Quick Hardening Properties of the Cement Paste Partially Replaced by the Calcined-Milled Wood Fly Ash
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 10
Abstract
The rapid growth of the construction industry has led to issues such as increased consumption of natural resources, energy usage, and carbon emissions. Integrating waste materials into the construction industry can help alleviate environmental problems. This study explored wood fly ash (WFA) generated from wood pellet combustion as a cement substitute material. To enhance the reactivity efficiency of WFA as a cement substitute, we conducted physical pretreatment, including calcination at 800°C, followed by ball milling and sieving. The focus was on evaluating the chemical and mechanical properties induced by the pretreatment of WFA when incorporated into cement matrix during the early age stages. Specimens were manufactured by weight substitution of 10%, 20%, and 30% of before pretreatment (BT) and after pretreatment (AT) WFA for cement, and consistency of the workability was maintained by adding a water reducer. The physical pretreatment altered the chemical composition and particle characteristics of WFA. In AT_WFA, the presence of CaO and MgO induced a rapid reaction with water compared with BT_WFA, resulting in high heat release during hydration, shortening the setting time, and improving compressive strength. The deficiencies in gypsum and sulfate in BT and AT_WFA integrated into the cement matrix, promoting the formation of hydrogarnet, and more actively increasing the early heat of hydration in AT_WFA compared with BT_WFA. The presence of CaO and its relatively high alkalinity in AT_WFA led to faster consumption of and compared with ordinary portland cement (OPC), contributing to an increase in early compressive strength. The results of this study illustrate how the physical pretreatment influenced the material characteristics of WFA and its impact on the early-stage phase development in cement. This understanding can contribute to the assessment of the durability and long-term performance, including mechanical properties, of cement composites containing WFA with pretreatment.
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 supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2022R1A2C1010293).
References
Almokdad, M., and R. Zentar. 2023. “Characterization of recycled dredged sediments: Toward circular economy in road construction.” Constr. Build. Mater. 402 (Oct): 132974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132974.
Almokdad, M., and R. Zentar. 2024. “Flash-calcined sediments versus raw sediments: A comparative life cycle assessment of SCMs.” Constr. Build. Mater. 411 (Jan): 134550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134550.
ASTM. 2013a. Standard test method for flow of hydraulic cement mortar. ASTM C1437. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2013b. Standard test methods for time of setting of hydraulic cement by Vicat needle. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2016. Standard test method for compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] cube specimens). C109/C109M-16a. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2017. Standard test method for pull-off strength of coatings using portable adhesion testers. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Ates, F., K. T. Park, K. W. Kim, B. H. Woo, and H. G. Kim. 2023. “Effects of treated biomass wood fly ash as a partial substitute for fly ash in a geopolymer mortar system.” Constr. Build. Mater. 376 (May): 131063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131063.
Ayobami, A. B. 2021. “Performance of wood bottom ash in cement-based applications and comparison with other selected ashes: Overview.” Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 166 (Mar): 105351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105351.
Bernal, S. A., R. M. De Gutierrez, J. L. Provis, and V. Rose. 2010. “Effect of silicate modulus and metakaolin incorporation on the carbonation of alkali silicate-activated slags.” Cem. Concr. Res. 40 (6): 898–907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.02.003.
Berra, M., T. Mangialardi, and A. E. Paolini. 2015. “Reuse of woody biomass fly ash in cement-based materials.” Constr. Build. Mater. 76 (Feb): 286–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.11.052.
Bhat, J. A. 2020. “Mechanical behaviour of self compacting concrete: Effect of wood ash and coal ash as partial cement replacement.” Mater. Today Proc. 42 (Jan): 1470–1476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.311.
Bhavya, C., K. Yogendra, K. M. Mahadevan, and N. Madhusudhana. 2016. “Synthesis of calcium oxide nanoparticles and its mortality study on fresh water fish Cyprinus carpio.” IOSR J. Environ. Sci. Toxicol. Food Technol. 10 (12): 55–60.
Bioenergy, International Energy Agency. 2018. Options for increased use of ash from biomass combustion and co-firing. Paris: International Energy Agency.
Bizzozero, J. 2014. Hydration and dimensional stability of calcium aluminate cement based systems. Lausanne, Switzerland: École Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne.
Chen, H., R. Qin, C. L. Chow, and D. Lau. 2023. “Recycling thermoset plastic waste for manufacturing green cement mortar.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 137 (Mar): 104922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104922.
Cheng, H., W. Li, R. Chen, and Y. Yi. 2022. “Workability study of sand-bentonite-cement mixtures for construction of two-phase cut-off wall.” Constr. Build. Mater. 345 (Aug): 128058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128058.
