Technical Papers
Aug 23, 2020

Effect of Fly Ash and Reactive MgO on the Engineering Properties and Durability of High-Performance Concrete Produced with Alkali-Activated Slag and Recycled Aggregate

Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 32, Issue 11

Abstract

This study investigated the engineering properties and durability of high-performance recycled aggregate concrete (HPRAC) specimens. The specimens were prepared using alkali-activated slag with varying proportions of fly ash (FA) (Category 1) and reactive MgO (Category 2). The first category included specimens in four subcategories in which FA replaced ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) in the binder at ratios of 0%, 15%, 30%, and 45% by weight. The second category included specimens in three categories in which a group mixture containing 15% FA and 85% GGBFS was modified by 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% reactive MgO (based on the total weight of FA and GGBFS). The engineering properties of HPRAC specimens were assessed using tests for slump, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, water absorption test, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), electrical surface resistivity (ESR), thermal conductivity, and rapid chloride ion penetration (RCPT). All the HPRAC specimens exhibited good strength and durability at 91 days of curing. However, the engineering properties of the concrete samples were significantly affected by the levels of added FA and MgO. Although the CF15M5 mixture exhibited the highest compressive strength and best attributes of the HPRAC specimens, its performance in terms of the tested variables still was inferior to that of natural aggregate concrete.

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 research was conducted at the Construction Material Research Laboratory (CMRL) of the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) with valuable support from the Taiwan Building Technology Center, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Ministry of Education (MOE), and Hwang’s Research Group.

