• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.187-199
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• 2022

The usability of waste materials as raw materials is necessary for sustainable production. This study investigates the effects of different powder materials used to replace cement (0%, 5% and 10%) and standard sand (0%, 20% and 30%) (basalt, limestone, and dolomite) on the compressive strength (f_c), flexural strength (f_r), and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) of mortars exposed to freeze-thaw cycles (56, 86, 126, 186 and 226 cycles). Furthermore, the usability of artificial intelligence models is compared, and the prediction accuracy of the outputs is examined according to the inputs (powder type, replacement ratio, and the number of cycles). The results show that the variability of the outputs was significantly high under the freeze-thaw effect in mortars produced with waste powder instead of those produced with cement and with standard sand. The highest prediction accuracy for all outputs was obtained using the adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system model. The significantly high prediction accuracy was obtained for the UPV, f_c, and f_r of mortars produced using waste powders instead of standard sand (R² of UPV, f_c and f_f is 0.931, 0.759 and 0.825 respectively), when under the freeze-thaw effect. However, for the mortars produced using waste powders instead of cement, the prediction accuracy of UPV was significantly high (R²=0.889) but the prediction accuracy of f_c and f_r was low (R²f_c=0.612 and R²f_f=0.334).

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.203-218
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• 2020

This research paper presents the outcomes in terms of mechanical and microstructural characteristics of binary and ternary concrete when exposed to elevated temperature. Three parameter were taken into account, (a) elevated temperature (i.e., 200, 400, 600 and 800℃) (b) binary concrete with cementitious material sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) replacement percentage (i.e., 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) and (c) ternary concrete with cementitious material SCBA and GGBFS replacement percentage (i.e., 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30%). A total of 285 standard cube specimens (150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm) containing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), SCBA, and GGBFS were made. These specimens then exposed to several elevated temperatures for 2 h, afterword is allowed to cool at room temperature. The following basic physical, mechanical, and microstructural characteristics were then determined and discussed. (a) mass loss ratio, (b) ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) (c) physical behavior, (d) compressive strength, and (e) field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). It was found that compressive strength increases up to 400℃; beyond this temperature, it decreases. UPV value and massloss decrease with increase in temperature as well as the change in color and crack were observed at a higher temperature.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.103-115
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• 2019

Polypropylene (PP) fibers for making fabric which is used for packing cement have a high strength and high tear resistance. Due to these excellent properties the present study investigates the effect of PP fibers on the mechanical strength of concrete. Mechanical strength parameters such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength are evaluated. Structural integrity of concrete using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) was also studied. Concrete containing PP fibers in percentage of 0%, 0.15%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% was developed with a characteristic compressive strength of 25 MPa. Concrete cubes, cylinder and prismatic specimens were cast and tested. It was found that the UPV values recorded for all specimens were of the similar order. Test results indicated the used of PP fibers can significantly improve the flexural and splitting tensile strengths of concrete materials whereas it resulted a decreased in compressive strength. The relative increase in split tensile and flexural strength was optimum at a fiber dosage of 0.5% and a mild decreased were observed in 28 days compressive strength. The findings in this paper suggested that PP fibers deriving from these waste cement bags are a feasible fiber option for fiber-reinforced concrete productions.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2023

This study presents the experimental results performed to evaluate the effects of Polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) and Polypropylene (PP) fibers on the fresh and residual mechanical properties of the hybrid fiber reinforced SCC before and after the exposure of 250℃, 500℃ and 750℃ temperatures. The compressive and splitting tensile strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) as well as toughness and weight loss were investigated at different temperatures. PVA and PP fibers were added into SCC mixtures having only macro steel fiber and also having binary hybridization of both macro and micro steel fiber. The results showed that the use of micro steel fiber replaced by macro steel fiber improved the fresh and hardened properties compared to the use of only macro steel fiber. Moreover, it was emphasized that PVA or PP enhanced the residual flexural performance of SCC, generally, while it negatively influenced the workability, weight loss, UPV and the residual strengths with regards to the use of single steel fiber and binary steel fiber hybridization. Compared to the effect of synthetic fibers, PP had slightly more positive effect in the view of workability while PVA enhanced the residual mechanical properties more.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.407-422
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• 2018

The study evaluates properties of brick having coal ash and explores the possibility of utilization of coal bottom ash and coal fly ash as an alternative raw material in the production of coal ash bricks. Lower cement content was used in the investigations to attain appropriate strength and prohibit high carbon content that is cause of environmental pollution. The samples use up to 7% of cement whereas sand was replaced with bottom ash. Bricks were tested for compressive strength, modulus of rupture, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), water absorption and durability. The results showed mix proportions of bottom ash, fly ash and cement as 1:1:0.15 i.e., M-15 achieved optimum values. The coal ash bricks were well bonded with mortar and could be feasible alternative to conventional bricks thus can contribute towards sustainable development.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.10-19
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• 2016

