Performance of Alfa Fibres in Cementitious Materials Exposed to Diverse Surface Treatments

Author(s):  
Soukaina Ajouguim ◽  
Jonathan Page ◽  
Chafika Djelal ◽  
Mohamed Waqif ◽  
Latifa Saadi

Alfa plant presents a great ecological and socio-economic interest in the Maghreb countries. It is used in several fields of applications such as craft production and paper industry. However, a few research work has been realized on the valorisation of Alfa fibres in the construction sector. The main objective of this work is to develop an Alfa fibre-reinforced mortar with significant mechanical properties for the facade panel’s manufacturing. It was highlighted that Alfa fibres enhance the flexural strength of reinforced mortars. Therefore, a decrease in the flexural strength of the composite after 90 days of curing. In addition, the incorporation of Alfa fibres reduced the compressive strength of the composite. In this regard, to enhance the mechanical properties of the composite, various treatments were explored: alkaline treatment with sodium hydroxide, hydrothermal treatment by water boiling, and coating with sulfoaluminate cement. It was noted that the treatments could provide a partial elimination of the non-cellulosic components and enhance the Alfa fibre roughness. Raw and treated Alfa fibres were incorporated into cement mortars at different lengths of the (10 and 20 mm) with an addition ratio of 1 %vol.. Compared to untreated fibres, fibres treated chemically provide an improvement of 38 % of the flexural strength at 28 days for both fibres length. Unlike the coated fibres, the efficiency of treatment was noted at 90 days of curing. Otherwise, a slight increase in compressive strength was observed compared to the untreated fibres mortar. These results were approved by porosity accessible to water and calorimetric tests.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. SCHWANTES-CEZARIO ◽  
M. F. PORTO ◽  
G. F. B. SANDOVAL ◽  
G. F. N. NOGUEIRA ◽  
A. F. COUTO ◽  
...  

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the influence of B. subtilis AP91 spores addition on the mechanical properties of mortars. B. subtilis strain AP91, isolated from rice leaves of the needle variety, which has an early cycle of production, was used at the concentration of 105 spores/mL in mortars with cement-to-sand ratio of 1:3 (by weight) and water-to-cement ratio (w/c) of 0.63. These spores were added in two different ways: in the mixing water and by immersion in a solution containing bacterial spores. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis showed crystals with calcium peaks on the EDS, which possibly indicates the presence of bioprecipitated calcium carbonate. The results obtained in the mechanical analysis showed that the bioprecipitation of CaCO3 by B. subtilis strain AP91 was satisfactory, particularly when the spores were added in the mixing water, increasing the compressive strength up to 31%. Thus, it was concluded that the addition of B. subtilis AP91 spores in the mixing water of cement mortars induced biocementation, which increased the compressive strength. This bioprecipitation of calcium carbonate may very well have other advantageous consequences, such as the closure of pores and cracks in cementitious materials that could improve durability properties, although more research is still needed on this matter.


2020 ◽  
Vol 323 ◽  
pp. 01017
Author(s):  
Devid Falliano ◽  
Dario De Domenico ◽  
Salvatore Quattrocchi ◽  
Paolo Cosenza ◽  
Giuseppe Ricciardi ◽  
...  

This contribution focuses on the design and the characterization of innovative mix designs of high consistency mortars with biochar additions in different percentage with respect to the cement weight. Biochar is a by-product material that gives the cementitious mix a sustainable connotation from an environmental point of view. The mix designs presented here are characterized by a good dimensional stability in the fresh state, peculiarity that gives them the possibility to be extruded and so, to be used in automated construction processes. In addition to the mechanical properties (flexural and compressive strength), the assessment of the CO2 emission of representative mixes is presented. Different biochar content and maximum diameter of the aggregate are studied, obtaining interesting indications on these parameters to optimize mechanical properties. Finally, on the basis of the CO2 emission assessment, certain venues for future research work to minimize CO2 emissions are reported.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pruthviraj S R ◽  
Ravi Kumar C M ◽  
Yajnodbhavi H M ◽  
Maruthi T ◽  
Raghavendra S

