Coral Aggregate Research Articles

Failure criterion and compressive constitutive model of seawater concrete incorporating coral aggregate subjected to biaxial loading

Failure criterion and compressive constitutive model of seawater concrete incorporating coral aggregate subjected to biaxial loading

Mesoscopic analysis on the coral aggregate reinforced concrete column under axial and eccentric compression

Coral aggregate concrete (CAC) has been identified as a promising building material for reef engineering construction, yet its practical application remains challenging due to incomplete research on the mechanical behaviors of the CAC beam and column components. In this study, a 3D mesoscale modeling approach considering the heterogeneity of CAC was utilized to investigate the mechanical performance of coral aggregate reinforced concrete columns (CARCCs) under axial and eccentric compression. Through numerical delineation of failure processes and damage mechanisms at the mesoscale, comprehensive parametric analysis integrating both numerical simulations and experimental validations were executed to assess the load-bearing capacity of CARCC. Results indicate that the mesoscale model has significant reliability in simulating the deformation and cracking failure behaviors and analyzing the load-displacement relationships of CARCC under axial and eccentric compression loads. When under axial loads, macroscopic cracks in CARCC primarily develop in an oblique manner, precipitating significant concrete spalling and extensive cracking failure along the longitudinal axis. Under eccentric loads, failure advances from crack initiation at load points to abrupt vertical fractures in stressed zones, manifesting a decrement in the load-bearing capacity with escalating eccentricity. Furthermore, the strength grade and reinforcement ratio exert a profound influence on the load-bearing capacity, with disparate impacts under varied loading conditions. It is concluded that reinforcement strategies tailored to specific loading conditions have significant implications for the design and safety of reinforced concrete structures in reef engineering projects.

Penetration test and numerical simulation of scaled earth penetrator for coral aggregate seawater concrete cylindrical target

In order to study the mechanical properties of coral aggregate seawater concrete (CASC) subjected to the penetration of scaled earth penetrator, firstly, the penetration depth and damage of CASC and ordinary sand-gravel concrete under the same conditions were compared by experimental research, and the influence of concrete strength and projectile velocity on penetration performance was analyzed. Then, the three-dimensional mesoscopic model is used to simulate the test conditions, and the failure process and failure mechanism are analyzed. The results show that under the same penetration conditions, as the strength of CASC increases, the crater diameter becomes larger, which is consistent with the conclusion of ordinary concrete (OPC). During the penetration process, the CASC and the mortar are destroyed as a whole. At the same time, as the penetration speed of the projectile increases, the width of the crack on the surface of the target increases. When the projectile velocity is low, the anti-penetration performance of CASC with the same strength is not as good as that of OPC with the same strength. For the target with a thickness of 25 cm, the penetration depth of the concrete target with the same strength will increase with the increase of the velocity of the projectile. When the velocity of the projectile is constant, the penetration depth of CASC will decrease with the increase of the strength. The numerical simulation results obtained by using the K & C mesoscopic model are in good agreement with the experimental results, indicating that the model and its model parameters have high reliability in the analysis of CASC penetration mechanical properties.

Split tensile strength of fiber-reinforced coral aggregate concrete: Deep learning model and experimental validation

Machine learning methods are increasingly becoming an important research field for solving the complex mechanical behavior of concrete materials. A reliable deep learning model was developed based on a dataset consisting of 319 experimental data points to predict the split tensile strength of fiber-reinforced coral aggregate concrete (FRCAC). The feature selection was carried out using correlation analysis, and the neural network structure was optimized by adjusting hyperparameters based on the 10-fold cross-validation (CV). Subsequently, six statistical indicators were employed to evaluate the accuracy and generalization ability of the model. The deep neural network (DNN) model demonstrates excellent performance, with R2, MAE, and MAPE of 0.98, 0.181 MPa, and 0.037 for the training dataset and 0.95, 0.286 MPa, and 0.074 for the test dataset, respectively. Additionally, 24 sets of concrete proportions are designed using the trained DNN model, and the results indicate that the absolute error and relative error between predicted and experimental values are less than 0.4 MPa and 6.8 %, respectively. The feature analysis based on SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) reveals that volume fraction, curing age, water-binder ratio, and the tensile strength of fiber have the highest contribution in estimating the split tensile strength of FRCAC. This research can provide a reference for optimizing the design of FRCAC.

