Effects of CNT and MgO–Type Expansive Agent on the Cracking Resistance of Face-Slab Concrete of CFRD
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 12
Abstract
Concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD) is a commonly used and cost-effective type of dams. However, random cracks are often seen in the face slab concrete (FSC) of a CFRD during construction, largely due to the shrinkage caused by concrete temperature gradients, drying, and cementitious hydration. This study aims to improve the cracking resistance of FSC by using shrinkage compensating and cracking control materials. In this study, 5.0% by weight MgO-type expansive agent (MEA) or 0.1% by weight carbon nanotube (CNT) was added to a reference FSC (FSC-REF) selected from a CFRD. Fresh and hardened state properties of the developed concrete were tested. Different properties such as hydration heat, capillary pressure, mechanical properties at various ages, drying and autogenous shrinkage, thermal expansion coefficient (CTE), pore structure, and cracking resistance at early age of the FSC mixes (FSC-REF, FSC-MgO, and FSC-CNT) were determined. The results showed that the CNT addition lowered the capillary pressure and reduced the risk of plastic shrinkage cracking, while it also reduced drying and autogenous shrinkage of FSC. The addition of both CNT and MgO had little influence on the heat of hydration of FSC, but these slightly improved the axial tensile properties of FSC. CNT reduced the thermal expansion coefficient of FSC, whereas MgO increased it. Both CNT and MgO decreased the total porosity of the FSC, and the CNT addition significantly reduced the number of mesopores. The temperature-stress test results showed that MgO/CNT improved the cracking resistance of the FSC at early age under both temperature matching curing mode and constant temperature curing mode. Based on measured properties, CNT can be considered a promising additive for cracking control of FSC.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51879235 and 51479178). Authors Zhifang Zhao and Kejin Wang contributed equally to the work.
References
Chinese National Standard. 2007. Common portland cement. GB 175. Beijing: Standard Press of China.
Chinese Standard. 2001. Test code for aggregates of concrete. DL/T 5151. Beijing: Chinese Standard.
Chinese Standard. 2007. Technical specification of fly ash for use in hydraulic concrete. DL/T 5055. Beijing: Chinese Standard.
Chinese Standard. 2017a. Magnesium oxide expansive agent for concrete. CBMF 19. Beijing: Chinese Standard.
Chinese Standard. 2017b. Test code for hydraulic concrete. DL/T 5150. Beijing: Chinese Standard.
Chuah, S., Z. Pan, J. G. Sanjayan, C. M. Wang, and W. H. Duan. 2014. “Nano reinforced cement and concrete composites and new perspective from graphene oxide.” Constr. Build. Mater. 73 (30): 113–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.09.040.
Gao, P. W., X. L. Lu, F. Geng, X. Y. Li, J. Hou, H. Lin, and N. N. Shi. 2008. “Production of MgO-type expansive agent in dam concrete by use of industrial by-products.” Build. Environ. 43 (4): 453–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2007.01.037.
Gao, Y., D. J. Corr, M. S. Konsta-Gdoutos, and S. P. Shah. 2018. “Effect of carbon nanofibers on autogenous shrinkage and shrinkage cracking of cementitious nanocomposites.” ACI Mater. J. 115 (4): 615–622. https://doi.org/10.14359/51702196.
Guan, Z. D., Z. T. Zhang, and J. S. Jiao. 2001. Physical properties of inorganic materials. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press.
Hawreen, A., and J. A. Bogas. 2019. “Creep, shrinkage and mechanical properties of concrete reinforced with different types of carbon nanotubes.” Constr. Build. Mater. 198 (20): 70–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.253.
Hawreen, A., J. A. Bogas, and A. P. S. Dias. 2018. “On the mechanical and shrinkage behavior of cement mortars reinforced with carbon nanotubes.” Constr. Build. Mater. 168 (2018): 459–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.146.
Kim, G. M., H. N. Yoon, and H. K. Lee. 2018. “Autogenous shrinkage and electrical characteristics of cement pastes and mortars with carbon nanotube and carbon fiber.” Constr. Build. Mater. 177 (Jul): 428–435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.127.
Konsta-Gdoutos, M. S., P. A. Danoglidis, and S. P. Shah. 2019. “High modulus concrete: Effects of low carbon nanotube and nanofiber additions.” Theor. Appl. Fract. Mec. 103 (Oct): 102295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2019.102295.
