scholarly journals The Influence of Superabsorbent Polymers and Nanosilica on the Hydration Process and Microstructure of Cementitious Mixtures

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5194
Author(s):  
Gerlinde Lefever ◽  
Dimitrios G. Aggelis ◽  
Nele De Belie ◽  
Marc Raes ◽  
Tom Hauffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Isothermal Calorimetry ◽  
Autogenous Shrinkage ◽  
Hydration Process ◽  
Microstructural Development ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Hydration Kinetics ◽  
Superabsorbent Polymers ◽  
Water To Cement Ratio ◽  
Supplementary Material

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are known to mitigate the development of autogenous shrinkage in cementitious mixtures with a low water-to-cement ratio. Moreover, the addition of SAPs promotes the self-healing ability of cracks. A drawback of using SAPs lies in the formation of macropores when the polymers release their absorbed water, leading to a reduction of the mechanical properties. Therefore, a supplementary material was introduced together with SAPs, being nanosilica, in order to obtain an identical compressive strength with respect to the reference material without additives. The exact cause of the similar compressive behaviour lies in the modification of the hydration process and subsequent microstructural development by both SAPs and nanosilica. Within the present study, the effect of SAPs and nanosilica on the hydration progress and the hardened properties is assessed. By means of isothermal calorimetry, the hydration kinetics were monitored. Subsequently, the quantity of hydration products formed was determined by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, revealing an increased amount of hydrates for both SAP and nanosilica blends. An assessment of the pore size distribution was made using mercury intrusion porosimetry and demonstrated the increased porosity for SAP mixtures. A correlation between microstructure and the compressive strength displayed its influence on the mechanical behaviour.

scholarly journals Superabsorbent polymers to seal and heal cracks in cementitious materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 32-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Snoeck
Keyword(s):  
Crack Width ◽  
Autogenous Shrinkage ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Cementitious Material ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Superabsorbent Polymers ◽  
Concrete Cracking ◽  
Freeze Thaw

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are promising admixtures to improve properties in cementitious materials. Not only useful to mitigate autogenous shrinkage and to increase the freeze-thaw resistance, SAP particles may enhance self-sealing and self-healing in cementitious materials. The self-sealing leads to a regain in water tightness and promoted autogenous healing may prove to be useful to limit repair works caused by concrete cracking. By providing sufficient building blocks for healing, limiting the crack width by means of synthetic microfibers and inducing water by means of SAPs, a smart cementitious material is obtained. This material can be an excellent material to use in future building applications such as tunnel works and ground-retaining structures. This paper gives an overview of the current status of the research on SAPs in cementitious materials to obtain sealing and healing.

scholarly journals Effect of the Combination of Superabsorbent Polymers for Autogenous Shrinkage Control with Steel Fibers of High-Performance Concrete under Uniaxial Tension Using DIC

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 4638
Author(s):  
Karyne Ferreira dos Santos ◽  
António Carlos Bettencourt Simões Ribeiro ◽  
Eugênia Fonseca da Silva ◽  
Manuel Alejandro Rojas Manzano ◽  
Leila Aparecida de Castro Motta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Uniaxial Tension ◽  
Autogenous Shrinkage ◽  
Tensile Behavior ◽  
Steel Fibers ◽  
Image Correlation ◽  
Uniaxial Tensile ◽  
Superabsorbent Polymers ◽  
Cracking Behavior ◽  
Dic Technique

This paper presents a study of the effect of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for autogenous shrinkage control on the uniaxial tensile behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). The use of fibers and SAP potentially increases the durability of the concrete, preventing cracking by autogenous shrinkage and enhancing post-cracking behavior. Furthermore, SAP can provide further hydration for self-healing purposes and improve the ductility of the SFRC. In order to evaluate the effect of the addition of SAP in SFRC, dog-bone SFRC specimens with different dosages of superabsorbent polymers were cast and tested under uniaxial tension. The digital image correlation (DIC) technique was used to understand the effect of SAP on the steel fibers’ crack-bridging mechanisms. Surface strains and crack openings were inferred using the DIC technique. The effect of SAP and fibers on fresh and hardened concrete was individually investigated by flow tests and compressive strength tests. Autogenous shrinkage was measured in plain concrete to investigate the minimum SAP content required to mitigate autogenous shrinkage of 0.3%. The use of 0.3% SAP was also sufficient to reach multiple cracking behavior. This content of SAP completely suppressed the autogenous shrinkage with minimal side effects on compressive strength. An analytical formulation for the tensile behavior of SFRC was developed using the variable engagement model, presenting a mean correlation of R2 of 0.97 with the experimental results.

