Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering

Use of soda residue as engineering backfill is the most practical and economical method for reusing soda residue. In the existing research on soda residue soil as engineering backfill, most scholars focus on the bearing capacity of a soda residue foundation, while ignoring the failure of reinforced concrete (RC) built on soda residue foundation caused by the residue’s high salinity and high water content. In this study, a semiburied concrete indoor natural exposure experiment in a soda residue soil environment was conducted to investigate chloride transport between the foundation and the concrete, considering the effects of water environmental factors, including groundwater level of the foundation, relative humidity (RH) above ground, saturation of the foundation, and precipitation. The results show that chloride concentration in the above-ground part of the concrete (enriched in a range from ground level to a height of 100 mm) is apparently higher than that in the below-ground part, while chloride concentration in the concrete below the groundwater level is slightly higher than that from groundwater level to ground level. In the above-ground part of the concrete, the chloride concentration decreases with RH above ground. In the below-ground part, the chloride concentration in the unsaturated soda residue soil environment is higher than that in the saturated soda residue soil environment. Precipitation can effectively reduce chloride in the concrete in a soda residue foundation, while the total invasion of chloride decreases from 9 to 3 g in 120 and 180 days compared with that in a nonprecipitation environment. The time-dependent prediction empirical model of concrete chloride concentration in a soda residue foundation environment was established by introducing water environmental parameters of groundwater level of the foundation, RH above ground, saturation of the foundation, and precipitation environment. The reference apparent chloride diffusion coefficient $D_0$ is $33.6\times {10}^{-12}$, $33.9\times {10}^{-12}$, and $20.01\times {10}^{-12}{\mathrm{m}}^2/\mathrm{s}$ in groundwater, from groundwater level to ground level, and above-ground, respectively.

In this study, to solve the problem of reduced efficiency of NO degradation due to the agglomeration effect of ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ nanoparticles, nano-${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ was converted to a 3D-ordered microporous [three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM)] structure and combined with fog seal technology, which is expected to improve the degradation performance of nano-${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ on NO gas in automobile exhaust. We optimized the preparation process parameters of 3D-ordered macroporous (3DOM) ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ and developed and designed an experimental device for exhaust-gas catalytic degradation. We further tested and analyzed the effects of emulsified asphalt type, photocatalyst type, doping amount, and 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ pore size on the photocatalytic performance of 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ fog seal material. The effects of 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ fog seal material on road antiskid performance were evaluated herein. The results show that the optimal coating volume of the PS microsphere solution is $0.14-0.16{\mathrm{mL}/\mathrm{cm}}^2$. The optimal filling time of the precursor solution is 20 min for the preparation of 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ materials by the sandwich method. The degradation efficiency of 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ fog seal material for the optimal pore size was 17.0%, 15.0%, and 25.1% higher than that of nano-${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$, respectively. The 3D-ordered pore structure reduces the agglomeration effect of nano-${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ Thus, the degradation efficiency is improved. With the increase of 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ doping, the degradation efficiency of fog seal materials gradually increased. However, the increment of degradation efficiency decreased. The appropriate increase of 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ pore size is beneficial to the catalytic effect of light. If the pore size is significantly large, the emulsified asphalt will block the pore space and reduce the contact area between 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ and exhaust gas. The optimal pore size is 300 nm. The type of emulsified asphalt on 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ fog seal material degradation effect is not significant. The antislip performance of the pavement coated with 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ fog seal materials can meet the requirements of specifications. The photocatalyst doping amount, type, and different 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ pore sizes do not significantly affect the antislip performance of the fog seal. The novel 3DOM ${\mathrm{TiO}}_2$ photocatalytic pavement material proposed in this study is of positive significance for the reduction of automobile exhaust pollution.

Crumb rubber (CR) from grinding waste tires has served as an asphalt modifier in asphalt pavement construction for decades. Incorporating CR in asphalt mixtures by the dry method is becoming popular with the emphasis on low carbon emissions, greenness, and sustainability. However, the poor compatibility and mechanical performance of dry-mixed asphalt rubber limit its application. This work presents the effect of practical activation treatments on the microstructure of CR and mechanical properties of the resulting asphalt binder and mixtures, aiming to modify CR surface features and improve the performance of asphalt mixtures. According to previous work, the activation treatment methods of high-temperature, preswelling, the two combinations, and microwave irradiation for CR were compared. Meanwhile, the surface morphology, chemical features, and dispersion degree of various activated CR as well as rutting resistance, low-temperature performance, and moisture stability of the resulting asphalt and asphalt mixtures were evaluated. The results indicated that selected activation methods significantly change the surface morphology and chemical features of CR, and the activated CR shows a flocculent structure with porous surface and reactivity. Preswelling with high-temperature and microwave activation for CR endows the modified asphalt with significantly improved viscoelastic properties. Preswelling with high-temperature activated CR asphalt shows better low-temperature cracking resistance. Asphalt modified with activated CR presents homogeneous and compatible states in microscopy compared with ordinary asphalt rubber. Incorporating activated CR in asphalt mixtures by the dry method is a promising technique in view of improved low-temperature cracking resistance and moisture stability.

This study examines the creep deformations and long-term strength properties of rubberized one-part alkali-activated concrete with relatively high rubber content, which have not been previously reported. The aluminosilicate precursors used in the mix design are blast furnace slag and fly ash at a ratio of 4-to-1, while anhydrous sodium metasilicate is used as the solid activator. Crumb rubber particles are used to replace 30% and 60% by volume of the total natural aggregates, and a nonrubberized one-part alkali-activated concrete mix is also prepared for comparison purposes. The creep specimens are subjected to two levels of sustained loads, representing 10% and 20% of the 28-day compressive strength. The creep loads are applied after 28 days of ambient curing, and creep deformations are monitored for a period of 1 year. The results clearly show a deterioration in mechanical properties with higher rubber content, regardless of the testing age. The compressive strength and elastic modulus of the unloaded and loaded creep specimens, tested at an age of 393 days, are generally lower than that observed for similar specimens tested at 28 days. The axial and lateral crushing strains of the specimens tested at 393 days are significantly higher than their counterparts tested at 28 days. The creep strains, measured over 365 days, increase as the applied stress level increases, but reduce with higher rubber content. The creep coefficients and specific creep values of the tested specimens over 365 days experience a reduction as the applied stress level increases, while the opposite is seen as the rubber content increases. The creep coefficients of rubberized one-part alkali-activated concrete are generally higher than those given by prediction models in various codes for conventional concrete. The rate of creep development is also more significant than conventional concrete and does not show signs of slowing down after 365 days of sustained loading.

A fast-melting styrene-butadiene-styrene-based modifier (SBS-T) was applied for rapid modification for asphalt mixtures. No relevant studies are available to support the effect of this new fast-melting modifier on asphalt-aggregate adhesion properties, and this paper is to remedy the assessment of the adhesive properties of the modified SBS modifier in asphalt mixtures. At the micro-scale, the sessile drop method is utilized to measure the contact angle of bitumen and aggregate and to compute thermodynamic parameters based on surface energy theory. Meanwhile, the effects of short-term and ultraviolet (UV) aging on the thermodynamic parameters of SBS-T modified asphalt (SBS-T-MA) were investigated. The asphalt-aggregate adhesion properties were further verified on a macro-scale scale by pull-off tests. The outcomes suggested that the higher the dosage of SBS-T modifier, the better the thermomechanical characteristics of the bitumen binder. The adhesive properties of SBS-T-MA and aggregates were promoted in short-term aging and decreased in UV aging. Statistical analysis of the pull-off test indicated a significant correlation between pull-off strength and energy ratio. It was demonstrated that adhesion damage occurred between asphalt and aggregate in the pull-off test and that the greater the energy ratio between asphalt and aggregate, the greater the asphalt-aggregate pull-off strength.

In this work, the influence of the area ratio of the low corrosion probability area (prone to becoming cathode) and high corrosion probability area (prone to becoming anode) on the initiation of macrocell corrosion of a steel bar in a simulated pore solution was investigated, along with the depassivation mechanism under the macrocell effect. Meanwhile, the set cathode-to-anode area ratio ($S_{C/A}$) and the actual cathode-to-anode (pitted) area ratio ($S_{C/A}^{\prime }$) after corrosion initiation were compared. The results reveal that the increase in $S_{C/A}$ not only increases the corrosion current density but also promotes corrosion initiation drastically. A pronounced positive shift was observed at high $S_{C/A}$ in the initiation phase due to intensified chloride adsorption and the double-layer effect on the passive film of the anodic steel bar. The chloride threshold value (CTV) could be reduced to 42% of the original time in the simulated concrete pore solution, and the pit depth was increased by up to 124% due to the macrocell effect. In addition, the actual corrosion area ($S_{act}$) is much smaller than the set anode area ($S_A$) because the corrosion area created by chloride ions is tiny, resulting in $S_{C/A}^{\prime }$ being higher than $S_{C/A}$.

