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Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2023) | Viewed by 44380

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Dumitru Doru Burduhos Nergis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Technologies and Equipment for Materials Processing, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania
Interests: engineering cementitious composites; concrete; geopolymers; concrete sustainability; concrete durability; alkali activated materials; materials science; materials chemistry; concrete material technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the most used building materials today, concrete, is the base of modern constructions around the world, being used for foundations, pavements, building walls, architectural structures, roads, bridges, overpasses, etc. Due to its versatility, it can be stated that almost all buildings include concrete in one form or another. However, the diversified nature of the components, their combination, and dosage lead to a very wide range of types of concrete, with different characteristics. Therefore, concrete is a material in continuous development that is of high interest even today.

Currently, to reduce or eliminate the limitations of this material, which are related to its brittleness and negative impact on the environment, alternative methods of its manufacture have been sought. Therefore, the development of engineering cementitious composites has led to a significant reduction in flexibility issues, while the introduction of new additives or the optimization of the manufacturing process have led to a significant decrease in the negative effects of the exploitation of virgin raw materials. However, in-depth studies are still needed to optimize and improve the sustainability of these advanced engineering cementitious composites or alternative concrete.

Therefore, the main objectives of this Special Issue include modeling and obtaining new advanced cementitious materials or alternative concrete.

Areas of interest include but are not limited to:

  • Advanced engineering cementitious composites;
  • Modeling and simulation of concrete;
  • Characterization of sustainable cementitious materials;
  • Sustainable concrete and alternative cementitious binders;
  • Additive manufacturing of concrete;
  • Sustainability and environmental impact assessment of concrete materials;
  • Geopolymer obtaining and characterization;
  • Alkali-activated materials.

Dr. Dumitru Doru Burduhos Nergis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cement
  • alternative cementitious materials
  • geopolymers
  • sustainable development
  • self-healing materials
  • construction materials
  • durability
  • eco-efficient concrete
  • life cycle analysis
  • functional properties

Published Papers (18 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 187 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability”
by Dumitru Doru Burduhos-Nergis
Materials 2023, 16(7), 2582; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma16072582 - 24 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 797
Abstract
Concrete, one of the most often-used building materials today, is the cornerstone of modern buildings all over the world, being used for foundations, pavements, building walls, architectural structures, highways, bridges, overpasses, and so on [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

16 pages, 4278 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on Toughness of Engineered Cementitious Composites with Desert Sand
by Zhishuan Lv, Yang Han, Guoqi Han, Xueyu Ge and Hao Wang
Materials 2023, 16(2), 697; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma16020697 - 11 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1209
Abstract
In this paper, engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) were prepared with desert sand instead of ordinary sand, and the toughness properties of the ECCs were studied. The particle size of the desert sand was 0.075–0.3 mm, which is defined as ultrafine sand. The ordinary [...] Read more.
In this paper, engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) were prepared with desert sand instead of ordinary sand, and the toughness properties of the ECCs were studied. The particle size of the desert sand was 0.075–0.3 mm, which is defined as ultrafine sand. The ordinary sand was sieved into one control group with a size of 0.075–0.3 mm and three other reference groups. Together with the desert sand group, a total of five groups of ECC specimens were created. Through a uniaxial tensile test, three-point bending test and single-seam tensile test on the ECC specimens, the influence of aggregate particle size and sand type on the ECC tensile strength, deformation capacity, initial crack strength, cement-matrix-fracture toughness, multiple cracking characteristics and strain-hardening properties were studied. The experimental results show that the 28d tensile strain of the four groups of the ordinary sand specimens was 8.13%, 4.37%, 4.51% and 4.23%, respectively, which exceeded 2% and satisfied the requirements for the minimum strain of the ECCs. It is easier to achieve the ECC strain hardening with sand with a fine particle size; thus, a particle size below 0.3 mm is preferred when preparing the ECCs to achieve a high toughness. The multiple cracking performance (MCP) and the pseudostrain hardening (PSH) of desert sand and ordinary sand with a 0.075–0.3 mm grain size were 2.88 and 2.33, and 8.76 and 8.17, respectively, all of which meet the strength criteria and energy criteria and have similar properties. The tensile strength and tensile deformation of the desert sand group were 4.97 MPa and 6.78%, respectively, and the deformation capacity and strain–strengthening performance were outstanding. It is verified that it is feasible to use desert sand instead of ordinary sand to prepare the ECCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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20 pages, 4416 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Properties of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete Incorporation Nylon66 Fiber
by Muhd Hafizuddin Yazid, Meor Ahmad Faris, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah, Muhammad Shazril I. Ibrahim, Rafiza Abdul Razak, Dumitru Doru Burduhos Nergis, Diana Petronela Burduhos Nergis, Omrane Benjeddou and Khanh-Son Nguyen
Materials 2022, 15(24), 9050; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15249050 - 18 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1435
Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the diamond-shaped Interlocking Chain Plastic Bead (ICPB) on fiber-reinforced fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. In this study, geopolymer concrete was produced using fly ash, NaOH, silicate, aggregate, and nylon66 fibers. Characterization of fly ash-based [...] Read more.