Konsta-Gdoutos, M. S., Z. S. Metaxa, and S. P. Shah. 2010. “Multi-scale mechanical and fracture characteristics and early-age strain capacity of high performance carbon nanotube/cement nanocomposites.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 32 (2): 110–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2009.10.007.
Kumar, M., S. K. Singh, and N. P. Singh. 2012. “Heat evolution during the hydration of Portland cement in the presence of fly ash, calcium hydroxide and super plasticizer.” Thermochim. Acta 548 (Nov): 27–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2012.08.028.
Kwon, Y. K., S. Berber, and D. Tománek. 2004. “Thermal contraction of carbon fullerenes and nanotubes.” Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 (1): 015901. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.015901.
Leonavicius, D., P. Ina, G. Giedrius, J. Pranckevičienė, M. Kligys, and A. Kairytė. 2018. “The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the rheological properties and hydration process of cement pastes.” Constr. Build. Mater. 189 (Nov): 947–954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.09.082.
Li, W. W., W. M. Ji, Y. C. Wang, Y. Liu, R. X. Shen, and F. Xing. 2015. “Investigation on the mechanical properties of a cement-based material containing carbon nanotube under drying and freeze-thaw conditions.” Materials (Basel) 8 (12): 8780–8792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8125491.
Li, X. Z., Z. J. Chen, X. C. Fan, and Z. J. Cheng. 2018. “Hydropower development situation and prospects in China.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 82 (Feb): 232–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.08.090.
Lim, C. K., J. K. Kim, and T. S. Seo. 2016. “Prediction of concrete adiabatic temperature rise characteristic by semi-adiabatic temperature rise test and FEM analysis.” Constr. Build. Mater. 125 (Oct): 679–689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.072.
Liu, K., Z. Shui, T. Sun, G. Ling, X. Li, and S. Cheng. 2019. “Effects of combined expansive agents and supplementary cementitious materials on the mechanical properties, shrinkage and chloride penetration of self-compacting concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 211 (30): 120–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.03.143.
Lu, S. N., N. Xie, L. C. Feng, and J. Zhong. 2015. “Applications of nanostructured carbon materials in constructions: The state of the art.” J. Nanomater. 2015 (Jan): 6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/807416.
Mai, J. X., and L. X. Sun. 1999. “Research on causes of fractures of concrete plates faced on Xibeikou rock-fill dam.” Water Resour. Hydropower Eng. 30 (5): 32–34.
Miao, C. W., Q. Tian, J. P. Liu, and W. Sun. 2007. “Very early age self-desiccation effect measurement based on meniscus depression technology for concrete.” J. Chin. Ceram. Soc. 35 (4): 509–516. https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:0454-5648.2007.04.023.
Mo, L. W., M. Deng, M. S. Tang, and A. Al-Tabbaa. 2014. “MgO expansive cement and concrete in China: Past, present and future.” Cem. Concr. Res. 57 (3): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.12.007.
Nochaiya, T., and A. Chaipanich. 2011. “Behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the porosity and microstructure of cement-based materials.” Appl. Surf. Sci. 257 (6): 1941–1945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2010.09.030.
Plank, J., E. Sakai, C. W. Miao, C. Yu, and J. X. Hong. 2015. “Chemical admixtures—Chemistry, applications and their impact on concrete microstructure and durability.” In Vol. 78 of Proc., 14th Int. Congress on the Chemistry of Cement ICCC 2015, 81–99. Beijing: Chinese Ceramic Society.
Qu, Y. Q., D. G. Zou, X. J. Kong, J. M. Liu, Y. Zhang, and X. Yu. 2019. “Seismic damage performance of the steel fiber reinforced face slab in the concrete-faced rockfill dam.” Soil Dyn. Earthquake Eng. 119 (Apr): 320–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2019.01.018.
Sanchez, F., and K. Sobolev. 2010. “Nanotechnology in concrete—A review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 24 (11): 2060–2071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.03.014.
Shi, T., Y. Gao, D. J. Corr, and S. P. Shah. 2019a. “FTIR study on early-age hydration of carbon nanotubes-modified cement-based materials.” Adv. Cem. Res. 31 (8): 353–361. https://doi.org/10.1680/jadcr.16.00167.
Shi, T., Z. X. Li, J. Guo, H. Gong, and C. P. Gu. 2019b. “Research progress on CNTs/CNFs-modified cement-based composites—A review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 202 (30): 290–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.024.