Three-point bending test and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring of notched beams with different volume fractions of steel fiber ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) were carried out. The results show that the initiation toughness, unstable toughness, and fracture energy of UHPC notched beams increase at first and then decrease with the increase of fiber fraction. Based on the stress intensity factor theory, the simplified formulas for calculating initiation toughness and fracture energy were derived. The acoustic emission signal of the UHPC notched beam fracture process was analyzed, and the characteristics of the UHPC material fracture process were characterized by AE energy and cumulative count. Based on the excellent correlation between AE signal and fracture characteristics, it was found that there is an excellent linear relationship between AE energy and fracture energy, and the relationship between cumulative count and crack mouth opening displacement was established.

Semiflexible pavement (SFP) is attracting increasing interest due to its exceptional load-carrying capacity. However, there is limited understanding of its cracking performance and mechanisms. This study investigated the suitability of the emerging cracking resistance parameters, the flexible index (FI) and cracking resistance index (CRI), derived from the semicircular bending (SCB) test, in elucidating the mid-temperature resistance of SFP mixtures against cracking. The influence of styrene-butadiene-styrene-modified asphalts and styrene-acrylic emulsion/styrene-butadiene rubber-modified cement mortars on the anticrack property of SFP mixtures was also determined. Results indicated a high correlation (${\mathrm{R}}^2=0.95$) between the FI and CRI of various SFP mixtures, with CRI exhibiting more promise than FI in assessing the fracture resistance of SFP mixtures due to its higher discrimination potential and lower variability. Enhancing the bending strength of cement mortar or increasing the $\mathrm{CRI}/N_{\mathrm{f}}$ value of asphalt binder were identified as effective means to improve the anticracking ability of SFP. Therefore, improving the binder toughness of both cement mortar and asphalt is essential for enhancing the performance of SFP against cracking.

Despite the extensive studies in the literature on using copper slag (CS) as fine aggregate within normal concrete to alleviate the thermal cracking of samples exposed to high temperatures, very limited investigations concentrated on self-consolidating concrete (SCC). Moreover, there is no precise study to determine the effect of CS on thermal damage mitigation at the rebar/SCC interface. Hence, the present study intends to experimentally determine the residual bond properties of steel rebar embedded in SCC specimens exposed to high temperatures. Accordingly, three different percentages of 35%, 70%, and 100% of normal fine aggregate replacement by CS were considered. Also, different high-temperature exposures of 350°C, 550°C, and 750°C were selected for simulating thermal damage. Bond parameters were extracted from the bond-slip envelope curves to compare the results, including average bond stress, maximum bond stress (or bond strength), residual bond stress, and bond energy. Generally, findings revealed that using CS causes an increase in bond properties in undamaged specimens at ambient temperature and that a 53.6% bond strength improvement was observed for 100% CS replacement as compared to the reference SCC mixture. However, in thermally-damaged SCC specimens, the optimal dosage of 35% was found for fine aggregate replacement by CS.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been increasingly applied to experimental research in geotechnical engineering. In this paper, standard cylinder specimens with high and low strength were prepared using 3D-printing sand core technology. The elastic–plastic and rheological mechanical behaviors were experimentally studied. In addition, the similarity and limitations were verified through comparison with natural sandstone, slate, sand–gypsum, claystone, etc. On this basis, a new way to prepare soft–hard interbedded layered rock in geotechnical mechanics was developed. Considering the features of layered rock and the principle of 3D printing, cylindrical and cubic specimens of soft–hard interlayered rock mass with different inclination angles were prepared by controlling the binder content layer by layer. The deformation and strain differences between the soft and hard phases were verified through digital image correlation. In this case, the anisotropic failure evolution mode of soft–hard interbedded rock mass was revealed by the images captured. The structural anisotropy behaviors of 3D-printed soft–hard interbedded rock was also studied. The results agree well with the published experimental and theoretical results. This study introduces a broad prospect of 3D printing sand core technology for future experimental mechanical research on a soft–hard interbedded layered rock mass in geotechnical engineering.

Practical Applications

This study developed a new method for preparing soft–hard interbedded rock masses based on 3D printing sand core technology. The elastic–plastic and rheological characteristics of 3D-printed soft rock, hard rock, and soft–hard interbedded rock were investigated and compared with a natural layered rock mass. Moreover, the deformation and strain differences between the soft and hard phases were verified from a mesoscopic perspective. The structural anisotropy behaviors and anisotropic failure mode of soft–hard interbedded rock mass were revealed. The results agreed well with the published experimental and theoretical results. Thus, specimens with complex structures, such as soft–hard interbedded rock mass, could be prepared with 3D printing sand core technology. As a result, the mechanical parameters of 3D-printed specimens were close to those of sandy mudstone and claystone rock masses, while the trends of the stress–strain curves of 3D-printed specimens were consistent with natural sandstone rock masses. This study brings a broad prospect for future investigation of the soft–hard interbedded layered rock mass in actual geotechnical engineering.

A large amount of soybean oil (20%–30% mass ratio of neat asphalt) was selected to partially replace petroleum asphalt. The high-temperature behavior of soybean oil bioasphalt was enhanced by polyphosphoric acid (PPA). Polyphosphoric acid/soybean oil composite modified asphalt (PSMA) was prepared. Temperature sweep, frequency sweep, multiple stress creep recovery, and bending beam rheometer tests were conducted to reveal the rheological behavior. Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope, and fluorescence microscope tests were carried out to reveal its microstructure characteristic. The results proved that polyphosphoric acid obviously increased the high-temperature properties of soybean oil bioasphalt. Compared with the neat asphalt at 0.1 kPa, the recovery rates of 20% bio/6% PPA, 25% bio/6% PPA, and 30% bio/6% PPA increased by 139.2%, 113.5%, and 86.4% respectively. PSMA was less sensitive to temperature and loading frequency, with remarkable elastic recovery and antirutting degeneration ability. PSMA could maintain excellent low-temperature crack resistance at $-18°\mathrm{C}$. PSMA had better rheological properties when soybean oil and PPA were 20%–25% and 4%–6%, respectively. The FTIR tests verified that some new functional groups emerged in PSMA. There were evenly distributed fluorescent materials in the soybean oil bioasphalt under the fluorescence microscope. Under the modification effect of PPA, soybean oil and PPA could be evenly dispersed in PSMA. Laboratory tests verified the superior properties of bioasphalt with high content soybean oil.

Synthetic nano-calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) is widely known for its ability to act as crystal nuclei in ordinary portland cement. Material performance is largely influenced by its microstructure. Here, nano-CSH was prepared by different siliceous raw materials (${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SiO}}_3$ or ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SiO}}_3·5{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$). It was found that nano-CSH can be obtained from ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SiO}}_3$ or ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SiO}}_3·5{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$ in the presence of $\mathrm{Ca}({\mathrm{NO}}_3{)}_2·4{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$ and NaOH solution and were labeled as CSH-0 and CSH-5, respectively. The average particle size of CSH-0 and CSH-5 was about 80 nm, and the polymerization degrees of silicon and oxygen atoms in CSH-0 and CSH-5 were different. CSH-0 and CSH-5 can increase the rate of hydration and significantly enhance the early strength of portland cement. Further, CSH-0 and CSH-5 can provide nucleation sites for CSH hydration product; however, CSH-0 and CSH-5 can also react with the calcium ions in the cement paste and produce calcium silicate hydrate with a high Ca/Si ratio. Compared with CSH-5, CSH-0 with a lower Ca/Si ratio can consume more calcium ions in the cement paste. CSH-0 promoted cement hydration better, decreased the volume fractions of macropores, and increased compressive strength more significantly due to the synergistic effect of the nanocrystal nucleus and reactivity with calcium ions in solution.

With the growth of service time, semirigid base asphalt pavements have gradually entered the maintenance and reconstruction period. Therefore, the treatment of waste semirigid bases has become an important issue. In this paper, based on the analysis of the properties of cement-stabilized gravel milling material, the waste semirigid base material is cold recycled using foam asphalt. The mechanical properties of the cold recycled mixture of foamed asphalt formed by 100% cement-stabilized gravel milling material (FACRM-CM) were evaluated by splitting strength test, compressive modulus of resilience test, and dynamic modulus test. The softening mechanism of the semirigid base milling material was investigated from a microscopic point of view with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that FACRM-CM exhibits adequate mechanical strength for use in road base layers. When semirigid base milling materials are cold recycled using foam asphalt, the stiffness of the resulting mixture decreases, whereas its flexibility increases. The results of this research can be applied to the regeneration of semirigid bases, realizing the transformation of the base from rigidity to flexibility and reducing pavement diseases.