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the diamond-shaped Interlocking Chain Plastic Bead (ICPB) on fiber-reinforced fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. In this study, geopolymer concrete was produced using fly ash, NaOH, silicate, aggregate, and nylon66 fibers. Characterization of fly ash-based geopolymers (FGP) and fly ash-based geopolymer concrete (FRGPC) included chemical composition via XRF, functional group analysis via FTIR, compressive strength determination, flexural strength, density, slump test, and water absorption. The percentage of fiber volume added to FRGPC and FGP varied from 0% to 0.5%, and 1.5% to 2.0%. From the results obtained, it was found that ICBP fiber led to a negative result for FGP at 28 days but showed a better performance in FRGPC reinforced fiber at 28 and 90 days compared to plain geopolymer concrete. Meanwhile, NFRPGC showed that the optimum result was obtained with 0.5% of fiber addition due to the compressive strength performance at 28 days and 90 days, which were 67.7 MPa and 970.13 MPa, respectively. Similar results were observed for flexural strength, where 0.5% fiber addition resulted in the highest strength at 28 and 90 days (4.43 MPa and 4.99 MPa, respectively), and the strength performance began to decline after 0.5% fiber addition. According to the results of the slump test, an increase in fiber addition decreases the workability of geopolymer concrete. Density and water absorption, however, increase proportionally with the amount of fiber added. Therefore, diamond-shaped ICPB fiber in geopolymer concrete exhibits superior compressive and flexural strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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17 pages, 12976 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Behavior of Crushed Waste Glass as Replacement of Aggregates
by Ali İhsan Çelik, Yasin Onuralp Özkılıç, Özer Zeybek, Memduh Karalar, Shaker Qaidi, Jawad Ahmad, Dumitru Doru Burduhos-Nergis and Costica Bejinariu
Materials 2022, 15(22), 8093; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15228093 - 15 Nov 2022
Cited by 68 | Viewed by 2723
Abstract
In this study, ground glass powder and crushed waste glass were used to replace coarse and fine aggregates. Within the scope of the study, fine aggregate (FA) and coarse aggregate (CA) were changed separately with proportions of 10%, 20%, 40%, and 50%. According [...] Read more.
In this study, ground glass powder and crushed waste glass were used to replace coarse and fine aggregates. Within the scope of the study, fine aggregate (FA) and coarse aggregate (CA) were changed separately with proportions of 10%, 20%, 40%, and 50%. According to the mechanical test, including compression, splitting tensile, and flexural tests, the waste glass powder creates a better pozzolanic effect and increases the strength, while the glass particles tend to decrease the strength when they are swapped with aggregates. As observed in the splitting tensile test, noteworthy progress in the tensile strength of the concrete was achieved by 14%, while the waste glass used as a fractional replacement for the fine aggregate. In samples where glass particles were swapped with CA, the tensile strength tended to decrease. It was noticed that with the adding of waste glass at 10%, 20%, 40%, and 50% of FA swapped, the increase in flexural strength was 3.2%, 6.3%, 11.1%, and 4.8%, respectively, in amount to the reference one (6.3 MPa). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis consequences also confirm the strength consequences obtained from the experimental study. While it is seen that glass powder provides better bonding with cement with its pozzolanic effect and this has a positive effect on strength consequences, it is seen that voids are formed in the samples where large glass pieces are swapped with aggregate and this affects the strength negatively. Furthermore, simple equations using existing data in the literature and the consequences obtained from the current study were also developed to predict mechanical properties of the concrete with recycled glass for practical applications. Based on findings obtained from our study, 20% replacement for FA and CA with waste glass is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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20 pages, 6024 KiB  
Article
Strength and Durability of Sustainable Self-Consolidating Concrete with High Levels of Supplementary Cementitious Materials
by Moslih Amer Salih, Shamil Kamil Ahmed, Shaymaa Alsafi, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abullah, Ramadhansyah Putra Jaya, Shayfull Zamree Abd Rahim, Ikmal Hakem Aziz and I Nyoman Arya Thanaya
Materials 2022, 15(22), 7991; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15227991 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2068
Abstract
Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) has been used extensively in the construction industry because of its advanced characteristics of a highly flowable mixture and the ability to be consolidated under its own weight. One of the main challenges is the high content of OPC used [...] Read more.
Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) has been used extensively in the construction industry because of its advanced characteristics of a highly flowable mixture and the ability to be consolidated under its own weight. One of the main challenges is the high content of OPC used in the production process. This research focuses on developing sustainable, high-strength self-consolidating concrete (SCC) by incorporating high levels of supplementary cementitious materials. The overarching purpose of this study is to replace OPC partially by up to 71% by using fly ash, GGBS, and microsilica to produce high-strength and durable SCC. Two groups of mixtures were designed to replace OPC. The first group contained 14%, 23.4%, and 32.77% fly ash and 6.4% microsilica. The second group contained 32.77%, 46.81%, and 65.5% GGBS and 6.4% microsilica. The fresh properties were investigated using the slump, V-funnel, L-box, and J-ring tests. The hardened properties were assessed using a compressive strength test, while water permeability, water absorption, and rapid chloride penetration tests were used to evaluate the durability. The innovation of this experimental work was introducing SCC with an unconventional mixture that can achieve highly durable and high-strength concrete. The results showed the feasibility of SCC by incorporating high volumes of fly ash and GGBS without compromising compressive strength and durability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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16 pages, 6111 KiB  
Article
Influence of Replacing Cement with Waste Glass on Mechanical Properties of Concrete
by Özer Zeybek, Yasin Onuralp Özkılıç, Memduh Karalar, Ali İhsan Çelik, Shaker Qaidi, Jawad Ahmad, Dumitru Doru Burduhos-Nergis and Diana Petronela Burduhos-Nergis
Materials 2022, 15(21), 7513; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15217513 - 26 Oct 2022
Cited by 82 | Viewed by 4084
Abstract
In this study, the effect of waste glass on the mechanical properties of concrete was examined by conducting a series of compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength tests. According to this aim, waste glass powder (WGP) was first used as a [...] Read more.
In this study, the effect of waste glass on the mechanical properties of concrete was examined by conducting a series of compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength tests. According to this aim, waste glass powder (WGP) was first used as a partial replacement for cement and six different ratios of WGP were utilized in concrete production: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. To examine the combined effect of different ratios of WGP on concrete performance, mixed samples (10%, 20%, 30%) were then prepared by replacing cement, and fine and coarse aggregates with both WGP and crashed glass particles. Workability and slump values of concrete produced with different amounts of waste glass were determined on the fresh state of concrete, and these properties were compared with those of plain concrete. For the hardened concrete, 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm cubic specimens and cylindrical specimens with a diameter of 100 mm and a height of 200 mm were tested to identify the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of the concrete produced with waste glass. Next, a three-point bending test was carried out on samples with dimensions of 100 × 100 × 400 mm, and a span length of 300 mm to obtain the flexure behavior of different mixtures. According to the results obtained, a 20% substitution of WGP as cement can be considered the optimum dose. On the other hand, for concrete produced with combined WGP and crashed glass particles, mechanical properties increased up to a certain limit and then decreased owing to poor workability. Thus, 10% can be considered the optimum replacement level, as combined waste glass shows considerably higher strength and better workability properties. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was performed to investigate the microstructure of the composition. Good adhesion was observed between the waste glass and cementitious concrete. Lastly, practical empirical equations have been developed to determine the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexure strength of concrete with different amounts of waste glass. Instead of conducting an experiment, these strength values of the concrete produced with glass powder can be easily estimated at the design stage with the help of proposed expressions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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15 pages, 2592 KiB  
Article
Biochar Produced from Saudi Agriculture Waste as a Cement Additive for Improved Mechanical and Durability Properties—SWOT Analysis and Techno-Economic Assessment
by Kaffayatullah Khan, Muhammad Arif Aziz, Mukarram Zubair and Muhammad Nasir Amin
Materials 2022, 15(15), 5345; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15155345 - 03 Aug 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2295
Abstract
