High Performance Concrete Research Articles

Research on the splitting tensile dynamic mechanics performance of post-high-temperature high-performance concrete

High-performance concrete (HPC) structures were affected by secondary hazards after a fire, research on its dynamic mechanics performance is vital for assessing post-disaster structural safety. Therefore, the mechanism which governs impact of coupling among high temperature, cooling mode and strain rate on the splitting tensile mechanics performance of HPC was delved; impact factors including five temperatures, two cooling modes and four strain rates were designed; digital image technology (DIC) and hydraulic servo instrument were adopted to investigate the splitting tensile mechanics performance of HPC with Brazilian disc. Failure mechanical parameters of HPC under varying operational conditions and full-field deformation parameters of the whole loading process were obtained. As indicated by research result, the splitting tensile strength of test specimens cooled naturally from 200 °C to 600 °C was higher than that of specimens cooled rapidly, while the splitting tensile strength under natural cooling from 800 ℃ decreased by 6 % compared with rapid cooling. At the same temperature, splitting tensile strength of HPC was gradually increased with the increase of strain rate, and Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) was significantly increased, showing relatively high rate sensitivity. With increasing temperature, the increase in DIF for HPC declined somewhat. As revealed by the result of DIC analysis, at high temperature, damage was relatively mild at the development stage and entered the stage of abrupt change of strain field in a short time. With increasing strain rate, the overall damage duration of test specimen was significantly shortened, and cooling mode exerted no significant impact on the development of splitting tensile damage in HPC. The criterion for splitting tensile dynamic strength of post-high-temperature HPC was put forward on the basis of J criterion. Meanwhile, an analysis by backscattered electron (BSE) on microstructure of HPC revealed mechanism which governs the impact of high temperature and cooling mode on the splitting tensile dynamic mechanics performance of HPC. The research result serves as a theoretical basis for calculating and assessing the post-fire structural dynamic response of HPC.

Performance, cost, and ecological assessment of fiber-reinforced high-performance mortar incorporating pumice powder and ground granulated blast furnace slag as partial cement replacement

The production of cement and concrete is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, recent governmental regulations have brought the attention of industry and academia to the environmental impact of these materials. Recognizing the pressing need to address the environmental footprint of the widely used construction materials, there is a growing focus on strategic initiatives that involve incorporating alternative waste materials to partially substitute ordinary Portland cement (OPC). It is also noteworthy that high-performance concrete and mortar emits significantly less CO2 per unit of strength. Therefore, this study aims to develop high-strength mortar mixes incorporating pumice powder (PP) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) as substitutes for OPC. To this end, nine different mixes, with varying levels of OPC replacement ranging from 0% to 60%, were produced. These mixes underwent a comprehensive experimental evaluation to assess their physical, mechanical, and durability properties. Scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted to examine the microstructural characteristics of the mixes as well. Furthermore, the embodied energy, embodied carbon, and cost of the prepared mixes were calculated. The experimental findings suggest that high-strength mortar, with a compressive strength varying between 64 and 82 MPa at 28 days of curing, can be successfully produced with reduced embodied carbon and embodied energy compared to conventional mortar mix while maintaining a comparable cost.

A review of mixture design and preparation methods for high-performance recycled aggregate concrete

Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has been widely investigated for recent decades, during which there are a great deal of findings on the modification of RAC to overcome the drawbacks of RA, i.e. high absorption and low strength. In this paper, four methods for designing and preparing RAC are reviewed, including the particle packing method (PPM), equivalent mortar volume (EMV) method, two-stage mixing approach (TSMA) and distributing-filling coarse aggregate (DFCA) process, and their effects on the properties of RAC is compared to reveal the effective approaches to high-performance preparation of RAC. Among these methods, only TSMA presents a positive effect on the workability of RAC. In terms of the properties of hardened RAC, TSMA improves the compressive strength and penetration resistance by densifying the ITZs around RA, and the developed TSMAsc containing silica fume exhibits better efficiency in improving the properties of RAC. The EMV method and DFCA process are beneficial to the compressive strength, elastic modulus and volumetric stability of RAC, and the effectiveness of the DFCA process is superior to the EMV method, indicating that enhancing the coarse aggregate interlocking effect is an effective approach to obtain high-performance RAC. Furthermore, the combination of TSMA and EMV methods can synthesize the enhancements of ITZs and coarse aggregate interlocking effect, contributing to a further improvement in the properties of hardened RAC. It is conceived that the TSMA and DFCA process can be integrated as a promising combination to realize the high performance of RAC.

