Formation Of Hydration Products Research Articles

A Study of the Influence of Cement Addition and Humidity on the Mechanical Strength and Microstructure of Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum-Cement Plasters.

Over the last 20 years, flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD gypsum) has become a valuable and widely used substitute for a natural raw material to produce plasters, mortars, and many other construction products. The essential advantages of FGD gypsum include its high purity and stability, which allow for better technical parameters compared to natural gypsum, and, until recently, its low price and easy availability. This FGD gypsum is obtained in the process of desulfurization of flue gases and waste gases in power plants, thermal power plants, refineries, etc., using fossil fuels such as coal or oil. The gradual reduction in energy production from fossil raw materials implemented by European Union countries until its complete cessation in 2049 in favor of renewable energy sources significantly affects the availability of synthetic gypsum, and forces producers of mortars and other construction products to look for new solutions. The gypsum content in commonly used light plaster mortars is usually from 50 to 60% by mass. This work presents the results of tests on mortars wherein the authors reduced the amount of gypsum to 30%, and, to meet the strength requirements specified in the EN 13279-1:2008 standard, added Portland cement in the amount of 6-12% by mass. Such a significant reduction in the content of synthetic gypsum will reduce this raw material's consumption, thus extending its availability and developing other solutions. The study presented the test results on strength, density, porosity, pore size distribution, and changes in the microstructure of mortars during up to 180 days of maturation in conditions of increased relative humidity. The results show that decreased porosity and increased mechanical strength occur due to the densification of the microstructure caused by the formation of hydration products, such as C-S-H, ettringite, and thaumasite.

Engineering Properties and Microstructure of Soils Stabilized by Red-Mud-Based Cementitious Material.

Red mud (RM) is an industrial waste generated in the process of aluminum refinement. The recycling and reusing of RM have become urgent problems to be solved. To explore the feasibility of using RM in geotechnical engineering, this study combined magnesium oxide (MgO) (or calcium oxide (CaO)) with RM as an RM-based binder, which was then used to stabilize the soil. The physical, mechanical, and micro-structural properties of the stabilized soil were investigated. As the content of MgO or CaO in the mixture increased, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the RM-based cementitious materials first increased and then decreased. For the soils stabilized with RM-MgO or RM-CaO, the UCS increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum at RM:MgO = 5:5 or RM:CaO = 8:2. The addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) promoted the hydration reaction. The UCS enhancement ranged from 8.09% to 66.67% for the RM-MgO stabilized soils and 204.6% to 346.6% for the RM-CaO stabilized soils. The optimum ratio of the RM-MgO stabilized soil (with NaOH) was 2:8, while that of the RM-CaO stabilized soil (with NaOH) was 4:6. Freeze-thaw cycles reduced the UCS of the stabilized soil, but the resistance of the stabilized soil to freeze-thaw erosion was significantly improved by the addition of RM-MgO or RM-CaO, and the soil stabilized with RM-MgO had better freeze-thaw resistance than that with RM-CaO. The hydrated magnesium silicate generated by the RM-MgO stabilized soil and the hydrated calcium silicate generated by the RM-CaO stabilized soil helped to improve the UCS of the stabilized soil. The freeze-thaw cycles did not weaken the formation of hydration products in the stabilized soil but could result in physical damage to the stabilized soils. The decrease in the UCS of the stabilized soil was mainly due to physical damage.

Nano-fly ash and clay for 3D-Printing concrete buildings: A fundamental study of rheological, mechanical and microstructural properties