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia generates an enormous amount of date palm waste, causing severe environmental concerns. Green and strong concrete is increasingly demanded due to low carbon footprints and better performance. In this research work, biochar derived from locally available agriculture waste [...] Read more.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia generates an enormous amount of date palm waste, causing severe environmental concerns. Green and strong concrete is increasingly demanded due to low carbon footprints and better performance. In this research work, biochar derived from locally available agriculture waste (date palm fronds) was used as an additive to produce high-strength and durable concrete. Mechanical properties such as compressive and flexural strength were evaluated at 7, 14, and 28 days for control and all other mixes containing biochar. In addition, the durability properties of the concrete samples for the mixes were investigated by performing electric resistivity and ultra-sonic pulse velocity testing. Finally, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis was carried out to make strategic decisions about biochar’s use in concrete. The results demonstrated that the compressive strength of concrete increased to 28–29% with the addition of 0.75–1.5 wt% of biochar. Biochar-concrete containing 0.75 wt% of biochar showed 16% higher flexural strength than the control specimen. The high ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) values (>7.79 km/s) and low electrical resistivity (<22.4 kΩ-cm) of biochar-based concrete confirm that the addition of biochar resulted in high-quality concrete free from internal flaws, cracks, and better structural integrity. SWOT analysis indicated that biochar-based concrete possessed improved performance than ordinary concrete, is suitable for extreme environments, and has opportunities for circular economy and applications in various construction designs. However, cost and technical shortcomings in biochar production and biochar-concrete mix design are still challenging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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28 pages, 5333 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Mechanical and Microstructural Properties and Global Warming Potential of Green Concrete with Wheat Straw Ash and Silica Fume
by Kaffayatullah Khan, Muhammad Ishfaq, Muhammad Nasir Amin, Khan Shahzada, Nauman Wahab and Muhammad Iftikhar Faraz
Materials 2022, 15(9), 3177; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15093177 - 27 Apr 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2042
Abstract
Cement and concrete are among the major contributors to CO2 emissions in modern society. Researchers have been investigating the possibility of replacing cement with industrial waste in concrete production to reduce its environmental impact. Therefore, the focus of this paper is on [...] Read more.
Cement and concrete are among the major contributors to CO2 emissions in modern society. Researchers have been investigating the possibility of replacing cement with industrial waste in concrete production to reduce its environmental impact. Therefore, the focus of this paper is on the effective use of wheat straw ash (WSA) together with silica fume (SF) as a cement substitute to produce high-performance and sustainable concrete. Different binary and ternary mixes containing WSA and SF were investigated for their mechanical and microstructural properties and global warming potential (GWP). The current results indicated that the binary and ternary mixes containing, respectively, 20% WSA (WSA20) and 33% WSA together with 7% SF (WSA33SF7) exhibited higher strengths than that of control mix and other binary and ternary mixes. The comparative lower apparent porosity and water absorption values of WSA20 and WSA33SF7 among all mixes also validated the findings of their higher strength results. Moreover, SEM–EDS and FTIR analyses has revealed the presence of dense and compact microstructure, which are mostly caused by formation of high-density calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and calcium hydroxide (C-H) phases in both blends. FTIR and TGA analyses also revealed a reduction in the portlandite phase in these mixes, causing densification of microstructures and pores. Additionally, N2 adsorption isotherm analysis demonstrates that the pore structure of these mixes has been densified as evidenced by a reduction in intruded volume and a rise in BET surface area. Furthermore, both mixes had lower CO2-eq intensity per MPa as compared to control, which indicates their significant impact on producing green concretes through their reduced GWPs. Thus, this research shows that WSA alone or its blend with SF can be considered as a source of revenue for the concrete industry for developing high-performance and sustainable concretes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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12 pages, 5546 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Sintering Temperature on the Pore Structure of an Alkali-Activated Kaolin-Based Geopolymer Ceramic
by Mohd Izrul Izwan Ramli, Mohd Arif Anuar Mohd Salleh, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah, Ikmal Hakem Aziz, Tan Chi Ying, Noor Fifinatasha Shahedan, Winfried Kockelmann, Anna Fedrigo, Andrei Victor Sandu, Petrica Vizureanu, Jitrin Chaiprapa and Dumitru Doru Burduhos Nergis
Materials 2022, 15(7), 2667; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15072667 - 05 Apr 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2132
Abstract
Geopolymer materials are used as construction materials due to their lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared with conventional cementitious materials. An example of a geopolymer material is alkali-activated kaolin, which is a viable alternative for producing high-strength ceramics. Producing high-performing kaolin [...] Read more.