Experimental investigation of using Ultra-High-Performance Concrete coating for anti-corrosion protection of reinforced concrete induced by chloride ions

The emergence of Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is one of the latest developments in concrete technology. Repairing and rehabilitating damaged structures by applying a thin layer of several centimeters on conventional concrete (with or without reinforcement) has been one of the applications of UHPC. Due to its very small porosity and excellent permeability, UHPC has extremely high durability against the penetration of destructive substances such as water, chloride ions, oxygen, etc. In this work, we investigated the durable effect against external aggressive corrosive substances by coating a 2.5 cm thickness layer of UHPC on conventional concrete. The desired composite concrete consists of a conventional concrete core with a compressive strength of 40 MPa and a coating with a thickness of 2.5 cm of UHPC cover. Then, this concrete went through oxygen penetration, Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (RCPT), and electrical resistance tests. Finally, to verify the results of the durability tests, two sets of comparison reinforced concrete specimens with 5 cm as their covers were exposed to an accelerated corrosion test. It is found that the substitution of a 2.5 cm layer of UHPC instead of the conventional concrete resulted in a 30-times increase in resistance against water penetration, 41 times against chloride ion penetration, 307 times against oxygen penetration, and 8 times in its electrical resistance. Based on corrosion acceleration test results, after 30 days of applying a current with a voltage of 31 volts, the control specimens with a 5 cm cover started to corrode after one week. After 30 days, 47 % corrosion was observed. Even though after 365 days, no signs of corrosion were found in the UHPC-coated specimens.

A review of the engineered treatment of red mud: Construction materials, metal recovery, and soilization revegetation

Red mud, known as bauxite residue, is an alkaline solid waste generated during alumina production. Globally, the stockpile of red mud is about 3 billion tons and is increasing at a rate of 150 million tons per year. The global production of red mud is mainly distributed in China (28.2 %), Oceania region (22.4 %), South America (14.6 %), Europe (12.9 %), and North America (8.8 %). The increasing stockpile of red mud has posed a huge challenge to safe disposal while restricting the development of the alumina industry. The comprehensive utilization of red mud still needs green, efficient, and massive consumption methods. This work gives a review of the engineered treatment of red mud, including the characteristics and threats, as well as the engineered application through construction materials, metal recovery, and soilization revegetation. For red mud with a high content of metals, resource recovery of valuable metals and rare earth elements is a preferred choice, meeting the circular economy concept. Recovery of valuable metals from red mud can be achieved by magnetic separation, hydrometallurgy, and bioleaching. Hydrometallurgy is promising for recovering valuable metals such as Fe, Al, V, Ti, and rare earth elements, and the recovery is up to 99 %. Construction materials such as cement, geopolymers, and ceramics is an efficient alternative for the massive consumption of red mud, and the high-performance concrete with the compressive strength (129.5 MPa) can be obtained. This strategy is limited by the low price of construction materials, the lowered quality by alkaline components, and potential threats of toxic elements in red mud. Soilization of red mud with ecological restoration is promising for the sustainable management of red mud dam. To accelerate the process of red mud soilization, amendments such as gypsum, organic matter, and microorganisms can be added to neutralize red mud (lowering pH from 10 to 12 to near 7), promote the formation of agglomerates, and provide nutrients, promote the conversion of red mud into soil-like substrate. The phytoremediation of red mud can be realized after effective regulation, finally realizing vegetation establishment of red mud. This work provides technological and practical guidance for the engineered disposal of red mud.

Improvement of seismic performance of concrete structures using magnetized concrete: an empirical study

High-Performance Concrete (HPC) offers better workability, compressive strength, and durability compared to ordinary concrete. One type of high-strength concrete is magnetic concrete. The primary objective of this empirical research is to investigate the potential of magnetized concrete in enhancing the seismic properties of concrete structures, in this technology, the physical structure of water is altered by inducing a magnetic field. The research employs empirical methods, including experimental testing and analysis, to assess the seismic performance of magnetized concrete compared to traditional concrete. As a result, the number of molecules in a molecular cluster decrease from 13 to 5 or 6, and the surface tension of the water is reduced. Using this water in concrete preparation increases the workability of the concrete mix and reduces the required water. Additionally, by facilitating cement hydration, it increases the compressive strength and durability of the concrete. This increased compressive strength enhances the stability and resistance of the structure against earthquake forces. Moreover, maintaining the compressive strength of the concrete while using magnetic water can reduce cement consumption. This reduction in cement consumption can lower the weight of the structure, which is very effective in reducing earthquake forces in tall buildings.