Experimental investigation on the dynamic tensile characteristics and microstructure of recycled coral aggregate concrete(RCAC)

Experimental investigation on the dynamic tensile characteristics and microstructure of recycled coral aggregate concrete(RCAC)

Experimental and numerical simulation study on the dynamic behavior of basalt-polypropylene fibers reinforced coral aggregate concrete

This study investigates the failure mode, dynamic compressive strength, strain rate effect and critical strain of basalt-polypropylene fiber-reinforced coral concrete (BPRCAC) under impact load using a 75mm diameter split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The Holmquist-Johnson-Cook (HJC) model is modified to obtain parameters such as strain rate effect and strength based on the test results, utilizing LS-DYNA for numerical simulation analysis. The results indicated that the dynamic compressive strength and critical strain of BPRCAC significantly respond to the strain rate, increasing with the strain rate. A relationship between the dynamic increase factor (DIF) and the strain rate of BPRCAC is developed, showing that the DIF increases linearly with the decimal logarithm of the strain rate. However, the critical strain of BPRCAC increases linearly with the strain rate. The addition of basalt fiber (BF) and polypropylene fiber (PF) improves the strain rate sensitivity of the dynamic compressive strength, with increases of 19.21%, 7.37%, 22.60%, and 11.37% observed for BCAC-0.1, PCAC-0.1, BPCAC-0.1, and BPCAC-0.2, respectively, compared to CAC at a strain rate of 133−143s-1. The combined content of BF and PF has a more significant effect on the strain rate sensitivity of the critical strain, with BPCAC-0.2 exhibiting a critical strain 50.79%−74.42% higher than that of the other groups compared to CAC. The stress-strain curves and failure modes of the specimens simulated by LS-DYNA agree with the experimental results, verifying the applicability of the improved HJC model to BPRCAC.

Behavior of BFRP-confined geopolymer-based coral aggregate concrete columns under axial compression: Effects of specimen sizes

Behavior of BFRP-confined geopolymer-based coral aggregate concrete columns under axial compression: Effects of specimen sizes

Long-term study on the mechanical properties of the ITZ in coral aggregate concrete and its impact on material durability

The rich coral reef resources on the island make coral aggregate concrete (CAC) widely applied in marine engineering construction. This study extensively investigates the mechanical properties of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) within CAC and its consequential influence on the overall mechanical performance of concrete. This article uses the interface bonding strength method, microscopic hardness technology, and X -ray diffraction (XRD) test. It is found that the performance of ITZ is critical to the overall performance of CAC. Optimizing the formation of cement paste and regulating the generation of hydrophilic products can significantly enhance the interface strength and durability of concrete. Our findings demonstrate a clear mathematical correlation between the splitting tensile strength of interface bonding and the microhardness value of the ITZ, offering a novel theoretical framework and practical approach for concrete structure design. The characteristics of hydrophilic products within the ITZ, such as the orientation and dimensions of CH crystals, directly influence the intricate properties of concrete. Therefore, in the process of concrete preparation and construction, attention should be paid to the control and optimization of these micro-structural parameters.