Three-dimensional printing concrete (3DPC) represents a recent innovation in the construction and building research sector and novel approach to building techniques. The focus of this study is to develop an environmentally sustainable cementitious composite optimized for 3D printing applications. The research involved preparing 3D printing mixtures that comprised of 50 % Portland Cement (PC), 50 % Colorobia Clay (CC), and varying contents (0 % 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % by weight of cement) of Nano-Fly Ash (N-FA) under standardized printing parameters. The fresh mixture's properties have been evaluated and the mechanical and microstructural properties of the printed samples were assessed, subsequently. The findings demonstrated that incorporating N-FA into the cementitious mixes enhanced their flowability and workability. Specifically, the mix containing a low N-FA concentration of 5 wt% exhibited superior compressive strength relative to the other formulations. Additionally, flexural strength assessments indicated a minimum increase of 39.4 % across all mixes compared to the control 3D-printed mixture. Microstructural investigations by SEM imaging validated the anticipated formation of hydration products, namely calcium-silicate-hydrate (CSH) and ettringite, facilitated by the synergy between clay and fly ash. The t-statistical analysis further corroborated that the inclusion of N-FA significantly bolstered the strength attributes of the mixes designated for 3D printing. In conclusion, this study underscored the efficacy of integrating clay as a sustainable construction material within 3D printing applications. The utilization of clay-cement mixes, augmented with N-FA, emerged as a viable strategy to enhance the sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of construction practices.

Strength, toughness and interface modification of graphene oxide grafted carbon fiber modified concrete

Graphene oxide grafted carbon fiber (CF-GO) is prepared by "grafting to" chemical graft method. The elements and chemical bonds on the surface of CF-GO are characterized by XPS test, which confirms the successful preparation of CF-GO, and the monofilament tensile strength of CF-GO is tested. The dispersion effect of CF-GO under different dispersion methods is compared, and CF-GO modified concrete (CF-GOMC) is prepared. The strength and toughness of CF-GOMC are tested and compared with those of carbon fiber modified concrete. In addition, the modification mechanism of CF-GO on fiber/concrete matrix interface is analyzed by SEM-EDS test. The results show that the monofilament tensile strength of CF-GO increases by 22.22% compared with that of carbon fiber. When dispersing with high-efficiency water reducer combined with ultrasonic wave, the dispersion effect of CF-GO is the best, the resistivity of CF-GOMC is the minimum, and the strength is the maximum. CF-GO can improve the strength and toughness of concrete, and its improvement effect is better than carbon fiber. The optimal contents of CF-GO and carbon fiber are 0.3% and 0.2% respectively. Graphene oxide on the surface of CF-GO enhances the fiber/concrete matrix interface physically and chemically by improving the mechanical interlocking force between CF-GO and concrete matrix and promoting the formation of hydration products on the surface of CF-GO. Moreover, the content of C-S-H crystal at the CF-GO/concrete matrix interface increases.

Investigation of hydration mechanism of non-explosive expansion material modified with anhydrous calcium chloride

Non-explosive expansion materials (NEEMs) are eco-friendly demolition materials widely used in energy extraction. However, their low hydration efficiency restricts their further application. To address this issue, five NEEM samples with different anhydrous CaCl2 concentrations (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 %) were prepared. The water distribution, mineral composition, and microstructure of the samples during hydration were investigated using NMR, XRD, FTIR, and SEM, respectively, and the enhancement mechanism caused by CaCl2 on NEEM hydration was revealed. Results showed that CaCl2 inhibits the transport of surface water to large pores and cracks; promotes the combination of CaO, C3S and free water; accelerates the transformation of surface water to gel water and capillary water; shortens the dormancy period; and promotes the formation of hydration products. It also accelerates the flocculation of C-S-H gel and the transport of capillary water, thereby significantly improving the NEEM hydration efficiency. The established hydration kinetics model showed that the transport rate of surface water and capillary water to gel water and the NEEM hydration degree increase with increasing CaCl2 content. Compared with the hydration degree of R1 (0 %), that of S4 (1.6 %) increases by 19.63 %. These results provide a theoretical foundation for the field application of NEEMs.

Reinforcing effect of CNT on the microstructure and creep properties of high-strength lightweight concrete