Geopolymer materials are used as construction materials due to their lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared with conventional cementitious materials. An example of a geopolymer material is alkali-activated kaolin, which is a viable alternative for producing high-strength ceramics. Producing high-performing kaolin ceramics using the conventional method requires a high processing temperature (over 1200 °C). However, properties such as pore size and distribution are affected at high sintering temperatures. Therefore, knowledge regarding the sintering process and related pore structures on alkali-activated kaolin geopolymer ceramic is crucial for optimizing the properties of the aforementioned materials. Pore size was analyzed using neutron tomography, while pore distribution was observed using synchrotron micro-XRF. This study elucidated the pore structure of alkali-activated kaolin at various sintering temperatures. The experiments showed the presence of open pores and closed pores in alkali-activated kaolin geopolymer ceramic samples. The distributions of the main elements within the geopolymer ceramic edifice were found with Si and Al maps, allowing for the identification of the kaolin geopolymer. The results also confirmed that increasing the sintering temperature to 1100 °C resulted in the alkali-activated kaolin geopolymer ceramic samples having large pores, with an average size of ~80 µm3 and a layered porosity distribution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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13 pages, 2752 KiB  
Article
XRD and TG-DTA Study of New Phosphate-Based Geopolymers with Coal Ash or Metakaolin as Aluminosilicate Source and Mine Tailings Addition
by Dumitru Doru Burduhos Nergis, Petrica Vizureanu, Andrei Victor Sandu, Diana Petronela Burduhos Nergis and Costica Bejinariu
Materials 2022, 15(1), 202; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15010202 - 28 Dec 2021
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 2549
Abstract
Coal ash-based geopolymers with mine tailings addition activated with phosphate acid were synthesized for the first time at room temperature. In addition, three types of aluminosilicate sources were used as single raw materials or in a 1/1 wt. ratio to obtain five types [...] Read more.
Coal ash-based geopolymers with mine tailings addition activated with phosphate acid were synthesized for the first time at room temperature. In addition, three types of aluminosilicate sources were used as single raw materials or in a 1/1 wt. ratio to obtain five types of geopolymers activated with H3PO4. The thermal behaviour of the obtained geopolymers was studied between room temperature and 600 °C by Thermogravimetry-Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA) and the phase composition after 28 days of curing at room temperature was analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). During heating, the acid-activated geopolymers exhibited similar behaviour to alkali-activated geopolymers. All of the samples showed endothermic peaks up to 300 °C due to water evaporation, while the samples with mine tailings showed two significant exothermic peaks above 400 °C due to oxidation reactions. The phase analysis confirmed the dissolution of the aluminosilicate sources in the presence of H3PO4 by significant changes in the XRD patterns of the raw materials and by the broadening of the peaks because of typically amorphous silicophosphate (Si–P), aluminophosphate (Al–P) or silico-alumino-phosphate (Si–Al–P) formation. The phases resulted from geopolymerisation are berlinite (AlPO4), brushite (CaHPO4∙2H2O), anhydrite (CaSO4) or ettringite as AFt and AFm phases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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16 pages, 2787 KiB  
Article
Concrete Compressive Strength by Means of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity and Moduli of Elasticity
by Bogdan Bolborea, Cornelia Baera, Sorin Dan, Aurelian Gruin, Dumitru-Doru Burduhos-Nergis and Vasilica Vasile
Materials 2021, 14(22), 7018; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14227018 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3011
Abstract
Developing non-destructive methods (NDT) that can deliver faster and more accurate results is an objective pursued by many researchers. The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach in predicting the concrete compressive strength through means of ultrasonic testing for non-destructive [...] Read more.
