The properties of slag-rich cement paste are fundamentally associated with slag chemistry. In the present research, 10 slags covering the common chemistry range, including eight synthetic slags of CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO system and two commercial slags, were adopted to evaluate the influence of slag composition on the early (7 days) and later (3 months) age properties of blended paste. Mixture containing Al2O3-rich slag performed better at 7 days as it favored the formation of ettringite and/or monosulfate. The MgO-rich slag cement paste exhibited good properties at both early and later ages, and it effectively promoted the precipitation of Mg-Al hydrotalcite-like phase. It was also noted that the Mg/Al atomic ratio of hydrotalcite-like phase was positively related to the Mg/Al atomic ratio of slag itself. Conversely, with the increasing MgO content in slag, the Al/Si atomic ratio of C-S(A)-H gel phase decreased. High Al2O3 and/or MgO contents can compensate the negative effect of reduced CaO/SiO2 ratio at early age while not at later age. Overall, attention should be paid to aluminum- and sulfur-rich slags. These two elements in slag promoted the formation of ettringite and/or monosulfate at an early age; however, this positive effect disappeared at later ages.

A deeper insight into SO₃/Al₂O₃ ratio including the contribution of alumina in slag at early age is required to ensure a properly sulfated slag cement. In this paper, to investigate the effect of gypsum and alumina of slag, emphasis was laid on the hydration characteristics of C₃S-gypsum-slag system during the early age, of which slag was synthesized in the laboratory with varying Al₂O₃ contents from 3.69 to 18.19 wt%. The duration of dormant period during the hydration of C₃S depended on Al₂O₃ content of slag significantly; however, the amount of silicate reaction before the onset of aluminate reaction was independent of slag chemistry and gypsum content added. The rate of aluminate reaction was controlled by the availability of reactants, SO₄²⁻ and Al³⁺ ions in particular, which were sourced from gypsum and slag, respectively. Calcium monosulfoaluminate only occurred in mixture when slag contained a high amount of Al₂O₃ (18.19 wt% in this study) at early age, and its formation proceeded continuously at the expense of ettringite. Sulfur rich species incorporated in slag started to participate into aluminate reaction after the main hydration peak of C₃S, and it played a similar role to gypsum.

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), which typically contains extremely high superplasticizer amount, tends to render a special type of dense surface layer, especially under drying conditions. Even if the inner side of fresh UHPC is still in a flowable nature, the top surface of the concrete which is exposed to ambient conditions renders a dense cover called “elephant skin” in a short time after casting. In this study, the effects of climatic conditions and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) replacement on the elephant skin formation were studied. The influence of elephant skin formation on the macropore profile was assessed by micro-computed tomography scan. Observations revealed that any drying condition that does not lead to water vapor condensation on the fresh surface can trigger the formation of elephant skin within minutes after casting. Both microscopic and micro-computed tomography investigations showed that as a result of elephant skin formation, most of the air bubbles cannot escape from the fresh matrix, and locate under the skin. These air bubbles and elephant skin itself result in a multi-layered structure in UHPC body throughout the cross-section and reduce the aesthetics of the casting surface. Increasing GGBS replacement percentage significantly reduced the superplasticizer demand which is responsible for skin formation, however, did not eliminate the problem.

The elastic modulus of corrosion product (E_cp) has been reported with significant variations in the literature. This study aims to investigate the E_cp of naturally-generated chloride-induced corrosion products formed in different concrete mixes. Microstructural characterization was conducted through nano-indentation, electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The corrosion products were mainly composed of a goethite matrix with portions of maghemite, independently of the concrete composition. Microscopic analysis suggest that layers of corrosion products grow at different times and under different physico-chemical conditions. Our measurements showed that E_cp varied between 80−100 GPa, which can be suggested for numerical models of corrosion induced cracking.

In this study, stirring speeds during the synthesizing process of the sodium silicate/polyurethane microcapsules were optimized. The yield values of microcapsules at different stirring rates were evaluated. Based on the yield values and shape of microcapsules, optimized microcapsules were obtained. The measurements of the shell thickness of microcapsules were performed on the fractured microcapsules by using scanning electron microscopy. The optimized microcapsules were further characterized by means of optical microscopy and nanoindentation. Load vs. displacement and modulus of elasticity vs. displacement characteristics of the microcapsules were obtained. The average modulus of elasticity was found to be 633 MPa. The self-healing efficiency of the optimized microcapsules was evaluated by means of compressive strength tests. The incorporation of microcapsules reduced the compressive strength of fiber-reinforced mortar by 12–22%. However, it was observed that the microcapsules enhanced the self-healing capacity (recovery in compressive strength) of the mortar.

For a single batch material, time intervals and nozzle standoff distances between two subsequent layers are two critical printing parameters that influence the mechanical performance of the printed concrete. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study to investigate the impacts of these printing parameters on the interlayer bond strength of the 3D printed limestone and calcined clay-based cementitious materials. All samples were manufactured by a lab-scale 3D printer equipped with a hybrid back- and down-flow nozzle (rectangular opening). The uniaxial tensile test was employed to quantify the interface adhesion of printed specimens. Moreover, the greyscale value image of microstructure, as well as the air void content and distribution of the printed specimens were acquired by X-ray computed tomography and characterized by image analysis. The experimental results showed that extending the time interval between construction of two layers could decrease the bond strength, whereas only increasing the nozzle standoff distance exhibited limited effects on that. The weak bond strength could be attributed to the high local porosity at the interface of the specimen. Additionally, numerical simulations of the uniaxial tensile test were conducted using a 2D lattice fracture model, which can predict the bond strength of printed specimens for different void content in the interface layer.

Water to cement (w/c) ratio is usually the most important parameter specified in concrete design and is sometimes the subject of dispute when a shortfall in concrete strength or durability is an issue. However, determination of w/c ratio in hardened concrete by testing is very difficult once the concrete has set. This paper presents the results from an inter-laboratory round-robin study organised by the Applied Petrography Group to evaluate and compare microscopy methods for measuring w/c ratio in hardened concrete. Five concrete prisms with w/c ratios ranging from 0.35 to 0.55, but otherwise identical in mix design were prepared independently and distributed to 11 participating petrographic laboratories across Europe. Participants used a range of methods routine to their laboratory and these are broadly divided into visual assessment, measurement of fluorescent intensity and quantitative backscattered electron microscopy. Some participants determined w/c ratio using more than one method or operator. Consequently, 100 individual w/c ratio determinations were collected, representing the largest study of its type ever undertaken. The majority (81%) of the results are accurate to within ± 0.1 of the target mix w/c ratios, 58% come to within ± 0.05 and 37% are within ± 0.025. The study shows that microscopy-based methods are more accurate and reliable compared to the BS 1881-124 physicochemical method for determining w/c ratio. The practical significance, potential sources of errors and limitations are discussed with the view to inform future applications.