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Recycling and Sustainability of Cement-Based Materials: Properties, Applications and Challenges

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2024 | Viewed by 3381

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yuanzhan Wang

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300354, China
Interests: sustainable and recycled concrete materials: their properties, development and applications; reliability analysis and durability evaluation of engineering structures; engineering structural design theories and computational methods

Dr. Linjian Wu

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Guest Editor Assistant

National Engineering Research Center for Inland Waterway Regulation, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, 66 Xuefu Road, Nan’an District, Chongqing 400074, China
Interests: development and application for green and recycled building materials of port and coastal engineering; durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures exposed to complex environment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cement-based composite materials are widely used in the construction industry. However, the using these materials consumes large quantities natural resources and energy, resulting in serious ecological and environmental problems. Disposing of large amounts of construction and other industrial wastes is also a major cause for concern. Utilizing industrial waste products such as construction waste to create cement-based materials can effectively reduce natural resource consumption, save energy and promote ecological environment protection, making this a global research hotspot. The physical, mechanical, and corrosion resistance properties of cement-based materials, and the associated waste products, must be addressed in practical engineering applications. Cement-based materials and their applications in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure should be explored further to help achieve sustainable development.

For this Special Issue, both original research and review articles are welcome. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to)

Property improvement of waste cement-based materials;
Properties of cement-based materials mixed with various industrial wastes
Development and applications of green cement-based materials;
Recycling technology and application of waste cement-based materials;
Durability of reinforced concrete structures, especially using waste cement-based materials.
Comprehensive performance evaluation of cement-based materials mixed with various industrial wastes (properties, resources, energy, environment, economy, etc.)

Prof. Dr. Yuanzhan Wang
Guest Editor

Dr. Linjian Wu
Guest Editor Assistant

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Keywords

cement-based materials
recycled aggregate (RA)
recycled aggregate concrete (RAC)
properties improvement
application
sustainable development
carbon sequestration
reinforced concrete (RC) structure
durability

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 5555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Concrete Mechanical Properties through Basalt Fibers and Calcium Sulfate Whiskers: Optimizing Compressive Strength, Elasticity, and Pore Structure

by Junzhi Zhang, Yueming Wang, Xixi Li, Yurong Zhang and Lingjie Wu

Materials 2024, 17(7), 1706; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071706 - 8 Apr 2024

Viewed by 491

Abstract

To study the effects of basalt fibers (BFs), calcium sulfate whiskers (CSWs), and modified calcium sulfate whiskers (MCSWs) on the compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of concrete, this paper utilizes Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) to measure the microstructure of concrete and calculate the fractal dimension of pore surface area. The results indicate that both CSWs and BFs can increase the compressive strength of concrete. CSWs can enhance the dynamic modulus of elasticity of concrete, while the effect of BFs on the dynamic modulus of elasticity is not significant. The improvement in compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity provided by MCSWs is significantly greater than that provided by CSWs. Both CSWs and BFs can effectively improve the pore structure of concrete and have a significant impact on the surface fractal dimension. CSWs inhibit the formation of ink-bottle pores, while BFs increase the number of ink-bottle pores. Due to the ink-bottle pore effect, the fractal dimension of the capillary pore surface is generally greater than three, lacking fractal characteristics. The compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of concrete have a good correlation with the fractal dimensions of large pores and transition pores. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Sustainability of Cement-Based Materials: Properties, Applications and Challenges)

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20 pages, 7482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Properties of High-Performance Concrete with Manganese Slag under Salt Action

by Junchao Yang, Hui Wang, Ling Peng and Fei Zhao

Materials 2024, 17(7), 1483; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071483 - 25 Mar 2024

Viewed by 574

Abstract

Manganese slag (MS) containing a certain amount of active hydration substances may be used as a kind of cementitious material. In the present study, we measured the mass, the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME), and the flexural and compressive strengths of MS high-performance concrete (MS-HPC) with added basalt fibers exposed to NaCl freeze–thaw cycles (N-FCs), NaCl dry–wet alternations (N-DAs), and Na₂SO₄ dry–wet alternations (NS-DAs). Scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) curves, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) curves were obtained. The mass ratio of MS ranged from 0% to 40%. The volume ratio of basalt fibers varied from 0% to 2%. We found that, as a result of salt action, the mass loss rate (MLR) exhibited linear functions which were inversely correlated with the mass ratio of MS and the volume ratio of basalt fibers. After salt action, MLR increased by rates of 0~56.3%, but this increase was attenuated by the addition of MS and basalt fibers. Corresponding increases in RDME exhibited a linear function which was positively correlated with MS mass ratios in a range of 0~55.1%. The addition of MS and basalt fibers also led to decreased attenuation of mechanical strength, while the addition of MS led to increased levels of flocculent hydration products and the elements Mn, Mg, and Fe. CaClOH and CaSO₄ crystals were observed in XRD curves after N-DA and NS-DA actions, respectively. Finally, the addition of MS resulted in increased variation in TG values. However, the opposite result was obtained when dry–wet actions were exerted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Sustainability of Cement-Based Materials: Properties, Applications and Challenges)