Demand for precast high-strength lightweight concrete (HSLC) has recently increased for cost benefits. This study aims to explore the reinforcing effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) on the microstructure and creep properties of HSLC. A total of four types of HSLC mixture were applied by securing two target properties (a compressive strength of 120 MPa and a density of 2000 kg/m3; a compressive strength of 80 MPa and a density of 1600 kg/m3) through steam curing with high temperature (90℃), considering a combination of lightweight materials and CNT utilization as variables. Lightweight aggregates operated internal curing (IC) more effectively than hollow microsphere, improving the pore structure of HSLC and leading to the formation of hydration products, especially calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H). The efficiency of lightweight aggregate on IC was proven through nanoindentation testing, identifying that no unhydrated particles were observed in the specimen incorporating only lightweight aggregate as lightweight material, while unhydrated particles made up 8–19% of the total phase volume with hollow microsphere incorporation. The utilization of CNT enhanced the microstructure of the cement matrix by filling pores and inducing formation of ultra-high-density (UHD) C-S-H, improving the creep resistance of HSLC. Furthermore, CNT bridging suppressed redistribution of C-S-H caused by C-S-H slip, resulting in approximately 49% of the total specific creep compared to conventional high-strength concrete (HSC). The fédération internationale du béton (fib) model is considered to derive the creep properties of HSLC, since it indirectly applies the impact of lightweight material utilizing its oven-dried density.

Sustainable MgO-calcined clay cementitious material: Reaction mechanism, strength development and performance enhancement via initial CO2 stirring

With the massive utilization of concrete and other cement-based materials worldwide, the high carbon emissions and energy consumption have become severe issues. This study proposes a sustainable cementitious material based on MgO and calcined clay and investigates its reaction mechanism and strength development by combining experimental characterizations and thermodynamic modelling. Furthermore, the performance of the MgO-calcined clay cementitious material is enhanced by CO2 stirring. The results indicated that the introduction of CO2 during stirring generates massive high reactive magnesium carbonate nano/micro-particles. It provides the nucleation sites for promoting the formation of hydration products and reacts with calcined clay to form carbonate-type hydrotalcite. Due to the unique advantages of CO2 stirring in the MgO-calcined clay system, the performance of sustainable cementitious material is remarkably enhanced, providing a new routine for developing high-performance low-carbon building materials.

Effects of Rest Time and Curing Regime on Short- and Long-Term Strength of Class C Fly Ash-Based Alkali-Activated Mortars.

This study investigated how different rest times affect the strength development of fly-ash-based alkali-activated mortar (AAM) over a period of 90 days. Two types of fly ash with varying calcium oxide contents of 37 and 21% were used. The rest times ranged from 2 to 36 h, and three curing methods (ambient, oven, and steam) were tested. The results showed that the rest time significantly influenced the compressive strength of the AAM. The optimal rest time was found to be between 12 and 30 h depending on the curing method and fly ash type. Beyond this range, there were only minor changes in strength. One type of fly ash (FA21) showed higher strength with longer rest times up to 30 h, while the other type (FA37) had the highest strength within a rest time range of from 12 to 24 h. Over the 90-day period, the specimens cured under ambient, oven, and steam conditions at 55 °C (131 °F) experienced increasing strength, but those steam-cured at 80 °C (176 °F) showed a decrease in strength. Analysis revealed the formation of hydration products in FA37, while FA21 showed a reduction in peaks for its main compounds. Additionally, XRD analysis revealed the formation of hydration products (CSH and CASH) in FA37, while FA21 displayed a reduction in peaks for its main compounds. EDS analysis indicated the presence of partially unreacted FA particles, highlighting the impact of curing methods on dissolving FA particles and the formation of geopolymer products (NASH and CNASH) responsible for compressive strength development.

Effect of crystalline admixtures on shrinkage and alkali-silica reaction of biochar-cementitious composites

This study investigated effects of crystalline admixture (CA) on shrinkage and alkali-silica reaction behaviours of biochar-cementitious composites. Addition of 1–1.5 wt% superabsorbent polymer (SAP) completely mitigated autogenous shrinkage while slightly increasing the 120-day total shrinkage of the SP-cement composite by 5.7%, resulting in the highest apparent porosity. 1–1.5 wt% CA addition did not affect autogenous shrinkage while slightly reducing the 120-day total shrinkage by 10.1%. The combination of CA and waste wood biochar (WWB) reduced autogenous shrinkage by 24.23% and 120-day total shrinkage by 23.6%, resulting in the lowest apparent porosity. The formation of hydration products in the WWB pores and on WWB surface densified the cementitious matrix, leading to a reduction in water evaporation. Furthermore, for specimens exposed to 1 M NaOH solution at 80 °C, CA addition significantly reduced the 120-day expansion by 50.6%, while the combination of CA and WWB addition reduced the 120-day expansion by 42.9%.