Effect of hybrid lead-PVA fibers on microstructure and radiation shielding properties of high-performance concrete

With the widespread application of nuclear technology in the medical and energy fields, the demand for efficient radiation shielding materials is increasing. Employing only lead or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforcement cannot achieve improvements in the brittleness of high-performance concrete (HPC) while also enhancing radiation shielding efficiency and mechanical properties. This study develops a novel HPC for radiation attenuation, incorporating magnetite as the aggregate and reinforced with hybrid lead-PVA fibers (RSHPC). The synergistic effects of various proportions of hybrid lead-PVA fibers on the mechanical properties, three-dimensional microstructure, pore structure, and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were investigated. In addition, the radiation attenuation capacities of RSHPC with different hybrid lead-PVA fiber proportions were evaluated through experimental and simulation analysis. The results show that hybrid lead-PVA fibers notably improve the air-void structure of RSHPC. The incorporation of PVA fibers, by improving the ITZ of matrix, effectively mitigates the negative impact of lead fibers on mechanical performance. The refinement of pore structure and the introduction of light and heavy nuclides lead to a significant enhancement in the gamma-ray and neutron radiation attenuation capabilities of RSHPC. Utilizing X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) for three-dimensional reconstruction further indicates the optimization impact of hybrid lead-PVA fibers on the microstructure, notably in the improvement of pore distribution and fiber dispersion, thus enhancing the overall properties and radiation attenuation performance of RSHPC.

Key Mechanical and Durability Characteristics of Concrete Admixed with Natural Rubber Latex and Sisal Fibre

Objectives: Significant infrastructure projects may require the use of high-performance concrete that possesses specific characteristics, including exceptional flexural strength, hardness, impact resistance and long-lasting durability. Polymer modified concrete is such type of concrete which improves the flexural strength and serviceability requirement of concrete buildings. Methods: The purpose of this study is to determine whether Natural Rubber Latex (NRL), a natural polymer, can replace synthetic latex and enhance the performance properties of concrete. Concrete is enhanced by the inclusion of natural rubber latex, which contributes a dry rubber content ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% of the weight of cement in the mixed composition. This study examines and compares the characteristics of latex modified concrete with sisal fibre-reinforced concrete with a constant sisal fibre content of 0.3%. It also investigates the combined effect of fibre and latex in concrete. Findings: The findings demonstrated a substantial enhancement in the ability of concrete to absorb energy (up to 166%) under impact loading. Additionally, the modification of concrete using latex resulted in an improvement in flexural strength of up to 39%. The decreased permeability of chloride ions and reduced water absorption in latex treated concrete are clear indications of its exceptional durability. Novelty: Polymer modified concrete using NRL is the next generation concrete and the sisal fibre incorporation in it is a relatively a novel approach in the field of concrete technology. It encourages the advancement of eco-friendly technology in the construction industry. Keywords: Sisal Fibre, Impact resistance, Chloride permeability, Natural rubber latex, Water absorption

Explainable Ensemble Learning and Multilayer Perceptron Modeling for Compressive Strength Prediction of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete.

The performance of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) allows for the design and creation of thinner elements with superior overall durability. The compressive strength of UHPC is a value that can be reached after a certain period of time through a series of tests and cures. However, this value can be estimated by machine-learning methods. In this study, multilayer perceptron (MLP) and Stacking Regressor, an ensemble machine-learning models, is used to predict the compressive strength of high-performance concrete. Then, the ML model's performance is explained with a feature importance analysis and Shapley additive explanations (SHAPs), and the developed models are interpreted. The effect of using different random splits for the training and test sets has been investigated. It was observed that the stacking regressor, which combined the outputs of Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Category Boosting (CatBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and Extra Trees regressors using random forest as the final estimator, performed significantly better than the MLP regressor. It was shown that the compressive strength was predicted by the stacking regressor with an average R2 score of 0.971 on the test set. On the other hand, the average R2 score of the MLP model was 0.909. The results of the SHAP analysis showed that the age of concrete and the amounts of silica fume, fiber, superplasticizer, cement, aggregate, and water have the greatest impact on the model predictions.