Weathering agents can significantly affect the mechanical response of geotextiles, particularly when long exposure periods are involved. Usually, in design, changes in the mechanical behavior of geotextiles are represented by reduction factors for their tensile strength. However, their full tensile force versus elongation response can be affected. The main aim of this work was to contribute to defining simple procedures to estimate tensile force versus elongation curves for weathered samples of geotextiles. The tensile response of two thermally bonded polypropylene geotextiles, before and after natural and artificial weathering, was assessed experimentally and analyzed using different constitutive models: polynomial (Orders 4 and 6) and hyperbolic. The influence of weathering on the mechanical response of the geotextiles was analyzed, polynomial and hyperbolic models for representing the tensile force versus elongation response were adopted and their parameters derived, and simple relations were implemented to estimate model parameters for weathered samples. Results revealed the occurrence of changes in the tensile behavior of the geotextiles, both under natural and artificial weathering conditions. Both groups of models fitted the experimental data properly. The Order 4 and 6 polynomial models are shown to have limited application, as the model parameters had no link to the tensile properties of the geotextiles. By contrast, the parameters of the hyperbolic model were linked to the tensile properties, particularly if affected by correction factors. The hyperbolic model parameters of the weathered samples were estimated using the model parameters of the reference samples and the reduction factors to allow for weathering (initial stiffness and tensile strength). These estimates proved to be adequate for representing the tensile response of weathered samples, particularly for low ranges of elongation. Finally, a simple procedure to represent the tensile response of weathered geotextiles was proposed. This procedure has shown promise in generating realistic tensile versus elongation curves.

Demolition of buildings can generate large amounts of waste concrete, which if used effectively, can help reduce both the extraction of raw materials and carbon emissions. However, the presence of old cement mortar affects the effective use of waste concrete as a recycled fine aggregates. This study aims to remove old mortar adhering to the surface of waste concrete coarse aggregates via thermal-physical treatment. This study involves assessing the thermal-physical treatment technology and comparing the performance of recycled fine aggregates prepared using this technology with that of fully recycled fine aggregates. The results of this study illustrate the effect of the thermal-physical treatment technique on the preparation of recycled fine aggregates from waste concrete and the effect of fully recycled fine aggregates and recycled fine aggregates prepared using this technique on ceramsite concrete. The results revealed that the thermal-physical treatment technology has a positive effect in improving the quality of recycled fine aggregates prepared via the thermal-physical treatment technique. This technique helps to significantly improve the compressive strength, ultrasonic velocity, resistance to sulfate attack, and microstructure of the recycled ceramsite concrete compared with the fully recycled fine aggregate.

Abstract

Three types of initial microcracks have been clearly observed in concrete: those that developed around aggregate/coarse sand, those that developed perpendicular to the aggregate, and those that developed in the cement paste. However, the evolution of each of these microcrack types has not yet been separately studied. The variations among these microcrack types and their effect on the microstructures of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and cement paste have not been further investigated. Accordingly, this study presents an experimental and statistical study of the systematic and quantitative analysis of the initial microcrack characteristics of the concrete ITZ and cement paste, focusing on the aforementioned core scientific deficiencies. First, the initial microcracks within concrete are quantitatively and statistically evaluated. This is achieved by developing an image recognition algorithm and interactive algorithm for boundary recognition based on the experimental results of the fluorescent epoxy impregnation method (FEIM). Then, the different behaviors of each microcrack type are identified based on the statistical analysis of the number, area, length, width, and axis orientation of the microcracks. Accordingly, the effect of each type of microcrack on the microstructure and macroproperties of concrete can also be deduced. Finally, the initial microcrack characteristics within the ITZ is examined. The proportion of the total length of microcracks to the corresponding aggregate/coarse sand perimeter ($\alpha$) and the parameter $R_L$, which can reflect the location distributions of microcracks, is used to evaluate the characteristics of the initial microcracks within the ITZ statistically and quantitatively. The statistical approach employed in this study establishes the experimental and theoretical foundation for evaluating the initial characteristics of microcracks in concrete.

Practical Applications

Concrete is a three-phase composite material consisting of coarse/fine aggregates, cement paste, and interfacial transition zone. The concept of interfacial transition zone has been widely accepted of concrete technology for many years. An interfacial transition zone is often considered a weak link because its increased microcracks may serve as a path for the ingress of aggressive species and provide preferential and easier pathways for crack growth. Because the interfacial transition zone plays a significant role in the macroproperties of concrete, further investigations focusing on the microcrack evolutions distributed in the interfacial transition zone are urgently needed. In this paper, the fluorescent epoxy impregnation method was used to obtain the real microcrack distributions within concrete. An image recognition algorithm and interactive algorithm for boundary recognition have been developed to evaluate the microcrack characteristics quantitatively. Thus, statistical analysis of microcracks distributed in the interfacial transition zone is conducted. Microcracks developed perpendicular to the aggregate and in cement paste are also analyzed for comparison. The statistical approach establishes the experimental and theoretical foundation for evaluating the microcrack characteristics and its effect on the strength, durability, and service safety of concrete engineering structures.

Fibers are added to foam concrete to improve its mechanical properties. Despite several studies about the performance of fiber-reinforced foam concretes, the mechanism of fiber reinforcement in foam concretes is not understood. In this research, the microstructural properties of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber-reinforced foam concretes were quantitatively analyzed with different fiber sizes and fiber contents. The relationship between different parameters was investigated to understand how and why fibers influence the microstructural properties of foam concrete. In addition, a regression model was developed to analyze how fibers influence the compressive strength and which parameters have the highest impact on the compressive strength. The results show that the mechanism of reinforcement is different in high-density and low-density foam concretes. In high-density foam concrete, fiber distribution had a dominant impact on the compressive strength, but the pore structure did not show much influence on the strength. However, in low-density foam concrete, fiber distribution significantly influenced pore structure, and an improved pore structure provided higher compressive strength. The size of fibers significantly affects fiber reinforcement efficiency. The large-diameter fibers outperformed small-diameter fibers in improving the compressive strength of high-density foam concrete. In contrast, the small-diameter fibers showed better reinforcement efficiency in low-density foam concrete. By optimizing the PVA fiber size and content, the compressive strength of low-density and high-density foam concretes can be improved by 45.3% and 15.5%, respectively.

The water industry is facing increasing pressure to replace or renovate aging asbestos cement (AC) pipes due to rising failure rates. While AC pipes have been used since the 1930s, many have already exceeded their expected service life. As AC pipe testing requires specialized and certified laboratories due to hazardous friable asbestos material, this paper investigates the potential of using fiber-reinforced cement (FRC) pipes, with cellulose fibers as a substitute for asbestos fibers, as a simulant for deteriorated AC pipes. Material property tests, burst tests, and bend tests were conducted to assess the performance of FRC pipes. Test results revealed that the performance of FRC pipes tested ranged from 20% to 54% of that of AC pipes, as per industry standard minimum values. This provides an excellent case for FRC pipes to be used as a deteriorated AC pipe simulant. In addition, an FRC pipe lined with cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), as an example of a renovation technique for deteriorated AC pipes, was tested under 4-point bending. The findings suggest that FRC pipes can serve as a reliable alternative to deteriorated AC pipes for laboratory testing purposes, and CIPP lining could potentially extend the life of deteriorated AC pipes.

Acoustic emission (AE) technology has advantages in characterizing the damage of asphalt mixture and its microcrack formation and development. In this study, AE characteristic parameters and high-speed camera recording results were combined to explore the cracking process, fracture propagation characteristics, and fracture modes of asphalt mixtures with different gradations under different loading rates. The test results show that the crack propagation process of an asphalt mixture can be divided into four stages: elastic deformation, damage accumulation, crack propagation, and failure. After the crack propagation stage, the crack path of the asphalt mixture changes from the interface between coarse aggregate and asphalt mortar to the pass-through coarse aggregate. The peak load, AE count, density of peak frequency points, and proportion of peak frequency in a higher frequency range for an asphalt mixture increase with the increase of loading rate and the decrease of nominal maximum size of aggregate. The change of loading rate affects the number of peak frequency bands, but the nominal maximum size of aggregate has no effect on the number of peak frequency bands. The peak frequency mainly distributes in low and mid-low frequency. Under semicircular bending (SCB), tensile fracture is the main failure mode and shear failure is the secondary failure mode for an asphalt mixture with prefabricated cracks. With the increase of loading rate and nominal maximum size of aggregate, the number of tensile cracks decreases and the number of shear cracks increases in an asphalt mixture.

Recently, steel fiber–reinforced magnesium phosphate cement–based concrete (SFRMPCC) has attracted much attention due to its excellent properties. To apply this new type of concrete to practical engineering, this paper evaluates the effect of steel fiber (SF) content and curing age on the water and sulfate resistance of magnesium phosphate cement–based concrete (MPCC). Specimens containing fly ash and metakaolin and with different SF volume contents were prepared and subjected to curing in air, water, and 5% ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ solution. The mass change, cubic compressive strength (CCS), strength retention rate, deterioration factor, microstructure, and phase composition were analyzed. Empirical formulas for strength prediction are proposed using range, variance, and nonlinear regression analysis methods. The results showed that the specimens immersed in water and ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ solution had good mass retention. The compressive strength of air-cured specimens gradually increased with the curing age, and the addition of a proper amount of SF could improve the strength under air curing. However, the addition of SF had a negative effect on the compactness and strength of specimens immersed in water and sulfate solution. SFRMPCC and MPCC had good resistance to sulfate attack, which may be related to the new reaction in the magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) matrix.

