Investigation of Mechanical Properties, Durability and Microstructure of Low-Clinker High-Performance Concretes Incorporating Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, Siliceous Fly Ash and Silica Fume
Open Access
- 17 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Applied Sciences
- Vol. 11 (2), 830
- https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020830
Abstract
The main assumption of eco-efficient High-Performance Concrete (HPC) design is the reduction of Portland cement clinker content without negatively affecting the composite’s mechanical and durability properties. In this paper, three low-clinker HPC mixtures incorporating slag cement (CEM III/B as per EN 197-1) and Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs)—Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS), Siliceous Fly Ash (SFA) and Silica Fume (SF)—were designed. The maximum amount of Portland cement clinker from CEM III/B varied from 64 to 116 kg in 1 m3 of concrete mix. The compressive strength of HPC at 2, 7, 14, 28, 56, 90 days, and 2 years after casting, as well as the modulus of elasticity on 2-year-old specimens, was tested. The depth of water penetration under pressure and internal frost resistance in freeze–thaw tests were evaluated after 56 days of curing. Additionally, the concrete pH value tests were performed. The microstructure of 2-year-old HPC specimens was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The research proved that it is possible to obtain low-clinker High-Performance Concretes that reach compressive strength of 76–92 MPa after 28 days of curing, show high values of modulus of elasticity (49–52 GPa) as well as increased resistance to frost and water penetration under pressure.Funding Information
- Politechnika Warszawska (Strategic Research Project of the Warsaw University of Technology: “Circular Economy”)
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Durability Properties and Microstructure of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Cement ConcreteInternational Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, 2014
- Global strategies and potentials to curb CO2 emissions in cement industryJournal of Cleaner Production, 2013
- Durability and mechanical properties of high strength concrete incorporating ultra fine Ground Granulated Blast-furnace SlagConstruction and Building Materials, 2012
- Mechanical and durability properties of ternary concretes containing silica fume and low reactivity blast furnace slagCement and Concrete Composites, 2012
- Studies on Influence of Mineral Admixtures on High Performance Concrete Gas PermeabilityApplied Mechanics and Materials, 2011
- Durability properties of concrete containing 50% and 65% slagConstruction and Building Materials, 2009
- Influence of mineral admixtures on compressive strength, gas permeability and carbonation of high performance concreteConstruction and Building Materials, 2009
- Wet and dry cured compressive strength of concrete containing ground granulated blast-furnace slagJournal of Affective Disorders, 2007
- Investigation of hydraulic activity of ground granulated blast furnace slag in concreteCement and Concrete Research, 2003
- The durability characteristics of high performance concrete: a reviewCement and Concrete Composites, 2003