Slowik, V., E. Schlattner, and T. Klink. 2004. “Experimental investigation into early age shrinkage of cement paste by using fiber Bragg gratings.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 26 (5): 473–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0958-9465(03)00077-5.
Slowik, V., M. Schmidt, and R. Fritzsch. 2008. “Capillary pressure in fresh cement-based materials and identification of the air entry value.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 30 (7): 557–565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2008.03.002.
Sun, Y., C. C. Li, Y. Q. Wang, J. H. Xu, L. Li, and Q. Yuan. 2007. “Design and construction concepts of high concrete facing rockfill dam.” Water Power 33 (8): 5–9.
Wang, L., T. S. He, Y. X. Zhou, S. W. Tang, J. J. Tan, Z. T. Liu, and J. W. Su. 2021. “The influence of fiber type and length on the cracking resistance, durability and pore structure of face slab concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 282 (May): 122706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122706.
Wang, L., H. Q. Yang, S. H. Zhou, E. Chen, and S. W. Tang. 2018. “Mechanical properties, long-term hydration heat, shrinkage behavior and cracking resistance of dam concrete designed with low heat portland (LHP) cement and fly ash.” Constr. Build. Mater. 187 (Oct): 1073–1091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.056.
Wang, Z. J., S. H. Liu, L. Vallejo, and L. J. Wang. 2014. “Numerical analysis of the causes of face slab cracks in Gongboxia rockfill dam.” Eng. Geol. 181 (5): 224–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.07.019.
Yang, Z. Y., J. R. He, and G. Q. Luo. 2008. “Crack prevention technique for face concrete of CFRD with height about 200 m.” Water Power 34 (7): 59–63.
Yousefieh, N., A. Joshaghani, and E. Hajibandeh. 2017. “Influence of fibers on drying shrinkage in restrained concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 148 (Sep): 833–845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.093.
Zhang, J., D. Hou, and Y. Han. 2012. “Micromechanical modeling on autogenous and drying shrinkages of concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 29 (Apr): 230–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.09.022.
Zhang, P., and Q. F. Li. 2019. “Durability of steel fiber-reinforced concrete containing nano-particles.” Materials (Basel) 12 (13): 2184. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12132184.
Zhang, W., Y. Hama, and S. H. Na. 2015. “Drying shrinkage and microstructure characteristics of mortar incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag and shrinkage reducing admixture.” Constr. Build. Mater. 93 (Sep): 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.05.103.
Zhao, Z. F., T. Q. Qi, W. Zhou, D. Hui, C. Xiao, J. Y. Qi, Z. H. Zheng, and Z. G. Zhao. 2020a. “A review on the properties, reinforcing effects, and commercialization of nanomaterials for cement-based materials.” Nanotechnol. Rev. 9 (1): 303–322. https://doi.org/10.1515/ntrev-2020-0023.
Zhao, Z. F., K. J. Wang, D. A. Lange, H. G. Zhou, W. L. Wang, and D. M. Zhu. 2019. “Creep and thermal cracking of ultra-high volume fly ash mass concrete at early age.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 99 (May): 191–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.02.018.
Zhao, Z. F., H. M. Zhang, B. Fang, Y. Sun, Y. Zhong, and T. Shi. 2020b. “Tensile creep model of slab concrete based on microprestress-solidification theory.” Materials (Basel) 13 (14): 3157. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13143157.
Zhou, W., J. Hua, X. Chang, and C. Zhou. 2011. “Settlement analysis of the Shuibuya concrete-face rockfill dam.” Comput. Geotech. 38 (2): 269–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2010.10.004.
Zhu, B. F. 1999. Temperature stress and temperature control of mass concrete. Beijing: China Electric Power Press.
Zhu, X. Y., Y. Gao, Z. W. Dai, D. J. Corr, and S. P. Shah. 2018. “Effect of interfacial transition zone on the Young’s modulus of carbon nanofiber reinforced cement concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 107 (May): 49–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.02.014.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 12 • December 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 17, 2021
Accepted: Mar 29, 2022
Published online: Sep 27, 2022
Published in print: Dec 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Feb 27, 2023
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Zhifang Zhao, Cong Xiao, Bo Fang, Yongjiu Lu, Tao Shi, Zhigang Zhao, Xiaofeng Gao, Effect of CNTs and MEA on the creep of face-slab concrete at an early age, Nanotechnology Reviews, 10.1515/ntrev-2022-0145, 11, 1, (2535-2546), (2022).