Red beds (RBs) are widely distributed in all continents of the world. With the rapid development of road and railway construction, the construction of roads and railways in RB areas is increasing. However, when RB is the filler, it will expose three aspects of serious deficiencies in compaction, mechanical bearing capacity, and water stability, which will cause fatal harm to the subgrade. Therefore, RB has to be abandoned and cannot be used as a subgrade filler. In this paper, different microwave irradiation temperatures (DMITs) from room temperature of 25°C to 700°C were used to reveal the enhancing mechanism of RB in three aspects based on the analysis results of microscopic composition and structure. The microscopic composition and structure show that RB can be divided into a low-temperature section (25°C–400°C) and a high-temperature section (500°C–700°C) under the microwave condition. The low-temperature section has some improvement in the engineering performance of RB, but the influence is limited. The engineering performance of RB is improved completely in the high-temperature section. Specifically, the coarse size of RB increases with the rise in microwave temperature, which is beneficial for improving fine size. The compaction property of RB is not largely affected by the water content and can still meet the most stringent subgrade filler requirements, even under saturated conditions or 0. The California bearing ratio (CBR) value can maintain more than 20% under the ultimate working condition, far higher than the code requirements. The increase of internal friction angle and cohesion can enhance the stability of the cut slope, which is conducive to construction in remote mountainous areas. The water resistance of RB is positively correlated with the microwave irradiation temperature, especially at 700°C; RB experiences secondary hardening after encountering water, the mechanical strength increases, and the softening coefficient reaches 107.44%. The research shows that after microwave high-temperature stabilization, the engineering characteristics of the RB are thoroughly strengthened, and it becomes a high-quality subgrade filler to eliminate the three diseases of RB subgrade completely. Compared with the traditional method of adding stabilizers, microwave in situ RB stabilization reduces the site construction’s complexity, saves a lot of stabilizer use and transportation costs, and can effectively reduce carbon emissions. This study provides a positive perspective on the in situ application of the RB soft rock subgrade. It could be a starting point for understanding the microwave-based stabilization of soft rock soils subgrade filler in situ.

The bidirectional cyclic shear characteristics of geogrid-soil interface is more useful for the analysis of the seismic response of reinforced soil structures. The effects of bidirectional cyclic loading and overall regularity on a geogrid–granular material interface were investigated in this study through cyclic direct shear tests. The interface shear behaviors for different overall regularity under unidirectional and bidirectional cyclic loading were compared. The results showed that the shear strength, vertical displacement, enhancement coefficient, and shear stiffness under bidirectional cyclic loading decreased with an increase in the overall regularity. The increase in shear stress for a regularity of 0.707 was larger than that for a regularity of 0.975 when the initial normal loading and normal cyclic loading amplitudes increased. For variable overall regularity, the relative time shift at the backward half-cycle at different conditions increased from 0.6 s to 5.0 s with an increase in the normal cyclic loading amplitude. The maximum damping ratio correlated positively with the regularity and normal cyclic loading amplitude and correlated negatively with the initial normal loading. The peak shear stress in postcyclic direct shear tests under bidirectional cyclic loading was smaller than that under unidirectional cyclic loading for different regularity.

Textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) is used widely in thin-walled structures due to its unique construction characteristics and superior mechanical properties. However, previous studies of the dynamic flexural properties of alkali resistant (AR)-glass TRC thin plates did not consider the influence of exposure to high temperature. In this study, the effect of impact velocity (range from 1.29 to $4.04\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$) on AR-glass TRC after exposure to elevated temperatures up to 400°C was investigated experimentally using a drop-tower impact system. AR-glass TRC specimens were heated to target temperatures (100°C, 200°C, 300°C, and 400°C) in a furnace and then tested at room temperature. The effects of exposure to high temperature and the strain rate of loading (impact velocity) on the flexural mechanical properties were measured, and the microstructure and damage evolution of the composites was evaluated. Results show that the strain rate had a direct effect on the flexural properties of AR-glass TRC composite under impact after exposure to high temperatures. Furthermore, the weakening effect of high temperature in AR-glass TRC material could equal or even exceed the hardening effect due to the strain rate. The results were evaluated by comparing dynamic flexural stress and toughness features. Finally, the high-temperature deterioration mechanism of AR-glass TRC material was determined by comparing the changes in the matrix–textile interface and the textile fracture after exposure to different temperatures.

Shrinkage strain is considered one of the major concerns affecting the dimensional stability of concrete, especially self-compacting concrete (SCC) which comprises different ingredients such as high contents of cementitious material and low coarse aggregate content, compared to conventional concrete. Besides, most available models were designed for conventional concrete, which lack efficiency in predicting shrinkage of SCC. Therefore, this study developed a B4TW-SCC model based on the B4TW-2020 model and B4 model to fit with the NTU-SCC database, which includes 1,316 datasets of SCC shrinkage tests from numerous published research papers for SCC. Furthermore, the shrinkage behavior of SCC was investigated by partially replacing different contents of cement (up to 40% by weight) with fly ash and slag as well as different water to cementitious material (w/cm) ratios in the range 0.36–0.48 for the purpose of evaluation for the modified model. The presence of the mineral admixtures and w/cm ratio had obvious influence on the workability, compressive strength, and shrinkage of SCC. The B4TW-SCC model resulted in the best accuracy compared to other models such as the B4 model, fib 2010 model, ACI 209R-92 model, as well as the prediction models of SCC and the tested shrinkage.

In the fabrication of precast concrete components, rapid early-age strength development during the hardening process is crucial to facilitate formwork operation and production cost. In this study, heat treatment was adopted to boost the compressive strength of cement paste and concrete mixtures over a threshold of 40 MPa at 12 h by applying steam curing and 3 h of autoclave at 180°C sequentially. Cement paste samples were prepared using different fly ash (FA) contents and water-to-binder (w/b) ratios, and concrete samples produced in accordance with the densified mixture design algorithm (DMDA) method. The compressive strength of the paste samples with w/b ratios of 0.23 and 0.30 attained the threshold strength (40 MPa) at 12 h. Compressive strength in the cement paste after autoclaving was 41% to 102% higher than at 12 h and was significantly increased in the FA samples. The 12 h compressive strength of concrete mixtures with FA all attained in excess of 40 MPa, while the reference mixture exhibited below 40 MPa (w/b ratio $=0.23$; cement content $=480\mathrm{kg}/{\mathrm{m}}^3$). The FA content designed by DMDA method at an alpha ratio ($\alpha$) of 5% was identified as the optimum FA level in the concrete mixture. The higher w/b ratios and lower cement content exhibited twelfth hour compressive strengths below 40 MPa. The compressive strength of autoclave-treated concrete samples designed with cement content of $480\mathrm{kg}/{\mathrm{m}}^3$ surpassed 80 MPa, while the lower-cement-content mixtures showed lower-strength values. All of the concrete mixtures attained high ultrasonic pulse velocity results (over $\mathrm{3,660}\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$), indicating good durability.

Lime is one of the main raw materials necessary for the production of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). The preparation of lime by calcining limestone directly and indirectly emits a large amount of ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ due to the limestone decomposition and energy consumption. In this study, AAC was made using modified carbide slag (MCS) instead of lime, which effectively can utilize solid wastes and reduce the ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ emission. Results showed that in the first 2 h of hydration, the heat release rate of MCS was higher than that of lime, and the cumulative hydration heat of lime and MCS within 30 h was 206.1 and $204.3\mathrm{J}/\mathrm{g}$, respectively. MCS not only can improve the fluidity of slurry, but also can enhance the gas-foaming rate. Cumulative pore volume increased with the increase of MCS content in AAC. Tobermorite, quartz, katoite, anhydrite, and calcite were the main minerals in the AAC. With the increase of MCS content, the density and strength of AAC decreased and the thermal insulation performance increased. When the MCS content was 100%, the AAC density was $594\mathrm{kg}/{\mathrm{m}}^3$, the compressive strength was 3.6 MPa, and the thermal conductivity was $0.141\mathrm{W}·{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}·{\mathrm{K}}^{-1}$, which meet in the requirements of the Chinese standard.

Abstract

An appreciable quantity of cement is consumed as binder for masonry mortar, which has resulted in cost escalation and high energy consumption in building construction, in addition to contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, disposal of waste lignocellulosic materials as agricultural residues persists as an unsolved technical problem creating environmental pollution. This paper proposes an effective solution for these two critical issues. Coir fiber, when used as a reinforcement material in cement, was found to be effective in enhancing the mechanical properties of the binder. The application of coir fiber reinforcement on strong, moderate, and weak masonry mortars with respect to strength criteria is examined in this study. ANOVA analysis was carried out to examine the level of significance of coir fiber reinforcement on the flexural and compressive strengths of masonry mortar. The findings from the study revealed that 0.5% coir fiber reinforcement enhanced flexural strength of strong mortar by 18%–22%, moderate mortar by 21%, weak mortar by 10%, and compressive strength of strong mortars by 16%–19% by contributing strength in the early curing period. Moreover, coir fiber–reinforced mortars satisfied the compressive strength criteria required of strong mortar (7.5 to $10\mathrm{N}/{\mathrm{mm}}^2$), moderate mortar ($5\mathrm{N}/{\mathrm{mm}}^2$), and weak ($3\mathrm{N}/{\mathrm{mm}}^2$) mortar for its application as mortar on masonry walls in accordance with Indian standards.

