Effect of Stress Level on the Frost Resistance and Uniaxial Compressive Properties of Desert Sand Concrete
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 12
Abstract
Rapid freeze-thaw (F-T) tests were conducted to study the frost resistance of desert sand concrete (DSC) at different stress levels (SL), desert sand replacement rate (DSRR) and the number of F-T cycles. The impact of the SL, DSRR, and number of F-T cycles on the mass loss rate, ultrasonic wave velocity, and stress-strain curve of DSC was investigated through uniaxial compression tests. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the microstructure of DSC. The constitutive relationship was established considering the influence of the SL and number of F-T cycles. The results indicated that the frost resistance and uniaxial compressive mechanical properties of DSC could be effectively enhanced when desert sand was added at 40%. The peak strain initially decreased and then increased as the DSRR increased. In contrast, the peak stress first increased and reached a maximum value as the DSRR increasing to 40%, followed by a gradual decrease. The F-T cycles gradually deteriorated the macroscopic properties of DSC. The proposed constitutive model of DSC was established by combining the two classical models as the ascending and descending sections, respectively. The model prediction results matched well with the experimental results, which can provide a theoretical basis for the engineering application of DSC under F-T cycles and loading environments.
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
The support of Science Foundation of Ningxia (2023AAC03039), National Natural Science Foundation of China (52168034, 51368048, and 11162015), Graduate Innovation Program of Ningxia University (CXXM202454), and First–class discipline construction in Ningxia colleges and Universities (Discipline of water conservancy engineering) (NXYLXK 2021A03) is gratefully acknowledged.
References
Abu Seif, E. S., A. R. Sonbul, B. A. H. Hakami, and E. K. EI-Sawy. 2016. “Experimental study on the utilization of dune sands as a construction material in the area between Jeddah and Mecca, Western Saudi Arabia.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 75 (3): 1007–1022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0855-9.
Al-Harthy, A. S., M. Abdel Halim, R. Taha, and K. S. Al-Jabri. 2007. “The properties of concrete made with fine dune sand.” Constr. Build. Mater. 21 (8): 1803–1808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2006.05.053.
An, X., J. L. Che, H. F. Liu, S. Y. Yang, and S. I. Doh. 2021. “Study on freeze-thaw resistance with NaCl of desert sand engineering cement composites.” Phys. Chem. Earth Parts A/B/C 121 (Feb): 102954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2020.102954.
Bai, J. W., Y. R. Zhao, J. N. Shi, and X. Y. He. 2022. “Damage degradation model of aeolian sand concrete under freeze-thaw cycles based on macro-microscopic perspective.” Constr. Build. Mater. 327 (Apr): 126885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126885.
Cao, D. F., L. Z. Fu, Z. W. Yang, and X. C. Qin. 2013. “Study on constitutive relations of compressed concrete subjected to action of freezing-thawing cycles.” [In Chinese.] J. Build. Mater. 16 (1): 17–23. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1007-9629.2013.01.004.
Carreira, D. J., and K. H. Chu. 1985. “Stress-strain relationship for plain concrete in compression.” J. Am. Concr. Inst. 82 (6): 797–804. https://doi.org/10.14359/10390.
Chinese Standard. 2009. Standard for test methods of long-term performance and durability of ordinary concrete. GB/T 50082-2009. Beijing: Chinese Standard Press.
Chinese Standard. 2011a. Specification for mix proportion design of ordinary concrete. GB/T JGJ 55-2011. Beijing: Chinese Standard Press.
Chinese Standard. 2011b. Test methods for water requirement of normal consistency, sitting time and soundness of the Portland cement. GB/T 1346-2011. Beijing: Chinese Standard Press.
Chinese Standard. 2019. Standard for test methods of concrete physical and mechanical properties. GB/T 50081-2019. Beijing: Chinese Standard Press.
Cyr, M., P. Lawrence, and E. Ringot. 2005. “Mineral admixtures in mortars: Quantification of the physical effects of inert materials on short-term hydration.” Cem. Concr. Res. 35 (4): 719–730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.05.030.
Dong, H. L., H. J. Li, Z. Q. Yang, J. X. Wen, F. L. Huang, Z. Wang, and Z. L. Yi. 2024. “Freeze-thaw failure mechanisms and service life prediction methods of concrete.” [In Chinese.] Mater. Rep. 38 (2): 143–153. https://doi.org/10.11896/cldb.22070123.
Dong, W., and J. F. Wang. 2024. “Deterioration law and life prediction of aeolian sand concrete under sulfate freeze-thaw cycles.” Constr. Build. Mater. 411 (Jan): 134593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134593.
Gong, F. Y., and S. Jacobsen. 2019. “Modeling of water transport in highly saturated concrete with wet surface during freeze/thaw.” Cem. Concr. Res. 115 (Jan): 294–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.08.013.
Guan, X., J. S. Qiu, H. T. Song, Q. Qin, and C. H. Zhang. 2019. “Stress-strain behaviour and acoustic emission characteristic of gangue concrete under axial compression in frost environment.” Constr. Build. Mater. 220 (Sep): 476–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.008.
Guo, Z. H. 2004. Concrete strength and constitutive relation-principle and application. [In Chinese.] Beijing: China Building Industry Press.
Hamada, H. M., F. Abed, Z. A. Al-Sadoon, Z. Elnassar, and A. Hassan. 2023. “The use of treated desert sand in sustainable concrete: A mechanical and microstructure study.” J. Build. Eng. 79 (Nov): 107843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107843.
Hao, L., K. Zhang, and W. F. Wu. 2023. “Study on dynamic mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced high strength concrete with initial stress damage.” [In Chinese.] Compos. Sci. Eng. 366 (Feb): 98–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126885.
