Optimization of Alkali-Activated Municipal Slag Composite Performance by Substituting Varying Ratios of Fly Ash for Fine Aggregate
<p>Schematic description of the steam curing process.</p> "> Figure 2
<p>Effect of varying ratios of fly ash to fine aggregate on the initial mixing temperature of the AACMs composites.</p> "> Figure 3
<p>Effect of varying ratios of fly ash to fine aggregate on the initial slump flow of the AACMs composites.</p> "> Figure 4
<p>Effect of varying ratios of fly ash to fine aggregate on the compressive strength of the AACM composites.</p> "> Figure 5
<p>Compressive strength growth of AACM composites cured in steam at various ages.</p> "> Figure 6
<p>Effect of varying ratios of fly ash to fine aggregate on the split tensile strength of the AACM composites.</p> "> Figure 7
<p>Split tensile strength growth of AACM composites cured in steam at various ages.</p> "> Figure 8
<p>SEM micrographs of AACM composites cured in steam at: (<b>a</b>) 1 day; (<b>b</b>) 28 days; (<b>c</b>) 91 days.</p> "> Figure 9
<p>Ratio of experimental compressive strength to compressive strength estimated by ACI 209 of AACM composites cured in steam.</p> "> Figure 10
<p>Ratio of experimental split tensile strength to split tensile strength estimated by ACI 318 of AACMs composites cured in steam.</p> ">
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Experimental Details
2.1. Materials
2.2. Mix Proportions
2.3. Sample Preparation and Test Methods
2.4. Samples Curing Procedure
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Initial Mixing Temperature of AACMs Composites
3.2. Slump Flow of AACM Composites
3.3. Compressive Strength Development of AACM Composites
3.4. Split Tensile Strength Development of AACMs Composites
3.5. Microstructure Analysis of AACMs Composites
4. Predictions of AACM Composite Strength
5. Conclusions
- Sustainability and environmental issues are considered as a dual challenge. These were explored by combining municipal slag activated in alkali form with fly ash for the development of new cementitious materials as cement replacements in the core binde. These played a dynamic role in the production of AACM composites and had a major impact on the properties of both fresh and hardened composites.
- The varying ratio of fly ash substitution to fine aggregate was a significant factor influencing the performance of the AACM composites. Hence, the most favorable mixture design was obtained for improving the properties of composites with an acceptable workability, higher strength development, microstructure analysis, and steam-curing at different ages.
- The assessment of varying ratios of fly ash substitution to fine aggregate up to 20.0% suggested that the developed strengths were attributed to the AACM composites, which is achievable in order to produce the most favorable mixture designs. The extra replacement ratios of FA/S ranging from 25.0–30.0% were incorporated in the main binder; the strengths decreased significantly, a with potentially adverse influence on the strengths, but with reasonable reductions in the strengths of the AACM composites. This could make the composites suitable for constructions such as dams, bridge piers and abutments, and large concrete footings.
- The microstructural performance of AACM composites cured in steam conditions had the greatest impact. These composites are applicable in prefabricated concrete construction and other engineering applications requiring greater strength.
- The ACI 209 and ACI 318 provided appropriate estimations of the compressive, and split tensile strengths of AACM composites with corresponding experimental results.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Chemical Components and Physical Properties | Municipal Slag | Fly Ash |
---|---|---|
Calcium oxide, CaO (%) | 43.1 | 6.3 |
Silicon dioxide, SiO2 (%) | 32.5 | 57.6 |
Aluminum oxide, Al2O3 (%) | 13.5 | 26.5 |
Magnesium oxide, MgO (%) | 2.9 | 1.2 |
Ferric oxide, Fe2O3 (%) | 2.7 | 4.2 |
Sodium oxide, Na2O (%) | 1.8 | 0.5 |
Titanium dioxide, TiO2 (%) | 1.3 | 1.9 |
Phosphorus pentoxide, P2O5 (%) | 0.8 | 0.3 |
Loss on ignition, LOI (%) | 1.4 | 1.5 |
Specific gravity (g/cm3) | 2.80 | 2.14 |
Specific surface area (cm2/g) | 3750 | 3630 |
Average particle size of D50 (μm) | 6.48 | 18.35 |
Mix Designation | Fly Ash/Fine Aggregate Ratio Fa/S (%) | Alkali/Binder Ratio AL/SL (%) | Water/Binder Ratio W/SL (%) | Mix Proportioning (kg/m3) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Binder (SL) | Water (W) | Alkali-Activator(AL) | Fly Ash (FA) | Fine Aggregate (S) | ||||
AACM-0 | 0.0 | 20 | 50 | 600 | 300 | 120 | 0 | 1200 |
AACM-5 | 5.0 | 58 | 1142 | |||||
AACM-10 | 10.0 | 110 | 1090 | |||||
AACM-15 | 15.0 | 157 | 1043 | |||||
AACM-20 | 20.0 | 200 | 1000 | |||||
AACM-25 | 25.0 | 240 | 960 | |||||
AACM-30 | 30.0 | 277 | 923 |
Mix Designation | Fly Ash/Fine Aggregate Ratio FA/S (%) | Alkali/Binder Ratio AL/SL (%) | Water/Binder Ratio W/SL (%) | Fresh Properties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Mixing Temperature (°C) | Initial Slump Flow (mm) | ||||
AACM-0 | 0.0 | 20 | 50 | 29.20 | 290 |
AACM-5 | 5.0 | 29.30 | 290 | ||
AACM-10 | 10.0 | 29.30 | 285 | ||
AACM-15 | 15.0 | 29.20 | 280 | ||
AACM-20 | 20.0 | 29.20 | 270 | ||
AACM-25 | 25.0 | 28.90 | 275 | ||
AACM-30 | 30.0 | 28.70 | 280 |
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El-Wafa, M.A.; Fukuzawa, K. Optimization of Alkali-Activated Municipal Slag Composite Performance by Substituting Varying Ratios of Fly Ash for Fine Aggregate. Materials 2021, 14, 6299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14216299
El-Wafa MA, Fukuzawa K. Optimization of Alkali-Activated Municipal Slag Composite Performance by Substituting Varying Ratios of Fly Ash for Fine Aggregate. Materials. 2021; 14(21):6299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14216299
Chicago/Turabian StyleEl-Wafa, Mahmoud Abo, and Kimio Fukuzawa. 2021. "Optimization of Alkali-Activated Municipal Slag Composite Performance by Substituting Varying Ratios of Fly Ash for Fine Aggregate" Materials 14, no. 21: 6299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14216299