Supplementary cementitious materials in concrete and associated structural and environmental benefits: A review

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are the materials which can replace certain amount of cement in concrete. In this way, they not only enhance the properties of concrete but also assist in reducing several environment-related issues. This review article presents the various SCMs that have proven beneficial in replacing cement in concrete. In this regard, the various SCMs discussed are fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), metakaolin (MK), limestone filler, granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and nanoparticles (NPs). Further, among the various NPs, nano-TiO2 (NT) and its addition in concrete and benefits were explained briefly. This article also highlights the NT-based photocatalytic degradation of the various contaminants of the environmental media i.e., water and air. Subsequently, the emphasis was also given on the discussion of its practical usage and then the various structures, comprising NT, built all around the world were also presented. This article concluded that more comprehensive review articles need to be published to encourage the developing nations also adopt the NT-based concrete structures. In this way, impacts associated with the various air pollution sources i.e., stubble burning, vehicular pollution etc., can be mitigated.

The Influence of the Affinity between Aggregate and Bitumen on the Mechanical Performance Properties of Asphalt Mixtures

Two of the main problems encountered in flexible pavements are the stripping of coarse aggregates and the formation of rut depth due to increases in the volume of road traffic and heavy vehicle loads, especially in areas where speeds are low. The existence of rut depth also affects the comfort and safety of road users due to the water accumulation on the pavement surface and reducing tire/pavement friction, which can lead to hydroplaning phenomena. In this research, it was proven that the use of fillers of different origins influences the affinity between aggregates and the binder. The effect of an adhesion promoter in the mix design (such as the amine included in cellulosic fiber pellets) was also studied. Several tests were carried out to determine the binder/aggregate adhesiveness, water sensitivity and resistance to permanent deformation, to evaluate the performance of different blends. It was found that the addition of this additive increased 10% of the aggregate surfaces covered with bitumen when compared with the aggregates without this addition. As expected, the water sensitivity tests showed that the mixture with granitic filler had the lowest indirect tensile strength ratio (ITSR) value (70%), while the mixtures with limestone filler led to the highest percentages (ranging from 83 to 93%). As for the results of the wheel tracking tests (WTT), it was confirmed that the use of limestone filler translates into an improvement in the performance against the permanent deformation of the asphalt mixtures. The mixture with higher bitumen content and adhesion promoter revealed the best average results.

Uptake of potentially toxic elements by edible plants in experimental mining Technosols: preliminary assessment

A study was carried out to evaluate the absorption of potentially toxic elements from mining Technosols by three types of vegetable plants (broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and onion (Allium cepa)), the different parts of which are intended for human and farm animal consumption (leaves, roots, edible parts). The preliminary results obtained highlight the importance of the design of the mining Technosols used for agricultural purposes, obtained from soils and sediments of mining origin and amended with residues of high calcium carbonate concentrations (limestone filler and construction and demolition wastes). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, and the total metal(loid)s concentration (As, Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) of the soil, rhizosphere, aqueous leachates and plant samples was monitored, the translocation and bioconcentration factors (TF and BCF, respectively) being calculated. The characterization of the soils included a mobilization study in media simulating different environmental conditions that can affect these soils and predicting the differences in behavior of each Technosol. The results obtained showed that the levels of potentially toxic elements present in the cultivated species are within the range of values mentioned in the literature when they were cultivated in soils with calcareous amendments. However, when the plants were grown in contaminated soils, the potentially toxic elements levels varied greatly according to the species, being higher in onions than in lettuce. Experiments with the use of lime filler or construction and demolition wastes for soil remediation result in crops that, in principle, do not present health risks and are similar in development to those grown on non-contaminated soil.

The Influence of Dry Hydrated Limes on the Fresh and Hardened Properties of Architectural Injection Grout

Dry hydrated lime is an air binder often used in architectural injection grouts. This study compared the influences of three commercially available dry hydrated limes on the injection grouts’ workability and mechanical properties. The main differences between the limes were in their chemical and mineralogical composition and Blaine specific surface area. The grouts were composed of dry hydrated lime, finely ground limestone filler, water, and super plasticiser. Subsequent results obtained revealed that the Blaine specific surface area is not directly related to the fresh grout properties. Grain size distribution and shape of lime particles and their aggregates in the water suspension are key parameters influencing the following fresh grout properties: fluidity, injectability, the mixture’s stability, and water retention capacity. However, the lime injection grouts’ mechanical strengths were higher in relation to an increase in the content of portlandite and the Blaine specific surface area of the dry hydrate.

Brine sludge waste from a Chlor-alkali industry: characterization and its application for non-structural and structural construction materials

Brine sludge (BS) is an industrial waste generated in large amounts by the Chlor-alkali industry and, usually disposed into industrial landfills. Because BS contains several chemical compounds, also presents a potential environmental impact. The feasibility of the utilization of brine sludge wastes for the preparation of value-added materials was investigated. The characterization of two brine sludge samples was performed in terms of chemical and physical composition, particle size distribution, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis (DTA/TG). Elements like Ca, Si, Na, Mg, Al, Cl, and Fe were identified in the samples. The XRD results confirmed the crystalline nature of compounds and indicated that the main compounds in brine sludge samples were calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, magnesium hydroxide, and quartz. FTIR showed the presence of varying functional groups like carbonate, siloxane, and hydroxide. The two brine sludge samples can be considered as a fine powder with the mean diameter (d50) of 4.984 µm and 24.574 µm, for the BS from Santo André and Cubatão, respectively. The results indicated that the brine sludge samples presented favorable characteristics to use limestone filler and binder alternative to Portland cement in the nonstructural construction materials. The incorporation of brine sludge in geopolymeric materials is another possible use in sustainable construction material products. The production of value-added products from brine sludge will be an important contribution towards sustainable development adopted by the Chlor-alkali industry.

