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Materials
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Concrete and Cement Matrix Composites: Microstructure, Permeability and Thermal Properties
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Concrete and Cement Matrix Composites: Microstructure, Permeability and Thermal Properties

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 7637

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daria Jóźwiak-Niedźwiedzka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: durability of cement-based composites; microstructure analysis; transport properties; high performance materials exposed to combined action of environmental loads and nuclear radiation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Concrete and cement matrix composites constitute a very wide group of construction materials; therefore, the topic of this issue is narrowed down to the microstructure, permeability and thermal properties. Permeability and diffusivity are understood to be used as concrete quality descriptors with respect to durability in a variety of aggressive environments. Various modifications of cement matrix and aggregate significantly affect the microstructure of concrete and cement matrix composites, and, thus, also their permeability and thermal properties that are closely related.

Therefore, the topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

  • Characteristics of binders and aggregates in terms of the designed durability (transport properties).
  • Microstructure formation and evaluation.
  • Porosity and interfacial transition zone.
  • Durability of cement based materials (resistance to liquid and gaseous media).
  • Thermal and structural behavior.
  • Thermo-mechanical modelling.

The aim of this Special Issue is to showcase the latest research findings and advances in this field, particularly on the microstructure, permeability and thermal properties of various types of cement-based composites.

It is my expectation that the proposed Special Issue will prove to be an interesting input with many aspects related to concrete and cement matrix composites.

I kindly invite the readers of Materials to submit original research manuscript(s) for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, discussions and state-of-the art reviews are also welcome.

Dr. Daria Jóźwiak-Niedźwiedzka
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • cementitious composites
  • microstructure
  • special aggregate
  • permeability
  • thermo-physical properties
  • durability
  • transport properties

