Properties and microstructures of full graded concrete containing varied impurity aggregate

Abstract

We investigated mechanical properties of concretes made with impurity aggregates of different combinations. Besides the mechanisms were explored by EDS, CT, and hardness testing. The results showed that fully rust-stained and surface rust-stained sandstone aggregate had significant adverse impact on the compressive strength of concrete while sandstone aggregate had a much more obvious impact on the ultimate tension of concrete. Concrete crack was more prone to expand along surfaces and the micro-hardness of interfacial transition zone of different aggregates was ranked in decreasing trend as sandstone, slate, SR sandstone, marble, and FR sandstone. The cluster growth of long needle-like ettringite crystal and strong preferential growth trend of Ca(OH)₂ crystals would result in wider interfacial transition zone range of concretes made with fully rust-stained sandstone and marble aggregate, respectively. Therefore, the impurity aggregate content should be strictly controlled during aggregate selection.

Keywords

aggregate / concrete / mechanical property / interfacial transition zone

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