Influence of coarse aggregate settlement induced by vibration on long-term chloride transport in concrete: a numerical study

High-frequency vibration helps to improve the compactness of concrete, but also causes the settlement of coarse aggregates (CAs) and then affects the durability of hardened concrete. In this paper, a numerical study combining multi-phase CA settlement model and multi-component ionic transport model is performed to understand the influence of...

The effect of furnace steel slag powder on the performance of cementitious mortar at ambient temperature and after exposure to elevated temperatures

Induction furnace steel slag is a secondary product obtained when molten steel is separated from the impurities in the steel-producing furnaces. Though numerous studies have been published on the mechanical strength of concrete/mortar made with steel slag as fine aggregate, relatively few studies focus on the shrinkage, durability (i.e.,...

Use of fine recycled concrete aggregates in concrete: A critical review

This paper discusses the state-of-the-art of the fine recycled concrete aggregates (fRCA), focusing on their physical and chemical properties, engineering properties and durability of concretes with fRCA. Based on the systematic review of the published literature, it is impossible to deduce without any further research the guidelines and...

X-Ray Micro Tomography of Water Absorption by Superabsorbent Polymers in Mortar

Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP) have been recently subject of investigation as smart admixtures for cement-based materials. The properties of these polymers enable their use for internal curing, increasing freeze/thaw resistance, boosting autogenous self-healing and providing a crack self-sealing effect in cementitious composites. Except for...

Effect of Recycled Iron Powder as Fine Aggregate on the Mechanical, Durability, and High Temperature Behavior of Mortars

This study evaluates the mechanical, durability, and residual compressive strength (after being exposed to 20, 120, 250, 400 and 600 °C) of mortar that uses recycled iron powder (RIP) as a fine aggregate. Within this context, mechanical strength, shrinkage, durability, and residual strength tests were performed on mortar made with seven...

Effect of fibers on durability of concrete: A practical review

This article reviews the literature related to the performance of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) in the context of the durability of concrete infrastructures. The durability of a concrete infrastructure is defined by its ability to sustain reliable levels of serviceability and structural integrity in environmental exposure which may be harsh...

Frost Damage Progression Studied Through X-Ray tomography In Mortar With Phase Change Materials

The potential of using phase change materials (PCM) in cementitious materials to mitigate damage due to thermal loadings has been recently focus of intensive research. In the case of PCM with transition temperatures near to the freezing point of water, their potential to delay frost in a cementitious matrix has been largely investigated through...

On The Role Of Soft Inclusions On The Fracture Behaviour Of Cement Paste

Soft inclusions, such as capsules and other particulate admixtures are increasingly being used in cementitious materials for functional purposes (i.e. self-healing and self-sensing of concrete). Yet, their influence on the fracture behaviour of the material is sometimes overlooked and requires in-depth study for the optimization of mechanical...

Creating Strain Hardening Cementitious Composites (SHCCS) Through Use Of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Meshes As Reinforcement

Strain hardening cementitious composites are a class of cementitious materials showing metal-like (i.e. pseudo-plastic) behavior in tension due to their multiple cracking ability. This is commonly achieved through use of fiber reinforcement (such as PVA) or, similarly, textile reinforcement (TRC). Increasing the ductility is important in...

Development of nano-SiO₂ and bentonite-based mortars for corrosion protection of reinforcing steel

In this study, the use of nano-silica (nano-SiO₂) and bentonite as mortar additives for combating reinforcement corrosion is reported. More specifically, these materials were used as additives in ordinary Portland cement (OPC)/fly ash blended mortars in different amounts. The effects of nano-silica and bentonite addition on...

A comprehensive review on mechanical and durability properties of cement-based materials containing waste recycled glass

Disposal of consumer waste is a major challenge in urban areas around the world. In the field of building materials, it has long been recognized that many types of wastes can be used instead of raw materials. In addition, production of binders such as Portland cement is a CO₂ intensive process. However, for widespread use of wastes...

Engineering Properties of Concrete with Waste Recycled Plastic: A Review

The abundance of waste plastic is a major issue for the sustainability of the environment as plastic pollutes rivers, land, and oceans. However, the versatile behavior of plastic (it is lightweight, flexible, strong, moisture-resistant, and cheap) can make it a replacement for or alternative to many existing composite materials like concrete....

Smart Crack Control in Concrete through Use of Phase Change Materials (PCMs): A Review

Cracks in concrete structures present a threat to their durability. Therefore, numerous research studies have been devoted to reducing concrete cracking. In recent years, a new approach has been proposed for controlling temperature related cracking—utilization of phase change materials (PCMs) in concrete. Through their ability to capture heat,...

Carbonation of cement paste: Understanding, challenges, and opportunities

Cement paste is known to react with atmospheric carbon dioxide. Carbonation of cement paste has long been recognized as one of the causes of reinforcement corrosion. On the other hand, carbonation causes numerous chemomechanical changes in the cement paste, most notably changes in strength, porosity, pore size distribution, and chemistry....

Cracking of SHCC due to reinforcement corrosion

Reinforcement corrosion is the most important deterioration mechanism affecting reinforced concrete infrastructures. After corrosion starts, expansive pressures are exerted onto the surrounding concrete, causing cracking and spalling of the cover concrete. The amount of cover cracking can possibly be reduced by using strain hardening...