Fractional-order burgers model for coral concrete creep

With the rapid development of marine engineering construction, coral aggregate has been widely applied in practical engineering. Its creep characteristics must be emphasized, but only a few experimental studies have been conducted, and theoretical research has not yet been reported. In this study, based on the traditional Burgers rheological model and using the fractional order software components Able dashpot, constructs a fractional order creep model for coral concrete and provides a calculation method. Comparison shows that the traditional Burgers rheological model cannot adjust the creep rate and development degree in calculations, resulting in a large deviation between its predicted results and experimental values. However, the fractional order model established in this paper aligns with the creep development law of coral concrete, and its calculated values match well with experimental values, making it suitable for predicting the creep characteristics of coral concrete under different water-cement ratios. Sensitivity analysis of the fractional order can achieve effective control over the prediction of creep development in coral concrete in practical engineering. The fractional order creep model established in this paper can provide a basis for predicting and evaluating the long-term performance of coral concrete in practical engineering.

Flexural behavior of coral aggregate concrete beams reinforced with BFRP bars under seawater corrosion environments

The combined utilization of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites with coral aggregate concrete (CAC) in remote island areas contributes to the reduced construction cost and construction period, offering a promising application. However, the evolution pattern and deterioration mechanism of flexural behavior for FRP bars reinforced CAC beams in marine service environments remains unclear. Thus, this paper investigates the flexural behavior of basalt-FRP (BFRP) bars reinforced CAC beams under seawater immersion and dry-wet cycle conditions using laboratory-accelerated aging methods. The research considers the effects of exposure temperature and corrosion age on their failure modes, flexural stiffness, ultimate loading capacity, and deformation deflection. The experimental results revealed that with the increase in corrosion age and exposure temperature, the amount of vertical cracks of CAC beams decreased and their crack depth also exhibited a slight reduction, but their crack width and spacing at failure significantly increased. After being attacked by seawater environments, the load-deflection curves of CAC beams experienced an enhanced slope of the ascending section (i.e., flexural stiffness), but this strengthened flexural stiffness did not result in an enhancement in the ultimate load capacity. Instead, with prolonged corrosion and higher temperatures, the ultimate load of CAC beams displayed significant degradation, accompanied by reduced mid-span deflection. After 12 months of seawater exposure to wet-dry cycle conditions at 60 °C, the ultimate load and mid-span deflection of CAC beams degraded by approximately 25.0 % and 56.6 %, respectively. The study also predicted the flexural bearing capacity of CAC beams utilizing existing specifications for FRP-reinforced normal aggregate concrete (NAC). It was concluded that the formulae for flexural loading capacity for FRP-reinforced NAC beams were still suitable for CAC beams.

Impact response and constitutive model of basalt-polypropylene fiber-reinforced coral aggregate concrete

Basalt-polypropylene fiber-reinforced coral concrete (BPFRCAC) is a popular choice for engineering materials in the reef environment, but the dynamic behavior of BPFRCAC under extreme dynamic loads remains unclear. This study explores the impact response of BPFRCAC at strain rates ranging from 31 to 141 s−1 using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). It examines the effects of strain rate on the dynamic mechanical properties of BPFRCAC, and establishes quantitative models of the relationship between the strain rate and key mechanical parameters, including dynamic compressive strength, critical strain, dynamic elastic modulus, and toughness index. The results showed that these properties of BPFRCAC are significantly influenced by the strain rate, showing increases that correlate with the strain rate. The addition of basalt fibers (BF) and polypropylene fibers (PF) not only mitigates the failure extent of BPFRCAC but also enhances the strain rate's impact on its dynamic compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity, particularly when both fibers are mixed. The failure modes of BF and PF depend on the strain rate; at lower strain rates, the probability of fiber pull-out is higher than at higher strain rates, where BF and PF are more likely to snap. A viscoelastic dynamic damage constitutive model suitable for BPFRCAC is proposed, which accurately describes the dynamic mechanical behavior of BPFRCAC. These findings provide important design insights into the use of BPFRCAC under impact conditions, and promote its wide application in reef construction projects.