Practical Applications

The strength of masonry in compression, flexure, and shear determines how well masonry operates structurally. Cement-based structures are strong in compression but are prone to shrinkage cracks over a span of 30 years due to its weakness in tension. Flexural strength is an indirect indicator for measuring tension. Coir fiber imparts tensile strength to the matrix when used as reinforcement in cement mortar. Fiber networking dissipates the tensile stresses that develop in mortar during flexure and would bridge the gap in a better way. This prolongs the life of buildings and maintains ecological equilibrium by preventing the need for periodic repair and maintenance, which reduces cost, time, and labor. The use of fibers in mortar for plastering is found to be more beneficial in enhancing the strength of a masonry structure than adding fibers to blocks. Coir fiber content of 0.25% and 0.5% (10 mm length) by weight of cement was found to be effective at enhancing the early flexural strength of cement mortar. Coir fiber–reinforced plaster cement can be made available ready to use in bags of 25 or 50 kg for a crack-free plastered surface on ceilings and internal and external walls.

Limestone calcined clay cement (${\mathrm{LC}}^3$) is rich in aluminates, which can bind many corrosive ions in seawater. The microstructure, hydration, and chloride binding behavior of ${\mathrm{LC}}^3$ prepared using seawater are investigated in this study. Seawater significantly enhances the compressive strength of ${\mathrm{LC}}^3$ paste up to 28 days and further refines the pore structure of ${\mathrm{LC}}^3$. Correspondingly, the promotion of seawater on the hydration of portland cement (PC) paste begins to decrease after 72 h, although it still promotes the hydration of ${\mathrm{LC}}^3$ paste until 200 h. When ${\mathrm{LC}}^3$ paste is prepared using seawater, about 75% of total chloride ions are chemically bound to form Friedel’s salts at 28 days and 80% of them are formed at 3 days. Moreover, the free chloride ions content in ${\mathrm{LC}}^3$ paste prepared using seawater is $45.2\mathrm{mg}/100\mathrm{g}$ paste at 28 days, which is only 28% of that in PC paste prepared using seawater and only 6% of total chloride ions. It shows that ${\mathrm{LC}}^3$ has strong chloride binding ability and great potential for preparing seawater concrete.

Many coastal areas in cold regions are suffering from the concrete construction crises due to lack of freshwater and inhibition of hydration reaction under negative temperature. In this research, ohmic heating (OH) curing has been proposed to prepare carbon fiber strengthening seawater cement mortar (CF-SWCM) at $-20°\mathrm{C}$. Two-day OH-cured CF-SWCM at $-20°\mathrm{C}$ endowed the compressive strength of 61 MPa, gaining an increase of 50.2% with three-day room temperature (RT) cured freshwater sample. Further, 28-day compressive strength results revealed the priority of OH curing and seawater mixing on accelerating the early-age strength development without scarifying long-term strength. Moreover, microscopic examinations indicated that OH curing could improve the hydration degree and achieve refinement of a C-S-H structure with higher mean chain length in CF-SWCM. Besides, two-day OH-cured CF-SWCM exhibited great potential on immobilizing free ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ with the binding ratio of 35%, meeting an increase of 100% with that of three-day RT-prepared CF-SWCM. The detailed mechanism behind the advantage of OH curing on improving binding efficiency and distribution homogeneity of ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ was also clarified based on the alternative electric field generated by OH curing. This work highlights the specific effect of OH curing on immobilizing free ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ inside seawater-mixed cement mortar, making a breakthrough toward coastal concrete construction in a cold region with promising performance.

The soil on the slope may experience more severe erosion as a result of the surface cracks caused by desiccation. Xanthan gum (XG) was introduced to reduce the soil’s tendency to erode and crack in order to increase the stability of slope soil. In this study, the microstructure and behaviors of sand-admixed soil (0%–70% sand content) with various XG contents (0.05%–0.25% by the mass of dry soil) were investigated using the desiccation cracking tests, erosion tests, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique. The findings showed that soil water evaporation, crack resistance, and erosion resistance are significantly influenced by sand and XG content. The initial evaporation rate increased by 15.6%, the drying time decreased by 11 h, and the surface crack ratio dropped by 11.9% as the sand content rose from 0% to 70%. The initial evaporation rate of the clay decreased by 11.1% with a 0.25% XG content, while the residual water content increased by nearly six times and there were no soil cracks. Additionally, the sand-admixed soil would not crack and the erosion significantly decreased with 0.15% XG content, demonstrating that this level of XG is the most efficient and cost-effective for controlling both cracking and erosion. Because soil contains macropores, it was discovered that higher sand content accelerates water evaporation, lowers matric suction, increases friction and fracture toughness, which prevents crack formation. Because of its potent water adsorption and pore clogging properties, the addition of XG reduced water evaporation and improved the soil’s ability to hold water. Besides, due to the inter-particle bonds and formed network structure, biopolymer treatment effectively improved soil cohesion and conferred cracking resistance. The generation of preferential flow and the occurrence of infiltration, which promote the soil’s antierosion ability, were also prevented by the presence of XG.

Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt binder after aging seriously affects the performance of the road. In this study, waste edible oil, SBS modifier, plasticizer and antiaging agent were used to prepare a new regenerant to achieve the effect of regeneration of aged SBS modified asphalt binder. The type and optimum dosage of regenerant were determined by conventional performance test of asphalt binder. Dynamic shear rheology (DSR), bending beam rheology (BBR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were conducted to study the effects of regenerant on the rheological and microscopic properties of SBS modified asphalt binder with different aging degrees. The results show that the B-type regenerant has the best recovery effect on the aged asphalt binder. The optimum regenerant content corresponding to PAV10h, PAV20h, and PAV30h is 6wt%, 8wt%, and 10wt%, respectively. With the increase of aging degree, phase angle ($\delta$) and creep rate (m) of SBS modified asphalt binder decreased, complex shear modulus (${\mathrm{G}}^{*}$), rutting factor (${\mathrm{G}}^{*}/\sin \delta$), and creep stiffness (s) increased. Besides, sulfoxide index (SI), carbonyl index (CI), large molecular weight (LMS) increased, and butadiene index (BI), and small molecular weight (SMS) decreased. When the regenerant is added, the rheological index and microindex content of the recycled SBS modified asphalt binder are opposite to those of the aged asphalt binder. In addition, microscopic analyses showed that the SBS modifier in the regenerant could reinteract with the asphalt binder and adjust the composition of the aged asphalt binder. Therefore, this study provides a new reference for realizing the regeneration of aged SBS modified asphalt binder, whereas the regenerated asphalt binder can be considered to be added to the asphalt mix to study the actual road performance.

Carbonation of cement-based composites at early ages has attracted great interest to achieve mineral ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ sequestration, as well as to improve the properties. In this study, carbonation of cement mortars of interest (with/without lightweight clinker and fly ash) was investigated from very early ages, with the primary purpose of promoting the proper utilization of carbonation treatment in the concrete industry. To explore the influence of carbonation conditions on the strength, water absorption, carbonation shrinkage, carbonation depth, and gas permeability of mortars at early ages, different carbonation conditions with varying temperatures, ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ concentration, and carbonation duration were studied. Based on the obtained experimental results, it was found that the influence of carbonation on the properties of different mortar matrices tested was consistent. Improving ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ concentration from a natural level ($\sim 0.04\%$) to $\sim 1.5\%$ could remarkably improve the compressive strength gain of mortars at early ages, and the determined strength gain of mortars with 14 days’ carbonation at ambient temperature and ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ concentration of $\sim 1.5\%$ could reach up to 30%–50%. Further rising ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ concentration from $\sim 1.5\%$ to $\sim 20.0\%$ was noted to significantly increase the rate of carbonation shrinkage and almost double the magnitude. Besides, the intrinsic gas permeability and water absorption of mortars could be reduced by accelerated carbonation treatment. The estimated reduction of the intrinsic gas permeability of mortars after carbonation reached approximately 80%–90%. In addition, rising carbonation temperature from ambient temperature to ${\sim 80}^{\mathrm{o}}\mathrm{C}$ could efficiently improve the early-age strength gain and reduce the gas permeability of mortars in a relatively short carbonation duration ($\sim 4\mathrm{days}$). However, overextended carbonation at ${\sim 80}^{\mathrm{o}}\mathrm{C}$ appeared to compromise the strength gain at early ages.

Abstract

Sisal fibers (SF) are able to enhance the mechanical properties of cementitious materials. However, the rheology of fiber-reinforced cementitious materials is a complex subject due to the significant flow perturbations caused by the fibers in the cement matrix. The effect of SF on the flowability and rheological properties of the cement paste were evaluated in this study. SF of three lengths (3, 6, and 12 mm) were added to the cement paste at different dosages. The results showed that the flowability of the cement paste containing SF decreased with the fiber length and dosage. The rheological curves agreed well with the Bingham model. With the presence of the same dosage of longer SF, the yield stress increased by about 20 times compared to the reference sample. With increase in SF dosage, the plastic viscosity also increased; however, the influence of SF length on the plastic viscosity has less influence than that of yield stress. The results of this study could provide a technological reference for the design and deployment of SF-reinforced cementitious materials in practice.