Chowdhury, S., A. Maniar, and O. M. Suganya. 2015. “Strength development in concrete with wood ash blended cement and use of soft computing models to predict strength parameters.” J. Adv. Res. 6 (6): 907–913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2014.08.006.
Collier, N. C., J. H. Sharp, N. B. Milestone, J. Hill, and I. H. Godfrey. 2008. “The influence of water removal techniques on the composition and microstructure of hardened cement pastes.” Cem. Concr. Res. 38 (6): 737–744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2008.02.012.
Da, Y., and J. Zhou. 2022. “Multi-doping strategy modified calcium-based materials for improving the performance of direct solar-driven calcium looping thermochemical energy storage.” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 238 (May): 111613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2022.111613.
Dung, N. T., and C. Unluer. 2021. “Advances in the hydration of reactive MgO cement blends incorporating different magnesium carbonates.” Constr. Build. Mater. 294 (Aug): 123573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123573.
Fernández-Carrasco, L., D. Torrens-Martín, L. M. Morales, and S. Martínez-Ramírez. 2012. “Infrared spectroscopy in the analysis of building and construction materials.” In Infrared spectroscopy–Materials science, engineering and technology. London: IntechOpen.
Georget, F., B. Lothenbach, W. Wilson, F. Zunino, and K. L. Scrivener. 2022. “Stability of hemicarbonate under cement paste-like conditions.” Cem. Concr. Res. 153 (Mar): 106692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106692.
Gerges, N., C. A. Issa, M. Antoun, E. Sleiman, F. Hallal, P. Shamoun, and J. Hayek. 2021. “Eco-friendly mortar: Optimum combination of wood ash, crumb rubber, and fine crushed glass.” Case Stud. Constr. Mater. 15 (Dec): e00588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00588.
Gupta, A. K., S. Mohanty, and S. K. Nayak. 2015. “Preparation and characterization of lignin nanofibre by electrospinnig technique.” Int. J. Sci. Eng. Appl. Sci. 1 (3): 184–190.
Hamid, Z., and S. Rafiq. 2020. “An experimental study on behavior of wood ash in concrete as partial replacement of cement.” Mater. Today Proc. 46 (Jan): 3426–3429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.11.776.
Illikainen, M., P. Tanskanen, P. Kinnunen, M. Körkkö, O. Peltosaari, V. Wigren, J. Österbacka, B. Talling, and J. Niinimäki. 2014. “Reactivity and self-hardening of fly ash from the fluidized bed combustion of wood and peat.” Fuel 135 (Nov): 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2014.06.029.
Jakhrani, S. H., H. G. Kim, I. K. Jeon, and J. S. Ryou. 2019. “Effect of saturated tea waste and perlite particles on early age hydration of high-strength cement mortars.” Materials 12 (14): 2269. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12142269.
Kim, M. S., Y. Jun, C. Lee, and J. E. Oh. 2013. “Use of CaO as an activator for producing a price-competitive non-cement structural binder using ground granulated blast furnace slag.” Cem. Concr. Res. 54 (Dec): 208–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.09.011.
Li, H., Z. Pang, P. Gao, and L. Wang. 2015. “Fe (III)-catalyzed grafting copolymerization of lignin with styrene and methyl methacrylate through AGET ATRP using triphenyl phosphine as a ligand.” RSC Adv. 5 (67): 54387–54394. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA09237J.
Li, P., W. Li, Z. Sun, L. Shen, and D. Sheng. 2021. “Development of sustainable concrete incorporating seawater: A critical review on cement hydration, microstructure and mechanical strength.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 121 (Aug): 104100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104100.
Li, W., X. Li, S. J. Chen, Y. M. Liu, W. H. Duan, and S. P. Shah. 2017. “Effects of graphene oxide on early-age hydration and electrical resistivity of Portland cement paste.” Constr. Build. Mater. 136 (Apr): 505–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.01.066.
Madhusudhana, N., K. Yogendra, and K. M. Mahadevan. 2012. “Decolorization of coralene dark red 2B azo dye using calcium oxide nanoparticle as an adsorbent.” Int. J. Res. Chem. Environ. 2 (2): 21–25.
Mkahal, Z., W. Maherzi, Y. Mamindy-Pajany, B. Bouzar, and N. E. Abriak. 2023. “Development of a low-carbon binder based on raw, ground, and carbonated waste paper fly ash.” Sustainable Mater. Technol. 36 (Jul): e00650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2023.e00650.
Modolo, R. C. E., V. M. Ferreira, L. A. Tarelho, J. A. Labrincha, L. Senff, and L. Silva. 2013. “Mortar formulations with bottom ash from biomass combustion.” Constr. Build. Mater. 45 (Aug): 275–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.03.093.