Investigation of mechanical characterization and damage evolution of coral reef sand concrete using in-situ CT and digital volume correlation techniques

Coral reef sand concrete (CRSC) plays an indispensable role in island reef projects, but limited knowledge of its damage poses safety and stability concerns for coral reef sand concrete structures. Therefore, the in-situ computed tomography (CT) is employed to investigate the strength and deformation, and pore structure evolution of coral reef sand concrete under uniaxial load. Additionally, the crack propagation and three-dimensional strain field evolution under different stress states are revealed by the digital volume correlation (DVC) techniques. The results demonstrate that when the stress is below 35.79 MPa, the porosity gradually decreases as the stress increases. However, when the stress exceeds 35.79 MPa, the local porosity increases with the rising stress, and the porosity at 39.89 MPa is higher than the initial porosity. Moreover, stresses evidently concentrate at areas of local maximum porosity, resulting in the initiation and development of cracks in those regions. During the failure process, CRSC experiences splitting damage firstly caused by longitudinal cracks, followed by the extension of these cracks into oblique cracks, resulting in shear damage. Coral aggregate is the weak phase in CRSC, exhibiting transgranular fractures. Additionally, CRSC exhibits significant strain in the pores and coral aggregates, leading to crack development along the direction of the pores or coral aggregates. Therefore, this study offers a deeper understanding of the damage mechanisms of CRSC, providing theoretical support for its further research and practical application in far-sea projects.

Response of seawater sea sand coral aggregate concrete columns reinforced with hybrid glass fiber reinforced polymer and stainless steel bars under axial compression

Response of seawater sea sand coral aggregate concrete columns reinforced with hybrid glass fiber reinforced polymer and stainless steel bars under axial compression

Dynamic compressive behavior of hybrid basalt-polypropylene fibers reinforced coral aggregate concrete

In this study, the effects of strain rate, fiber type, and hybrid fiber content on the dynamic mechanical properties of basalt-polypropylene fiber reinforced coral aggregate concrete (HBPRCAC) under impact loading are investigated using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) with a 75 mm diameter. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of basalt fiber (BF) and polypropylene fiber (PF), particularly when mixed, effectively reduced the failure of HBPRCAC. With an increase in strain rate, the failure of HBPRCAC exhibited a more severe pattern; even at low strain rates, cracks directly passed through the coral aggregate, causing damage. The failure modes of BF and PF were related to the strain rate. The probability of BF and PF being pulled out was higher at low strain rates than at high strain rates, where BF and PF predominantly exhibited snap failures. Additionally, the dynamic increase factor (DIF) of the dynamic compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity for HBPRCAC demonstrated a decimal logarithmic linear increase with strain rate, while the dynamic critical strain and impact toughness of HBPRCAC exhibited a linear increase with strain rate. The mixed addition of BF and PF had varying effects on the strain rate sensitivity of HBPRCAC's dynamic mechanical properties, but the fiber mixing content was significantly positively correlated with the strain rate effects on the dynamic compressive mechanical properties of HBPRCAC. The dynamic compressive strengths of BPCAC-0.1 and BPCAC-0.2 at strain rates of 128–135 s−1 were increased by 78.66 % and 88.47 %, respectively, compared to those at strain rates of 33–36 s−1. The dynamic moduli of elasticity for BPCAC-0.1 and BPCAC-0.2 showed increases of 16.47 % and 13.06 %, respectively, compared to that of coral aggregate concrete. Moreover, the critical strain and impact toughness of BPCAC-0.2 were the highest at all tested strain rates.

Experimental study on impact performance of seawater sea-sand concrete with recycled aggregates

