Recycling solid waste to produce eco-friendly ultra-high performance concrete: A review of durability, microstructure and environment characteristics

Influence of Pozzolanic Additives on the Structure and Properties of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete

The aim of this paper is to analyse the influence of the following different supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs): milled quartz sand, microsilica, waste metakaolin, milled window glass, and a binary additive made of one part waste metakaolin and one part microsilica, on the properties of ultra-high-performance concrete, and choose the best additive according to the physical, mechanical, and structural properties of concrete. In all mixes except the control mix, 10% of the cement was replaced with pozzolanic additives, and the changes in the physical, mechanical, and structural properties of the concrete were analysed (density, compressive strength, water absorption, capillary water absorption, degree of structural inhomogeneity, porosity, freeze-thaw resistance prediction coefficient Kf values); X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM) results were then interpreted. Concrete with microsilica and the binary additive (microsilica + metakaolin) was found to have the highest compressive strength, density, closed porosity, and structural homogeneity. Compared to the control sample, these compositions have 50% lower open porosity and 24% higher closed porosity, resulting from the effect of pozzolanic additives, with which the highest density and structural homogeneity was achieved due to the different particle sizes of the additives used.

Innovative dual-benefit recycling and sustainable management of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash via ultra-high performance concrete

Millions of tons of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash are generated worldwide each year. Currently, landfilling is the primary disposal method, consuming vast land resources and posing significant risks of soil and groundwater contamination due to the high concentration of hazardous heavy metals. Thus, this study investigated the potential of recycling hazardous municipal solid waste incineration fly ash into non-hazardous ultra-high performance concrete for sustainable development. The mechanisms of heavy metal solidification and binding were examined through Density Functional Theory calculations and microscale experiments. Heavy metals are solidified through the adsorption and binding effects of calcium silicate hydrate and the encapsulation effect of the compact accumulation within the concrete structure. The pore structure of the concrete and the chemical reactions between the fly ash and cement were analyzed to validate the heavy metal solidification mechanism. After solidification, the leaching concentrations of heavy metals from the concrete were two orders of magnitude lower than the limit specified by the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure. The autogenous shrinking of UHPC with MSWIFA was reduced by about 50 %, and the compressive strength of the concrete decreased. The incorporation of MSWIFA led to approximately a 20 % reduction in energy consumption and carbon emission. The concrete with MSWIFA exhibited better overall performance. This study presents an innovative and effective approach for recycling municipal solid waste incineration fly ash into non-hazardous concrete, contributing to sustainable hazardous waste management and reducing environmental pollution caused by heavy metals.

Shear Performance in Reinforced Concrete Beams with Partial Aggregate Substitution Using Waste Glass: A Comparative Analysis via Digital Imaging Processing and a Theoretical Approach

The usage of waste glass aggregate (WGA) associated with the replacement of fine aggregate (FA) and coarse aggregate (CA) is observed to reduce the number of raw materials for sustainable concrete. For this aim, a total of 15 beams were produced, and then investigational experiments were implemented to observe the shear performances. The stirrup spacing and WGA proportion were chosen as the main parameters. FA and CA were exchanged with WGA with weight proportions of 0, 10, and 20%. The experimental investigation results showed that changing stirrup spacing and WGA proportion affected the fracture and shear properties of reinforced-concrete-beams (R-C-Bs). Furthermore, the findings of the test results revealed that the proportion of WGA could be efficiently consumed as 20% of the partial replacement of FA. With the addition of FA to the mixture, the load carrying capacity of R-C-Bs increases. On the other hand, increasing the WGA ratio by more than 10% using CA, together with increasing the stirrup spacing, can significantly reduce the capacity of R-C-Bs. It was observed that the calculated shear strengths of R-C-Bs with inadequate stirrup spacing, based on ACI 318 and EC2 design codes, can be up to 52 and 79% higher than the experimental results for R-C-Bs containing coarse glass aggregate and 21 and 56% higher for R-C-Bs containing fine glass aggregate, respectively. Additionally, an image processing method was applied to describe the damages/microdamages in R-C-Bs. At that point, the findings obtained from the experimental part of the study were confirmed by the results of the image processing method. Although the strains obtained with the image processing method are reliable, it has not been determined exactly where the crack will occur due to the very sudden development of the shear crack at the moment of beam failure.

Solidification and utilization of municipal solid waste incineration ashes: Advancements in alkali-activated materials and stabilization techniques, a review

Researchers are actively investigating methodologies for the detoxification and utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash (MSWIBA) and Fly Ash (MSWIFA), given their potential as alkali-activated materials (AAMs) with low energy consumption. Recent studies highlight that AAMs from MSWIFA and MSWIBA demonstrate significant durability in both acidic and alkaline environments. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the processes for producing MSWIFA and MSWIBA, evaluating innovative engineering stabilization techniques such as graphene nano-platelets and lightweight artificial cold-bonded aggregates, along with their respective advantages and limitations. Additionally, this review meticulously incorporates relevant reactions. Recommendations are also presented to guide future research endeavors aimed at refining these methodologies.