Kaufmann, J. 2020. “Evaluation of the combination of desert sand and calcium sulfoaluminate cement for the production of concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 243 (May): 118281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118281.
Lei, B., W. G. Li, Z. Tang, V. W. Y. Tam, and Z. H. Sun. 2018. “Durability of recycled aggregate concrete under coupling mechanical loading and freeze-thaw cycle in salt–solution.” Constr. Build. Mater. 163 (Feb): 840–849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.194.
Li, Y. G., H. M. Zhang, S. J. Chen, H. R. Wang, and G. X. Liu. 2022. “Multi-scale study on the durability degradation mechanism of aeolian sand concrete under freeze-thaw conditions.” Constr. Build. Mater. 340 (Jul): 127433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127433.
Liu, H. F., L. Y. Li, R. G. Tao, J. L. Che, L. C. Zhu, S. Sun, and S. I. Doh. 2022. “Study on the mechanical properties and pore structure of desert sand concrete (DSC) after high temperature.” Phys. Chem. Earth Parts A/B/C. 128 (Dec): 103220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2022.103220.
Liu, H. F., Y. C. Ma, R. Q. Zhang, W. Shao, and J. R. Ma. 2021. “Influence of desert sand on axial compression behavior of concrete under freezing and thawing environment.” [In Chinese.] J. Harbin Inst. Technol. 53 (3): 101–109. https://doi.org/10.11918/201910059.
Ma, K. L., S. J. Li, G. C. Long, Y. J. Xie, L. S. Yu, and Q. Q. Xie. 2020. “Performance evolution and damage constitutive model of thin layer SCC under the coupling effect of freeze–thaw cycles and load.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 32 (6): 4020147. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003216.
Ma, K. L., Z. Z. Wang, G. C. Long, Y. J. Xie, and X. H. Zeng. 2021. “Propagation and evolution of macroscopic crack of concrete under dynamic load-water-freeze-thaw action: A review.” [In Chinese.] Mater. Rep. 35 (19): 19091–19098. https://doi.org/10.11896/cldb.20060277.
Sargin, M. 1971. Stress-stain relationship for concrete and the analysis of the structural concrete sections. Waterloo, ON, Canada: Univ. of Waterloo.
Shen, Y., J. Liu, S. Y. Zhou, and G. P. Li. 2019. “Experimental investigation on the freeze-thaw durability of concrete under compressive load and with joints.” Constr. Build. Mater. 229 (Dec): 116893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116893.
Wang, R. J., Z. Y. Hu, Y. Li, K. Wang, and H. Zhang. 2022. “Review on the deterioration and approaches to enhance the durability of concrete in the freeze–thaw environment.” Constr. Build. Mater. 321 (Feb): 126371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126371.
Wang, Y. R., Y. B. Cao, P. Zhang, Y. W. Ma, T. J. Zhao, H. Wang, and Z. H. Zhang. 2019. “Water absorption and chloride diffusivity of concrete under the coupling effect of uniaxial compressive load and freeze-thaw cycles.” Constr. Build. Mater. 209 (Jun): 566–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.03.091.
Wee, T. H., M. S. Chin, and M. A. Mansur. 1996. “Stress-strain relationship of high strength concrete in compression.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 8 (2): 70–76. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(1996)8:2(70).
Wu, J. C., and X. D. Shen. 2017. “Analysis on frost resistance and damage mechanism of aeolian sand concrete.” [In Chinese.] J. Trans. Chin. Soc. Agric. Eng. 33 (10): 184–190. https://doi.org/10.11975/j.issn.1002-6819.2017.10.024.
Wu, Q. Y., Q. Y. Ma, and J. S. Zhang. 2022. “Mechanical properties and damage constitutive model of concrete under low–temperature action.” Constr. Build. Mater. 348 (Sep): 128668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128668.
Xiao, Q. H., Z. Wu, J. S. Qiu, Z. Y. Dong, and S. S. Shi. 2022. “Capillary water absorption performance and damage constitutive model of recycled concrete under freeze-thaw action.” Constr. Build. Mater. 353 (Oct): 129120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129120.
Xu, H. 2011. Research on durability of concrete structure in service—Chemical corrosion resistance. [In Chinese.] Beijing: Nanchang Univ.
Xue, H. J., X. D. Shen, C. X. Zou, Q. Liu, and Y. X. Zou. 2019. “Freeze-thaw pore evolution of aeolian sand concrete based on nuclear magnetic resonance.” [In Chinese.] J. Build. Mater. 22 (2): 199–205. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1007-9629.2019.02.006.
Yan, W. L., G. Wu, and Z. Q. Dong. 2019. “Optimization of the mix proportion for desert sand concrete based on a statistical model.” Constr. Build. Mater. 226 (Nov): 469–482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.287.
Zhang, M. H., X. Z. Zhu, J. Y. Shi, B. J. Liu, Z. H. He, and C. F. Liang. 2022. “Utilization of desert sand in the production of sustainable cement–based materials: A critical review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 327 (Apr): 127014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127014.
Zhao, H. B., Y. Hu, Z. Tang, K. J. Wang, and W. G. Li. 2022. “Deterioration of concrete under coupled aggressive actions associated with load, temperature and chemical attacks: A comprehensive review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 322 (Mar): 126466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126466.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 12 • December 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 4, 2024
Accepted: Apr 29, 2024
Published online: Sep 23, 2024
Published in print: Dec 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Feb 23, 2025
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Arid lands
- Climates
- Cold regions engineering
- Engineering mechanics
- Environmental engineering
- Freeze and thaw
- Frost
- Frozen soils
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Irrigation engineering
- Material mechanics
- Materials engineering
- Soil compression
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Soil stress
- Soils (by type)
- Strain
- Stress (by type)
- Stress strain relations
- Structural analysis
- Structural engineering
- Water and water resources
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.