Effects of curing temperature and supplementary cementitious materials on the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of high-ferrite cement products

This study investigated the changes in three characteristics, including phase compositions, microstructure, and microhardness, in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of high-ferrite cement (HFC) products when subjected to different curing systems. In addition, we explored the underlying mechanisms through which supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) influence the ITZ under steam curing conditions. The characterization was performed through the application of test techniques such as X-ray diffraction analysis, backscattered electron, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and microhardness. The findings demonstrated that the increase in the curing temperatures promoted the HFC mortar to generate an excellent ITZ performance compared to Portland cement and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) showed an improvement in steam-cured HFC-ITZ better than. Specifically, optimal enhancement of the ITZ in steam-cured HFC cement-based materials was achieved through the 40% replacement of GGBFS where the calcium hydroxide (CH) content and orientation growth were reduced while the hydration product formation was increased, resulting in declined porosity. Furthermore, the incorporation of 20% replacement of fly ash (FA) led to the decrease in the CH content and porosity of the ITZ. However, due to the lower reaction activity, unreacted FA persisted in the paste even after 28 days of curing. Additionally, the uneven distribution of hydration products resulted in diminished microhardness. On the other hand, a 40% replacement of FA marginally improved the properties of the ITZ. Finally, the test data and conclusions in the paper can provide some evidence for the application of GGBFS and FA in HFC and HFC-based concrete.

Modification mechanism of calcium lignosulfonate on cementing cement

During the construction of coalbed methane extraction wells, cementing cement sheath is crucial for the stability and sealing of surface wells. One effective method to enhance these properties is the addition of lignosulfonate. However, the mechanism of the effect of calcium lignosulfonate on the whole process of cement hydration is still unclear. In this paper, the water distribution and variation characteristics of calcium lignosulfonate modified cement paste were revealed by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology, and the hydration ion experiment of modified cement was carried out to obtain the variation characteristics of hydration ions of modified cementing cement. Finally, the formation mechanism of hydration products was clarified by analyzing the phase change of modified cement stone. The results indicate that the cement paste’s hydration process can be divided into four stages: dissolution, crystallization, acceleration, and decline. During the dissolution stage, calcium lignosulfonate’s air entraining effect maintains the cement paste in a stable suspension state. In the crystallization stage, calcium lignosulfonate’s electro-repulsion delays the formation of hydration products and the hydration process. During the acceleration stage, the addition of calcium lignosulfonate reduces bound water formation in the cement slurry’s flocculation structure, and the released filled water participates more in the hydration reaction, reducing the total relaxation signal’s increasing trend. In the decline stage, the cement paste has solidified, and the system’s water is primarily in the porous medium. The research results have practical guiding significance for the addition of calcium lignosulfonate in cementing operations.

Enhancing hydration and internal curing in cementitious mixes: The impact of pre-treated milkweed fibres

This study investigates the internal curing effects of milkweed fibres (MW) in Portland cement mixes, exploring various dosage levels and pre-treatment methods. The study first assessed the impact of MW fibres on the effective water-to-cement (w/c) ratio through rheological measurements, enabling accurate comparisons of samples with identical effective w/c ratios. Both MW fibre pre-treatments and dosages were found to impact the effective w/c ratio in the mixes, leading to the categorization of MW fibre-incorporated samples into three groups based on their effective w/c ratio. In the subsequent phase, the internal curing effect and hydration characteristics of cementitious mixes were evaluated with varying dosages of MW fibres. Optimal internal curing performance was achieved with 0.1% pre-treated MW fibres compared to 0.2%, resulting in up to a 17% improvement in the degree of hydration compared to the reference sample with the same effective w/c ratio. This showed the adverse effect of higher percentage due to the reduction in the free water availability and higher leaching of extractives, which further intensified the hindrance of the hydration process. Furthermore, microstructure analyses, including TGA/DTG, XRD, and SEM-EDS, of cementitious mixes incorporating MW fibres confirmed that the inclusion of 0.1% hybrid and hydrothermally-treated MW fibres resulted in a higher formation of hydration products. This is achieved by providing an adequate amount of free water for the initial reaction of cement hydration and entrained water in the lumen for the subsequent internal curing. These findings show the effectiveness and suitability of using pre-treated MW fibres for internal curing applications, as validated by the comprehensive analyses conducted in this study.