On islands distant from the mainland, obtaining raw materials for concrete production is often more challenging. To achieve sustainable development in island reef engineering, using discarded marine concrete and coral waste generated during island construction as recycled aggregates are of considerable significance. The preparation of Recycled Coral Aggregate Concrete (RCAC) for island reef engineering thus holds substantial importance. In this study, RCAC and Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC), both designed with a compressive strength of C60, were prepared. Initially, the fundamental physical properties of the recycled coarse aggregate, such as apparent density, water absorption, and crushing index, were determined. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of the quasi-static mechanical properties of RCAC with varying proportions of recycled coral coarse aggregate (RCCA) was conducted. Furthermore, the impact compression mechanical properties of different RCAC specimens under various strain rates were examined using the Ф100mm Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus. The microstructure and long-term drying shrinkage performance of RCAC were also analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and a drying shrinkage apparatus. The finding indicated that the 28-day compressive strength of RCAC specimens with 100% coarse aggregate replacement reached a maximum of 62.4 MPa. The quasi-static compressive strength of RCAC specimens with 50% and 100% RCCA replacement was only 11.5% and 14.2% lower than that of NAC, respectively. Under impact loading, the dynamic compressive strength of RCAC specimens increased with the strain rate, with peak stress exhibiting an approximately linear relationship with the strain rate. The energy dissipation of RCAC specimens generally occurred in three stages, with the reflected and absorbed energies of the specimens increasing linearly with strain rate. At the same strain rate, the transmitted energy of RCAC specimens was higher than that of NAC specimens. Microstructural analysis revealed that the morphology of recycled coral aggregate is characterized by its porous and rough surface. The interfacial transition zone between the recycled coral aggregate and the cement mortar was relatively dense. Incorporating recycled coarse aggregate significantly affected the drying shrinkage properties of the concrete, with higher contents of RCCA leading to greater drying shrinkage rates.

Analysis of service life and reliability of C50CASC structures in the splash zone of the South China Sea

This paper presents the results of a reliability analysis of the service life of hydraulic structures made of C50 coral aggregate seawater concrete (CASC) in the splash zone of the South China Sea. The analysis was conducted using the ChaDuraLife V1.0 software, which is based on reliability theory and modified chloride diffusion theory. Several parameters such as the surface free chloride concentration (Cs), chloride binding capacity (R), free chloride diffusion coefficient (Df), apparent chloride diffusion coefficient (Da), and time-dependent index (m) were considered in this analysis. The (1-m) boundary condition is adopted in this study. The effect of concrete cover thickness on the service life of CASC structures was discussed. The influence of rebar types and external protective measures on the service life was also investigated. Durability recommendations for C50CASC hydraulic structures in the splash zone were proposed. The minimum concrete cover thickness needed to achieve the service life of 30a to 100a was determined to provide theoretical support for the application of CASC in island and reef engineering. The results found that the best technical measures for extending the service life were the application of 2205 duplex stainless steel bars and silane protective coating on the surface of concrete structures. A concrete cover thickness of 6–7 cm could achieve the service life of 50a, while a thickness of 8.5–10 cm, could achieve the service life of 100a.

A new insight to investigate the strain distribution, evolution, and crack development of cement-stabilized coral aggregate

Cement-stabilized coral aggregate (CSCA) can be used as a base material for roads and airports in island engineering. In this study, four-point bending (FPB) tests were conducted on CSCA with different prefabricated crack depths, and distributed fiber optic sensor (DFOS) was used. The testing process of the CSCA beams was simulated using an improved bond-based peridynamic (BBPD) model that combines the bilinear damage principle and fracture parameters random field. The results indicate that DFOS has the potential to monitor strain evolution and detect crack in CSCA. The strain distribution in the spanwise direction of the beam during the plastic phase presents a single peak, which can be described by a Pearson-VII function. The fracture location can be predicted from the positions of the tensile strain peaks. The neutral axis begins to move gradually toward the compressed part of the specimen after the external load greater than 0.6 Pmax. The compression modulus of the CSCA material peaks is 4500 MPa, that is three times larger than its tensile modulus and can satisfy the requirement of semi-rigid base layer construction of island roads. The improved BBPD model is able to effectively simulate the strain-softening behavior of CSCA materials with consideration of the effect of material inhomogeneity on the actual fracture path. The peak load prediction error was less than 7 %. The R2 between the numerically predicted load-displacement curves and the test results were bigger than 0.95. The improved BBPD method can predict the actual fracture location of the specimen with a horizontal position deviation of less than 2 cm. The bending fracture process of CSCA are further explored from both experimental and numerical simulations by this study.