Practical Applications

The rheology of fiber-reinforced cementitious materials is known to be a complex subject. The introduction of sisal fibers (SF) can significantly affect the workability of cementitious materials. This study focuses on the effect of different dosages of SF of three lengths (3, 6, and 12 mm) on the flowability and rheological properties of cement paste. The results show that the flowability of the cement paste decreases with increasing SF length and dosage. The introduction of SF still shows a shear thinning behavior and the rheological profile is found to be consistent with the Bingham model. The yield stress is more sensitive to the length of SF. The SF dosage plays a major role in the evolution of viscosity. To obtain insights that will be beneficial for practical applications, relationships between variable parameters and rheological properties were determined. This paper attempts to refine the qualitative control of cost-effective cementitious materials with respect to the dispersion of SF in the cement matrix to enable life-cycle evaluation. In addition, examining the rheological properties of cementitious materials enables the design of building materials on demand, including fiber-reinforced cement-based materials.

This study aimed to investigate the durability performance of marine concrete incorporated with ${\mathrm{nano}–\mathrm{SiO}}_2$ and ${\mathrm{nano}–\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ under the joint effect of dry–wet cycles, ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ erosion, and carbonation. Free ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ content and carbonation depth were used as durability evaluation indexes of concrete with nanoparticles under the joint effect of the three factors. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), backscattered electrons (BSE), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the morphology and phase composition of the concrete. The test results showed that the free ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ content and carbonation depth of the concrete were significantly reduced after incorporating nanomaterials, indicating that nanomaterials improved the resistance of the concrete to ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ erosion and carbonation under the joint effect of dry–wet cycles, ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ erosion, and carbonation. Compared with plain concrete at 56 cycles, both nanomaterials showed the most significant improvement at a dosage of 1.8%, with a 20% and 37.5% reduction in free ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ content and carbonation depth, respectively, for ${\mathrm{nano}–\mathrm{SiO}}_2$ concrete, and 16.67% and 31.66% reduction, respectively, for ${\mathrm{nano}–\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ concrete. The improvement effect of ${\mathrm{nano}–\mathrm{SiO}}_2$ was better than that of ${\mathrm{nano}–\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$, and the free ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ content and carbonation depth of ${\mathrm{nano}–\mathrm{SiO}}_2$ concrete were reduced by 3.33% and 5.84%, respectively, compared with those of ${\mathrm{nano}–\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ concrete at the optimal dosage. The microscopic test results showed that incorporating nanomaterials promoted the hydration process of cement and refined the pore structure of the concrete, improving the durability of the concrete under the joint effect of dry–wet cycles, ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ erosion, and carbonation.

The aim of this study is to investigate the physical, mechanical, sorptivity, and microstructural properties of high-strength alkali-activated slag (AAS) mixtures that were heat cured for 8 h. AAS mixtures were cured at room conditions, 50°C, and 75°C. Here, 0.25% and 0.50% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber (by volume) was used to prevent heat-cure cracks and increase flexural toughness. In addition, 200, 400, and $600\mathrm{kg}/{\mathrm{m}}^3$ quartz aggregates were used instead of quartz powder in the mixtures. In this context, 36 different mixtures were produced for the experimental study. The physical, mechanical, and transport properties of AAS have been greatly improved by heat curing. As the quartz aggregate and PVA fiber content increased, the apparent porosity and water absorption of the mixtures increased also. Accordingly, the unit weights of the mixtures decreased relatively. The compressive strength of AAS varied between 43.5 and 102.5 MPa. In the case of heat-curing at 75°C, the compressive strength increased up to 1.8 times. The flexural strength of AAS was between 6.9 and 14.7 MPa. The PVA fibers prevented the brittle fracture observed in AAS. Whereas the PVA fiber ratio increases both compressive and flexural strength, the opposite situation was obtained for quartz aggregate. In addition, the PVA fibers reduced capillary water absorption. The embodied energy of AAS ranged from 4,998 to 5,768 MJ. The embodied energy of AAS was found to be relatively higher than that of conventional concrete. Withal, the scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses implied that the heat curing considerably improved the geopolymerization. As a result, more than 100 MPa compressive strength and approximately 15 MPa flexural strength can be obtained by using 0.25% PVA fiber in AAS mixtures cured at 75°C.

Long-term aging of asphalt binder plays a major role in fatigue cracking resistance of asphalt mixes. With the use of polymer-modified binder (PMB) with different polymer concentrations, aging susceptibility of asphalt mixes becomes an interesting area to explore. This study evaluated four types of asphalt mixes prepared with PMB, subjected to compacted mix aging (CMA) (85°C, 5 days) and loose mix aging (LMA) (85°C, 8 days). The aged asphalt mixes were tested for their resistance to cracking using the indirect tensile asphalt cracking test (IDEAL-CT). Furthermore, aged binders were extracted from long-term-aged loose and compacted mixes, and their fatigue resistance was examined using the Superpave fatigue factor ($|G^{*}|·\sin \delta$), linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test, and binder yield energy test (BYET) parameters. The results indicated that both asphalt binder and mixes exhibit better cracking resistance in CMA conditions compared to LMA conditions. Mixes prepared using PMB with higher polymer content performed better in cracking resistance and were less sensitive to aging. Furthermore, to evaluate the effect of rheology of aged binder on fatigue cracking resistance of mixes, binder fatigue parameters were correlated to cracking index (${\mathrm{CT}}_{\mathrm{index}}$) and postpeak slope ($|m_{75}|$) of mixtures. Other than the yield energy parameter of BYET, a good correlation was observed between binder fatigue and mix fatigue parameters. Outcomes of this study will potentially help to understand the relationship between mixture cracking parameter and standard binder fatigue parameters and their aging sensitivity.

To explore the modification of rheological behavior of fresh cement paste by in situ polymerization, the rheological properties of fresh in situ polymerization modified cement (IPMC) pastes with various acrylamide (AM) monomer dosages and resting time were investigated by rheology test in this paper. The interaction mechanism between inorganic-organic components of IPMC paste and its influence on rheology are also discussed. The results revealed that the yield stress and plastic viscosity of fresh IPMC paste decreased as the AM dosage increased, and rose rapidly with the resting time when the AM dosage was more than 5%. The time-dependent rheological properties of IPMC paste were associated with various periods of AM polymerization reaction. This paper also found that the dispersing effect produced by the AM adsorption and the flocculating effect generated from the polyacrylamide (PAM) microgels bridging would jointly impact the structural buildup of IPMC paste; the former improved the rheological properties and fluidity, while the latter acted contrary. Our results provide the underlying insights needed to guide the dynamic regulation of rheological properties of cement-based materials by in situ polymerization modification.

Low-noise pavements, particularly polyurethane pavements with sound absorption and vibration reduction characteristics, are an effective way to reduce traffic noise. However, the noise reduction performance of polyurethane porous elastic mixtures (PPEM) gradually deteriorates owing to void clogging and thermal-oxidative aging. This study investigates and characterizes the noise reduction performance of PPEM influenced by these factors. The tire noise reduction performance of a prepared PPEM was measured based on void-clogging, thermal-oxidative aging, and tire noise tests. The results indicate that the pavement performance of the PPEM meets the Chinese specification requirements, and its dynamic stability can be up to $\mathrm{120,000}\mathrm{times}/\mathrm{mm}$. The void ratio was found to be the most important factor affecting the noise reduction performance of the mixture, and, at a constant void ratio, the PPEM outperformed a porous asphalt concrete mixture. With increased thermal-oxidative aging time, the noise reduction performance of the PPEM first increases and then decreases and is likely to gradually decrease owing to the aging of polyurethane and crumb rubber.

A research study was performed to assess the durability and permanency of chemical treatment in sulfate-rich expansive soils with novel silica-based admixtures and calcium or Ca-based stabilizer. Crystalline Silica (CS) and Nanosilica (NS) admixtures were selected and used with a traditional dolomitic-hydrated lime to treat problematic high-sulfate expansive soils. The chemically treated soils were investigated for the changes in plasticity at different curing periods, and subsequently, strength tests were performed before and after subjecting the soil specimens to moisture conditioning through capillary soaking. The values of strength, volumetric swell strains, and weight changes after moisture conditioning were compared with those of control specimens. To study the permanency of treatment method, leaching studies were performed using internal flushing on the chemically treated soils to simulate the moisture ingress/digress into subsoils. The effects of different silica-based admixtures with lime were analyzed after 7 leaching cycles. Test results indicated that the normalized specific surface area ($SS{A}_N$) of 1.05 with CS phases has better moisture susceptible durability and long-term permanency as compared to NS treatment ($SS{A}_N$ of 0.70) or traditional treatment methods. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive understanding of the durability and permanency aspects of the novel treatment techniques, which may be of enormous benefit to geotechnical and transportation practitioners in enhancing the durability of chemical treatments.

