Investigation of the mechanical properties and microstructure of self-compacting earth concretes for use in low-carbon construction systems

Khodaparast, Afshin; Samimi, Kianoosh; Pakan, Mahyar

doi:10.22065/jsce.2024.440442.3344

Investigation of the mechanical properties and microstructure of self-compacting earth concretes for use in low-carbon construction systems

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

afshin khodaparast ¹

Kianoosh Samimi ²

mahyar pakan ³

¹ PhD student, Faculty of Civil, Water and Environment Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Faculty of Civil, Water and Environment Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

³ Ph.D., Faculty of Civil, Water and Environmental Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

10.22065/jsce.2024.440442.3344

Abstract

Nowadays, because of global warming and its consequences, low-carbon materials such as clay and low-carbon cement are becoming more popular. Hence, they may be able to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, the fresh state, mechanical properties, microstructure, and life cycle analysis of self-compacting earth concrete were investigated to evaluate its potential utilization in both structural and non-structural components. Three types of clay were substituted with cement as a paste to determine the best type of clay for concrete production. According to earth concrete design mixtures, clay is substituted for cement in amounts of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 100%. It can be concluded from these results that compressive strength decreased as clay content increased. However, this trend did not remain constant throughout the curing process. According to the stress-strain results, earth concretes that contain a high percentage of clay are more tolerable strain and have a lower modulus of elasticity and toughness. Ultrasonic results classified self-compacting earth concrete mixtures according to quality. Following that, based on a regression analysis result, a formula was developed to calculate compressive strength using non-destructive ultrasonic data. Microstructure tests, such as thermogravimetry and FESEM, confirm the mechanical strength results and show that clay content was the main reason for the cracks and holes. Finally, the life cycle analysis indicated that earth concrete decreased CO2 emissions by 33% and 88% in structural and non-structural design mixtures, respectively.

Keywords

Greenhouse gases

self-compacting earth concrete

mechanical strength

microstructure

life cycle

Subjects

Structural Materials

[1] Pan, J. Wang, B. Wang, Q. Ling, X. Fang, R. Liu, et al. (2023). Thickness of the shear band of silty clay–concrete interface based on the particle image velocimetry technique. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier. Vol. 388, pp. 131712.

[2] Harvey, F. (2017). Calls for greater fossil fuel divestment at anniversary of Paris climate deal. The Guardian.

[3] IPCC. (2022). Global Warming of 15°C, Cambridge University Press. p. 1-24.

[4] Rostan, P. Rostan, A. (2023). The benefit of the Covid-19 pandemic on global temperature projections. Journal of Forecasting, Wiley Online Library. Vol. 42, pp. 2079–98.

[5] Zhang, H., Wang, B., Xie, A. and Qi, Y. (2017). Experimental study on dynamic mechanical properties and constitutive model of basalt fiber reinforced concrete. Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 152, pp. 154-67.

[6] Davis, S. Lewis, N. Shaner, M. Aggarwal, S. Arent, D. Azevedo, I. et al. (2018), Net-zero emissions energy systems. Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science. Vol. 360, pp. 9793.

[7] Miller, S. Horvath, A. Monteiro, P. (2016). Readily implementable techniques can cut annual CO₂ emissions from the production of concrete by over 20%. Environmental Research Letters, IOP Publishing. Vol. 11, pp. 74029.

[8] Saidi, M. Cherif, A.S. Zeghmati, B. and Sediki, E. (2018), Stabilization effects on the thermal conductivity and sorption behavior of earth bricks. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier. Vol. 167, pp. 566–77.

[9] Samimi, K. Farahani, M. Pakan, M. Shirzadi Javid, A. (2022). Influence of Pumice and Metakaolin on Compressive Strength and Durability of Concrete in Acidic Media and on Chloride Resistance under Immersion and Tidal Conditions. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology - Transactions of Civil Engineering, Springer. Vol. 46, pp. 1153–75.