Developing non-destructive methods (NDT) that can deliver faster and more accurate results is an objective pursued by many researchers. The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach in predicting the concrete compressive strength through means of ultrasonic testing for non-destructive determination of the dynamic and static modulus of elasticity. For this study, the dynamic Poisson’s coefficient was assigned values provided by technical literature. Using ultra-sonic pulse velocity (UPV) the apparent density and the dynamic modulus of elasticity were determined. The viability of the theoretical approach proposed by Salman, used for the air-dry density determination (predicted density), was experimentally confirmed (measured density). The calculated accuracy of the Salman method ranged between 98 and 99% for all the four groups of specimens used in the study. Furthermore, the static modulus of elasticity was deducted through a linear relationship between the two moduli of elasticity. Finally, the concrete compressive strength was mathematically determined by using the previously mentioned parameters. The accuracy of the proposed method for concrete compressive strength assessment ranged between 92 and 94%. The precision was established with respect to the destructive testing of concrete cores. For this research, the experimental part was performed on concrete cores extracted from different elements of different structures and divided into four distinct groups. The high rate of accuracy in predicting the concrete compressive strength, provided by this study, exceeds 90% with respect to the reference, and makes this method suitable for further investigations related to both the optimization of the procedure and = the domain of applicability (in terms of structural aspects and concrete mix design, environmental conditions, etc.). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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15 pages, 8037 KiB  
Article
Behavior of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash through Underwater Placement
by Zarina Yahya, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah, Long-yuan Li, Dumitru Doru Burduhos Nergis, Muhammad Aiman Asyraf Zainal Hakimi, Andrei Victor Sandu, Petrica Vizureanu and Rafiza Abd Razak
Materials 2021, 14(22), 6865; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14226865 - 14 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1701
Abstract
Underwater concrete is a cohesive self-consolidated concrete used for concreting underwater structures such as bridge piers. Conventional concrete used anti-washout admixture (AWA) to form a high-viscosity underwater concrete to minimise the dispersion of concrete material into the surrounding water. The reduction of quality [...] Read more.
Underwater concrete is a cohesive self-consolidated concrete used for concreting underwater structures such as bridge piers. Conventional concrete used anti-washout admixture (AWA) to form a high-viscosity underwater concrete to minimise the dispersion of concrete material into the surrounding water. The reduction of quality for conventional concrete is mainly due to the washing out of cement and fine particles upon casting in the water. This research focused on the detailed investigations into the setting time, washout effect, compressive strength, and chemical composition analysis of alkali-activated fly ash (AAFA) paste through underwater placement in seawater and freshwater. Class C fly ash as source materials, sodium silicate, and sodium hydroxide solution as alkaline activator were used for this study. Specimens produced through underwater placement in seawater showed impressive performance with strength 71.10 MPa on 28 days. According to the Standard of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE), the strength of specimens for underwater placement must not be lower than 80% of the specimen’s strength prepared in dry conditions. As result, the AAFA specimens only showed 12.11% reduction in strength compared to the specimen prepared in dry conditions, thus proving that AAFA paste has high potential to be applied in seawater and freshwater applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

36 pages, 7448 KiB  
Review
Potential of New Sustainable Green Geopolymer Metal Composite (GGMC) Material as Mould Insert for Rapid Tooling (RT) in Injection Moulding Process
by Allice Tan Mun Yin, Shayfull Zamree Abd Rahim, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah, Marcin Nabialek, Abdellah El-hadj Abdellah, Allan Rennie, Muhammad Faheem Mohd Tahir and Aurel Mihail Titu
Materials 2023, 16(4), 1724; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma16041724 - 19 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2088
Abstract
The investigation of mould inserts in the injection moulding process using metal epoxy composite (MEC) with pure metal filler particles is gaining popularity among researchers. Therefore, to attain zero emissions, the idea of recycling metal waste from industries and workshops must be investigated [...] Read more.
The investigation of mould inserts in the injection moulding process using metal epoxy composite (MEC) with pure metal filler particles is gaining popularity among researchers. Therefore, to attain zero emissions, the idea of recycling metal waste from industries and workshops must be investigated (waste free) because metal recycling conserves natural resources while requiring less energy to manufacture new products than virgin raw materials would. The utilisation of metal scrap for rapid tooling (RT) in the injection moulding industry is a fascinating and potentially viable approach. On the other hand, epoxy that can endure high temperatures (>220 °C) is challenging to find and expensive. Meanwhile, industrial scrap from coal-fired power plants can be a precursor to creating geopolymer materials with desired physical and mechanical qualities for RT applications. One intriguing attribute of geopolymer is its ability to endure temperatures up to 1000 °C. Nonetheless, geopolymer has a higher compressive strength of 60–80 MPa (8700–11,600 psi) than epoxy (68.95 MPa) (10,000 psi). Aside from its low cost, geopolymer offers superior resilience to harsh environments and high compressive and flexural strength. This research aims to investigate the possibility of generating a new sustainable material by integrating several types of metals in green geopolymer metal composite (GGMC) mould inserts for RT in the injection moulding process. It is necessary to examine and investigate the optimal formulation of GGMC as mould inserts for RT in the injection moulding process. With less expensive and more ecologically friendly components, the GGMC is expected to be a superior choice as a mould insert for RT. This research substantially impacts environmental preservation, cost reduction, and maintaining and sustaining the metal waste management system. As a result of the lower cost of recycled metals, sectors such as mould-making and machining will profit the most. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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27 pages, 4598 KiB  
Review
Geopolymer Ceramic Application: A Review on Mix Design, Properties and Reinforcement Enhancement
by Nurul Aida Mohd Mortar, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah, Rafiza Abdul Razak, Shayfull Zamree Abd Rahim, Ikmal Hakem Aziz, Marcin Nabiałek, Ramadhansyah Putra Jaya, Augustin Semenescu, Rosnita Mohamed and Mohd Fathullah Ghazali
Materials 2022, 15(21), 7567; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15217567 - 28 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2372
Abstract
Geopolymers have been intensively explored over the past several decades and considered as green materials and may be synthesised from natural sources and wastes. Global attention has been generated by the use of kaolin and calcined kaolin in the production of ceramics, green [...] Read more.