References

AASTHO. 2015. Standard method of test for electrical indication of concrete's ability to resist chloride ion penetration. T277. Washington, DC: AASTHO.
Abdel-Gawwad, H. A., and S. A. El-Aleem. 2015. “Effect of reactive magnesium oxide on properties of alkali activated slag geopolymer cement pastes.” Ceram. Silik. 59 (1): 37–47.
ASTM. 2012. Standard test method for electrical indication of concrete’s ability to resist chloride ion penetration. ASTM C1202-12. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2015a. Standard test method for rate of water absorption of masonry mortars. ASTM C1403. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2015b. Standard test method for slump of hydraulic-cement concrete. ASTM C143/C143M. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2016. Standard test method for pulse velocity through concrete. ASTM C597-16. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2017a. Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or calcined natural Pozzolan for use in concrete. ASTM C618-19. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2017b. Standard test method for splitting tensile strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. ASTM C496/C496M. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2018a. Standard specification for concrete aggregates. ASTM C33/C33M. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2018b. Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. ASTM C39/C39M. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2019. Standard specification for blended hydraulic cements. ASTM C595/C595M. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Bhattacharjee, B., and S. B. Krishnamoorthy. 2004. “Permeable porosity and thermal conductivity of construction materials.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 16 (4): 322–330. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2004)16:4(322).
Bogas, J. A., M. G. Gomes, and A. Gomes. 2013. “Compressive strength evaluation of structural lightweight concrete by non-destructive ultrasonic pulse velocity method.” Ultrasonics 53 (5): 962–972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultras.2012.12.012.
Bondar, D., M. Basheer, and S. Nanukuttan. 2019. “Suitability of alkali activated slag/fly ash (AA-GGBS/FA) concretes for chloride environments: Characterisation based on mix design and compliance testing.” Constr. Build. Mater. 216 (Aug): 612–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.05.043.
Buenfeld, N. R., J. B. Newman, and C. L. Page. 1986. “The resistivity of mortars immersed in sea-water.” Cem. Concr. Res. 16 (4): 511–524. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(86)90089-X.
Chancey, R. T., P. Stutzman, M. C. G. Juenger, and D. W. Fowler. 2010. “Comprehensive phase characterization of crystalline and amorphous phases of a Class F fly ash.” Cem. Concr. Res. 40 (1): 146–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2009.08.029.
Chen, S.-H., H.-Y. Wang, and J.-W. Jhou. 2013. “Investigating the properties of lightweight concrete containing high contents of recycled green building materials.” Constr. Build. Mater. 48 (Nov): 98–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.06.040.
Chi, M. 2012. “Effects of dosage of alkali-activated solution and curing conditions on the properties and durability of alkali-activated slag concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 35 (Oct): 240–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.04.005.
Coelho, A., and J. de Brito. 2013. “Economic viability analysis of a construction and demolition waste recycling plant in Portugal—Part I: location, materials, technology and economic analysis.” J. Cleaner Prod. 39 (Jan): 338–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.08.024.
Collins, F., and J. G. Sanjayan. 2000. “Effect of pore size distribution on drying shrinking of alkali-activated slag concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 30 (9): 1401–1406. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(00)00327-6.
Demirboğa, R., İ. Türkmen, and M. B. Karakoç. 2004. “Relationship between ultrasonic velocity and compressive strength for high-volume mineral-admixtured concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 34 (12): 2329–2336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.04.017.
Duan, H., T. R. Miller, G. Liu, and V. W. Y. Tam. 2019. “Construction debris becomes growing concern of growing cities.” Waste Manage. (Oxford) 83 (Jan): 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.10.044.
Fiol, F., C. Thomas, C. Muñoz, V. Ortega-López, and J. M. Manso. 2018. “The influence of recycled aggregates from precast elements on the mechanical properties of structural self-compacting concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 182 (Sep): 309–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.132.
Fraay, A. L. A., J. M. Bijen, and Y. M. de Haan. 1989. “The reaction of fly ash in concrete a critical examination.” Cem. Concr. Res. 19 (2): 235–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(89)90088-4.
Ganesh Babu, K., and G. Siva Nageswara Rao. 1996. “Efficiency of fly ash in concrete with age.” Cem. Concr. Res. 26 (3): 465–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(96)85034-4.
Gao, X., Q. L. Yu, and H. J. H. Brouwers. 2016. “Assessing the porosity and shrinkage of alkali activated slag-fly ash composites designed applying a packing model.” Constr. Build. Mater. 119 (Aug): 175–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.05.026.
Haha, M. B., B. Lothenbach, G. Le Saout, and F. Winnefeld. 2011. “Influence of slag chemistry on the hydration of alkali-activated blast-furnace slag—Part I: Effect of MgO.” Cem. Concr. Res. 41 (9): 955–963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.05.002.
Huang, B., X. Wang, H. Kua, Y. Geng, R. Bleischwitz, and J. Ren. 2018. “Construction and demolition waste management in China through the 3R principle.” Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 129 (Feb): 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.029.
Huynh, T.-P., D.-H. Vo, and C.-L. Hwang. 2018. “Engineering and durability properties of eco-friendly mortar using cement-free SRF binder.” Constr. Build. Mater. 160 (Jan): 145–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.040.
Hwang, C.-L., and M.-F. Hung. 2005. “Durability design and performance of self-consolidating lightweight concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 19 (8): 619–626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.01.003.
Hwang, C.-L., D.-H. Vo, V.-A. Tran, and M. D. Yehualaw. 2018. “Effect of high MgO content on the performance of alkali-activated fine slag under water and air curing conditions.” Constr. Build. Mater. 186 (Oct): 503–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.129.
Jin, F., K. Gu, A. Abdollahzadeh, and A. Al-Tabbaa. 2015a. “Effects of different reactive MgOs on the hydration of MgO-activated GGBS paste.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 27 (7): B4014001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001009.
Jin, F., K. Gu, and A. Al-Tabbaa. 2014. “Strength and drying shrinkage of reactive MgO modified alkali-activated slag paste.” Constr. Build. Mater. 51 (Jan): 395–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.10.081.
Jin, F., K. Gu, and A. Al-Tabbaa. 2015b. “Strength and hydration properties of reactive MgO-activated ground granulated blastfurnace slag paste.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 57 (Mar): 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.10.007.
Kabir, S., A. Al-Shayeb, and I. M. Khan. 2016. “Recycled construction debris as concrete aggregate for sustainable construction materials.” Procedia Eng. 145: 1518–1525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.04.191.
Kahina Haddad, O. H., S. Aggoun, and S. Kacia. 2017. “Correlation between the porosity and ultrasonic pulse velocity of recycled aggregate concrete at different saturation levels.” Can. J. Civ. Eng. 44 (11): 911–917. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjce-2016-0449.
Kang, S.-H., Y. Jeong, M. O. Kim, and J. Moon. 2019. “Pozzolanic reaction on alkali-activated Class F fly ash for ambient condition curable structural materials.” Constr. Build. Mater. 218 (Sep): 235–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.05.129.
Kou, S. C., and C. S. Poon. 2009. “Properties of self-compacting concrete prepared with coarse and fine recycled concrete aggregates.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 31 (9): 622–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2009.06.005.
Kurda, R., J. de Brito, and J. D. Silvestre. 2019. “Water absorption and electrical resistivity of concrete with recycled concrete aggregates and fly ash.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 95 (Jan): 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.10.004.
Li, N., C. Shi, and Z. Zhang. 2019. “Understanding the roles of activators towards setting and hardening control of alkali-activated slag cement.” Composites, Part B 171 (Aug): 34–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.04.024.
Limbachiya, M., M. S. Meddah, and Y. Ouchagour. 2012. “Use of recycled concrete aggregate in fly-ash concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 27 (1): 439–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.07.023.
Malhotra, V. M. 1976. Testing hardened concrete: Nondestructive methods. Ames, IA: Iowa State Press.
Marie, I. 2017. “Thermal conductivity of hybrid recycled aggregate: Rubberized concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 133 (Feb): 516–524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.113.
Mehta, P. K., P. J. Monteiro, and A. Carmona Filho. 1994. Concreto: Estrutura, propriedades e materiais. Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil: PINI.
Nguyen, H.-A., T.-P. Chang, J.-Y. Shih, C.-T. Chen, and T.-D. Nguyen. 2016. “Engineering properties and durability of high-strength self-compacting concrete with no-cement SFC binder.” Constr. Build. Mater. 106 (Mar): 670–677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.12.163.
Nguyen, L. H., A. L. Beaucour, S. Ortola, and A. Noumowé. 2014. “Influence of the volume fraction and the nature of fine lightweight aggregates on the thermal and mechanical properties of structural concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 51 (Jan): 121–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.11.019.
Oikonomou, N. D. 2005. “Recycled concrete aggregates.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 27 (2): 315–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2004.02.020.
Pacheco-Torgal, F. 2013. “1: Introduction to the recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW).” In Handbook of recycled concrete and demolition waste, edited by F. Pacheco-Torgal, V. W. Y. Tam, J. A. Labrincha, and Y. Dingde Brito. 1–6. Sawston, UK: Woodhead.
Puertas, F., B. González-Fonteboa, I. González-Taboada, M. M. Alonso, M. Torres-Carrasco, G. Rojo, and F. Martínez-Abella. 2018. “Alkali-activated slag concrete: Fresh and hardened behaviour.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 85 (Jan): 22–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2017.10.003.
Puertas, F., S. Martínez-Ramírez, S. Alonso, and T. Vázquez. 2000. “Alkali-activated fly ash/slag cements: Strength behaviour and hydration products.” Cem. Concr. Res. 30 (10): 1625–1632. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(00)00298-2.
Rodrigue, A., J. Duchesne, B. Fournier, and B. Bissonnette. 2018. “Influence of added water and fly ash content on the characteristics, properties and early-age cracking sensitivity of alkali-activated slag/fly ash concrete cured at ambient temperature.” Constr. Build. Mater. 171 (May): 929–941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.176.
Rodrigues, F., M. T. Carvalho, L. Evangelista, and J. de Brito. 2013. “Physical–chemical and mineralogical characterization of fine aggregates from construction and demolition waste recycling plants.” J. Cleaner Prod. 52 (Aug): 438–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.02.023.
Saha, A. K. 2018. “Effect of class F fly ash on the durability properties of concrete.” Sustainable Environ. Res. 28 (1): 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.serj.2017.09.001.
Singh, N., and S. P. Singh. 2018. “Evaluating the performance of self compacting concretes made with recycled coarse and fine aggregates using non destructive testing techniques.” Constr. Build. Mater. 181 (Aug): 73–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.039.
Slifka, A., B. Filla, and J. Phelps. 1998. “Thermal conductivity of magnesium oxide from absolute, steady-state measurements.” J. Res. Nat. Inst. Stand. Technol. 103 (4): 357. https://doi.org/10.6028/jres.103.021.
Uysal, M., K. Yilmaz, and M. Ipek. 2012. “The effect of mineral admixtures on mechanical properties, chloride ion permeability and impermeability of self-compacting concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 27 (1): 263–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.07.049.
Vangeem, M. G., T. A. Holm, and J. P. Reis. 2013. “Optimal thermal mass and R-Value in concrete.” In Proc., 1st Int. Conf. on Concrete Sustainability, 411–418. Tokyo: Japan Concrete Institute.
Wee, T. H., A. K. Suryavanshi, and S. S. Tin. 2000. “Evaluation of rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) results for concrete containing mineral admixtures.” ACI Mater. J. 97 (2): 221–232.
Yao, Z. T., X. S. Ji, P. K. Sarker, J. H. Tang, L. Q. Ge, M. S. Xia, and Y. Q. Xi. 2015. “A comprehensive review on the applications of coal fly ash.” Earth Sci. Rev. 141 (Feb): 105–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.11.016.
Ye, H., and A. Radlińska. 2016. “Shrinkage mechanisms of alkali-activated slag.” Cem. Concr. Res. 88 (Oct): 126–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2016.07.001.
Zheng, L., H. Wu, H. Zhang, H. Duan, J. Wang, W. Jiang, B. Dong, G. Liu, J. Zuo, and Q. Song. 2017. “Characterizing the generation and flows of construction and demolition waste in China.” Constr. Build. Mater. 136 (Apr): 405–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.01.055.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 32Issue 11November 2020