Rheological properties and shootability of sprayable geopolymer mortar

Geopolymer presents a promising alternative to Portland cement for shotcrete, offering reduced environmental impacts, favorable mechanical performance, and improved durability. At present, small-scale applications have been implemented, but the fresh performances of spayed geopolymer are still rarely studied, restricting its further large application. This research investigates the rheological properties and shootability of sprayable fly ash/slag/silica fume based geopolymers considering the effects of different mix parameters. The water to binder (W/B) ratio has the greatest effect on the yield stress, and the dynamic yield stress is increased from 64.47 Pa to 388.64 Pa as the W/B ratio is reduced from 0.32 to 0.28. The change in dynamic yield stress is mainly related to either the formation of hydration products or the solid volume fraction. Mixtures with the highest thixotropic indexes are ideal for achieving both pumpability and shootability, while also exhibiting relatively low characteristic time. A modified equation for pumpability assessment is presented, which is more reasonable and consistent with the experimental results. The static yield stress is recommended for evaluating the build-up thickness of the designed fresh mixture, as there is a recognized strong correlation between them. In addition, the build-up thickness decreases with the increase of flowability, which could be used as a potential indicator. With the increasing sand to binder ratio, the mechanical strength exhibits a valley, which could be linked to the critical volume fraction of aggregate that corresponds to an effective interacting network, below which the sand-induced defects cause damage to strength and above which the interacting skeleton could contribute to strengthening. The strong environment savings of the current material are demonstrated, with the reduction in carbon emissions more than 50%. This study provides valuable information towards regulating and controlling the shootability of sprayable geopolymer and expands its broader application.

Strength Characteristics and Rheological Behavior of a High Level of Fly Ash in the Production of Concrete.

This study investigates the valorization of coal fly ash (FA-C) generated by the Jerada thermal power plant, aiming to address the pressing need for sustainable construction practices and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the concrete industry. It is widely used as a pozzolanic material. The key objective is to harness the potential of FA-C as a supplementary material in concrete production, which not only reduces costs but also contributes to environmental sustainability. To achieve this objective, various concrete mixtures were formulated, with FA-C serving as a partial substitute for cement at percentages ranging from 15 to 50%. According to ASTM standards, compressive strength tests were conducted on standard-sized cylinders at 7 and 28 days. The results revealed that the blend containing 15% FA-C exhibited the highest compressive strength, indicating its effectiveness as a concrete additive. Furthermore, this study delves into the rheological properties of concrete mixes, an essential aspect of successful concrete processing. It was observed that a higher replacement level of FA-C significantly improved the rheology, leading to reduced water demand and a linear decrease in plastic viscosity over time. The rheological parameters stabilized after a certain period, demonstrating the controllability of concrete flow behavior with FA-C. The investigation also employed three analytical methods-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-to comprehensively analyze both raw materials and processed samples. FTIR analysis highlighted the minimal impact of FA particles on hydration product formation, emphasizing the role of FA-C in enhancing the concrete's strength. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of an amorphous phase crucial for FA's reactivity. SEM observations revealed that concrete with 15% FA-C exhibited a more uniform microstructure with aluminosilicate gel, while 50% FA-C mixes showed increased porosity and nonhomogeneity due to unreacted FA particles.

Effect of the Rehydration Method on the Physical–Mechanical Properties of CO2-Cured Magnesium-Based Fiber Cement Boards

This article analyzes the effect of the rehydration method on the physical–mechanical properties of accelerated carbonation-cured magnesium-based fiber cement boards. The rehydration process of the boards was analyzed in conjunction with the analysis of the pre-curing time before accelerated carbonation (24, 48, and 72 h before carbonation), resulting in eight different curing parameters used in this investigation. The physical–mechanical performance and microstructural characteristics of magnesium oxysulfate boards before and after carbonation were investigated by water absorption, apparent porosity, and bulk density using the four-point bending test, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. According to the results, the accelerated carbonation process improved the mechanical properties of the boards. The samples that carbonated after 48 h showed a higher modulus of rupture. The rehydration process of the composites before carbonation led to enhancements in the pre-cured boards for 48 and 72 h, demonstrating that carbonation occurred more effectively after water rehydration. The mechanical improvements were associated with the formation of hydration products, which preferentially formed in the pores and voids of the fiber cement matrix. These carbonation products altered the physical properties of the composites, increasing the density of the boards and reducing the void volume. The decomposition of the formed carbonates was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis, which indicated that the rehydration process favored the carbonation of the composites.

