Expansion Performance and Microstructure of High-performance Concrete using Differently Scaled MgO Agents and Mineral Powder

Abstract

To investigate the assumptions proposed in this paper, the evolution law governing the strength and expansion performance of MgO and nano-MgO micro-expansive concrete in the environment of mineral powder was firstly observed in this study. Secondly, SEM, XRD, and TG-DSC microscopic tests were conducted to reveal the effects of the active mineral-powder admixture on the hydration degree and expansion performance of MgO and nano-MgO in HPC. Our experimental results successfully verified our hypothesis, which indicated that the expansion performance of macro-MgO and nano-MgO was indeed depressed by the addition of active mineral power admixtures, even though the mechanical property of concrete composites was effectively improved. Furthermore, the hydration test also demonstrated the negative interference on the mineral powders, which was induced by the expansion agents. It is found the amounts of hydrates tend to decrease because the mineral powder ratio reaches and exceeds 40%. Moreover, it is also concluded the effect of expansion agents is governed by the alkalinity cement paste, especially for the nano-MgO. In other words, the expansion performance of nano-MgO will vary more obviously with the hydration process, than MgO. The results of this study provide that effective experimental and theoretical data support the hydration-inhibition mechanism of magnesium expansive agents.

Keywords

MgO / Nano-MgO / mineral powders / high-performance concrete / expansive agents / microstructures

References

[1] Chen Z, Nong YM, Chen JH, et al. A DFT Study on Corrosion Mechanism of Steel Bar under Water-oxygen Interaction[J]. Computational Materials Science, 2020, 171

[2] Zhang P, Wittmann FH, Vogel M, et al. Influence of Freeze-thaw Cycles on Capillary Absorption and Chloride Penetration into Concrete[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 2017, 100: 60-67.

[3] She W, Du Y, Miao CW, et al. Application of Organic - and Nanoparticle-modified Foams in Foamed Concrete: Reinforcement and Stabilization Mechanisms[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 2018, 106: 12-22.

[4] Zhao HT, Jiang KD, Yang R, et al. Experimental and Theoretical Analysis on Coupled Effect of Hydration, Temperature and Humidity in Early-age cement-based Materials[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2020, 146: 118784.

[5] Zhao HT, Liu JP, Yin XL, et al. A Multiscale Prediction Model and Simulation for Autogenous Shrinkage Deformation of Early-age Cementitious Materials[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2019, 215: 482-493.

[6] Li M, Liu JP, Tian Q, et al. Efficacy of Internal Curing Combined with Expansive Agent in Mitigating Shrinkage Deformation of Concrete under Variable Temperature Condition[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2017, 145: 354-360.

[7] Temiz H, Kantarcı F, Ĭnceer ME. Influence of Blast-furnace Slag on Behaviour of Dolomite Used as a Raw Material of MgO-type Expansive Agent[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2015, 94: 528-535.

[8] Chen X, Yang HQ, Li WW. Factors Analysis on Autogenous Volume Deformation of MgO Concrete and Early Thermal Cracking Evaluation[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2016, 118: 276-285.

[9] Thomas JJ, Musso S, Prestini I. Kinetics and Activation Energy of Magnesium Oxide Hydration[J]. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2014, 97: 275-282.

[10] Li H, Tian Q, Zhao HT, et al. Temperature Sensitivity of MgO Expansive Agent and Its Application in Temperature Crack Mitigation in Shiplock Mass Concrete[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2018, 170: 613-618.

[11] Cao FZ, Miao M, Yan PY. Hydration Characteristics and Expansive Mechanism of MgO Expansive Agents[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2018, 183: 234-242.

[12] Mo LW, Fang JW, Hou WH, et al. Synergetic Effects of Curing Temperature and Hydration Reactivity of MgO Expansive Agents on Their Hydration and Expansion Behaviours in Cement Pastes[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2019, 207: 206-217.

[13] Cao FZ, Yan PY. The Influence of the Hydration Procedure of MgO Expansive Agent on the Expansive Behavior of Shrinkage-compensating Mortar[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2019, 202(8): 162-168.

[14] Li SX, Gao XJ. Effect of Nano A₂O₃ and MgO on Abrasion Resistance and Mechanism of Ultra-high Performance Concrete[J]. Surface Technology, 2018, 47(10): 123-130. (in Chinese)

[15] Ye Q, Yu SH, Zhang ZN, et al. Effects of Nano-MgO on Expansion and Strength of Hardened Cement Pastes[J]. Journal of Building Materials, 2017, 20(5): 765-769.

[16] Chen X, Yang HQ, Zhou SH, et al. Sensitive Evaluation on Early Cracking Tendency of Concrete with Inclusion of Light-burnt MgO[J]. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology - Materials Science Edition, 2011, 26(05): 1 018-1 022.

[17] Yang QL, Liu PF, Ge Z, et al. Self-Sensing Carbon Nanotube-Cement Composite Material for Structural Health Monitoring of Pavements[J]. Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 2019, 48(3): 1 990-2 002.

[18] Tian CJ, Wang YZ, Yang QL, et al. Smart Properties of Carbon Nanotube-epoxy Composites[C]. In: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and Applications, 2020, 234 (11): 1 409–1 416

[19] Hou PK, Cai YM, Cheng X, et al. Effects of the Hydration Reactivity of Ultrafine Magnesium Oxide on Cement-based Materials[J]. Magazine of Concrete Research, 2017, 69(22): 1 135-1 145.