The objective of this study is to investigate the self-healing properties of ternary blended cement(TBC) paste made with OPC, GGBFS and FA. The influence of OPC-GGBFS-FA on the self-healing ability of ternary blended cement paste was researched by ultrasonic pulse velocity(UPV) measurement. The TBC paste with GGBFS-FA replacement ratios of 20%, 40% and 60% were prepared having a constant water-cementitious materials ratios os 0.5. The research focuses on behavior after 28days(after loading). Four-point bending tests are used to pre-cracked the prismatic specimens at 28days. For specimens (uncracked and cracked) submerged in tap-water and sea-water until 60days. According to the experimental results, the TBC paste system has self-healing ability increased when the fraction of GGBFS increased. Because GGBFS and FA continues to hydrate after 28days, it is likely that hydrated products from GGBFS and FA may modify microstructures, seal these cracks. From these results, it is clear that the crack in all samples experience self-healing and that this occurs mostly in the first 30days of submerging. Futhermore, most of the healing for both specimens of submerged in sea-water and tap-water occurred during the first 30days. Sea-water submerged specimens healed cracks as fast as those in tap-water. Differences in healing effects of submerged in sea-water and tap-water may be attributed to the presence of specific sea-water ions. Therefore, self-healing effects considered age-effects was more strong effect occurred mostly in the first 30days, and then gradually weaken.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.121-146
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• 2022

In the recent years, the use of agricultural waste in green cement mortar and concrete production has attracted considerable attention because of potential saving in the large areas of landfills and potential enhancement on the performance of mortar. In this research, microparticles of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) obtained from a multistage thermal and mechanical treatment processes of raw POFA originating from palm oil mill was utilized as a pozzolanic material to produce high-performance cement mortar (HPCM). POFA was used as a partial replacement material to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at replacement levels of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40% by volume. Sand with particle size smaller than 300 ㎛ was used to enhance the performance of the HPCM. The HPCM mixes were tested for workability, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), porosity and absorption. The results portray that the incorporation of micro POFA in HPCMs led to a slight reduction in the compressive strength. At 40% replacement level, the compressive strength was 87.4 MPa at 28 days which is suitable for many high strength applications. Although adding POFA to the cement mixtures harmed the absorption and porosity, those properties were very low at 3.4% and 11.5% respectively at a 40% POFA replacement ratio and after 28 days of curing. The HPCM mixtures containing POFA exhibited greater increase in strength and UPV as well as greater reduction in absorption and porosity than the control OPC mortar from 7 to 28 days of curing age, as a result of the pozzolanic reaction of POFA. Micro POFA with finely graded sand resulted in a dense and high strength cement mortar due to the pozzolanic reaction and increased packing effect. Therefore, it is demonstrated that the POFA could be used with high replacement ratios as a pozzolanic material to produce HPCM.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2016

This report presents the results of an investigation on the early strength development of pastes high volume slag cement (HVSC) activated with different concentration of sodium carbonate ($Na_2CO_3$). The ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was replaced by ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) from 50% to 90% by mass, the dry powders were blended before the paste mixing. The $Na_2CO_3$ was added at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% by total binder (OPC+GGBFS) weight. A constant water-to-binder ratio (w/b)=0.45 was used for all mixtures. The research carried out the compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), water absorption and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis at early ages(1 and 3 days). The incase of mixtures, V5 (50% OPC + 50% GGBFS), V6 (40% OPC + 60% GGBFS) and V7 (30% OPC + 70% GGBFS) specimens with 6% $Na_2CO_3$, V8 (20% OPC + 80% GGBFS) and V9 (10% OPC + 90% GGBFS) specimens with 10% $Na_2CO_3$ showed the maximum strength development. The results of UPV and water absorption showed a similar tendency to the strength properties. The XRD analysis of specimens indicated that the hydration products formed in samples were CSH and calcite phases.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2020

In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyacrylamide (PAM) have been used as self-curing agents to produce self-curing concrete (SC). Compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), bulk electrical resistivity, chloride ion penetrability, water permeability, and main microstructural characteristics were examined under different curing regimes, and compared to those of the control concrete mixture with no self-curing agents. One batch of a control mixture and one batch of a SC mixture were air-cured in the lab to act as non-water-cured samples. The water curing regimes for the control mixture included continuous water curing for 3, 7, and 28 days and periodical moist curing using wetted burlap for 3 and 7 days. Curing regimes for the SC mixtures included 3 days of water curing and periodical moist curing for 3 and 7 days. SC mixtures showed better microstructure development and durability performance than those of the air-cured control mixture. A short water curing period of 3 days significantly improved the performance of the SC mixtures similar to that of the control mixture that was water cured for 28 days. SC concrete represents a step towards sustainable construction due to its lower water demand needed for curing and hence can preserve the limited water resources in many parts of the world.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2018

This study used a volumetric method for design. The control group used waste Liquid Crystal Displayplay (LCD) glass powder to replace cement (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%), and the PZT group used Pd-Zr-Ti piezoelectric (PZT) powder to replace 5% of the fine aggregate to make cement mortar. The engineering and the mechanical and electricity properties were tested; flow, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), water absorption and resistivity (SSD and OD electricity at 50 V and 100 V) were determined; and the correlations were determined by linear regression. The compressive strength of the control group (29.5-31.8 MPa) was higher than that of the PZT group (25.1-29 MPa) by 2.8-4.4 MPa at the curing age of 28 days. A 20% waste LCD glass powder replacement (31.8 MPa) can fill up finer pores and accelerate hydration. The control group had a higher 50 V-SSD resistivity ($1870-3244{\Omega}.cm$), and the PZT group had a lower resistivity ($1419-3013{\Omega}.cm$), meaning that the resistivity increases with the replacement of waste LCD glass powder. This is because the waste LCD glass powder contains 62% $SiO_2$, which is a low dielectric material that is an insulator. Therefore, the resistivity increases with the $SiO_2$ content.