Now days, many research works are carried for all grades of concrete to make the concrete most economical and durable there by adding the supplementary cementitious materials and alternative replacement aggregates. In this research work deals with the experimental investigation of mechanical properties of the M30, M50 and M80 grade concrete by replacing the fine and coarse aggregate by foundry sand and crushed concrete waste respectively. Mix design procedures were followed as per IRC44:2017 guidelines and recommendation. Proper dosage of super plasticizer (SP) was maintained in the concrete to make it better performed. In this present investigation, a Poly Propylene fibre (PPF) of 0.3% by weight of the cement is used. Mechanical properties such as Compressive strength and Flexural Strength were determined by preparing the respective mould sizes for specific test and are cured for 7, 14 and 28 days and result obtained for respective days were tabulated and discussed.  


2019 ◽  
pp. 205-214
Author(s):  
Ikumapayi C. M. ◽  
Adeniji A. A. ◽  
Obisesan A. A. ◽  
Odeyemi O. ◽  
Ajayi J. A.

Concrete is one of the reliable, durable, economical and acceptable construction materials among the building and construction stakeholders worldwide. Performance of concrete could be threatened especially reinforced concrete by some processes such as corrosion, sulfate attack among others. Corrosion of reinforcement in reinforced concrete can be induced by carbonation process. Even though carbonation initiates corrosion, it has been gathered that carbonation could still be of immense benefits to building and construction industries if its mechanism of operation is understudied. This research work has therefore investigated the effect of carbonation on some selected mechanical properties of concrete such as compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption and weight changes. Concrete cubes and beams of M15 grade with 0.5 % water-cement ratio were prepared and subjected to accelerated carbonation. Their compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption and weight changes were determined in accordance with the relevant standards. The outcomes show that carbonation improves all the mechanical properties investigated. The use of carbonation can be positively explored in reinforced concrete provided there is adequate nominal cover.


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 3849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel J. Chinchillas-Chinchillas ◽  
Manuel J. Pellegrini-Cervantes ◽  
Andrés Castro-Beltrán ◽  
Margarita Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Víctor M. Orozco-Carmona ◽  
...  

Currently it is necessary to find alternatives towards a sustainable construction, in order to optimize the management of natural resources. Thus, using recycled fine aggregate (RFA) is a viable recycling option for the production of new cementitious materials. In addition, the use of polymeric microfibers would cause an increase in the properties of these materials. In this work, mortars were studied with 25% of RFA and an addition of polyacrylonitrile PAN microfibers of 0.05% in cement weight. The microfibers were obtained by the electrospinning method, which had an average diameter of 1.024 µm and were separated by means of a homogenizer to be added to the mortar. Cementing materials under study were evaluated for compressive strength, flexural strength, total porosity, effective porosity and capillary absorption, resistance to water penetration, sorptivity and carbonation. The results showed that using 25% of RFA causes decreases mechanical properties and durability, but adding PAN microfibers in 0.05% caused an increase of 2.9% and 30.8% of compressive strength and flexural strength respectively (with respect to the reference sample); a decrease in total porosity of 5.8% and effective porosity of 7.4%; and significant decreases in capillary absorption (approximately 23.3%), resistance to water penetration (25%) and carbonation (14.3% after 28 days of exposure). The results showed that the use of PAN microfibers in recycled mortars allowed it to increase the mechanical properties (because they increase the tensile strength), helped to fill pores or cavities and this causes them to be mortars with greater durability. Therefore, the use of PAN microfibers as a reinforcement in recycled cementitious materials would be a viable option to increase their applications.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongfang Sun ◽  
Li Ling ◽  
Zhili Ren ◽  
Shazim Ali Memon ◽  
Feng Xing