scholarly journals Effect of Cement Types and Superabsorbent Polymers on the Properties of Sustainable Ultra-High-Performance Paste

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1497
Author(s):  
Mei-Yu Xuan ◽  
Yi-Sheng Wang ◽  
Xiao-Yong Wang ◽  
Han-Seung Lee ◽  
Seung-Jun Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Portland Cement ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Isothermal Calorimetry ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Superabsorbent Polymers ◽  
Internal Relative Humidity

This study focuses on the effects of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and belite-rich Portland cement (BPC) on the compressive strength, autogenous shrinkage (AS), and micro- and macroscopic performance of sustainable, ultra-high-performance paste (SUHPP). Several experimental studies were conducted, including compressive strength, AS, isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultra-sonic pulse velocity (UPV), and electrical resistivity. The following conclusions can be made based on the experimental results: (1) a small amount of SAP has a strength promotion effect during the first 3 days, while BPC can significantly improve the strength over the following 28 days. (2) SAP slows down the internal relative humidity reduction and effectively reduces the development of AS. BPC specimens show a lower AS than other specimens. The AS shows a linear relationship with the internal relative humidity. (3) Specimens with SAP possess higher cumulative hydration heat than control specimens. The slow hydration rate in the BPC effectively reduces the exothermic heat. (4) With the increase in SAP, the calcium hydroxide (CH) and combined water content increases, and SAP thus improves the effect on cement hydration. The contents of CH and combined water in BPC specimens are lower than those in the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) specimen. (5) All samples display rapid hydration of the cement in the first 3 days, with a high rate of UPV development. Strength is an exponential function of UPVs. (6) The electrical resistivity is reduced due to the increase in porosity caused by the release of water from SAP. From 3 to 28 days, BPC specimens show a greater increment in electrical resistivity than other specimens.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Hydration Characteristics of Ultra-High-Performance and Normal Cementitious Materials

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2594
Author(s):  
Haiyun Zhou ◽  
Hongbo Zhu ◽  
Hongxiang Gou ◽  
Zhenghong Yang
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Isothermal Calorimetry ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Hydration Process ◽  
Chemical Shrinkage ◽  
Hydration Kinetics ◽  
Degree Of Hydration ◽  
Phase Development ◽  
Hydration Characteristics ◽  
Development Tendency

The hydration mechanism of ultra-high-performance cementitious materials (UHPC) departs considerably from that of normal cementitious materials (NC). In this study, the strength, isothermal calorimetry, chemical shrinkage, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetry (TG) methods are used to determine the hydration characteristics of UHPC and NC that contain silica fume (SF). A simple device was modified to test the chemical shrinkage for long-term growth, and the ultimate chemical shrinkage is obtained by semi-empirical formula fitting. It is found that the degree of hydration of UHPC is significantly lower than that of NC. The hydration kinetics analyzed using the Krstulovic-Dabic model shows that the hydration process of NC is type NG-I-D, which is characterized by gentle and prolonged hydration. However, the hydration of UHPC is type NG-D with the distinguishing features of early sufficiency and later stagnation. The growth of the strength, exothermic evolution, and phase development of UHPC is decelerated as the hydration process proceeds, which confirms the weak development tendency of hydration at the later stage. In addition, the effect of SF on the hydration of UHPC is minor, and the higher content of SF is beneficial to the hydration at the later stage.

scholarly journals Parameter Study of Superabsorbent Polymers (SAPs) for Use in Durable Concrete Structures

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence De Meyst ◽  
Els Mannekens ◽  
Maria Araújo ◽  
Didier Snoeck ◽  
Kim Van Tittelboom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Cement Hydration ◽  
Setting Time ◽  
Concrete Structures ◽  
Parameter Study ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Hydration Kinetics ◽  
Superabsorbent Polymers ◽  
Swelling Capacity ◽  
Cross Linker