Geopolymers have been intensively explored over the past several decades and considered as green materials and may be synthesised from natural sources and wastes. Global attention has been generated by the use of kaolin and calcined kaolin in the production of ceramics, green cement, and concrete for the construction industry and composite materials. The previous findings on ceramic geopolymer mix design and factors affecting their suitability as green ceramics are reviewed. It has been found that kaolin offers significant benefit for ceramic geopolymer applications, including excellent chemical resistance, good mechanical properties, and good thermal properties that allow it to sinter at a low temperature, 200 °C. The review showed that ceramic geopolymers can be made from kaolin with a low calcination temperature that have similar properties to those made from high calcined temperature. However, the choice of alkali activator and chemical composition should be carefully investigated, especially under normal curing conditions, 27 °C. A comprehensive review of the properties of kaolin ceramic geopolymers is also presented, including compressive strength, chemical composition, morphological, and phase analysis. This review also highlights recent findings on the range of sintering temperature in the ceramic geopolymer field which should be performed between 600 °C and 1200 °C. A brief understanding of kaolin geopolymers with a few types of reinforcement towards property enhancement were covered. To improve toughness, the role of zirconia was highlighted. The addition of zirconia between 10% and 40% in geopolymer materials promises better properties and the mechanism reaction is presented. Findings from the review should be used to identify potential strategies that could develop the performance of the kaolin ceramic geopolymers industry in the electronics industry, cement, and biomedical materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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20 pages, 3805 KiB  
Review
The Present State of the Use of Waste Wood Ash as an Eco-Efficient Construction Material: A Review
by Rebeca Martínez-García, P. Jagadesh, Osama Zaid, Adrian A. Șerbănoiu, Fernando J. Fraile-Fernández, Jesús de Prado-Gil, Shaker M. A. Qaidi and Cătălina M. Grădinaru
Materials 2022, 15(15), 5349; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15155349 - 03 Aug 2022
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4218
Abstract
A main global challenge is finding an alternative material for cement, which is a major source of pollution to the environment because it emits greenhouse gases. Investigators play a significant role in global waste disposal by developing appropriate methods for its effective utilization. [...] Read more.
A main global challenge is finding an alternative material for cement, which is a major source of pollution to the environment because it emits greenhouse gases. Investigators play a significant role in global waste disposal by developing appropriate methods for its effective utilization. Geopolymers are one of the best options for reusing all industrial wastes containing aluminosilicate and the best alternative materials for concrete applications. Waste wood ash (WWA) is used with other waste materials in geopolymer production and is found in pulp and paper, wood-burning industrial facilities, and wood-fired plants. On the other hand, the WWA manufacturing industry necessitates the acquisition of large tracts of land in rural areas, while some industries use incinerators to burn wood waste, which contributes to air pollution, a significant environmental problem. This review paper offers a comprehensive review of the current utilization of WWA with the partial replacement with other mineral materials, such as fly ash, as a base for geopolymer concrete and mortar production. A review of the usage of waste wood ash in the construction sector is offered, and development tendencies are assessed about mechanical, durability, and microstructural characteristics. The impacts of waste wood ash as a pozzolanic base for eco-concreting usages are summarized. According to the findings, incorporating WWA into concrete is useful to sustainable progress and waste reduction as the WWA mostly behaves as a filler in filling action and moderate amounts of WWA offer a fairly higher compressive strength to concrete. A detail study on the source of WWA on concrete mineralogy and properties must be performed to fill the potential research gap. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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22 pages, 2462 KiB  
Review
Artificial Lightweight Aggregates Made from Pozzolanic Material: A Review on the Method, Physical and Mechanical Properties, Thermal and Microstructure
by Dickson Ling Chuan Hao, Rafiza Abd Razak, Marwan Kheimi, Zarina Yahya, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah, Dumitru Doru Burduhos Nergis, Hamzah Fansuri, Ratna Ediati, Rosnita Mohamed and Alida Abdullah
Materials 2022, 15(11), 3929; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15113929 - 31 May 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2907
Abstract
As the demand for nonrenewable natural resources, such as aggregate, is increasing worldwide, new production of artificial aggregate should be developed. Artificial lightweight aggregate can bring advantages to the construction field due to its lower density, thus reducing the dead load applied to [...] Read more.
