Experimental optimization of sustainable fine-grained concrete with marine quartz sand, fly ash, silica fume, and ground granulated blast slag

Abstract

This study proposes an optimized fine-grained concrete incorporating marine quartz sand (FGCMQS) and blended mineral admixtures to enhance mechanical performance while promoting sustainability. Marine quartz sand (MQS) was combined with crushed sand at a 30:70 ratio, resulting in an optimal gradation that meets the requirements of ASTM C33. Using response surface methodology (RSM), this study developed four statistical models to optimize the proportions of fly ash (22%), silica fume (9%), ground granulated blast-furnace slag (32%), superplasticizer (0.85%), and a water-to-cement (W/C) ratio of 0.32. The optimized FGCMQS achieved a slump of 4 cm, a compressive strength of 65.1 MPa, a chloride ion permeability of 812 C (Coulombs), and a sulfate-induced length change of 0.04%. Compared to conventional fine-grained concrete using river sand, the FGCMQS exhibited a 10.5% improvement in compressive strength but slightly higher chloride permeability and sulfate expansion. SEM analysis confirmed a denser microstructure with well-developed C-S-H and C-(A)-S-H gels. Despite durability trade-offs, the optimized FGCMQS presents a viable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional concrete, reducing cement consumption while offering enhanced strength. This study provides a foundational approach for developing high-performance, low-carbon fine-grained concrete, with potential applications in sustainable constructions. Future research should focus on durability enhancement under aggressive environmental conditions.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

marine quartz sand / fine-grained concrete / mineral admixtures / concrete durability / response surface method / CO₂ emissions / sustainable concrete

References

[1] Pranav S , Aggarwal S , Yang E H , Kumar Sarkar A , Pratap Singh A , Lahoti M . Alternative materials for wearing course of concrete pavements: A critical review. Construction and Building Materials, 2020, 236: 117609

[2] Hamim O F , Aninda S S , Hoque M S , Hadiuzzaman M . Suitability of pavement type for developing countries from an economic perspective using life cycle cost analysis. International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, 2021, 14(3): 259–266

[3] HanifaMAgarwalRSharmaUThapliyalP CSinghL P. A review on CO₂ capture and sequestration in the construction industry: Emerging approaches and commercialised technologies. Journal of CO₂ Utilization 67, 2023, 67: 102292

[4] ASTM. Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates, ASTM C33/C33M-18. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2018

[5] Wang G , Wu Q , Li X Z , Xu J , Xu Y , Shi W H , Wang S L . Microscopic analysis of steel corrosion products in seawater and sea-sand concrete. Materials, 2019, 12(20): 3330

[6] Guo Q , Zhang T , Liu J . Study of endogenous chloride ion content on the behavior of steel bar depassivation in sea sand concrete. Journal of Building Engineering, 2024, 97: 110710

[7] Mohammed T U , Hamada H . Corrosion of steel bars in concrete with various steel surface conditions. ACI Materials Journal, 2006, 103: 233–242

[8] Xu J , Jiang L , Wang J . Influence of detection methods on chloride threshold value for the corrosion of steel reinforcement. Construction and Building Materials, 2009, 23(5): 1902–1908

[9] ACICODE-318-19(22). Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute, 2022

[10] Long W J , Luo S , Zhang X H , Xu P , Luo Q L , Feng G L . A novel approach for chloride control in sea sand cement composites utilizing graphene oxide. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 389: 131779

[11] Zhang Q , Yu G , Hong R , Qiu W , Deng C , Yu C . Electrochemical chlorine evolution reaction to improve the desalination of sea sand. Science of the Total Environment, 2024, 945: 174063

[12] Tavares L R C , Junior J F T , Costa L M , da Silva Bezerra A C , Cetlin P R , Aguilar M T P . Influence of quartz powder and silica fume on the performance of Portland cement. Scientific Reports, 2020, 10(1): 21461

[13] Karri S K , Ponnada M R , Veerni L . Development of eco-friendly GGBS and SF based alkali-activated mortar with quartz sand. Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, 2022, 7(1): 100

[14] Kathirvel P , Murali G . Effect of using available GGBFS, silica fume, quartz powder and steel fibres on the fracture behavior of sustainable reactive powder concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 375: 130997

[15] Scrivener K L , John V M , Gartner E M . Eco-efficient cements: Potential economically viable solutions for a low-CO₂ cement-based materials industry. Cement and Concrete Research, 2018, 114: 2–26

[16] Juenger M C , Siddique R . Recent advances in understanding the role of supplementary cementitious materials in concrete. Cement and Concrete Research, 2015, 78: 71–80

[17] ASTM. Standard Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement, ASTM C1157-08a. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2008

[18] ACI363.2R-11. Guide to Quality Control and Assurance of High-Strength Concrete. Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute, 2011

[19] Jensen W A . Response Surface Methodology: Process and Product Optimization Using Designed Experiments 4th edition. Journal of Quality Technology, 2017, 49: 186–188