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can be added to a concrete mixture to provide internal curing and reduce the risk for early-age shrinkage cracking. Hence, they can help to increase the overall durability of concrete structures. The type, swelling characteristics, kinetics of water release, amount and particle size of the SAPs will dictate their effectiveness for this purpose. In this paper, SAPs with different cross-linking degrees, particle sizes and amount of solubles are investigated. By varying these parameters, insight can be gained on the influence of each of these parameters on SAP properties such as the swelling capacity. In a next step, the SAPs can be implemented in mortar to assess their influence on mortar properties like workability, compressive strength or hydration kinetics. Based on these results, the ‘ideal’ SAP with tunable properties for a specific concrete application can be selected. For this purpose, an anionic SAP was synthesized with varying amounts of cross-linker and ground to particle sizes with d50 varying between 10 and 100 µm. The swelling capacity in demineralised water of 40 µm SAP particles increased with a decreasing degree of cross-linker from 66 g/g SAP with 1 mol% cross-linker to 270 g/g SAP in case of 0.15 mol% cross-linker, and was about three to four times larger than the swelling capacity in the prepared cement filtrate. The SAPs were tested for their effect on mortar workability, cement hydration kinetics and mechanical properties of the hardened mortar. With proper compensation for the absorbed water by the SAPs, the mortar workability was not negatively affected and the reduction in flow over the first two hours remained limited. The SAPs with the lowest swelling capacity, resulting in the smallest total amount of macro pores formed, showed the smallest negative effect on mortar compressive strength (a reduction of 23% compared to the reference after 28 days for an addition of 0.5 m% SAP) and a negligible effect on cement hydration. The difference in strength with the reference decreased as a function of mortar age. When using SAPs with particle sizes in the range of 10–100 µm, no significant differences between the studied particle sizes were found concerning the mortar properties. With the ease of upscaling in mind, the need to purify the SAPs and to remove the non-cross-linked soluble fraction was further investigated. It was shown that the solubles had no effect on the mortar properties, except for increasing the setting time with almost 100%.

scholarly journals Influence of Ultrasonication of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes on the Rheology, Hydration, and Compressive Strength of Portland Cement Pastes

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5248
Author(s):  
Laura Silvestro ◽  
Artur Ruviaro ◽  
Geannina Lima ◽  
Paulo de Matos ◽  
Afonso R. G. de Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Portland Cement ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Isothermal Calorimetry ◽  
Hydration Kinetics ◽  
Cement Pastes ◽  
Degree Of Hydration ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Localized Defects

The functionalization process usually increases the localized defects of carbon nanotubes (CNT). Thus, the ultrasonication parameters used for dispersing non-functionalized CNT should be carefully evaluated to verify if they are adequate in dispersing functionalized CNT. Although ultrasonication is widely used for non-functionalized CNT, the effect of this dispersing process of functionalized CNT has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, this work investigated the effect of ultrasonication on functionalized CNT + superplasticizer (SP) aqueous dispersions by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, Portland cement pastes with additions of 0.05% and 0.1% CNT by cement weight and ultrasonication amplitudes of 0%, 50% and 80% were evaluated through rheometry, isothermal calorimetry, compressive strength at 1, 7 and 28 days, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR results from CNT + SP dispersions indicated that ultrasonication may negatively affect SP molecules and CNT graphene structure. The increase in CNT content and amplitude of ultrasonication gradually increased the static and dynamic yield stress of paste but did not significantly affect its hydration kinetics. Compressive strength results indicated that the optimum CNT content was 0.05% by cement weight, which increased the strength of composite by up to 15.8% compared with the plain paste. CNT ultrasonication neither increases the degree of hydration of cement nor the mechanical performance of composite when compared with mixes containing unsonicated CNT. Overall, ultrasonication of functionalized CNT is not efficient in improving the fresh and hardened performance of cementitious composites.