[10] Silva, R. Mendes, N. Oliveira, D. Romanazzi, A. Domínguez-Martínez, O. Miranda, T. (2018). Evaluating the seismic behaviour of rammed earth buildings from Portugal: From simple tools to advanced approaches. Engineering Structures, Elsevier. Vol. 157, pp. 144–56

[11] Xue, Z. Guo, J. Wu, S. Xie, W. Fu, Y. Zhao, X. et al. (2023). Co-thermal in-situ reduction of inorganic carbonates to reduce carbon-dioxide emission. Science China Chemistry, Springer. Vol. 66, pp. 1201–10.

[12] Samimi, K. and Zareechian, M. (2022). Chemical resistance of synthesized graphene-modified cement paste containing natural pozzolans to acid attack. Journal of Building Engineering, Elsevier. Vol. 60, pp. 105174.

[13] Huang, L. Krigsvoll, G. Johansen, F. Liu, Y. Zhang, X. (2018). Carbon emission of global construction sector. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 81, pp. 1906–16.

[14] Van Damme, H. and Houben, H. (2018). Earth concrete. Stabilization revisited. Cement and Concrete Research, Elsevier. Vol. 114, pp. 90–102.

[15] Samimi, K. Kamaragi, G. Le Roy, R. (2019). Microstructure, thermal analysis and chloride penetration of self-compacting concrete under different conditions. Magazine of Concrete Research, Thomas Telford Ltd. Vol. 71, pp. 126–43.

[16] Samimi, K. Pakan, M. Eslami, J. (2023). Investigating the compressive strength and microstructural analysis of mortar containing synthesized graphene and natural pozzolan in the face of alkali-silica reactions. Journal of Building Engineering, Elsevier. Vol. 68, pp. 106126.

[17] Pachideh, G. Ketabdari. H. (2023). Investigation of the mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete containing recycled steel springs; experimental and numerical investigation. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Taylor & Francis. Vol. 27, pp. 4026-4045.

[18] Samimi, K. Kamali-Bernard, S. Akbar Maghsoudi, A. Maghsoudi, M. Siad, H. (2017). Influence of pumice and zeolite on compressive strength, transport properties and resistance to chloride penetration of high strength self-compacting concretes. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier. Vol. 151, pp. 292–311.

[19] Pachideh, G. Toufigh. V. (2021). Strength of SCLC recycle springs and fibers concrete subject to high temperatures. Structural Concrete, Wiley-Blackwell. Vol. 23, pp. 285-299.

[20] Pachideh, G. Gholhaki, M. Rezaifar, O. (2021). Experimental study on engineering properties and microstructure of expansive soils treated by lime containing silica nanoparticles under various temperatures. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Springer. Vol. 114, pp. 90–102.

[21] Imanzadeh, S. Jarno, A. Hibouche, A. Bouarar, A. Taibi, S. (2020). Ductility analysis of vegetal-fiber reinforced raw earth concrete by mixture design. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier. Vol. 239, pp. 117829.

[22] Fardoun, H. Saliba, J. Saiyouri, N. (2022). Evolution of acoustic emission activity throughout fine recycled aggregate earth concrete under compressive tests. Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, Elsevier. Vol. 119, pp. 103365.

[23] Kohandelnia, M. Hosseinpoor, M. Yahia, A. Belarbi, R. (2023). Hygrothermal and microstructural characterization of self-consolidating earth concrete (SCEC). Journal of Building Engineering, Elsevier. Vol. 69, pp. 106287.

[24] Kohandelnia, M. Hosseinpoor, M. Yahia, A. and Belarbi, R. (2023). Multiscale investigation of self-consolidating earthen materials using a novel concrete-equivalent mortar approach. Journal of Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier. Vol. 370, pp. 130700.

[25] Shamas, Y. Nithin, H.C. Sharma, V. Jeevan, S.D. Patil, S. Imanzadeh, S. et al. (2023). Toughness and Ultimate Compressive Strength of Bio-Based Raw Earth Concrete. RILEM Book series, Springer. p. 310–23.

[26] Ouellet-Plamondon, C.M. Habert, G. (2016). Self-Compacted Clay based Concrete (SCCC): Proof-of-concept. Journal of Cleaner Production, Elsevier. Vol. 117, pp. 160–8.

[27] Huang, Z. Deng, W. Zhao, X. Zhou, Y. Xing, F. Hou, P. et al. (2023). Shear design and life cycle assessment of novel limestone calcined clay cement reinforced concrete beams. Struct. Concr. p. 5063–85.