Mollah, M. Y. A., W. Yu, R. Schennach, and D. L. Cocke. 2000. “A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic investigation of the early hydration of Portland cement and the influence of sodium lignosulfonate.” Cem. Concr. Res. 30 (2): 267–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00243-4.
Monteiro, P. J. M., G. Geng, D. Marchon, J. Li, P. Alapati, K. E. Kurtis, and M. J. A. Qomi. 2019. “Advances in characterizing and understanding the microstructure of cementitious materials.” Cem. Concr. Res. 124 (Oct): 105806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.105806.
Nidheesh, P. V., and M. S. Kumar. 2019. “An overview of environmental sustainability in cement and steel production.” J. Cleaner Prod. 231 (Sep): 856–871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.251.
Ottosen, L. M., E. Ø. Hansen, P. E. Jensen, G. M. Kirkelund, and P. Golterman. 2016. “Wood ash used as partly sand and/or cement replacement in mortar.” Int. J. Sustainable Dev. Plann. 11 (5): 781–791. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V11-N5-781-791.
Pane, I., and W. Hansen. 2005. “Investigation of blended cement hydration by isothermal calorimetry and thermal analysis.” Cem. Concr. Res. 35 (6): 1155–1164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.10.027.
Qudoos, A., H. G. Kim, I. K. Jeon, and J. S. Ryou. 2019. “Influence of the particle size of wheat straw ash on the microstructure of the interfacial transition zone.” Powder Technol. 352 (Jun): 453–461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.05.005.
Qudoos, A., H. G. Kim, and J. S. Ryou. 2018. “Effect of mechanical processing on the pozzolanic efficiency and the microstructure development of wheat straw ash blended cement composites.” Constr. Build. Mater. 193 (Dec): 481–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.10.229.
Rosales, J., M. Cabrera, M. G. Beltrán, M. López, and F. Agrela. 2017. “Effects of treatments on biomass bottom ash applied to the manufacture of cement mortars.” J. Cleaner Prod. 154 (Jun): 424–435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.04.024.
Rosales, M., J. Rosales, F. Agrela, M. I. Sánchez de Rojas, and M. Cabrera. 2022. “Design of a new eco-hybrid cement for concrete pavement, made with processed mixed recycled aggregates and olive biomass bottom ash as supplementary cement materials.” Constr. Build. Mater. 358 (Dec): 129417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129417.
Rostami, V., Y. Shao, A. J. Boyd, and Z. He. 2012. “Microstructure of cement paste subject to early carbonation curing.” Cem. Concr. Res. 42 (1): 186–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.09.010.
Scrivener, K., R. Snellings, and B. Lothenbach. 2018. A practical guide to microstructural analysis of cementitious materials. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Shah, V., and A. Scott. 2021. “Hydration and microstructural characteristics of MgO in the presence of metakaolin and silica fume.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 121 (Aug): 104068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104068.
Siddique, R., and A. Mehta. 2020. “Utilization of industrial by-products and natural ashes in mortar and concrete development of sustainable construction materials.” In Nonconventional and vernacular construction materials, 247–303. Cambridge, UK: Elsevier.
Silva, R. V., J. De Brito, and R. K. Dhir. 2016. “Performance of cementitious renderings and masonry mortars containing recycled aggregates from construction and demolition wastes.” Constr. Build. Mater. 105 (Feb): 400–415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.12.171.
Simonsen, A. M. T., S. Solismaa, H. K. Hansen, and P. E. Jensen. 2020. “Evaluation of mine tailings’ potential as supplementary cementitious materials based on chemical, mineralogical and physical characteristics.” Waste Manage. 102 (Feb): 710–721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.11.037.
Snellings, R., et al. 2018. “Report of TC 238-SCM: Hydration stoppage methods for phase assemblage studies of blended cements—Results of a round robin test.” Mater. Struct. 51 (Aug): 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-018-1237-5.
Steenari, B. M., L. G. Karlsson, and O. Lindqvist. 1999. “Evaluation of the leaching characteristics of wood ash and the influence of ash agglomeration.” Biomass Bioenergy 16 (2): 119–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0961-9534(98)00070-1.
Subbaramaiah, G., H. R. Sudarsana, and G. G. Vaishali. 2015. “Effect of addition and partial replacement of cement by wood waste ash on strength properties of structural grade concrete.” Int. J. Innovative Sci. Eng. Technol. 2 (9): 736–743.
Torres-Carrasco, M., J. J. Reinosa, M. A. de la Rubia, E. Reyes, F. A. Peralta, and J. F. Fernández. 2019. “Critical aspects in the handling of reactive silica in cementitious materials: Effectiveness of rice husk ash vs nano-silica in mortar dosage.” Constr. Build. Mater. 223 (Oct): 360–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.023.