Diffusion law of sulfate ions in coral aggregate seawater concrete in the marine environment

Abstract To investigate the diffusion of sulfate ions in coral seawater concrete under the mechanism of the wetting–drying cycle of sulfate solution, the concentration of sulfate ions in coral concrete at different depths under different cycling cycles was tested in this experiment. Finite-element numerical simulations were then carried out using COMSOL software. The results showed that the sulfate ion concentration in the concrete at the same depth increased steadily with time, and the erosion depth also increased. The numerical simulations successfully reproduced the diffusion of sulfate ions in coral seawater concrete under the mechanism of the wetting–drying cycle of sulfate solutions.

Flexural durability of BFRP bars reinforced geopolymer-based coral aggregate concrete beams conditioned in marine environments

Geopolymer is an environmentally friendly material that utilizes industrial solid waste, boasting reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. It exhibits superior performance in terms of corrosion resistance and thermal stability compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). These excellent properties are crucial for marine engineering construction, offering significant value and application potential in marine engineering materials. In this study, geopolymer was employed as the cementitious material, with marine resources like seawater and coral aggregates sourced from remote island areas effectively utilized, and basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars were incorporated as reinforcements to develop BFRP bars reinforced geopolymer-based coral aggregate concrete (GPCAC) beams. Laboratory aging procedures were employed to investigate the deterioration patterns and damage mechanisms affecting the flexural behavior of GPCAC beams under seawater immersion and dry-wet cycling conditions, comparing them with cement-based coral aggregate concrete (CAC) beams. The experimental results indicated that both CAC and GPCAC beams under simulated marine environments experienced a reduction in the number of cracks upon damage, but their crack spacing and width increased. Moreover, the flexural stiffness of CAC and GPCAC beams after seawater attacks tended to increase, but this increased stiffness did not translate to a higher loading capacity. Conversely, as the corrosion age increased, the ultimate load and deflection values of both CAC and GPCAC beams decreased to varying extents, with the load-carrying capacity degradation more pronounced in seawater dry-wet cycling environments than in seawater immersion conditions. Compared to CAC beams, GPCAC beams exhibited superior resistance to seawater erosion. Following 12 months of seawater dry-wet cycling, the ultimate loading capacity of CAC beams decreased by 12.2%, while that of GPCAC beams only degraded by 9.5%. Predictions of the flexural capacity of GPCAC beams using equations from existing FRP-reinforced normal aggregate concrete (NAC) specifications indicated slightly higher values than the experimental values, with an error margin of less than 15%. Overall, the formulas for the flexural capacity of NAC beams in existing FRP-reinforced NAC codes remained applicable to CAC and GPCAC beams.

Failure criterion and elasto-plastic constitutive model of seawater concrete incorporating coral aggregate subjected to triaxial loading

Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilizing coral reef debris as a replacement for river sands and natural coarse aggregates (NA). A novel type of seawater concrete, designated as CAC, was developed to effectively utilise raw coral debris and reduce material transportation costs. This study aimed to examine the mechanical properties of CAC under both uniaxial and triaxial loading conditions. Consequently, 18 prism uniaxial specimens and 90 triaxial cylinder specimens were prepared, considering concrete strength (C20, C40), replacement ratio of coral coarse aggregate (CA) (50 %, 75 % and 100 %), and lateral stress ratio (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5). The results indicated that the increase in peak stress and strain is associated with the triaxial stress ratio and the cylinder compressive strength of coarse aggregate. Furthermore, the compressive meridian of CAC is lower than that of conventional concrete. Based on the test results in this study, a modified William-Warnke failure criterion for CAC was established. Additionally, an elasto-plastic model considering a modified hardening and softening law was suggested for CAC under tri-axial loading. The proposed models were found to be well verified by the test results.