To explore the formation of corrosion products of steel bars in coral aggregate seawater concrete (CASC), this study used X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) to examine the ingredients of corrosion products of CASC steel bar, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to scan the surface structure of the steel rust layer to understand the difference between the steel corrosion products under different test environments. In addition, this paper analyzes the steel corrosion in CASC and seawater sea-sand concrete (SSC) at the micro level. The results demonstrate that the CASC in the marine environment undergoes electrochemical reactions to produce insoluble $\mathrm{Fe}{(\mathrm{OH})}_2$. Under the immersion environment, the large amount of $\alpha \text{-}\mathrm{FeO}(\mathrm{OH})$ contained in the rust layer of the steel bars can accelerate the corrosion process. There are more free chloride ions (${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$) in the dry and wet cycle environment, which leads to the corrosion products of the steel bar containing more $\beta \text{-}\mathrm{FeO}(\mathrm{OH})$. Furthermore, it was noticed that the presence of small openings in the needle-shaped crystals can cause water molecules to become trapped, making the pitting corrosion of the steel bar worse. This situation provides an ideal setting for the occurrence of severe corrosion. The corrosion process in a dry–wet cycle environment is less than the corrosion products of the steel bar under the full immersion environment; the structure of steel corrosion products of CASC are less than that of SSC.

The recent emphasis on adopting the balanced mix design (BMD) concept has encouraged highway agencies and practitioners to explore simple performance tests to capture the rutting performance of asphalt mixes. Though many researchers have adopted the Hamburg wheel tracking test (HWTT) to evaluate rutting resistance, certain limitations, such as using this test method during quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) are challenging. Therefore, researchers are exploring ways to implement surrogate simple performance tests, namely the ideal shear asphalt rutting test (IDEAL-RT) and the high-temperature indirect tensile strength test (HT-IDT) to support QC/QA of asphalt mixes. However, establishing limiting threshold values of rutting parameters based on such simple performance tests is still in the research stage. Eight mixes with different types of aggregates, binders [unmodified, polymer-modified binder (PMB), and crumb rubber–modified binder (CRMB)] and gradations having different nominal aggregate sizes (NMAS) were collected from various plants. HWTT, IDEA-RT, and HT-IDT were conducted on samples compacted at $7\%\pm 0.5\%$ air voids using the Superpave gyratory compactor. The data analysis showed that the rutting resistance index (RRI) parameter derived from HWTT are promising and advantageous compared with final rut depth, as it incorporates the combined effect of rut depth and number of passes. The study presented correlations of different rutting parameters (shear strength, ${\mathrm{RT}}_{\mathrm{Index}}$, and HT-IDT strength) derived from IDEAL-RT and HT-IDT with the HWTT RRI parameter. Moreover, to ascertain the pass/fail criteria of asphalt mixes, critical threshold values were proposed and recommended for shear strength, ${\mathrm{RT}}_{\mathrm{Index}}$, and HT-IDT strength as 1.0 MPa and 65 and 135 kPa, respectively. IDEAL-RT followed by HT-IDT are the most suitable potential surrogate simple performance tests for HWT to screen better and worse rutting performance.

The novel alkali-activated filling grout (AAG) for shield tunnels requires detailed understanding of its sulfate resistance prior to practical application. This paper presents a comparative study of the sulfate resistance of a typical ordinary portland cement (OPC)-based grout and two groups of representative AAG formulated with industrial by-products including fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, and steel slag as the solid precursors. In the study, the grout samples after 28 days of standard curing were exposed to the 5% by weight ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ (pH = 7.92) and 5% by weight ${\mathrm{MgSO}}_4$ (pH = 7.25) solutions, respectively, to simulate different cases of external sulfate erosion. The sulfate resistance and deterioration mechanism of various grout samples were evaluated and analyzed via multitechnical examinations including visual appearance, mass loss, compressive/flexural strength, strength retention coefficient, mineral composition, microstructure morphology, and pore-size distribution at different test ages. The experimental results indicated that whether under ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$ or ${\mathrm{MgSO}}_4$ erosion, AAG always exhibited more slight deterioration than the OPC-based grout in terms of visual appearance, mass loss, and strength reduction. The reasons for these observations are as follows. The main gel products of AAG were mainly C-(A)-S-H and N-A-S-H, which interweaved and coexisted to form a denser matrix structure than that of the OPC-based grout. The resulting poorer permeability of the AAG matrix was not conducive to the ion exchange between the matrix and the environmental solution. In addition, compared with the OPC-based grout, the lower calcium content and more stable bonded aluminum phases in AGG limited the formation of expansive products responsible for microcracking under sulfate erosion. ${\mathrm{MgSO}}_4$ could cause more severe deterioration than ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$, mainly due to the promotion of decalcification of calcium-containing phases by the presence of ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}$ and the resulting gel products harmful to the matrix. This study demonstrated the excellent sulfate resistance of AAG, which can provide scientific basis for its future engineering application.

Composite modification of an asphalt binder forms an interesting approach to enhance the properties over diverse performance regimes. Aging of asphalt binders during the production, construction, and service life of the asphalt mixtures in pavement increases its stiffness and may have a negative impact on their resistance toward fatigue and low-temperature cracking, thus generating the need to evaluate the aging behavior of a composite-modified asphalt binder. This study analyzed the aging characteristics of individual and composite asphalt binders produced with waste ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) rubber, derived from manufacturing units dealing with nontire automotive rubber products, and the tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) derived from the pyrolysis of scrap tires. Three different pathways were used to formulate composite-modified binders, namely, without pretreatment and with pretreatment through heat and microwave irradiation. The study focused on the evaluation of physical, rheological, chemical, and microstructural characteristics of the composite-modified binders produced in different manners after being subjected to both short-term and long-term aging. Results showed that the effect of aging was adverse on the base binder and the binder prepared with TPO alone. In contrast, the addition of EPDM rubber alone improved the binder’s aging resistance. The composite-modified binder through the pretreatment yielded significantly improved performance against aging; thus, composite modification with pretreatment can be a useful approach to yield aging-resistant binders prepared by EPDM and TPO.

Rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) is a lightweight material similar to expanded polystyrene foam but which has undergone a safer manufacturing process, for instance without flammable gases such as butane (${\mathrm{C}}_4{\mathrm{H}}_{10}$) or pentane (${\mathrm{C}}_5{\mathrm{H}}_{12}$). RPUF is manufactured from the combination of polyol (P) and diisocyanate (D) and can be used as lightweight and load-bearing materials for pavement applications. This research studied the influence of P content, polyol to diisocyanate ratio (p/d ratio), and mixing temperature of P and D on the compressive strength and microstructure of RPUF. For a particular P content, the increase in mixing temperature and the reduced p/d ratio resulted in a large amount of small-sized cells with high cell-contact pressure. The sufficient cell-contact pressure increased the compressive strength of RPUF and toughness, and extremely large cell-contact pressure caused the cell damage and the reduction in strength and toughness. At low P content, both an elevated mixing temperature to 40°C and reduced p/d ratio improved compressive strength of RPUF. However, at a high P content, the elevated mixing temperature resulted in cell damage, and the ambient mixing temperature of 25°C is recommended. To meet the upper limit of 0.12-MPa compressive strength at 1% strain for geofoam according to current standards the 40°C mixing temperature and p/d ratio of 1.0 are suggested for P content of 23 and $28\mathrm{kg}/{\mathrm{m}}^3$, and the ambient mixing temperature and p/d ratio of 0.8 are suggested for P content of $34\mathrm{kg}/{\mathrm{m}}^3$.

This study involves using warm-mix additives (WMA) to produce binders that can aid compaction at low temperatures during cold weather paving. For this purpose, a performance grade (PG) 58-28 asphalt binder was chosen as a control and was modified with four different WMA additives (Rediset, Evotherm, Zycotherm, and Sasobit Redux). The impact of WMA additives on binder properties was evaluated using PG, linear amplitude sweep, and asphalt binder cracking device (ABCD) tests. The use of WMA additives did not have any impact on the PG of the base binder, suggesting that WMAs can be used as a compaction aid. The ABCD results also showed that WMA did not negatively impact the low-temperature properties of the base binder. In addition to binder testing, this study involved conducting laboratory testing of mixtures to determine the impact of WMAs on the volumetric properties of asphalt mixtures when compacted at lower than tradition temperatures [i.e., 127°C (260°F), 104°C (220°F), and 82°C (180°F)]. The volumetric of the control and WMA-modified mixtures were satisfied at all compaction temperatures; thus, showing the potential for WMA additives to improve the compactability of asphalt mixtures. The cracking, rutting, and moisture susceptibility of the mixtures were also evaluated using cracking, rutting, and moisture damage tests, respectively. All the modified WMA asphalt mixtures performed better in terms of rutting, Cracking and moisture susceptibility compared to the control mixtures. Based on the performance ranking of the mixtures it is found that 104°C (220°F)–127°C (260°F) can be taken as the cutoff temperatures only for PG 58-28 binder grade to compact mixture under lab-controlled temperature.

