scholarly journals Reinforcing Mechanisms of Coir Fibers in Light-Weight Aggregate Concrete

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 699
Author(s):  
Xiaoxiao Zhang ◽  
Leo Pel ◽  
Florent Gauvin ◽  
David Smeulders
Keyword(s):  
Cement Hydration ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Autogenous Shrinkage ◽  
Drying Shrinkage ◽  
Hydration Reaction ◽  
Light Weight ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Aggregate Concrete ◽  
Coir Fibers ◽  
Light Weight Aggregate

Due to the requirement for developing more sustainable constructions, natural fibers from agricultural wastes, such as coir fibers, have been increasingly used as an alternative in concrete composites. However, the influence of coir fibers on the hydration and shrinkage of cement-based materials is not clear. In addition, limited information about the reinforcing mechanisms of coir fibers in concrete can be found. The goal of this research is to investigate the effects of coir fibers on the hydration reaction, microstructure, shrinkages, and mechanical properties of cement-based light-weight aggregate concrete (LWAC). Treatments on coir fibers, namely Ca(OH)2 and nano-silica impregnation, are applied to further improve LWAC. Results show that leachates from fibers acting as a delayed accelerator promote cement hydration, and entrained water by fibers facilitates cement hydration during the whole process. The drying shrinkage of LWAC is increased by adding fibers, while the autogenous shrinkage decreases. The strength and toughness of LWAC are enhanced with fibers. Finally, three reinforcement mechanisms of coir fibers in cement composites are discussed.

scholarly journals Mitigating the Drying Shrinkage and Autogenous Shrinkage of Alkali-Activated Slag by NaAlO2

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 3499
Author(s):  
Bin Chen ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Jinyou Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Autogenous Shrinkage ◽  
Drying Shrinkage ◽  
Nitrogen Adsorption ◽  
Partial Substitution ◽  
Hydration Reaction ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Na2o Content ◽  
Alkali Activated Slag ◽  
Activated Slag ◽  
Alkali Activated

The shrinkage of alkali-activated slag (AAS) is obviously higher than ordinary Portland cement, which limited its application in engineering. In this study, the effects of NaAlO2 in mitigating drying shrinkage and autogenous shrinkage of AAS were studied. To further understand the shrinkage mechanism, the hydration products and microstructures were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption approaches. As the partial substitution rate of NaAlO2 for Na2SiO3 increased, the drying shrinkage and autogenous shrinkage reduced significantly. The addition of NaAlO2 could slow down the rate of hydration reaction and reduce the porosity, change the pore diameter and the composition of generated paste and cause more hydrotalcite and tetranatrolite generated—which contributed to reduced shrinkage. Additionally, raising the Na2O content rate caused obvious differences in drying shrinkage and autogenous shrinkage. As the Na2O content elevated, the drying shrinkage decreased and autogenous shrinkage increased. A high Na2O content would cause complete hydration reactions and provoke high autogenous shrinkage. However, incomplete hydration reactions left more water in the paste, and the evaporated water dramatically influenced drying shrinkage. The results indicate that addition of NaAlO2 could greatly mitigate the drying shrinkage and autogenous shrinkage of AAS.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document