in seawater participate in the hydration and hardening of HWM, resulting in an increase in the synthesis of ettringite and M-S-H gel, which makes the skeletal structure of HWM denser, hence increasing its strength. HWM derived from seawater retains excellent physical and mechanical properties. This work reveals the HWM-seawater interaction mechanism, elucidates the promising application prospect of HWM in maritime engineering, and paves the way to investigate its field performance.