As the demand for nonrenewable natural resources, such as aggregate, is increasing worldwide, new production of artificial aggregate should be developed. Artificial lightweight aggregate can bring advantages to the construction field due to its lower density, thus reducing the dead load applied to the structural elements. In addition, application of artificial lightweight aggregate in lightweight concrete will produce lower thermal conductivity. However, the production of artificial lightweight aggregate is still limited. Production of artificial lightweight aggregate incorporating waste materials or pozzolanic materials is advantageous and beneficial in terms of being environmentally friendly, as well as lowering carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, additives, such as geopolymer, have been introduced as one of the alternative construction materials that have been proven to have excellent properties. Thus, this paper will review the production of artificial lightweight aggregate through various methods, including sintering, cold bonding, and autoclaving. The significant properties of artificial lightweight aggregate, including physical and mechanical properties, such as water absorption, crushing strength, and impact value, are reviewed. The properties of concrete, including thermal properties, that utilized artificial lightweight aggregate were also briefly reviewed to highlight the advantages of artificial lightweight aggregate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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21 pages, 8340 KiB  
Review
Mapping Research Knowledge on Rice Husk Ash Application in Concrete: A Scientometric Review
by Muhammad Nasir Amin, Waqas Ahmad, Kaffayatullah Khan and Mohamed Mahmoud Sayed
Materials 2022, 15(10), 3431; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15103431 - 10 May 2022
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 2310
Abstract
This study aimed to carry out a scientometric review of rice husk ash (RHA) concrete to assess the various aspects of the literature. Conventional review studies have limitations in terms of their capacity to connect disparate portions of the literature in a comprehensive [...] Read more.
This study aimed to carry out a scientometric review of rice husk ash (RHA) concrete to assess the various aspects of the literature. Conventional review studies have limitations in terms of their capacity to connect disparate portions of the literature in a comprehensive and accurate manner. Science mapping, co-occurrence, and co-citation are a few of the most difficult phases of advanced research. The sources with the most articles, co-occurrences of keywords, the most prolific authors in terms of publications and citations, and areas actively involved in RHA concrete research are identified during the analysis. The Scopus database was used to extract bibliometric data for 917 publications that were then analyzed using the VOSviewer (version: 1.6.17) application. This study will benefit academics in establishing joint ventures and sharing innovative ideas and strategies because of the statistical and graphical representation of contributing authors and countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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18 pages, 3229 KiB  
Review
Waste Material via Geopolymerization for Heavy-Duty Application: A Review
by Marwan Kheimi, Ikmal Hakem Aziz, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah, Mohammad Almadani and Rafiza Abd Razak
Materials 2022, 15(9), 3205; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15093205 - 29 Apr 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2431
Abstract
Due to the extraordinary properties for heavy-duty applications, there has been a great deal of interest in the utilization of waste material via geopolymerization technology. There are various advantages offered by this geopolymer-based material, such as excellent stability, exceptional impermeability, self-refluxing ability, resistant [...] Read more.
Due to the extraordinary properties for heavy-duty applications, there has been a great deal of interest in the utilization of waste material via geopolymerization technology. There are various advantages offered by this geopolymer-based material, such as excellent stability, exceptional impermeability, self-refluxing ability, resistant thermal energy from explosive detonation, and excellent mechanical performance. An overview of the work with the details of key factors affecting the heavy-duty performance of geopolymer-based material such as type of binder, alkali agent dosage, mixing design, and curing condition are reviewed in this paper. Interestingly, the review exhibited that different types of waste material containing a large number of chemical elements had an impact on mechanical performance in military, civil engineering, and road application. Finally, this work suggests some future research directions for the the remarkable of waste material through geopolymerization to be employed in heavy-duty application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Engineering Cementitious Composites and Concrete Sustainability)
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