Effect of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Replacement Quantity and Activator Modulus on Static Mechanical and Environmental Behaviours of Alkali-Activated-Strain-Hardening-Ultra-High-Performance Concrete
The application of alkali-activated concrete (AAC) shows promise in reducing carbon emissions within the construction industry. However, the pursuit of enhanced performance of AAC has led to a notable increase in carbon emissions, with alkali activators identified as the primary contributors. In an...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/3/681 |
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| author | Ke-Xian Zhuo Gai Chen Rui-Hao Luo Yi-Wu Chen De-Hui Li Jia-Xiang Lin |
| author_facet | Ke-Xian Zhuo Gai Chen Rui-Hao Luo Yi-Wu Chen De-Hui Li Jia-Xiang Lin |
| author_sort | Ke-Xian Zhuo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The application of alkali-activated concrete (AAC) shows promise in reducing carbon emissions within the construction industry. However, the pursuit of enhanced performance of AAC has led to a notable increase in carbon emissions, with alkali activators identified as the primary contributors. In an effort to mitigate carbon emissions, this study introduces Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> as a supplementary activator, partially replacing sodium silicate. The objective is to develop a low-carbon alkali-activated-strain-hardening-ultra-high-performance concrete (ASUHPC). The experimental investigation explores the impact of varying levels of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity (0, 0.75 Na<sub>2</sub>O%, and 1.5 Na<sub>2</sub>O%) and activator modulus (1.35, 1.5, and 1.65) on the fresh and hardened properties of ASUHPC. The augmentation of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity and activator modulus are observed to extend the setting time of the paste, indicating an increase in the modulus of the activator and Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity would delay the setting time. While the use of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> intensifies clustering in the fresh paste, it optimizes particle grading, resulting in higher compressive strength of ASUHPC. The tensile crack width of ASUHPC conforms to the Weibull distribution. ASUHPC with a Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity of 0.75 Na<sub>2</sub>O% exhibits superior crack control capabilities, maintaining a mean crack width during tension below 65.78 μm. The tensile properties of ASUHPC exhibit improvement with increasing Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity and activator modulus, achieving a tensile strength exceeding 9 MPa; otherwise, increasing the activator modulus to 1.5 improves the deformation capacity, reaching 8.58%. Moreover, it is observed that incorporating Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> as a supplementary activator reduces the carbon emissions of ASUHPC. After considering the tensile performance indicators, increasing the activator modulus can significantly improve environmental performance. The outcomes of this study establish a theoretical foundation for the design of low-carbon, high-performance-alkali-activated-strain-hardening-ultra—high-performance concrete. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:28:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-269e263ad9a24754a3b109470f8b3c61 |
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| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:28:48Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-269e263ad9a24754a3b109470f8b3c612024-03-27T13:29:14ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-03-0114368110.3390/buildings14030681Effect of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Replacement Quantity and Activator Modulus on Static Mechanical and Environmental Behaviours of Alkali-Activated-Strain-Hardening-Ultra-High-Performance ConcreteKe-Xian Zhuo0Gai Chen1Rui-Hao Luo2Yi-Wu Chen3De-Hui Li4Jia-Xiang Lin5School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaGuangdong Jialin Construction Co., Ltd., Maoming 525000, ChinaGuangdong Shenghong Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., Dongguan 523808, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaThe application of alkali-activated concrete (AAC) shows promise in reducing carbon emissions within the construction industry. However, the pursuit of enhanced performance of AAC has led to a notable increase in carbon emissions, with alkali activators identified as the primary contributors. In an effort to mitigate carbon emissions, this study introduces Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> as a supplementary activator, partially replacing sodium silicate. The objective is to develop a low-carbon alkali-activated-strain-hardening-ultra-high-performance concrete (ASUHPC). The experimental investigation explores the impact of varying levels of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity (0, 0.75 Na<sub>2</sub>O%, and 1.5 Na<sub>2</sub>O%) and activator modulus (1.35, 1.5, and 1.65) on the fresh and hardened properties of ASUHPC. The augmentation of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity and activator modulus are observed to extend the setting time of the paste, indicating an increase in the modulus of the activator and Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity would delay the setting time. While the use of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> intensifies clustering in the fresh paste, it optimizes particle grading, resulting in higher compressive strength of ASUHPC. The tensile crack width of ASUHPC conforms to the Weibull distribution. ASUHPC with a Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity of 0.75 Na<sub>2</sub>O% exhibits superior crack control capabilities, maintaining a mean crack width during tension below 65.78 μm. The tensile properties of ASUHPC exhibit improvement with increasing Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> replacement quantity and activator modulus, achieving a tensile strength exceeding 9 MPa; otherwise, increasing the activator modulus to 1.5 improves the deformation capacity, reaching 8.58%. Moreover, it is observed that incorporating Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> as a supplementary activator reduces the carbon emissions of ASUHPC. After considering the tensile performance indicators, increasing the activator modulus can significantly improve environmental performance. The outcomes of this study establish a theoretical foundation for the design of low-carbon, high-performance-alkali-activated-strain-hardening-ultra—high-performance concrete.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/3/681alkali-activatedcarbon emissioncracking characteristicsgeopolymerultra-high performance |
| spellingShingle | Ke-Xian Zhuo Gai Chen Rui-Hao Luo Yi-Wu Chen De-Hui Li Jia-Xiang Lin Effect of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Replacement Quantity and Activator Modulus on Static Mechanical and Environmental Behaviours of Alkali-Activated-Strain-Hardening-Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Buildings alkali-activated carbon emission cracking characteristics geopolymer ultra-high performance |
| title | Effect of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Replacement Quantity and Activator Modulus on Static Mechanical and Environmental Behaviours of Alkali-Activated-Strain-Hardening-Ultra-High-Performance Concrete |
| title_full | Effect of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Replacement Quantity and Activator Modulus on Static Mechanical and Environmental Behaviours of Alkali-Activated-Strain-Hardening-Ultra-High-Performance Concrete |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Replacement Quantity and Activator Modulus on Static Mechanical and Environmental Behaviours of Alkali-Activated-Strain-Hardening-Ultra-High-Performance Concrete |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Replacement Quantity and Activator Modulus on Static Mechanical and Environmental Behaviours of Alkali-Activated-Strain-Hardening-Ultra-High-Performance Concrete |
| title_short | Effect of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> Replacement Quantity and Activator Modulus on Static Mechanical and Environmental Behaviours of Alkali-Activated-Strain-Hardening-Ultra-High-Performance Concrete |
| title_sort | effect of na sub 2 sub co sub 3 sub replacement quantity and activator modulus on static mechanical and environmental behaviours of alkali activated strain hardening ultra high performance concrete |
| topic | alkali-activated carbon emission cracking characteristics geopolymer ultra-high performance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/3/681 |
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