• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.373-387
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• 2009

Considering the current construction technology and research status of deep repository tunnels for radioactive waste disposal, it is inevitable to use cementitious materials in spite of serious concern about their long-term environmental stability. Thus, it is an emerging task to develop low pH cementitious materials. This study reviews the state of the technology on low pH cements developed in Sweden, Switzerland, France, and Japan as well as in Finland which is constructing a real deep repository site for high-level radioactive waste disposal. Considering the physical and chemical stability of bentonite which acts as a buffer material, a low pH cement limits to $pH{\leq}11$ and pozzolan-type admixtures are used to lower the pH of cement. To attain this pH requirement, silica fume, which is one of the most promising admixtures, should occupy at least 40 wt% of total dry materials in cement and the Ca/Si ratio should be maintained below 0.8 in cement. Additionally, selective super-plasticizer needs to be used because a high amount of water is demanded from the use of a large amount of silica fume.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.115-116
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• 2023

This study aims to investigate and improve the carbon dioxide sequestration capability and the mechanical properties of non-hydraulic low calcium silicate cement especially designed for CO₂ reaction and ordinary Portland cement subjected to the carbonation curing facilitating pH swing method. Nitric acid (HNO₃) was utilized as an liquid for the mixing of cement paste to enhance the initial dissolution of Ca ions from the cements by promoting low pH environment and prevent the direct precipitation of Ca with the anion, owing to the high solubility of Ca(NO₃)₂ in water. The results presented that the higher the concentration of HNO₃, the higher the compressive strength and CO₂ sequestration (until 0.1 M). Ca dissolution caused by the harsh acid attack onto the anhydrous cement particle lead to the higher carbonation reaction degree, forming abundant CaCO₃ crystals after the reaction. However, cement paste mixed with excessively high concentration of HNO₃ presented deterioration due to the too harsh pH environment and abundant NO₃- ions which are known to retard the reaction of cement.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.88-94
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• 2013

The hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is well known as a hazardous ion, presumably inducing dermatic diseases and if serious cancer. The present study concerns the binding capacity of Cr(VI) ions in the cement powder and matrix for a quantitative technique of Cr(VI) ions in cement to influence human health. Both the water-soluble and acid-soluble Cr(VI) ions present in 3 types of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), pulverised fuel ash (PFA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and silica fume (SF) were measured using the spectrophotometer. As a result, it was found that the concentration of water-soluble Cr(VI) ion in cement ranged from 10.5 to 18.9mg/kg-cement, and in the additional materials a very low value of Cr(VI) ion was measured. Acid-soluble Cr(VI) ion was even higher than water-soluble Cr(VI) ion, ranging from 172.4 to 318.2mg/kg-cement. Nevertheless, the concentration of acid-soluble Cr(VI) ion is not proportional to addition of acid. It depends rather the variable pH of solvent involving cement paste. As enough cement hydration occurs, the binding capacity of Cr(VI) ion increases, inhibiting this ions from leaching out in the presence of hydration products such as ettringite or tri-calcium aluminate which bind Cr(VI) ion by ion-exchange.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.431-439
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• 2022

In this study, Neutralized red mud(LRM+S) at a pH of 6-8 was prepared by adding sulfuric acid to liquefied red mud(LRM) at a pH of 10~12. After adding LRM and LRM+S to the cement paste, the hydration heat, compressive strength, and hydration products were examined. The observed accumulated hydration heat revealed that the calorific value of the cement paste with LRM was low and its and peak was delayed when compared with that of plain cement paste(referred to as Plain), whereas the calorific value of the cement paste with LRM+S was similar to that of Plain. At the age of 28 days, the compressive strength of the cement paste with 20% LRM was 55% of the strength of Plain. Using X-ray diffraction, it was determined that the cement paste with 20% LRM exhibited a Ca(OH)₂ peak after 3 days, whereas the cement paste with 20% LRM+S and Plain exhibited a Ca(OH)₂ peak after an hour. Thus, the strength degradation of cementitious materials was improved by adding neutralized red mud prepared by adjusting the pH of highly alkaline LRM with sulfuric acid.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.21-30
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• 2011

The recycled soil that is proceeded from demolition concrete structures was analyzed by the methods of the physical and mechanical tests of soil and TCLP test to use the soil in low landfilling for the construction of an industrial complex. The laboratory test for diffusion of alkali ion in soil mass was analyzed by the methods of XRF and ICP. The fish toxicity test was also conducted to find an environmental influence. The recycled soil through the laboratory test satisfied the engineering property for low landfilling and the criteria of soil contamination. However, the solution which producted by 1:1 ratio of recycled soil and water contained the high pH concentration by alkali ion. The calcium hydroxide solution by CSH cement paste was estimated as the main reason why pH concentration is increased more than 9.0. The high pH concentration in recycled soils causes a toxicity to the livability of fishes. A diffusion area of pH concentration in the ground was analyzed by the Visual Modflow Ver. 2009 program based on geotechnical investigation. The high pH concentration in the recycled soils can be remained as high value due to cement paste in the long term period. Therefore, in the early stage of landfilling work, the mixing with the weathered granite soil is necessary to control the pH concentration.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.30-37
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• 2018

A series of experiment was conducted to evaluate basic performances of low-pH, anti-washing grouts incorporating gypsum which applied for reinforcing underwater cavities in limestone- grounds. Various types of mix proportions were designed and the fluidity, strength and environmental impact of these mixtures were evaluated. The flowability was evaluated under two conditions, i.e., flows without and with pressing, respectively. Strength was measured for the hardened mixtures fabricated under conditions of air and water injections. The environmental impacts including the pH of the suspension and the suspended solids concentration for the mixtures were evaluated. The low pH of fresh mixture suspension, below than 10, was achieved by incorporation of gypsum. The mix proportions of cement-quartz powder-gypsum binders and chemical agents resulted in mortar natural flow 7-10 cm and uniaxial compressive strength 4 MPa were derived.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.6 s.181
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• pp.699-710
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• 2006