A review of biomineralization in healing concrete: Mechanism, biodiversity, and application

Concrete is the main ingredient in construction, but it inevitably fractures during its service life, requiring a large amount of cement and aggregate for maintenance. Concrete healing through biomineralization can repair cracks and improve the durability of concrete, which is conducive to saving raw materials and reducing carbon emissions. This paper reviews the biodiversity of microorganisms capable of precipitating mineralization to repair the concrete and their mineralization ability under different conditions. To better understand the mass transfer process of precipitates, two biomineralization mechanisms, microbially-controlled mineralization and microbially-induced mineralization, have been briefly described. The application of microorganisms in the field of healing concrete, comprising passive healing and intrinsic healing, is discussed. The key insight on the interaction between cementitious materials and microorganisms is the main approach for developing novel self-healing concrete in the future to improve the corrosion resistance of concrete. At the same time, the limitations and challenges are also pointed out.

Freeze-Thaw Damage Characteristics of Concrete Based on Compressive Mechanical Properties and Acoustic Parameters

Concrete is a versatile material widely used in modern construction. However, concrete is also subject to freeze-thaw damage, which can significantly reduce its mechanical properties and lead to premature failure. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the laboratory performance and freeze-thaw damage characteristics of a common mix proportion of concrete based on compressive mechanical tests and acoustic technologies. Freeze-thaw damage characteristics of the concrete were evaluated via compressive mechanical testing, mass loss analysis, and ultrasonic pulse velocity testing. Acoustic emission (AE) technology was utilized to assess the damage development status of the concrete. The outcomes indicated that the relationships between cumulative mass loss, compressive strength, and ultrasonic wave velocity and freeze-thaw cycles during the freezing-thawing process follow a parabola fitting pattern. As the freeze-thaw damage degree increased, the surface presented a trend of "smooth intact surface" to "surface with dense pores" to "cement mortar peeling" to "coarse aggregates exposed on a large area". Therefore, there was a rapid decrease in the mass loss after a certain number of freeze-thaw cycles. According to the three stages divided by the stress-AE parameter curve, the linear growth stage shortens, the damage accumulation stage increases, and the failure stage appears earlier with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles. In conclusion, the application of a comprehensive understanding of freeze-thaw damage characteristics of concrete based on compressive properties and acoustic parameters would enhance the evaluation of the performance degradation and damage status for concrete structures.

Strength, porosity and life cycle analysis of geopolymer and hybrid cement mortars for sustainable construction

Owing to the application of industrial wastes, geopolymers are generally regarded as a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials. However, their lack of adoption on the industrial scale demands detailed investigations. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the compressive strength of different geopolymer and hybrid cement mortars with varying proportions of sodium hydroxide (from 5 to 25 wt%) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) (from 15 to 35 wt%), respectively. The porosity of all designed mixtures was also analyzed using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and water absorption tests. ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method was used for the Life cycle analysis of the geopolymer and hybrid cement mortars. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach was used to assess the sustainability potential of the designed mixtures based on compressive strength, porosity and overall environmental impact. Experimental results revealed that the increase in sodium hydroxide in geopolymer mortars up to 15 wt% offered its maximum compressive strength. Superior compressive strength was obtained at 35 wt% of OPC in hybrid cement mortars due to the formation of more C-S-H, C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H gels which fill up the voids and pores. Analysis of the macro and micro-porosity revealed that hybrid cement mortars yield denser structure than geopolymer mortars. Life cycle analysis based on 8 distinct impact categories showed that hybrid cement mortars outperform the geopolymers in all impact categories except 'mineral resource scarcity'. However, the overall environmental impact assessment using the 'coefficient of performance' depicts that hybrid cement mortars offer a significantly lower environmental burden than geopolymers. MCDM analysis shows that hybrid cement mortar with 5 wt% of sodium hydroxide and 35 wt% of OPC is the best choice for construction applications. This idea of sustainable hybrid cement mortar will be helpful for the construction industry to limit the environmental impact without compromising their structural performance.

Fresh, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Cement Composites Containing Recycled Foam Concrete as Partial Replacement of Cement and Fine Aggregate