[28] ASTM D2487-17. (2017). Standard Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System). p. 10.

[29] ASTM C150. (2020). Standard Specification for Portland Cement. ASTM Int. p. 1–8.

[30] ASTM C31 / C31M - 21a. (2021). Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field. ASTM International, Philadelphia. p. 1–7.

[31] ASTM C511-19. (2019). Standard Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes. ASTM Stand. Guid. p. 13.

[32] EFNARC, (2002). Specification and Guidelines for Self-Compacting Concrete. Farnham. UK. www.efnarc.org

[33] ASTM C109 / C109M-21. (2021). Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars. ASTM International, Philadelphia. p. 17.

[34] ASTM C39. (2016). Standard test method for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. ASTM. p. 3-4.

[35] Hamada, H. Al-Attar, A. Tayeh, B. Yahaya, F. (2022). Optimizing the concrete strength of lightweight concrete containing nano palm oil fuel ash and palm oil clinker using response surface method. Case Studies in Construction Materials, Vol. 16, pp. e01061

[36] ASTM C 597. (2016). Standard Test Method for Pulse Velocity through Concrete; American Society for Testing and Materials. p. 11.

[37] NGO, D, (2017). Développement d’un nouveau éco-béton à base de sol et fibres végétales – Etude du comportement mécanique et de durabilité, DOCTEUR DE L, UNIVERSITÉ DE BORDEAUX. Vol. 3, p 25.

[38] Kirthika, M. Surya, S. K. Singh. (2019). Effect of clay in alternative fine aggregates on performance of concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. vol. 228. P 25.

[39] Association Française du Génil Civil (AFGC). (2002). Bétons fibrés à ultra-hautes performances. AFGC-SETRA. p. 11.

[40] Bui, T. Le, M. Nguyen, T. Nguyen, X. Bui, T. Sarhosis, V. (2022). Mechanical behaviour of novel “earth concrete” walls. International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, Inderscience Publishers. Vol. 7, pp. 435–56.

[41] González-López, J. Juárez-Alvarado, C. Ayub-Francis, B. Mendoza-Rangel, M. (2018). Compaction effect on the compressive strength and durability of stabilized earth blocks. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier Ltd. Vol. 163, pp. 179–88.

[42] BIS 13311. (1992). Non-destructive testing of concrete–Methods of Test-Part 1: Ultrasonic pulse velocity. Bureau of Indian Standards New Delhi. pp. 21

[43] Sasanipour, H. Aslani, F. (2019). Effect of specimen shape, silica fume, and curing age on durability properties of self-compacting concrete incorporating coarse recycled concrete aggregates. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier Ltd. Vol. 228, pp. 117054.

[44] Wei, Y. Zhou, M. Zhao, K. Zhao, K. Li, G. (2020). Stress–strain relationship model of glulam bamboo under axial loading. Advanced Composites Letters, SAGE Publications Sage UK: London, England. Vol. 29, pp. 26.

[45] Kim, Y.J. Ji, Y. (2017). Axial Load-Bearing Concrete Confined with CFRP Sheets in Acidic Environment. ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 114.

[46] Nematzadeh, M. Baradaran-Nasiri, A. (2018). Residual properties of concrete containing recycled refractory brick aggregate at elevated temperatures. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE. Vol. 30, pp. 4017255.

[47] Youssf, O. Hassanli, R. Mills, J.E. (2017). Mechanical performance of FRP-confined and unconfined crumb rubber concrete containing high rubber content. Journal of Building Engineering, Vol. 11, pp. 115–26.

[48] Samimi, K. Kamali, K. Maghsoudi, A. (2018). Durability of self-compacting concrete containing pumice and zeolite against acid attack, carbonation and marine environment. Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 27, pp. 12–02.

[49] Samimi, K. Pakan, M. Eslami, J. Asgharnejad, L (2022). Investigation of two different water-dispersed graphene on the performance of graphene/cement paste: Surfactant and superplasticizer effect. Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 9, pp. 11–21.

[50] Ecoinvent Centre, E. data v3. (2016). Switzerland.