3D characteristic indicator analysis and comprehensive evaluation of manufactured sand particles used in high-performance concrete

Two-dimensional particle morphology indices face challenges in accurately depicting the characteristics of three-dimensional (3D) manufactured sand (MS), which does not effectively guide the selection of MS for high-performance concrete (HPC). This study aimed to obtain a quantified comprehensive evaluation of actual MS particle groups with specific gradations by thoroughly analysing 3D geometric characteristics. Two representative MS samples were selected for exploration, and river sand (RS) was used as the control. A random selection of sand particles was screened on six sieve levels ranging from 0.15 mm to 4.75 mm. Using X-ray computed tomography and associated image processing technologies, 3D models of these particles were generated, and MATLAB was used to extract their 3D morphology information. Subsequently, the change rules and validity of current 3D particle morphology indicators were examined, focusing on shape, angularity, and texture. Moreover, a comprehensive morphology index, Cm, was proposed by considering the effects of gradation and particle shape classification. The results showed that shape indices more accurately reflected particle characteristics, notably, a higher proportion of spheroid particles, a lower aspect ratio, and greater sphericity correlated with improved particle shape; contrary to traditional beliefs, the angularity index suggested that greater roundness did not necessarily equate to more rounded particles owing to the influence of the proportion of spheroid and cubic particles; meanwhile, texture indices showed minimal difference in the mean values of the 3D fractal dimension for the three types of sand. The proposed index Cm effectively differentiated the particle morphology states of the three sands, with higher Cm values indicating superior particle morphology. The smaller the difference between the Cm values of MS and RS, the better substitute of MS for RS.

Flexural Behavior of Precast Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Beams with Intermediate Connection Filled with High-Performance Concrete

Precast rectangular reinforced concrete (PRRC) beams are joined on construction sites using concrete in situ to achieve the desired length. Limited research exists on the effect of intermediate connection shapes and the types of infilled concrete on the flexural performance of PRRC beams. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation into the performance of PRRC beams with various intermediate connection geometries and infilled materials under flexural loading. The study examines rectangular, triangular, and semi-circular intermediate connections, along with the performance of beams infilled with normal concrete (NC), engineered cementitious composites (ECC), ultra-high-performance ECC (UHPECC), and rubberized ECC (RECC). The experimental results indicate that the rectangular intermediate connection exhibits superior performance in terms of strength and energy absorption compared to the triangular and semi-circular shapes. Beams incorporating UHPECC demonstrated the most significant improvements in strength and energy absorption, outperforming those with ECC and RECC for any shape of intermediate connection. Moreover, beams with rectangular connections and UHPECC infill exhibited the most significant increase in energy absorption and ultimate load compared to the beams with ECC and RECC. The ultimate load of the beams with UHPECC and tensile reinforcement bar diameters of 10 mm and 12 mm increased by 13% and 29%, respectively, compared to the control beam. The energy absorption of the beams with tensile reinforcement bar diameters of 10 and 12 mm was found to be 75% and 184% higher, respectively, than the control beam. In addition, an increase in tensile bar diameter was found to enhance both the energy absorption and the ultimate load capacity of the beams, regardless of the type of infill concrete. Beams incorporating UHPECC demonstrated the most significant improvements in strength and energy absorption, outperforming those with ECC and RECC. In particular, beams with rectangular connections and UHPECC infill exhibited an increase in energy absorption and ultimate load of up to 184% and 29%, respectively. UHPC was calculated to be as high as 184%, and 29%, respectively, compared to the control beams. In addition, an increase in tensile bar diameter was found to enhance both energy absorption and ultimate load capacity. Finite element modeling (FEM) was developed and validated against the experimental results to ensure accuracy. A parametric study was conducted to study the effects of various concrete types in triangular and semi-circular connections, as well as the influence of intermediate connection length on semi-circular connections under flexural loads. The findings reveal that increasing the length of intermediate connections increases the ultimate load of the beams.