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4503 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Alkali-Activated Municipal Slag Composite Performance by Substituting Varying Ratios of Fly Ash for Fine Aggregate
by Mahmoud Abo El-Wafa and Kimio Fukuzawa
Materials 2021, 14(21), 6299; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14216299 - 22 Oct 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1098
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of varying ratios of fly ash as a partial replacement for fine aggregate on the performance of alkali-activated municipal slag composites. The strength and other properties of alkali-activated cementitious material (AACM) composites can be optimized by selecting the [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effect of varying ratios of fly ash as a partial replacement for fine aggregate on the performance of alkali-activated municipal slag composites. The strength and other properties of alkali-activated cementitious material (AACM) composites can be optimized by selecting the appropriate mix proportion. In this study, we used fly ash as a substitute for fine aggregate (FA/S) at varying ratios of 0.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0, 25.0, and 30.0%, mixed with 50% water (W/SL), and 20% alkali activator (AL/SL) content instead of municipal slag (SL) as a core binder, cured in steam conditions. The effects of these substitutions on the initial mixing temperature, slump flow, compressive and splitting tensile strengths, and microstructure analysis of composites cured in steam conditions were investigated at 1, 7, 28, and 91 days. The evaluation of the experimental results revealed that increasing the ratio of fly ash substitution to fine aggregate by up to 20.0% led to a higher strength attributable to the composites, whereas when the extra substitution ratio of FA/S ranged from 25.0–30.0%, significant decreases in strength were observed. The composites’ strengths were estimated using the ACI 209 and ACI 318 design equations and compared to the measured strengths. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Concrete and Cement Matrix Composites: Microstructure, Permeability and Thermal Properties)
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22 pages, 7838 KiB  
Article
Effects of a Natural Mordenite as Pozzolan Material in the Evolution of Mortar Settings
by Jorge L. Costafreda, Domingo A. Martín, Leticia Presa and José Luis Parra
Materials 2021, 14(18), 5343; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14185343 - 16 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1544
Abstract
This paper shows the results of a study focused on the evolution and properties of mortars made with a mixture of portland cement (PC) and natural mordenite (Mor). To begin, samples of mordenite, cement and sand were studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray [...] Read more.
This paper shows the results of a study focused on the evolution and properties of mortars made with a mixture of portland cement (PC) and natural mordenite (Mor). To begin, samples of mordenite, cement and sand were studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and granulometric analysis (GA). Next, mortars with a ratio of 75% PC and 25% mordenite were prepared to determine their initial and final setting times, consistency and density. Continuing, the density, weight and compressive strength of the specimens were determined at 2, 7, 28, 90 and 365 days. Finally, the specimens were studied using SEM, XRD and XRF. The results of the study of the mordenite sample showed a complex constitution where the major mineral component is mordenite, and to a lesser degree smectite (montmorillonite), halloysite, illite, mica, quartz, plagioclase and feldspar, in addition to altered volcanic glass. Tests with fresh cement/mordenite mortar (CMM) showed an initial setting time of 320 min and a final setting time of 420 min, much longer than the 212–310 min of portland cement mortar (PCM). It was established that the consistency of the cement/mordenite mortar (CMM) was greater than that of the PCM. The results of the density study showed that the CMM has a lower density than the PCM. On the other hand, the density of cement/mordenite specimens (CMS) was lower than that of portland cement specimens (PCS). The CMS compressive strength studies showed a significant increase from 18.2 MPa, at 2 days, to 72 MPa, at 365 days, with better strength than PCS at 28 and 365 days, respectively. XRD, XRF and SEM studies conducted on CMS showed a good development of primary and secondary tobermorite, the latter formed at the expense of portlandite; also, ettringite developed normally. This work proves that the partial replacement of PC by mordenite does not have a negative effect on the increase in the mechanical strength of CMS. It indicates that the presence of mordenite inhibits the spontaneous hydration of C3A and controls the anomalous formation of ettringite (Ett). All this, together with the mechanical strength reported, indicates that mordenite has a deep and positive influence on the evolution of the mortar setting and is an efficient pozzolan, meaning it can be used in the manufacture of mortars and highly resistant pozzolanic cement, with low hydration heat, low density, stability in extremely aggressive places and a low impact on the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Concrete and Cement Matrix Composites: Microstructure, Permeability and Thermal Properties)
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15 pages, 6906 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Long Lived Isotopes in Alkali-Silica Resistant Concrete Designed for Nuclear Installations
by Daria Jóźwiak-Niedźwiedzka, Katalin Gméling, Aneta Antolik, Kinga Dziedzic and Michał A. Glinicki
Materials 2021, 14(16), 4595; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14164595 - 16 Aug 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1766
Abstract
The design of concrete for radiation shielding structures is principally based on the selection of materials of adequate elemental composition and mix proportioning to achieve the long-term durability in nuclear environment. Concrete elements may become radioactive through exposure to neutron radiation from the [...] Read more.
The design of concrete for radiation shielding structures is principally based on the selection of materials of adequate elemental composition and mix proportioning to achieve the long-term durability in nuclear environment. Concrete elements may become radioactive through exposure to neutron radiation from the nuclear reactor. A selection of constituent materials of greatly reduced content of long-lived residual radioisotopes would reduce the volume of low-level waste during plant decommissioning. The objective of this investigation is an assessment of trace elements with a large activation cross section in concrete constituents and simultaneous evaluation of susceptibility of concrete to detrimental alkali-silica reaction. Two isotopes 60Co and 152Eu were chosen as the dominant long-lived residual radioisotopes and evaluated using neutron activation analysis. The influence of selected mineral aggregates on the expansion due to alkali-silica reaction was tested. The content of 60Co and 152Eu activated by neutron radiation in fine and coarse aggregates, as well as in four types of Portland cement, is presented and discussed in respect to the chemical composition and rock origin. Conflicting results were obtained for quartzite coarse aggregate and siliceous river sand that, despite a low content, 60Co and 152Eu exhibited a high susceptibility to alkali-silica reaction in Portland cement concrete. The obtained results facilitate a multicriteria selection of constituents for radiation-shielding concrete. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Concrete and Cement Matrix Composites: Microstructure, Permeability and Thermal Properties)
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21 pages, 3122 KiB  
Article
Chloride Diffusion in Concrete Modified with Polyacrylic Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) Hydrogel—The Influence of the Water-to-Cement Ratio and SAP-Entrained Water
by Maciej Kalinowski and Piotr Woyciechowski
Materials 2021, 14(15), 4064; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14154064 - 21 Jul 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2296
Abstract
This paper examines the influence of polyacrylic superabsorbent polymers (SAP) on the properties concerning chloride diffusion in cementitious materials. The conducted study investigated the influence of SAP on chloride diffusion in concretes of the initial w/c = 0.4 (for which the changes in [...] Read more.
This paper examines the influence of polyacrylic superabsorbent polymers (SAP) on the properties concerning chloride diffusion in cementitious materials. The conducted study investigated the influence of SAP on chloride diffusion in concretes of the initial w/c = 0.4 (for which the changes in compressive strength due to the SAP presence were negligible). The impact on the diffusivity of concrete of several variables was analyzed: the material characteristics of SAP, additional water added to the concrete to make up for the amount of water stored in the SAP structure, and the method of SAP dosing to the mix (either in a non-saturated form or in a hydrogel form). We found that, in the case of modifying concrete with polyacrylic SAP of a median particle size in dry conditions of 330 µm and without additional water, the coefficient of chloride ion diffusion was reduced to 65% of the reference value. The negative influence (increase) of increasing w/ctot by the amount of water initially entrained by SAP on the chloride diffusivity of concrete was identified. The conducted study indicates the premise of the mechanism of the water release from SAP in cementitious composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Concrete and Cement Matrix Composites: Microstructure, Permeability and Thermal Properties)
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