Environmental impact of concrete containing high volume fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag

Concrete production is energy-intensive and has an adverse impact on the environment due to the raw materials involved. Currently, India has abundant reserves of fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). Despite various applications, fly ash often ends up in landfills. Given its abundance, there is a growing interest in utilising substantial quantities of fly ash in concrete production. In the current study, M30-grade concrete is designed with very high levels of fly ash and GGBS. Additionally, quick lime (QL) is incorporated as a supplementary agent to augment lime content. A total of twenty concrete mixes have been developed with different combinations of fly ash, GGBS, and QL. Results illustrate that the addition of QL does not show overall strength improvement to the GGBS-based mixes, but it impacts on fly ash-based mixes. The targeted design strength is achieved with 70% cement replacement with fly ash and QL. The strength development depends on the pozzolanic reaction initiated and the formation of hydration products in the system. The environmental impact of concrete is assessed by analysing its life cycle assessment using a cradle-to-gate approach. The energy requirement and kg-CO2 eq. emissions depend on the level of cement replacement. The fly ash-based concrete emits less kg-CO2 eq. and requires less energy than the GGBS-based mixes. Overall, the designed strength is achieved with 65% fly ash, requiring 59% less energy, reducing 54% CO2 footprint, 56% GWP100, 80% HTPinf, 46% ODPinf, and cost by 34% compared to OPC-based concrete.

Large-scale application of coal gasification slag in nonburnt bricks: Hydration characteristics and mechanism analysis

Coal gasification slag (CGS) is a typical solid waste from the coal gasification process. Reusing CGS into building materials is a key means of realizing its large-scale utilization. This study aims to utilize CGS at a large dosage for the preparation of nonburnt bricks. The CGS, red mud, fly ash and desulfurization ash were utilized to synergistically prepare nonburnt bricks. The mechanical, durability and environmental performance of nonburnt bricks were analysed. Moreover, XRD, thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR, MIP and SEM were conducted to analyse the hydration products and microscopic morphology. The results revealed that when the CGS dosage reached 60%, the best performance of prepared nonburnt bricks was achieved. The unconfined compressive strength was 8.3 MPa at 3 d, 18.2 MPa at 7 d and 24.0 MPa at 28 d. Undergoing 25 cycles of freeze-thaw, the mass loss ratio was 0.9% and strength loss ratio was 10.67%. The alkaline solid wastes (red mud) have a promoting effect on the dissolution of active components in CGS, and the calcium content in blast furnace slag and desulfurization ash, as well as the sulfate in desulfurization ash, can enhance the formation of hydration products. The microstructures displayed the formed clustered C-S-H gels and reticulated C(N)-A-S-H gels tightly wrapped unreacted particles and filled the interstitial spaces of the materials, causing to an elevation in the compactness and a decline in the number of harmful pores. In addition, heavy metals (Cr, As, Cd and Pb) in CGS were well solidified. This study provides a rationale for the harmless and resourceful utilization of CGS.

The influence of industrial solid waste in conjunction with lepidolite tailings on the mechanical properties and microstructure of cemented backfill materials

