Lightweight SCC Development in a Low-Carbon Cementitious System for Structural Applications
The utilization of manufactured lightweight aggregates adds another dimension to the cost of the preparation of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The common practice of adding absorption water to the lightweight aggregates before concreting leads to inaccurate calculations of the water-to-cement ratio...
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/12/4395 |
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| author | Galal Fares Ahmed K. El-Sayed Abdulrahman M. Alhozaimy Abdulaziz I. Al-Negheimish Abdulrahman S. Albidah |
| author_facet | Galal Fares Ahmed K. El-Sayed Abdulrahman M. Alhozaimy Abdulaziz I. Al-Negheimish Abdulrahman S. Albidah |
| author_sort | Galal Fares |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The utilization of manufactured lightweight aggregates adds another dimension to the cost of the preparation of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The common practice of adding absorption water to the lightweight aggregates before concreting leads to inaccurate calculations of the water-to-cement ratio. Moreover, the absorption of water weakens this interfacial bond between aggregates and the cementitious matrix. A particular type of black volcanic rock with a vesicular texture known as scoria rocks (SR) is utilized. With an adapted sequence of additions, the occurrence of water absorption can be minimized to overcome the issue of calculating the true water content. In this study, the approach of preparing the cementitious paste first with adjusted rheology followed by the addition of fine and coarse SR aggregates enabled us to circumvent the need for adding absorption water to the aggregates. This step has improved the overall strength due to the enhanced bond between the aggregate and the cementitious matrix, rendering a lightweight SCC mix with a target compressive strength of 40 MPa at 28 days, which makes it appropriate for structural applications. Different mixes were prepared and optimized for the best cementitious system that achieved the goal of this study. The optimized quaternary cementitious system included silica fume, class F fly ash, and limestone dust as essential ingredients for low-carbon footprint concrete. The rheological properties and parameters of the optimized mix were tested, evaluated, and compared to a control mix prepared using normal-weight aggregates. The results showed that the optimized quaternary mix satisfied both fresh and hardened properties. Slump flow, T50, J-ring flow, and average V-funnel flow time were in the ranges of 790–800 mm, 3.78–5.67 s, 750–780 mm, and 9.17 s, respectively. Moreover, the equilibrium density was in the range of 1770–1800 kg/m<sup>3</sup>. After 28 days an average compressive strength of 42.7 MPa, a corresponding flexural load of over 2000 N, and a modulus of rupture of 6.2 MPa were obtained. The conclusion is then drawn that altering the sequence of mixing ingredients becomes a mandatory process with scoria aggregates to obtain high-quality lightweight concrete for structural applications. This process leads to a significant improvement in the precise control of the fresh and hardened properties, which was unachievable with the normal practice used with lightweight concrete. |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1ebd8d7130e446d6b583320d768d95ce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:12:08Z |
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| spelling | doaj.art-1ebd8d7130e446d6b583320d768d95ce2023-11-18T11:25:39ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442023-06-011612439510.3390/ma16124395Lightweight SCC Development in a Low-Carbon Cementitious System for Structural ApplicationsGalal Fares0Ahmed K. El-Sayed1Abdulrahman M. Alhozaimy2Abdulaziz I. Al-Negheimish3Abdulrahman S. Albidah4Center of Excellence for Concrete Research and Testing, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaCenter of Excellence for Concrete Research and Testing, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaCenter of Excellence for Concrete Research and Testing, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaCenter of Excellence for Concrete Research and Testing, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaThe utilization of manufactured lightweight aggregates adds another dimension to the cost of the preparation of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The common practice of adding absorption water to the lightweight aggregates before concreting leads to inaccurate calculations of the water-to-cement ratio. Moreover, the absorption of water weakens this interfacial bond between aggregates and the cementitious matrix. A particular type of black volcanic rock with a vesicular texture known as scoria rocks (SR) is utilized. With an adapted sequence of additions, the occurrence of water absorption can be minimized to overcome the issue of calculating the true water content. In this study, the approach of preparing the cementitious paste first with adjusted rheology followed by the addition of fine and coarse SR aggregates enabled us to circumvent the need for adding absorption water to the aggregates. This step has improved the overall strength due to the enhanced bond between the aggregate and the cementitious matrix, rendering a lightweight SCC mix with a target compressive strength of 40 MPa at 28 days, which makes it appropriate for structural applications. Different mixes were prepared and optimized for the best cementitious system that achieved the goal of this study. The optimized quaternary cementitious system included silica fume, class F fly ash, and limestone dust as essential ingredients for low-carbon footprint concrete. The rheological properties and parameters of the optimized mix were tested, evaluated, and compared to a control mix prepared using normal-weight aggregates. The results showed that the optimized quaternary mix satisfied both fresh and hardened properties. Slump flow, T50, J-ring flow, and average V-funnel flow time were in the ranges of 790–800 mm, 3.78–5.67 s, 750–780 mm, and 9.17 s, respectively. Moreover, the equilibrium density was in the range of 1770–1800 kg/m<sup>3</sup>. After 28 days an average compressive strength of 42.7 MPa, a corresponding flexural load of over 2000 N, and a modulus of rupture of 6.2 MPa were obtained. The conclusion is then drawn that altering the sequence of mixing ingredients becomes a mandatory process with scoria aggregates to obtain high-quality lightweight concrete for structural applications. This process leads to a significant improvement in the precise control of the fresh and hardened properties, which was unachievable with the normal practice used with lightweight concrete.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/12/4395lightweight aggregatescoria rocksmixing protocolrheological propertiesmechanical properties |
| spellingShingle | Galal Fares Ahmed K. El-Sayed Abdulrahman M. Alhozaimy Abdulaziz I. Al-Negheimish Abdulrahman S. Albidah Lightweight SCC Development in a Low-Carbon Cementitious System for Structural Applications Materials lightweight aggregate scoria rocks mixing protocol rheological properties mechanical properties |
| title | Lightweight SCC Development in a Low-Carbon Cementitious System for Structural Applications |
| title_full | Lightweight SCC Development in a Low-Carbon Cementitious System for Structural Applications |
| title_fullStr | Lightweight SCC Development in a Low-Carbon Cementitious System for Structural Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lightweight SCC Development in a Low-Carbon Cementitious System for Structural Applications |
| title_short | Lightweight SCC Development in a Low-Carbon Cementitious System for Structural Applications |
| title_sort | lightweight scc development in a low carbon cementitious system for structural applications |
| topic | lightweight aggregate scoria rocks mixing protocol rheological properties mechanical properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/12/4395 |
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