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15 pages, 5177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of the Original Concrete Strength and Initial Moisture Condition on the Properties Improvement of Recycled Coarse Aggregate via Accelerated Carbonation Reactions

by Xueli Ju, Linjian Wu, Mingwei Liu, Han Jiang, Wenxiao Zhang, Li Guan, Xiang Chen and Xinhui Fan

Materials 2024, 17(3), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030706 - 1 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 456

Abstract

The physical and mechanical properties of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) are worse than those of natural coarse aggregate (NCA), and the overall performance of recycled concrete prepared from RCA is worse than that of natural aggregate concrete. Treatment of RCA by CO₂-accelerated carbonation effectively improves the macroscopic properties of RCA. The degree of influence of raw material factors, i.e., the original concrete strength (OCS) and initial moisture content (IMC) of RCA, on the carbonation of RCAs is very complex. Herein, an accelerated carbonation experiment for RCA with different material factors as variables was carried out to explore the influence of the abovementioned factors on the physical properties of carbonated recycled coarse aggregate (CRCA). By analyzing the microstructure of the RCA with the best modification effect before and after carbonation, the carbonation modification mechanism of the RCA was revealed. The physical performance indexes, including the apparent density, water absorption and carbonation rate, of the dried RCA with an OCS of C40 and C50 were significantly improved. The research results can provide basic data and theoretical support for promoting the popularization and application of RCA and recycled concrete in practical engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Sustainability of Cement-Based Materials: Properties, Applications and Challenges)

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17 pages, 5884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Manganese Slag on the Properties of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete

by Wenyu Xu, Jia Yu and Hui Wang

Materials 2024, 17(2), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020497 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 694

Abstract

Manganese slag (MS) is a kind of chemical waste, which may pollute the environment if conventional handling methods (stacking and landfill) are applied. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)—with considerably high compactness and strength—can be used not only as a special concrete material, but also to solidify the toxic substances in solid waste. This study proposes the addition of MS to UHPC, where the mass ratio of MS varies from 0% to 40% in the total mass of MS and silica fume. The effects of MS on the fluidity, plastic viscosity, and yield shear stress are investigated, and the flexural strength, compressive strength, and dry shrinkage rate of UHPC with MS are measured. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum and energy spectrum analysis (EDS) diagrams are obtained to analyze the performance mechanism of the UHPC. A rheological study confirms that the slump flow increases with the increasing rate of 0–14.3%, while the yield shear stress and plastic viscosity decrease with the rates of 0–29.6% and 0–22.2%, respectively. The initial setting time increases with the mass ratio of MS by 0–14.3%, and MS has a positive effect on the flexural and compressive strengths of UHPC. In the early curing stage (less than 14 days), the increasing rate in the specimens increases with the curing age; meanwhile, when the curing age reaches 14 days or higher, the increasing rate decreases with increasing curing age. The compactness of UHPC is increased by adding MS. Furthermore, MS can increase the elements of Al and decrease crystals of Ca(OH)₂ and calcium silicate hydrate in UHPC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Sustainability of Cement-Based Materials: Properties, Applications and Challenges)

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Review

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32 pages, 6944 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Chloride Penetration of Recycled Concrete with Enhancement Treatment and Service Life Prediction

by Yuanzhan Wang, Jing Liao and Baohua Zhang

Materials 2024, 17(6), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061349 - 15 Mar 2024

Viewed by 712

Abstract

The application of recycled coarse aggregate (RA) in structural concrete can save non-renewable resources and reduce land occupation. Developing comprehensive knowledge of chloride penetration and service life modeling of recycled coarse aggregate concrete (RAC) is a prerequisite for practice. However, compared with the natural aggregate concrete (NAC), the inferior durability performance, especially chloride penetration resistance, of RAC hinders its application in structural concrete. Therefore, many RAC performance enhancement methods have been proposed. This paper presents a holistic review focused on the chloride penetration of RAC with/without enhancement methods and service life prediction. The current RAC performance enhancement methods are introduced. The improvement effect of the corresponding enhancement methods on the chloride penetration resistance of RAC are discussed and analyzed in turn. Based on the reviewed data on the chloride diffusion coefficient, the modification efficiencies of assorted enhancement methods are summarized. With the hope of promoting RAC application in structural concrete, the current literature on chloride-ingress-based service life prediction for RAC is also overviewed. In addition, the typical influencing factors on chloride transport properties are also discussed, i.e., RA quality. It can be concluded that enhancement techniques can effectively improve the chloride penetration resistance of RAC. The old mortar enhancement or removal methods can improve the chloride penetration resistance by 15–30%, depending on the specific treatment measures. The modification efficiency of the modifier material depends on the specific type and content of the incorporated substance, which ranges from approximately 5% to 95%. The estimated service life of RAC structures decreases with the increasing RA replacement ratio. Finally, concluding remarks are provided concerning future research on the chloride transport behavior of RAC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Sustainability of Cement-Based Materials: Properties, Applications and Challenges)

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