The research presented in this article was conducted to evaluate the suitability of recycled foam concrete (RFC) as an ingredient in newly created cement mortars. The basis for an analysis was the assumption that the waste is collected selectively after separation from other waste generated during demolition. The motivation for the research and its main problem is a comparison of the performance of RFC used in various forms. RFC was used in two forms: (1) recycled foam concrete dust (RFCD) as a 25 and 50% replacement of cement, and (2) recycled foam concrete fine aggregate (RFCA) as a 10, 20, and 30% replacement of sand. The basic properties of fresh and hardened mortars were determined: consistency, density, initial setting time, absorbability, compressive strength, thermal conductivity coefficient, and heat capacity. Research is complemented with SEM observations. The properties of fresh mortars and mechanical parameters were decreased with the usage of any dosage of RFC in any form, but the thermal properties were improved. The required superplasticizer amount for proper consistency was raised four times for replacing cement with 50% of RFCD than for 25% of such replacement. The mix density dropped by about 8% and 9% for mortars with the replacement of 50% cement by RFCD and 30% sand by RFCA in comparison to reference mortar. A 30% decrease in initial setting time was observed for cement replacement. In the case of sand replacement, it was the opposite-an increase of 100%. The dry density decreased by about 14% and 11% for mortars with the replacement of 50% cement by RFCD and 30% sand by RFCA in comparison to reference mortar. Absorbability was raised by about two times after replacement with both RFCD and RFCA. Compressive strength after 28 days dropped significantly by 75% and 60%, and the thermal conductivity coefficient decreased by 20% and 50% with 50% RFCD added instead of cement and 30% RFCA replacing sand. It indicates greater efficiency in thermomechanical means from RFCA in comparison to RFCD. This material can be used especially in the production of plaster and masonry mortar. Linear correlations of dry density and thermal conductivity coefficient and the latter and compressive strength were proven as reliable for RFCD replacement of cement and RFCA replacement of sand in mortars with greater w/c ratio.

Study on Frost Resistance and Interface Bonding Performance through the Integration of Recycled Brick Powder in Ultra-High-Performance Concrete for Structural Reinforcement

This study aims to address the issues posed by frost damage to concrete structures in cold regions, focusing on reinforcement and repair methods to increase the service life of existing structures instead of costly reconstruction solutions. Due to the limitations of conventional concrete in terms of durability and strength, this research focused on ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) by replacing part of the cement with recycled brick powder (RBP) to strengthen ordinary C50 concrete, obtaining UHPC-NC specimens. Mechanical tests investigated the bonding performance of UHPC-NC specimens under various conditions, including interface agents, surface roughness treatments, and freeze-thaw after 0, 50, 100, and 150 cycles with a 30% replacement rate of RBP. Additionally, a multi-factor calculation formula for interface bonding strength was established according to the test data, and the bonding mechanism and model were analyzed through an SEM test. The results indicate that the interface bonding of UHPC-NC specimens decreased during salt freezing compared to hydro-freezing, causing more severe damage. However, the relative index of splitting tensile strength for cement paste specimens showed increases of 14.01% and 14.97%, respectively, compared to specimens without an interface agent. Using an interface agent improved bonding strength and cohesiveness. The UHPC-NC bonding model without an interfacial agent can be characterized using a three-zone model. After applying an interfacial agent, the model can be characterized by a three-zone, three-layer bonding model. Overall, the RBP-UHPC-reinforced C50 for damaged concrete showed excellent interfacial bonding and frost resistance performance.

The Impact of Milled Wood Waste Bottom Ash (WWBA) on the Properties of Conventional Concrete and Cement Hydration

Wood waste bottom ash (WWBA) is a waste generated in power plants during the burning of forest residues to produce energy and heat. In 2019, approximately 19,800 tons of WWBA was generated only in Lithuania. WWBA is rarely recycled or reused and is mostly landfilled, which is both costly for the industry and unsustainable. This study presents a sustainable solution to replace a part of cement with WWBA at 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% by weight. Problems are also associated with the use of this material, as WWBA could have a relatively large surface area and a high water demand. For the evaluation of the possibilities of WWBA use for cementitious materials, the calorimetry test for the cement paste as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermography (TG, DTG), and porosity (MIP) for hardened cement paste with the results of physical and mechanical properties, and the freeze-thaw resistance of the concrete was measured and compared. It was found that WWBA with a large quantity of CO2 could be used as a microfiller with weak pozzolanic properties in the manufacture of cementitious materials. As a result, concrete containing 6% WWBA used to substitute cement has higher density, compressive strength at 28 days, and ultrasonic pulse velocity values. In terms of durability, it was verified that concrete modified with 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% WWBA had a freeze-thaw resistance level of F150. The results show that the use of WWBA to replace cement is a valuable sustainable option for the production of conventional concrete and has a positive effect on durability.

Effects of Steel Slag Powder Content and Curing Condition on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Materials Based UHPC Matrix

The accumulation of steel slag and other industrial solid wastes has caused serious environmental pollution and resource waste, and the resource utilization of steel slag is imminent. In this paper, alkali-activated ultra-high-performance concrete (AAM-UHPC) was prepared by replacing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) powder with different proportions of steel slag powder, and its workability, mechanical properties, curing condition, microstructure, and pore structure were investigated. The results illustrate that the incorporation of steel slag powder can significantly delay the setting time and improve the flowability of AAM-UHPC, making it possible for engineering applications. The mechanical properties of AAM-UHPC showed a tendency to increase and then decrease with the increase in steel slag dosing and reached their best performance at a 30% dosage of steel slag. The maximum compressive strength and flexural strength are 157.1 MPa and 16.32 Mpa, respectively. High-temperature steam or hot water curing at an early age was beneficial to the strength development of AAM-UHPC, but continuous high-temperature, hot, and humid curing would lead to strength inversion. When the dosage of steel slag is 30%, the average pore diameter of the matrix is only 8.43 nm, and the appropriate steel slag dosage can reduce the heat of hydration and refine the pore size distribution, making the matrix denser.