[20] Oner A , Akyuz S , Yildiz R . An experimental study on strength development of concrete containing fly ash and optimum usage of fly ash in concrete. Cement and Concrete Research, 2005, 35(6): 1165–1171

[21] Nochaiya T , Wongkeo W , Chaipanich A . Utilization of fly ash with silica fume and properties of Portland cement–fly ash–silica fume concrete. Fuel, 2010, 89(3): 768–774

[22] Oner A , Akyuz S . An experimental study on optimum usage of GGBS for the compressive strength of concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2007, 29(6): 505–514

[23] NevilleA MBrooksJ J. Concrete Technology. Harlow: Longman Scientific & Technical, 1987

[24] Shi H , Xu B , Zhou X . Influence of mineral admixtures on compressive strength, gas permeability and carbonation of high performance concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 2009, 23(5): 1980–1985

[25] Papayianni I , Tsohos G , Oikonomou N , Mavria P . Influence of superplasticizer type and mix design parameters on the performance of them in concrete mixtures. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2005, 27(2): 217–222

[26] ASTM. Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens, ASTM C39/C39M-21. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2021

[27] ASTM. Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory, ASTM C192/C192M-19. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2019

[28] ASTM. Standard Test Method for Electrical Indication of Concrete’s Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration, ASTM C1202-22e1. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2022

[29] ASTM. Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hydraulic-Cement Mortars Exposed to a Sulfate Solution, ASTM C1012/C1012M-18b. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM, 2018

[30] Yang K H , Jung Y B , Cho M S , Tae S H . Effect of supplementary cementitious materials on reduction of CO₂ emissions from concrete. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2015, 103: 774–783

[31] Piasta W , Zarzycki B . The effect of cement paste volume and w/c ratio on shrinkage strain, water absorption and compressive strength of high performance concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 2017, 140: 395–402

[32] Kismi M , Saint-Arroman J C , Mounanga P . Minimizing water dosage of superplasticized mortars and concretes for a given consistency. Construction and Building Materials, 2012, 28(1): 747–758

[33] AïtcinP C. The use of superplasticizers in high performance concrete. In: High Performance Concrete. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2018, 14–33

[34] Duan P , Shui Z , Chen W , Shen C . Effects of metakaolin, silica fume and slag on pore structure, interfacial transition zone and compressive strength of concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 2013, 44: 1–6

[35] Zhang Y M , Sun W , Yan H D . Hydration of high-volume fly ash cement pastes. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2000, 22(6): 445–452

[36] Krishnya S , Herath C , Elakneswaran Y , Gunasekara C , Law D W , Setunge S . Modeling of hydration products and strength development for high-volume fly ash binders. Construction and Building Materials, 2022, 320: 126228

[37] Qi H , Yan X , Ma B , Tan H , He X , Su Y , Jin Z , Guan S . Improving the volume stability of the β-hemihydrate phosphogypsum—Cement system by incorporating GGBS. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 408: 133807

[38] Jozić D , Ljubičić B , Petrović A , Čović A , Juradin S . The influence of GGBFS as an additive replacement on the kinetics of cement hydration and the mechanical properties of cement mortars. Buildings, 2023, 13(8): 1960

[39] Han Y , Lin R S , Wang X Y . Compressive strength estimation and CO2 reduction design of fly ash composite concrete. Buildings, 2022, 12(2): 139

[40] HigginsD. Briefing: GGBS and sustainability. In: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Construction Materials. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers—Construction Materials, 2007, 99–101

[41] Campos H F , Klein N S , Marques Filho J , Bianchini M . Low-cement high-strength concrete with partial replacement of Portland cement with stone powder and silica fume designed by particle packing optimization. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020, 261: 121228

[42] Berndt M L . Properties of sustainable concrete containing fly ash, slag and recycled concrete aggregate. Construction and Building Materials, 2009, 23(7): 2606–2613

[43] Scrivener K , Martirena F , Bishnoi S , Maity S . Calcined clay limestone cements (LC3). Cement and Concrete Research, 2018, 114: 49–56

[44] Bouzoubaâ N , Lachemi M . Self-compacting concrete incorporating high volumes of class F fly ash: Preliminary results. Cement and Concrete Research, 2001, 31(3): 413–420

[45] Liu M , Dai W , Jin W , Li M , Yang X , Han Y , Huang M . Mix proportion design and carbon emission assessment of high strength geopolymer concrete based on ternary solid waste. Scientific Reports, 2024, 14(1): 24989

[46] Jiang P , Zhao D , Jin C , Ye S , Luan C , Tufail R F . Compressive strength prediction and low-carbon optimization of fly ash geopolymer concrete based on big data and ensemble learning. PLoS One, 2024, 19(9): e0310422

[47] Kumar R , Shafiq N , Kumar A , Jhatial A A . Investigating embodied carbon, mechanical properties, and durability of high-performance concrete using ternary and quaternary blends of metakaolin, nano-silica, and fly ash. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 2021, 28(35): 49074–49088

[48] Witte A , Garg N . Quantifying the global warming potential of low carbon concrete mixes: Comparison of existing life cycle analysis tools. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2024, 20: e02832

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press