scholarly journals Crack-resistant cement-bentonite cut-off wall materials incorporating superabsorbent polymers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benyi Cao ◽  
Jingtao Chen ◽  
Abir Al-Tabbaa
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Hardened Cement ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Superabsorbent Polymers ◽  
Cement Ratio ◽  
Water To Cement Ratio ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Polluted Sites ◽  
Wall Materials ◽  
Matrix Suction

Preserving the integrity of cement-bentonite cut-off walls, particularly in aggressive environments, is critical to their serviceability in polluted sites. The hardened cement-bentonite material in cut-off walls is highly susceptible to desiccation and wet-dry cycles, commonly leading to cracking. The objective of the work presented in this paper was to develop crack-resistant cement-bentonite cut-off wall materials subject to wet-dry cycles. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), which are cross-linked polymers that can absorb and retain a large amount of water and swell as a result, were employed for this purpose. It is found that the added SAPs increased the compressive strength by decreasing the water to cement ratio, and that the strain at failure also increased due to energy dissipative and reinforcement effects. In addition, crack resistance was greatly improved under the imposed wet-dry cycles as the matrix suction was reduced as a result of the reduction of the contact between the free pore water and cement-bentonite particles and the increase of the pore size in the matrix. The morphology and microstructure of the interconnected foam network formed by the SAP films in the matrix were identified with SEM-EDX and micro-CT scan analyses. The results demonstrated the significant potential for SAPs in the development of crack-resistant cement-bentonite cut-off wall materials.

scholarly journals The Incorporation of Steel Slag into Belite-Sulfoaluminate Cement Clinkers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1840
Author(s):  
Lea Žibret ◽  
Katarina Šter ◽  
Maruša Borštnar ◽  
Mojca Loncnar ◽  
Sabina Dolenec
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Phase Composition ◽  
Rietveld Method ◽  
Isothermal Calorimetry ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
Hydration Kinetics ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Calcium Sulfoaluminate ◽  
Cement Clinkers ◽  
Potential Use

The potential use of steel slag from treated steel slag in belite-sulfoaluminate cements was investigated in this study. Cement clinkers with two phase compositions were synthesized, allowing the incorporation of different amounts of steel slag. The phase composition and microstructure of cement clinkers at three different sintering temperatures were studied by X-ray powder diffraction and the Rietveld method, as well as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry. The results showed that the targeted phase composition of clinkers was achieved at a sintering temperature of 1250 °C. However, a higher amount of perovskite instead of ferrite was detected in the clinker with a higher content of Ti-bearing bauxite. Apart from the main phases, such as belite, calcium sulfoaluminate, and ferrite, several minor phases were identified, including mayenite, perovskite, periclase, and alkali sulfates. In both clinker mixtures, a higher content of MgO in the steel slags resulted in the formation of periclase. Furthermore, the hydration kinetics and compressive strength at 7 and 28 days were studied in two cements prepared from clinkers sintered at 1250 °C. As evidenced by the results of isothermal calorimetry, the hydration kinetics were also influenced by the minor clinker phases. Cement with a higher content of calcium sulfoaluminate phase developed a higher compressive strength.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Elastic Wave NDT to the Characterization of Modern Cementitious Media

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerlinde Lefever ◽  
Didier Snoeck ◽  
Nele De Belie ◽  
Sandra Van Vlierberghe ◽  
Danny Van Hemelrijck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Autogenous Shrinkage ◽  
Measuring Method ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Mechanical Tests ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Destructive Testing ◽  
Superabsorbent Polymers ◽  
Non Destructive

To mitigate autogenous shrinkage in cementitious materials and simultaneously preserve the material’s mechanical performance, superabsorbent polymers and nanosilica are included in the mixture design. The use of the specific additives influences both the hydration process and the hardened microstructure, while autogenous healing of cracks can be stimulated. These three stages are monitored by means of non-destructive testing, showing the sensitivity of elastic waves to the occurring phenomena. Whereas the action of the superabsorbent polymers was evidenced by acoustic emission, the use of ultrasound revealed the differences in the developed microstructure and the self-healing of cracks by a comparison with more commonly performed mechanical tests. The ability of NDT to determine these various features renders it a promising measuring method for future characterization of innovative cementitious materials.

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