Batch scale experiments to investigate the efficiency of the solidification process for metal mine tailing treatment were performed. Portland and MSG (micro silica pouting) cements were used as solidifier and three kinds of mine tailings (located at Gishi, Daeryang, and Aujeon mine) were mixed with cements to paste solidified matrices. Single axis com-pressible strengths of solidified matrices were measured and their heavy metal extraction ratios were calculated to investigate the solidification efficiency of solidified matrices created in experiments. Solidified matrices ($5cm{\times}5cm{\times}5cm$) were molded from the paste of tailing and cements at various conditions such as different tailing/cement ratio, cement/water ratio, and different cement or tailing types. Compressible strengths of solidified matrices after 7, 14, and 28 day cementation were measured and their strengths ranged from 1 to $2kgf/mm^2$, which were higher than Korean limit of compressible strength for the inside wall of the isolated landfill facility ($0.21kgf/mm^2$). Heavy metal extractions from intact tailings and powdered matrices by using the weak acidic solution were performed. As concentration of extraction solution for the powdered solidified matrix (Portland cement + Gishi tailing at 1:1 w.t. ratio) decreased down to 9.7 mg/L, which was one fifth of As extraction concentration for intact Gishi tailings. Pb extraction concentration of the solidified matrix also decreased to lower than one fourth of intact tailing extraction concentration. Heavy metal extraction batch experiments by using various pH conditions of solution were also performed to investigate the solidification efficiency reducing heavy metal extraction rate from the solidified matrix. With pH 1 and 13 of solution, Zn and Pb concentration of solution were over the groundwater tolerance limit, but at pH $1{\sim}13$ of solution, heavy metal concentrations dramatically decreased and were lower than the groundwater tolerance limit. While the solidified matrix was immerged Into very acidic or basic solution (pH 1 and 13), pH of solution changed to $9{\sim}10$ because of the buffering effect of the matrix. It was suggested that the continuous extraction of heavy metals from the solidified matrix is limited even in the extremely high or low pH of contact water. Results of experiments suggested that the solidification process by using Portland and MSG cements has a great possibility to treat heavy metal contaminated mine tailing.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2015

In this study, a blast furnace slag with the alkaliphilic microorganism (Bacillus halodurans) alkaline activator was used to cement natural soils in the field. A low-cost and massive microbial solution for cementation of field soils was produced and compared with existing microbial culture in terms of efficiency. A field soil was prepared for three different cementation areas: a cemented ground with microbial alkaline activator (Microbially-treated soil), a cemented ground with ordinary Portland cement (Cement-treated soil), and untreated ground (Non-treated soil). The testing ground was prepared at a size of 2.6 m in width, 4 m in length, and 0.2 m in depth. After 28 days, a series of unconfined compression tests on the cement-treated and microbially-treated soils were carried out. On the other hand, a torvane test was carried out for non-treated soil. The strength of field soils treated with microorganism was 1/5 times lower than those of cement-treated soil but is 6 times higher than non-treated soil. The pH measured from microbially-treated soil was about 10, which is lower than that of cement-treated soil (pH = 11). Therefore, it is more eco-friendly than Portland cemented soils. The C-S-H hydrates were found in both cement- and microbially-treated soils through SEM-EDS analyses and cement hydrates were also found around soil particles through SEM analysis.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 1997

The feasibility of using the industrial inorganic waste materials such as l~mestone sludge. Soundly sand. coal fly 'ash, and chemical glasses as a raw material for cement clinker by melting treatmeut was iovestigated. The slag wh~ch is obtained from thc melts of the mixtnres of waste materials is composed of P-C,S(ZCaO - SIOJ and C,AS(ZCaO . AI,O, . SiO,) phases. The effect of melting tempcrabre, coaling condition and CIS ratio on the fo~mation of P-C,S phasc was examed. In order to obtain thc P-CiS phase which is useful in thc utilhtion as a clinkcr malcrid, it B found that sudl considerations as low melting temperature as possible of the wastc mixhire, quenching the melts and law CIS ratio of the mlxhlre are necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2004

The corrosion rate measurement procedure for the permanent ground anchors using polarization resistance measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is presented in this paper. The polarization resistance measurements were used to determine the correlation between corrosion rate in the steel and soil characteristics. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to predict the time dependent corrosion reaction and evaluate the different type of coating systems and the effect of cement grouting on the corrosion attack under various conditions. The results indicate that a low pH soil is a good indicator of a corrosive soil. The low pH soil condition (<5) in both clay and sand has a significant effect on the corrosion reaction of steel members in permanent found anchors. In the case of neutral and alkaline conditions beyond pH 6 in clay and sand, no consistent acceleration of corrosion was measured and the corrosion rate was constant regardless of variations of soil pH levels. Laboratory test data for porcelain clay indicate that the change of soil pH level has a small influence on the corrosion reaction in the steel member. The use of cement footing in the bonded length is sufficient to decrease the corrosion rate to a level close to 0.003∼0.01mm/y at the end of the given period. With epoxy and fusion bonded epoxy coating, the steel specimens remained unaffected and retained the original condition. It is suggested that epoxy and fusion bonded epoxy coating can provide effective protection against corrosion for a long time even in aggressive environment.