[20] Moradpour R, Taheri-Nassaj E, Parhizkar T, et al. The Effects of Nanoscale Expansive Agents on the Mechanical Properties of Non-shrink Cement-based Composites: The Influence of Nano-MgO Addition[J]. Composites Part B-Engineering, 2013, 55: 193-202.

[21] Polat R, Demirboga R, Karagöl F. The Effect of Nano-MgO on the Setting Time, Autogenous Shrinkage, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Performance Cement Paste and Mortar[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2017, 156: 208-218.

[22] Kim YR, Khil BS, Jang SJ, et al. Effect of Barium-based Phase Change Material (PCM) to Control the Heat of Hydration on the Mechanical Properties of Mass Concrete[J]. Thermochimica Acta, 2015, 613: 100-107.

[23] Ha JH, Jung YS, Cho YG. Thermal Crack Control in Mass Concrete Structure Using an Automated Curing System[J]. Automation in Construction, 2014, 45: 16-24.

[24] Chousidis N, Rakanta E, Ioannou I, et al. Mechanical Properties and Durability Performance of Reinforced Concrete Containing Fly Ash[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2015, 101: 810-817.

[25] Shi MX, Wang Q, Zhou ZK. Comparison of the Properties between High Volume Fly Ash Concrete and High-volume Steel Slag Concrete under Temperature Matching Curing Condition[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2015, 98: 649-655.

[26] Ren PF, Li B, Yu JG, et al. Utilization of Recycled Concrete Fines and Powders to Produce Alkali-activated Slag Concrete Blocks[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020, 267

[27] Deja J. Freezing and De-icing Salt Resistance of Blast Furnace Slag Concretes[J]. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2003, 25(3): 357-361.

[28] Liu FY, Ding WQ, Qiao YF. Experimental Investigation on the Flexural Behavior of Hybrid Steel-PVA Fiber Reinforced Concrete Containing Fly Ash and Slag Powder[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2019, 228

[29] Qi A, Liu XH, Wang ZW, et al. Mechanical Properties of the Concrete Containing Ferronickel Slag and Blast Furnace Slag Powder[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2020: 231

[30] Huang YD, Wang Q, Shi MX. Characteristics and Reactivity of Ferronickel Slag Powder[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2017, 156: 773-789.

[31] Tikkanen J, Cwirzen A, Penttala V. Effects of Mineral Powders on Hydration Process and Hydration Products in Normal Strength Concrete[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2014, 72: 7-14.

[32] Yu R, Tang P, Spiesz P, et al. A Study of Multiple Effects of Nano-silica and Hybrid Fibers on the Properties of Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) Incorporating Waste Bottom Ash (WBA)[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2014, 60: 98-110.

[33] Krizan D, Zivanovic B. Effects of Dosage and Modulus of Water Glass on Early Hydration of Alkali-slag Cements[J]. Cement and Concrete. Research, 2002, 32(8): 1 181-1 188.

[34] Lee NK, Abate SY, Kim HK. Use of Recycled Aggregates as Internal Curing Agent for Alkali-activated Slag System[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2018, 159: 286-296.

[35] Li FX, Chen YZ, Long SZ, et al. Properties and Microstructure of Marine Concrete with Composite Mineral Admixture[J]. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Materials Science Edition, 2009, 24(03): 497-501.

[36] Zhang G, Li GX. Effects of Mineral Admixtures and Additional Gypsum on the Expansion Performance of Sulphoaluminate Expansive Agent at Simulation of Mass Concrete Environment[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2016, 113: 970-978.

[37] Papadakis V G. Effect of fly ash on Portland Cement Systems, Part I Lowcalcium Fly Ash[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 1999, 29: 1 727-1 736.

[38] Oey T, Kumar A, Bullard J N, et al. The Filler Effect: The Influence of Filler Content and Surface Area on Cementitious Reaction Rates[J]. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2013, 96: 1 978-1 990.

[39] Lagerblad B, Vogt C. Ultrafine Particles to Save Cement and Improve Concrete Properties[R]. CBI Report/CBI Rapporter, 2004

[40] Lawrence P, Cyr M, Ringot E. Mineral Admixtures in Mortars: Effect of Inert Materials on Short-term Hydration[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 2003, 33(12): 1 939-1 947.

[41] Mo LW, Deng M, Tang MS, et al. MgO Expansive Cement and Concrete in China: Past, Present and Future[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 2014, 57(03): 1-12.

[42] Ye G, Liu X, De Schutter G, et al. Influence of Limestone Powder Used as Filler in SCC on Hydration and Microstructure of Cement Pastes[J]. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2007, 29(2): 94-102.

[43] Wee TH, Matsunaga Y, Watanabe Y, et al. Microstructure and Strength Properties of High Strength Concretes Containing Various Mineral Admixtures[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 1995, 25(4): 715-720.

[44] Zhou Q, Lachowski EE, Glasser FP. Metaettringite, A Decomposition Product of Ettringite[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 2004, 34(4): 703-710.

[45] Mo LW, Deng M. Evaluation of Soundness of Concrete Containing MgO Based Expansive Agent[J]. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 2007, 14: 63-68.