The global demand for lithium resources continues to increase, resulting in significant solid waste generation, including tailings, during the process of lithium mining. To maintain a consistent 80% solid content and a cement-to-solid waste ratio of 1:12 in cementitious backfill (CB), an orthogonal experimental design was employed. The curing periods were set at 7 and 14 days respectively. Uniaxial compressive strength tests were conducted on specimens of CB containing varying proportions of desulfurization gypsum (DG), fly ash (FA), steel slag (SS), and lepidolite tailings (LT). Mechanical properties and microstructure were studied and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gray value analysis, as well as other equipment and methods. The results indicate that:(1)The compressive strength of CB specimens cured for 7 days ranged between 1.28 and 3.05 MPa, while those cured for 14 days exhibited compressive strengths ranging from 2.14 to 3.17 MPa, with the optimal solid waste mix ratio being 2:4:4:3. (2) The predominant macroscopic failure modes of the CB specimens are tensile failure and a combination of tensile and shear failure. The entire failure process encompasses four stages: initial pore compaction, linear elastic deformation, micro-crack propagation, and post-peak failure development. (3) Appropriately increasing the content of DG, FA, and LT and appropriately reducing the content of SS can effectively improve the mechanical properties of CB samples and contribute to the formation of hydration products by hydration reaction. The internal hydration products within the CB specimens encompass ettringite AFt (3CaO·Al₂O₃·3CaSO₄·32 H₂O) and C-(A)-S-H gel, with the latter demonstrating superior binding properties compared to AFt. As the curing age increases, the quantity of hydration products correspondingly grows. Furthermore, CB samples prepared with an optimal solid waste ratio exhibit a more compact internal microstructure. This work provides theoretical support for seeking the best proportions of multiple industrial solid wastes, such as lithium mica mine tailings, as backfill materials, while significantly reducing the cement costs associated with conventional filling and the handling burden of tailings generated from lithium mine extraction.

Feasibility of using pretreated sodium silicate-bonded waste foundry sand as fine aggregates for construction mortar

Insufficient utilization of sodium silicate-bound waste foundry sand (SS-WFS) in construction is due to the presence of harmful residual sodium silicate film on the sand surface, which are detrimental to cement hydration. Based on previous research, this study proposes a pretreatment method using another industrial waste, calcium carbide slag (CCS), to effectively remove pollutants from sodium silicate-bounded waste foundry sand (SS-WFS). The feasibility of pretreated SS-WFS as an alternative to natural sand and optimal washing duration were investigated. The results demonstrate that pretreated SS-WFS exhibits promising potential as a substitute for 100% natural sand as a fine aggregate within the construction industry, while demonstrating comparable mechanical properties to those of natural sand mortar. The residual sodium silicate film on the surface of SS-WFS undergo secondary hydration, leading to the formation of hydration products with a low calcium-to-silicon ratio in interfacial transition zone. This enhances the mechanical properties of the mortar and improves its deformation characteristics. The optimal washing duration is determined to be 5 min with 1% CCS, and compared to RS-0, the mortar strength has increased by 70%. Extended washing duration may cause the depletion of beneficial components, such as active Si2O, from the sand surface.

Development of nano-silica modification to enhance the micro-macro properties of cement-based materials with recycled clay brick powder

Utilizing recycled clay brick powder (RCBP) as alternative binder provides an effective method for reducing the amount of the clay brick waste and the need for cement, but incorporating high volume of RCBP generally causes a reduction in the performance of cement-based materials. Considering that the nano-SiO2 (NS) is commonly used and highly efficient modification materials for cement-based materials, this paper developed the NS modification to enhance the performance of cement-based materials containing RCBP. Mixing RCBP negatively impacts the hydration reaction and hydration products, but adding NS accelerates the hydration process and the formation of hydration products in RCBP paste. Adding 0.5% and 2.0% NS causes 27.3% and 43.3% increase in the cumulative heat of 30% RCBP blended paste. The mix of NS can refine the pore structure of RCBP paste, and causes a distinct reduction in the percentage of the most harmful pore. The nanoindentation results show that adding NS can raise the elasticity modulus and indentation hardness of RCBP paste. Substituting RCBP for partial cement reduces the drying shrinkage, but mixing NS increases the drying shrinkage of RCBP paste. Incorporating RCBP leads to a decline in mechanical strength, nonetheless, the mechanical strength of RCBP paste rises with the increasing dosage of NS. Adding 2.0% NS results in 44.2% and 18.8% enhancement on the 1-d and 28-day compressive strength of 30% RCBP blended paste. By optimizing the dosage of RCBP, NS and mineral admixtures, it is possible to fabricate sustainable cement-based materials exhibiting good strength and permeability resistance.