This paper evaluated the effect of graphene oxide/graphene (GO/GR) hybrid on mechanical properties of cement mortar. The underlying mechanism was also investigated. In the GO/GR hybrid, GO was expected to act as a dispersant for GR while GR was used as reinforcement in mortar due to its excellent mechanical properties. For the mortar specimen, flexural and compressive strength were measured at varied GO to GR ratios of 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1 by keeping the total amount of GO and GR constant. The underlying mechanism was investigated through the dispersibility of GR, heat releasing characteristics during hydration, and porosity of mortar. The results showed that GO/GR hybrid significantly enhanced the flexural and compressive strength of cement mortars. The flexural strength reached maximum at GO:GR = 1:1, where the enhancement level was up to 23.04% (28 days) when compared to mortar prepared with only GO, and up to 15.63% (7 days) when compared to mortar prepared with only GR. In terms of compressive strength, the enhancement level for GO:GR = 3:1 was up to 21.10% (3 days) when compared with that of mortar incorporating GO only. The enhancement in compressive strength with mortar at GO:GR = 1:1 was up to 14.69% (7-day) when compared with mortar incorporating GR only. In addition to dispersibility, the compressive strength was also influenced by other factors, such as the degree of hydration, porosity, and pore size distribution of mortar, which made the mortars perform best at different ages.


2021 ◽  
Vol 290 ◽  
pp. 01011
Author(s):  
Dan Cheng ◽  
Jianxun Ma ◽  
Yilei Zhang ◽  
Xuhui Chen ◽  
Wenxiao Li

Magnesium slag is a kind of solid waste discharged by magnesium alloy related industries in the process of producing magnesium products or their alloys. Its composition is similar to Portland cement clinker, so it has great potential to be used as a new cementing material. In this paper, magnesium slag cementitious material specimens with different fineness were made by imitating the actual production environment. The flexural strength and compressive strength of specimens with different curing ages were tested, and the influence of fineness on them was analyzed. The results show that the fineness has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of pure magnesium slag cementitious materials. Its effect on the early strength is greater than that on the later strength. But the flexural strength and compressive strength will not always increase with the increase of fineness. There is a reasonable range of fineness.


2010 ◽  
Vol 168-170 ◽  
pp. 190-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Jun Wang ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Yu Bin Cheng

In this paper, styrene-butadiene polymer emulsion SD622S was adopted to modify cement mortar; mechanical properties of cement mortars were studied and microstructures was analyzed by means of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Specific Surface Area & Pore Distribution Analyzer. The results show that in contrast to ordinary cement mortar, if water to cement ratio (W/C) is constant, compressive strength of modified cement mortar can decrease, while flexural strength and toughness, ratio of compressive strength to flexural strength, increase with the increase of polymer to cement ratio in mass (P/C) at 7 and 28 curing days. With the increase of P/C, net structure made from polymer and cement hydration products is developed and pore whose size is smaller than 200Å begins to increase, which indicates pore diameters in modified cement mortar change to be finer. So microstructures of modified cement mortar become denser and display higher toughness.


2016 ◽  
Vol 711 ◽  
pp. 232-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Shi Meng ◽  
Christopher K.Y. Leung ◽  
Geng Ying Li

This paper studies the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the mechanical properties and durability of polymer latex-modified cement mortar. Latex-modified cementitious materials possess many advantages. However, reduction of mechanical properties due to the introduction of an amorphous structure within the cement composite has limited its application. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalised with carboxyl group (MWCNTs-COOH), ranging from 0% to 0.15% by weight, are added into mortar modified with 0.6 wt.% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) latex. Mechanical properties including compressive strength and flexural strength are measured. Water absorption test and rapid chloride diffusion test are performed to assess durability performance. Results indicate considerable increase of compressive strength and flexural strength, as well as improvement in durability, by the addition of MWCNTs-COOH. With Scanning Electron Microscopy conducted on both the latex solution and cement composite, the microstructural changes resulted from MWCNT addition are revealed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (10A) ◽  
pp. 1522-1530
Author(s):  
Rawnaq S. Mahdi ◽  
Aseel B. AL-Zubidi ◽  
Hassan N. Hashim

This work reports on the incorporation of Flint and Kaolin rocks powders in the cement mortar in an attempt to improve its mechanical properties and produce an eco-friendly mortar. Flint and Kaolin powders are prepared by dry mechanical milling. The two powders are added separately to the mortars substituting cement partially. The two powders are found to improve the mechanical properties of the mortars. Hardness and compressive strength are found to increase with the increase of powders constituents in the cement mortars. In addition, the two powders affect water absorption and thermal conductivity of the mortar specimens which are desirable for construction applications. Kaolin is found to have a greater effect on the mechanical properties, water absorption, and thermal conductivity of the mortars than Flint. This behavior is discussed and analyzed based on the compositional and structural properties of the rocks powders.


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