Development of sustainable HPC using rubber powder and waste wire: carbon footprint analysis, mechanical and microstructural properties

This research advances the development of eco-friendly high-performance concrete (HPC) by integrating tire rubber powder and waste wire, focusing on both enhanced mechanical properties and reduced environmental impact. Substituting up to 40% of silica sand with rubber powder helps maintain the compressive strength necessary for high-strength concrete applications. The addition of waste wire is designed to improve ductility. A comprehensive evaluation includes mechanical and microstructural analyses, such as compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength assessments, in addition to Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). Environmental implications are assessed by measuring the embodied carbon footprint. Findings indicate that the absence of rubber powder allows for a compressive strength peak of 95 MPa, while 50% rubber content leads to a decrease to 25 MPa, establishing a 40% rubber threshold for optimal strength. Conversely, 3% waste wire reinforcement enhances the strength to 106 MPa. Microstructural investigations reveal that increased rubber content adversely affects compressive strength by weakening the cement matrix, and reducing calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) formation. Significantly, the study reveals that replacing silica sand with rubber powder, along with waste wire reinforcement, substantially reduces the carbon footprint of the material, contributing to more sustainable construction methodologies.

Optimizing High-Performance Concrete Properties Containing Blast Furnace Slag and Marble Powder

Abstract Building and industrialization-related environmental harm is becoming an increasingly serious concern. In an effort to create an eco-friendly high-performance concrete (HPC), this paper addresses the idea of partially replacing cement with recyclable industrial waste. The current study will experimentally examine the slump, the strengths of compressive (SC) and porosity (P) of fifteen HPC mixtures manufactured from locally available resources. Hence, the effects of utilizing marble powder (MP) as a mineral additive in binary mixes and ternary with cement (PC) and granulated ground blast furnace slag (GGBFS) on the HPCs properties were studied in order to develop statistical models based on mixture design. Highly accurate prediction graphs and models were created for HPC workability, P at 28-day, SC at 7 and 28-day. All responses have satisfactory coefficients of correlation (R2 ≥ 0.76). Replacing cement with GGBFS causes a rise in slump in mixtures. Nevertheless, that only remains relevant when the mixtures have a small MP percentage (≤ 25%). A minor decrease in SC can be attributed by an increase of GGBFS. After 28-day, using GGBFS alone caused a little drop in SC; however, when GGBFS and PC were mixed, SC increased, in comparison with reference composition, and the porosity was reduced. Conversely, SC is superior with lower porosity when a small amount of MP is utilized. The best combination is HPC14, containing 5% GGBFS; it offers an optimal equilibrium among the three qualities; with HPC4’s (15%GGBFS+5%MP) qualities, being almost identical to those of reference HPC15, a lower amount of cement may also be utilized. Findings encourage the use of MP and GGBFS to partially replace cement to produce eco-friendly and cost-effective HPC. An extremely high correlation coefficient indicated a strong relationship between P and SC.

Three dimensional simulations of FRC beams and panels with explicit definition of fibres-concrete interaction

High performance concrete (HPC) is a quite novel material which has been rapidly developed in the last few decades. It exhibits superior mechanical properties and durability comparing to normal concrete. HPC can achieve also superior tensile performance if strong fibres (steel or carbon) are implemented in the matrix. Thus, there exist the unabated interest in studying how the addition of different types of fibres modifies the behaviour of HPC. Nowadays, a standard numerical approaches to model the behaviour of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) are carried out by means of the smeared or discrete crack modelling of homogenous media with appropriately changed stress-strain relationships. The objective of this paper is to develop a new and efficient mesoscale modelling approach for steel fibre reinforced high-performance concrete. The main idea of presented approach is to assume the fully 3D modelling with taking into account explicitly the distribution and orientation of the steel fibres. As a benchmark, results obtained from experimental campaign on beams and panels made from high-performance concrete with steel fibres of different sizes and dosages were taken. Results of numerical simulations were directly compared with experimental outcomes in order to validate and calibrate FE-model and to introduce the efficient numerical modelling tool.