Varas, M. J., M. A. De Buergo, and R. Fort. 2005. “Natural cement as the precursor of Portland cement: Methodology for its identification.” Cem. Concr. Res. 35 (11): 2055–2065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.10.045.
Walling, S. A., L. J. Gardner, D. P. Prentice, M. C. Dixon Wilkins, A. A. Hammad, W. Um, C. L. Corkhill, and N. C. Hyatt. 2023. “Stability of within composite Portland-slag cement blends.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 135 (Jan): 104823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104823.
Wang, L., H. Q. Yang, Y. Dong, E. Chen, and S. W. Tang. 2018. “Environmental evaluation, hydration, pore structure, volume deformation and abrasion resistance of low heat Portland (LHP) cement-based materials.” J. Cleaner Prod. 203 (Dec): 540–558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.08.281.
Winnefeld, F., and B. Lothenbach. 2016. “Phase equilibria in the system Ca4Al6O12SO4–Ca2SiO4–CaSO4–H2O referring to the hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate cements.” RILEM Techn. Lett. 1 (Apr): 10–16. https://doi.org/10.21809/rilemtechlett.2016.5.
Winoto, V., and N. Yoswathana. 2019. “Optimization of biodiesel production using nanomagnetic CaO-based catalysts with subcritical methanol transesterification of rubber seed oil.” Energies 12 (2): 230. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12020230.
Xiao, Q., Y. Cai, Y. Xiang, J. Wang, K. Ma, X. Zeng, Z. Tang, and G. Long. 2023. “Regulating the early age hydration of cement-solidified electrolytic manganese residues paste by alternating current.” Constr. Build. Mater. 404 (Nov): 133336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133336.
Xie, J., Z. Wu, X. Zhang, X. Hu, and C. Shi. 2023. “Trends and developments in low-heat Portland cement and concrete: A review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 392 (Aug): 131535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131535.
Xin, J., G. Zhang, Y. Liu, Z. Wang, N. Yang, Y. Wang, R. Mou, Y. Qiao, J. Wang, and Z. Wu. 2020. “Environmental impact and thermal cracking resistance of low heat cement (LHC) and moderate heat cement (MHC) concrete at early ages.” J. Build. Eng. 32 (Nov): 101668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101668.
Xu, W., Y. T. Lo, D. Ouyang, S. A. Memon, F. Xing, W. Wang, and X. Yuan. 2015. “Effect of rice husk ash fineness on porosity and hydration reaction of blended cement paste.” Constr. Build. Mater. 89 (Aug): 90–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.04.030.
Yang, H., R. Yan, H. Chen, D. H. Lee, and C. Zheng. 2007. “Characteristics of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin pyrolysis.” Fuel 86 (12–13): 1781–1788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2006.12.013.
Yang, J., D. Li, and Y. Fang. 2018. “Effect of synthetic CaO--H2O on the early-stage performance of alkali-activated slag.” Constr. Build. Mater. 167 (Apr): 65–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.148.
Yang, J., J. Zeng, X. He, Y. Su, H. Tan, H. Min, H. Hu, H. Ye, M. Ma, and B. Strnadel. 2022. “Utilization of submicron autoclaved aerated concrete waste to prepare eco-friendly ultra-high performance concrete by replacing silica fume.” J. Cleaner Prod. 376 (Nov): 134252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134252.
Yang, J., J. Zeng, X. He, Y. Su, H. Tan, and B. Strnadel. 2020. “Nano-carbide slag seed as a new type accelerator for Portland cement.” Mater. Lett. 278 (Nov): 128464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2020.128464.
Yoon, H. J., C. H. Lee, and K. B. Lee. 2021. “Mass transfer enhanced CaO pellets for sorption: Utilization of emitted from pellets during calcination.” Chem. Eng. J. 421 (Oct): 129584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.129584.
Yoon, H. J., and K. B. Lee. 2019. “Introduction of chemically bonded zirconium oxide in CaO-based high-temperature sorbents for enhanced cyclic sorption.” Chem. Eng. J. 355 (Jan): 850–857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.08.148.
Zinad, O. S., and C. Csiha. 2023. “Improving sustainability of mortar by wood-ash and nano-SiO2.” In Case studies in chemical and environmental engineering, 100597. New York: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100597.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 10 • October 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 6, 2023
Accepted: Mar 12, 2024
Published online: Jul 22, 2024
Published in print: Oct 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Dec 22, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Ashes
- Building materials
- Cement
- Compressive strength
- Concrete
- Construction engineering
- Construction industry
- Construction management
- Construction wastes
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Environmental engineering
- Fly ash
- Hydration
- Laminating
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Materials processing
- Pollutants
- Solid wastes
- Strength of materials
- Wastes
- Wood and wood products
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.