This study aims to investigate the kinetics of chloride desorption in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) pastes containing ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) upon exposure to an acidic environment with low pH levels. The desorption of bound chlorides in this study was examined using paste samples with a water-to-binder ratio of 0.4 and at two GGBFS replacement levels, 25% and 50%. Initially, the pastes were exposed to three different salt solutions composed of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride to assess their chloride binding capacity. Then, various volumes of nitric acid were added to the salt solution, and the amount of released bound chlorides was quantified at acid-to-paste sample mass ratios of 4%, 8%, 11%, 15%, and 19%. The results revealed that the incorporation of GGBFS increased the chloride binding capacity of the paste samples and their resistance to chloride desorption compared to their OPC counterparts. Additionally, the pH of the exposure solution, the cation of chloride salt, and GGBFS replacement level also influenced the extent of chloride desorption.

In this study, hemihydric phosphogypsum (HPG) was used to partially replace cement to prepare phosphogypsum-based concrete (PGBC). A split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system was used to perform dynamic compression tests on PGBC in the strain rate range from $136{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ to $432{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$. The effects of the strain rate on the dynamic compressive performances, impact toughness, and failure modes of the PGBC with different HPG replacement rates (30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50%) were quantitatively discussed. The results showed that, like plain concrete, PGBC exhibited a significant strain rate effect and its dynamic compressive mechanical properties increased with the increase in the strain rate. The dynamic compressive mechanical properties of concrete were weakened by HPG replacement, but the strain rate sensitivity of concrete was improved when HPG was replaced. The dynamic compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity of the PGBC approximately followed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase in the HPG replacement rate.

There is still a significant problem associated with corrosion of steel bars embedded in concrete structures as a result of simultaneous chloride ingress and carbonation. This results in a decrease in the durability and service life of reinforced concrete structures. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of carbonation on the diffusion of chloride ions in concrete mixtures containing 8% silica fume and 10% natural zeolite. To accomplish this, concrete specimens with water-to-cementitious materials (w/cm) ratios of 0.40 and 0.50 were placed in a system that simulated pure carbonation, tide cycles of the marine environment, and spraying conditions separately. Carbonation results in the release of bound chlorides from concrete pores, which further facilitates chloride ingress into rebar. Additionally, the simultaneous chloride ingress and carbonation can lead to a lower carbonation progress and an increase in the chloride diffusion coefficient. Consequently, rebar corrosion increased and concrete structures were less likely to last for a long period of time. When supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are used in concrete mixtures, this problem may become solely important. Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that adding 8% silica fume or 10% natural zeolite to concrete reduces its carbonation resistance while increasing its carbonation-induced corrosion resistance. Additionally, when carbonation and chloride ingress occur simultaneously, the addition of 10% natural zeolite to concrete improved its diffusion coefficient more than 8% silica fume.

Natural geotextiles both woven and nonwoven have proved to be beneficial in stabilizing the weak subgrade by extending the service life of pavement and reducing the cost of construction. Nonwoven geotextiles can be used as separator in pavements as they allow in-plane permeability, but their tensile strength is low. In this study, an attempt is made to develop eco-friendly needle-punched coir latex composite sheets as an alternative to nonwoven coir geotextiles. Three types of products were developed by the impregnation of nonwoven needle-punched fabric with prevulcanized latex having densities 400, 600, and 800 grams per square meter (GSM). An experimental investigation on the effect of latex content on the mechanical properties of coir composites revealed that latex impregnation improves the mechanical properties of all coir composites and composites with 50% latex content exhibited maximum performance. Strength and drainage characteristics of reinforced soil-aggregate system were studied to evaluate the potential of coir composites as a separator in low volume roads by conducting the California bearing ratio (CBR) test, permeability, and transmissivity tests. The performance of the developed coir composites was compared with nonwoven coir felt and woven coir geotextile. It was found that 800 GSM coir composite showed 47% improvement in performance when compared to 400 GSM woven coir geotextile which showed only 40% performance improvement.

This study explored a new scheme for active confinement of concrete using cost-effective Fe-shape memory alloy (Fe-SMA) strips as an alternative to the expensive NiTi-based SMAs. The axial stress–strain behavior of concrete partially wrapped with Fe-SMA strips was investigated experimentally. The failure modes were observed to shift from brittle to ductile with the increase in confining pressure, which was achieved by reducing the spacing of Fe-SMA hoop strips. An empirical stress–strain model is proposed for accurate prediction of behavior of Fe-SMA–confined plain concrete. The proposed model for Fe-SMA–confined concrete and Mander et al.’s model for steel rebar confined concrete were combined to propose a model for predicting the behavior of Fe-SMA–confined RC specimens. Three-dimensional finite-element analyses of concrete specimens with various concrete strength, internal reinforcement, and external Fe-SMA confinements were carried out, and an empirical model is proposed for further improved prediction of uniaxial compressive behavior of Fe-SMA–confined RC specimens.

This paper investigates the microstructure and autogenous shrinkage of calcined kaolinitic clay-limestone (LC) blended cement paste composites up to 200 days. The calcined clay-limestone content ranged between 20% and 65%. The microstructural parameters were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption (NAD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that calcined kaolinitic clay-limestone blends developed higher autogenous shrinkage, faster hydration, and finer pore structure compared to the reference cement mixture. Autogenous shrinkage was the highest at 27% cement replacement and then decreased with further increases in replacement level. Both hydration and pore size distribution led to the development of high autogenous shrinkage for all calcined kaolinitic clay-limestone (LC) blends.

In this paper, we investigated the nonlinear rheological behavior of two types of modified asphalt binders, namely reactive elastomeric terpolymer-modified asphalt binder (REA) and styrene-butadiene-styrene–modified asphalt binder (SBA), under large strains using large-amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) testing. To determine the test strain levels, we conducted strain sweeps at different temperatures and shear frequencies before subjecting the asphalt binders to the LAOS test. Our findings show that the nonlinear critical strain of asphalt binders has a temperature and frequency dependence, with smaller values at lower temperatures and higher frequencies, indicating stronger nonlinear rheological properties. We used Fourier-transform rheology to analyze the relative intensity of higher harmonics of asphalt binders ($I_n/I_1$, $3\le n\le 9$) and found that the nonlinear parameter $I_3/I_1$ increased with shear frequency and strain amplitude, and that the $I_n/I_1$ of REA was much larger than that of SBA. To evaluate the performance of the modified asphalt binders, we used the zero-strain nonlinear parameter $Q_0$ and found that REA had a higher $Q_0$ value than SBA at the same frequency. Furthermore, based on the Lissajous curves at 25°C and $10\mathrm{rad}/\mathrm{s}$, we observed that the aberration degree of the curves increased with increasing strain amplitude. The Lissajous curves of both base asphalt binder (BA) and SBA failed to form a closed ellipse due to sample damage at larger strain levels, which means that BA and SBA are less resistant to large deformations, whereas REA maintained a higher load-bearing capacity. We also observed that both modified asphalt binders exhibited continuous shear-thinning properties. At higher strains, the intermolecular forces in SBA were overcome by shear deformation, whereas the chemical bonds formed between oxygen-containing functional groups and carboxylic acid groups in REA were gradually broken by stretching. LAOS test results demonstrated that REA exhibited higher deformation resistance potential at large strain levels compared with SBA.

Cracking in concrete is a subject matter of the construction industry, and maintenance of infrastructure has gained strategic importance in the present scenario. Inspection, repair, and maintenance expenses are undesirable and unjustified from an environmental standpoint. According to research, this problem can be resolved by adding self-healing concrete (SHC) that has been made with the appropriate self-healing agents. The specific advantage of self-healing concrete is that it senses the crack formation of the concrete element cast using SHC and reacts to cure itself without human intervention. In this study, two different concrete healing mechanisms are compared, and the results of a thorough experimental investigation into self-healing concrete are presented. As healing agents, silica gel, a polymer-based gel, and Bacillus subtilis bacteria were used in separate trials of substitution by cement weight. The experimental verification of self-healing performance of silica gel and Bacillus subtilis bacteria was evaluated by the recovery of mechanical properties of the particular self-healing concrete. The ideal individual dosage of silica gel and subtilis bacteria for use in self-healing concrete as a self-healing agent of concrete cracks was inferred in this investigation based on the findings.

This study’s major goal is to examine the possibility of using medical waste (MW) incineration as a mineral filler in hot mix asphalt paving mixtures. Four different blends, including a ${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$ reference mix, were subjected to binder testing, e.g., penetration, ductility, softening point, and rotational viscosity tests. All of the MW mixes contained the Marshall method’s optimal amount of asphalt. The engineering properties, including Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength, tensile strength ratio, and deformation strength in the Kim test, were determined. Chemical analysis results indicate that MW has iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and chromium as transition elements, which react with the asphalt heteroatoms comparable with ${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$. The results also indicate that the MW-asphalt mastic has lower ductility, softening point, and rotational viscosity than those for ${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$-asphalt mastic. All MWAC combinations, to a lesser extent, satisfy the minimal ASTM requirements of 8 kN stability, 2–4 mm flow, and 3%–5% air voids at the same optimal binder concentration. Even at 6%, the use of MW as a mineral filler obtained from solid waste in the creation of asphalt paving mixtures is conceivable and feasible.