Autogenous shrinkage of high-performance concrete subjected to different curing temperatures

High-performance concrete (HPC) shows obvious autogenous shrinkage in the early stage. In actual engineering, the interior of HPC undergoes a variable temperature evolution, and the impact of variable temperature conditions on the autogenous shrinkage of HPC is unclear. This paper examines the impact of different curing temperatures on the material properties of HPC, as well as the evolution of HPC autogenous shrinkage. Three measured temperature histories and four constant temperatures were used as curing conditions. Additionally, an HPC autogenous shrinkage prediction model was established considering the impact of curing temperature. The test results indicate that the compressive strength and elastic modulus of HPC increase with increasing curing temperature. Furthermore, there is a significant increase in the autogenous shrinkage rate of HPC as the curing temperature increases. Existing maturity methods overestimate the impact of temperature on the autogenous shrinkage process of HPC. The proposed autogenous shrinkage prediction model enhances the accuracy in predicting the autogenous shrinkage of HPC under constant and variable curing temperature conditions.

Formulation Design and Optimization of High-Performance Concrete for Enhanced Properties

High-performance concrete, as a crucial construction material, finds extensive applications in critical engineering projects. This paper focuses on the formulation design and optimization of high-performance concrete. By analyzing the impact of different admixtures, additives, and mix proportions on concrete properties, the methods for enhancing concrete strength, durability, and crack resistance are explored. The study integrates experimental and simulation approaches to provide theoretical and practical support for the reliable application of high-performance concrete.

Experimental study of bond-slip relationships in high-performance self-consolidating concrete with plain steel bars

Self-consolidating concrete is being used more frequently in structures with high density of reinforcement bars or prestressing strands therefore, it is important to carefully consider whether bond stress-slip relations defined for normal strength concrete can be safely applied to high-strength and self-consolidating concrete. This paper aims to investigate the bond behaviour between plain steel bars and high-performance self-consolidating concrete, with a focus on studying the effect of embedment length and concrete compressive strength on bonding performance. The main parameters that were tested are the active bonded length and the compressive strength of the concrete. The value of adhesive bond stress is discussed, as a factor in determining whether the bar slips against the adhering concrete. Based on the results, it can be observed that the maximum bond stress tends to increase with higher concrete compressive strength, while it decreases with longer embedment length of plain steel bar. Conversely, the adhesive bond tends to increase with longer embedment length and higher concrete compressive strength. The experimental investigations indicate that the bond strength increases proportionally to the square root of the compressive strength of concrete, regardless of the concrete compressive strength. Furthermore, a new bond stress-slip model has been analyzed, which takes into account the initial bond strength (adhesive bond) and the lower convex property to predict the post-peak branch. The model has been compared to the test results, and good agreement has been achieved.

Optimizing nano-TiO2 and ZnO integration in silica-based high-performance concrete: Mechanical, durability, and photocatalysis insights for sustainable self-cleaning systems

This research presents novel findings by exploring the synergistic effects of incorporating nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles into a high-performance concrete (HPC) matrix. The study utilized Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to determine the optimal combinations of TiO₂ and ZnO for achieving peak performance within the matrix. Various combinations of TiO₂ and ZnO, ranging from 0 % to 2 %, were incorporated into HPC mixes, focusing on evaluating their effects on compressive strength (CS), splitting tensile strength (STS), flexural strength (FS), durability, and photocatalytic properties. The results revealed that maintaining higher proportions of TiO₂ over ZnO led to superior mechanical properties, with the most effective combination determined to be 2 % TiO₂ and 1.33 % ZnO, which agrees with the prediction by the RSM model and verified through experimental testing. However, these combinations did not significantly enhance the durability properties of the HPC samples when exposed to acidic curing for three months.On the other hand, the photocatalytic properties of HPCs with different combinations of TiO₂ and ZnO were significantly improved. The combination with the maximum content of both nanoparticles had only 23.7 % of Rhodamine B remaining on its surface after 100 hours of UV radiation. Comparing the individual effects of TiO₂ with ZnO, it was observed that a higher TiO₂ dosage (2 %) caused earlier Rhodamine B discolouration compared to a higher ZnO dosage (2 %). Therefore, based on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency, it was concluded that the concrete can confer self-cleaning properties under UV radiation and serve as a precursor for developing self-cleaning concrete composites for more sustainable and resilient structures.

Effects of Holes and the Confining Pressure on the Mechanical Properties of High-Performance Concrete

Effects of Holes and the Confining Pressure on the Mechanical Properties of High-Performance Concrete

Review of factors affecting bond between ultra high performance concrete and steel fibers

Review of factors affecting bond between ultra high performance concrete and steel fibers