History

Received: Nov 16, 2019
Accepted: Apr 29, 2020
Published online: Aug 23, 2020
Published in print: Nov 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Jan 23, 2021

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Postdoctoral Scholar, Taiwan Building Technology Center, National Taiwan Univ. of Science and Technology, No. 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei 10607, Taiwan, ROC; Lecturer, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Technology and Education, Univ. of Danang, No. 48, Cao Thang St., Danang City 550000, Vietnam. Email: [email protected]
Chao-Lung Hwang [email protected]
Professor, Dept. of Civil and Construction Engineering, College of Engineering, National Taiwan Univ. of Science and Technology, No. 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei 10607, Taiwan, ROC (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]
Khanh-Dung Tran Thi [email protected]
M.S. Student, Dept. of Civil and Construction Engineering, College of Engineering, National Taiwan Univ. of Science and Technology, No. 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei 10607, Taiwan, ROC. Email: [email protected]
Mitiku Damtie Yehualaw, Ph.D. [email protected]
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Civil and Water Resource Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar Univ., Bahir Dar, P.O. Box 26, Ethiopia. Email: [email protected]
Wei-Chih Chen, Ph.D. [email protected]
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National Univ. of Kaohsiung, Nanzih District, Kaohsiung City 811, Taiwan, ROC. Email: [email protected]

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

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share