Durability and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete Incorporating Recovered Filler from Hot Mix Asphalt Plants and Recycled Fine Aggregate

In this research, a sustainable approach is followed to develop efficient mixtures incorporating recycled fine aggregate (RFA) remained from structure demolition as well as limestone filler (LF) from production of hot mix asphalt (HMA). The LF is a byproduct of the drying process in HMA production plant which is not entirely consumed in the production of the HMA and must be hauled and disposed in landfills. The maximum particle size of the LF is approximately 40 µm. Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) mixtures were designed replacing 5% and 10% of the cement with LF. Incorporation of 50%, and 100% RFA with the fines in the mixtures were considered with and without addition of the LF. Due to the formwork and prefabrication restrictions, the paste volume and the high range water reducer content were tuned in such a way that the slump flow of the mixtures remained between 660 mm to 700 mm without segregation. Durability and mechanical performance of the mixtures were evaluated by resistance against freeze-thaw scaling exposed to deicing agents and compressive strength. It was observed that the SCC mixtures containing 10% LF outperformed those without the use of LF while 5% SCC mixtures did not exhibit tangible superiority. Incorporation of RFA as the fine fraction degraded the durability of all the mixtures. While replacing all the fine fraction with RFA significantly impaired durability and compressive strength, 50% RF mixtures could be designed containing 10% LF that remained in the allowable limits.

Industrial Waste Materials as Alternative Fillers in Asphalt Mixtures

One important role in asphalt mixture performances is represented by the filler content and characteristics. This research aims to assess the potential usage of industrial waste powders as replacers of the standard limestone filler in asphalt mixture composition. First of all, an SEM and EDX analysis was carried out to figure whether this industrial waste can be used in asphalt mixture composition by comparing the results of the industrial wastes with the properties of the standard filler. After a chemical evaluation, laboratory investigations were carried out to characterize the materials in terms of geometrical and physical properties. The research study involved sixteen dosages of limestone filler with four different types of industrial waste powders in different percentages used. The results obtained from laboratory testing suggested that the inclusion of industrial wastes in the manufacture of asphaltic mixtures may have benefits for the construction industry, the waste management sector, and also for the environment.

Reactivity Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Formation of Carboaluminate Phases in Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Blended Cements

The reactivity effect of calcium carbonate, present in ground oyster shells and limestone filler, on the formation of carboaluminate phases in ground granulated blast furnace slag blended cement pastes was reported in this paper. Six different binary and ternary blended cement pastes were prepared using ground granulated blast furnace slag, ground oyster shells and limestone filler with different replacement levels (from 5 to 35%). The carboaluminate formation was assessed and quantified directly using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and indirectly by following the aluminate phase’s reaction (heat flow) and consumed calcium carbonate using Isothermal Calorimetry (IC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), respectively. Further, the overall reaction degree calculated based on TGA results and the compressive strength were determined to support the findings obtained. The results revealed that the calcium carbonate present in ground oyster shells is more reactive when compared to that present in limestone filler, where more formed hemi- and monocarboaluminate phases were observed in mixtures containing ground oyster shells. An enhancement in compressive strength and overall reaction degree was observed by adding 5% ground oyster shells as cement replacement.

Achieving Ultra-High Performance Concrete by Using Packing Models in Combination with Nanoadditives

This paper describes the packing models that are fundamental for the design of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and their evolution. They are divided into two large groups: continuous and discrete models. The latter are those that provide the best method for achieving an adequate simulation of the packing of the particles up to nanometric size. This includes the interaction among the particles by means of loosening and wall coefficients, allowing a simulation of the virtual and real compactness of such particles. In addition, a relationship between virtual and real compactness is obtained through the compaction index, which may simulate the energy of compaction so that the particles are placed in the mold. The use of last-generation additives allows such models to be implemented with water–cement (w/c) ratios close to 0.18. However, the premise of maximum packing as a basic pillar for the production of UHPC should not be the only one. The cement hydration process affected by nanoadditives and the ensuing effectiveness of the properties in both fresh and hardened states according to the respective percentages in the mixture should also be studied. The characterization tests of the aggregates and additions (dry and wet compactness, granulometry, density and absorption) have been carried out in order to implement them numerically in the polydisperse packing model to obtain the compactness of the mixture. Establishing fixed percentages of nanoadditives in the calculation of the mixture’s compactness. The adequate ratio and proportion of these additions can lead to better results even at lower levels of compactness. The compressive strength values obtained at seven days are directly proportional to the calculated compactness. However, at the age of 28 days, better results were obtained in mixes with lower cement contents, fewer additions and lower compactness. Thus, mixes with lower cement contents and additions (silica fume and limestone filler) with a compactness of φ = 0.775 reached 80.1 MPa of strength at 7 days, which is lower than mixes with higher cement contents and number of additions (SF, limestone filler and nanosilica), which achieved a compactness of φ = 0.789 and 93.7 MPa for compressive strength. However, at 28 days the result was reversed with compressive strengths of 124.6 and 121.7 MPa, respectively.