• Computers and Concrete
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2022

In this study, deep learning and k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) models were used to estimate the sorptivity and freeze-thaw resistance of self-compacting mortars (SCMs) having binary and ternary blends of mineral admixtures. Twenty-five environment-friendly SCMs were designed as binary and ternary blends of fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) except for control mixture with only Portland cement (PC). The capillary water absorption and freeze-thaw resistance tests were conducted for 91 days. It was found that the use of SF with FA as ternary blends reduced sorptivity coefficient values compared to the use of FA as binary blends while the presence of FA with SF improved freeze-thaw resistance of SCMs with ternary blends. The input variables used the models for the estimation of sorptivity were defined as PC content, SF content, FA content, sand content, HRWRA, water/cementitious materials (W/C) and freeze-thaw cycles. The input variables used the models for the estimation of sorptivity were selected as PC content, SF content, FA content, sand content, HRWRA, W/C and predefined intervals of the sample in water. The deep learning and k-NN models estimated the durability factor of SCM with 94.43% and 92.55% accuracy and the sorptivity of SCM was estimated with 97.87% and 86.14% accuracy, respectively. This study found that deep learning model estimated the sorptivity and durability factor of SCMs having binary and ternary blends of mineral admixtures higher accuracy than k-NN model.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.323-335
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• 2015

This paper examines some properties of concrete, such as strength, oxygen permeability and sorptivity using starch [cassava (CA) and maize (MS)] as admixtures. Concrete cubes containing different percentages of the CA and MS by weight of cement (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 %) were cast. Compressive strength tests were carried out after 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, 90, 180, 270 and 365 days of curing. Oxygen permeability and sorptivity tests were carried out on another set of concrete specimens with the same percentages of starch at 7, 28, 90, 180, 270 and 365 days. Oxygen permeability and sorptivity tests data obtained were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks. The strength increase after 1 year over the control for CA 0.5 and CA 1.0 are 2.7 and 3.8 % respectively, while MS 0.5 and MS 1.0 gave 1.5 % increase over control. These results showed a decrease in oxygen permeability and rates of sorptivity, with concretes containing starch as admixtures giving better performance than the control concretes.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.359-375
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• 2017

This paper presents a study of the properties and behavior of self-compacting concretes (SCC) in the hot climate. The effect of curing environment and the initial water curing period on the properties and behavior of SCC such as compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and sorptivity of the SCC specimens were investigated. Three Water/Binder (W/B) ratios (0.32, 0.38 and 0.44) have been used to obtain three ranges of compressive strength. Five curing methods have been applied on the SCC by varying the duration and the conservation condition of SCC. The results obtained on the compressive strength show that the period of initial water curing of seven days followed by maturation in the hot climate is better in comparison with the four other curing methods. The coefficient of sorptivity is influenced by W/B ratio and the curing methods. It is also shown that the sorptivity coefficient of SCC specimens is very sensitive to the curing condition. The SCC specimens cured in water present a low coefficient of sorptivity regardless of the ratio W/B. Furthermore, the results show that there is a good correlation between ultrasonic pulse velocity and the compressive strength.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.109-123
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• 2014

This paper presents chloride induced corrosion durability of reinforcing steel in geopolymer concretes containing different contents of sodium silicate ($Na_2SiO_3$) and molarities of NaOH solutions. Seven series of mixes are considered in this study. The first series is ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete and is considered as the control mix. The rest six series are geopolymer concretes containing 14 and 16 molar NaOH and $Na_2SiO_3$ to NaOH ratios of 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. In each series three lollypop specimens of 100 mm in diameter and 200 mm in length, each having one 12 mm diameter steel bar are considered for chloride induced corrosion study. The specimens are subjected to cyclic wetting and drying regime for two months. In wet cycle the specimens are immersed in water containing 3.5% (by wt.) NaCl salt for 4 days, while in dry cycle the specimens are placed in open air for three days. The corrosion activity is monitored by measuring the copper/copper sulphate ($Cu/CuSO_4$) half-cell potential according to ASTM C-876. The chloride penetration depth and sorptivity of all seven concretes are also measured. Results show that the geopolymer concretes exhibited better corrosion resistance than OPC concrete. The higher the amount of $Na_2SiO_3$ and higher the concentration of NaOH solutions the better the corrosion resistance of geopolymer concrete is. Similar behaviour is also observed in sorptivity and chloride penetration depth measurements. Generally, the geopolymer concretes exhibited lower sorptivity and chloride penetration depth than that of OPC concrete. Correlation between the sorptivity and the chloride penetration of geopolymer concretes is established. Correlations are also established between 28 days compressive strength and sorptivity and between 28 days compressive strength and chloride penetration of geopolymer concretes.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.451-458
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• 2017

The service life of coal gangue concrete(CGC) strongly depends on the capillary water absorption, this water absorption is susceptible to freeze-thaw cycles. In this paper, the cumulative water absorption and sorptivity were obtained to study the effects of 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 % steel fiber volume fraction added on the water absorption of CGC. Sorptivity and freeze-thaw tests were conducted, and the capillary water absorption was evaluated by the rate of water absorption(sorptivity). Three prediction models for the initial sorptivity of steel fiber reinforced coal gangue concrete(SFRCGC) under freeze-thaw cycles were established to evaluate the capillary water absorption of SFRCGC. Results showed that, without freeze-thaw cycles, the water absorption of CGC decreased when steel fiber at 1.0 % volume fraction was added, however, the water absorption increased with the addition of 0.5 or 1.5 % steel fibers. Once the SFRCGC specimens were exposed to freeze-thaw cycles, the water absorption of SFRCGC significantly increased, and 1.0 % steel fiber in volume fraction added to CGC caused the lowest water absorption, except for the case of the sample without steel fibers added. The CGC with steel fiber at 1.0 % volume fraction performed better. The SFRCGC has a strong response to freeze-thaw cycles. Results also showed that the linear function prediction model is practical in the field of engineering because of its simple form and a relatively high precision. Although the polynomial prediction model presents the highest computation precision among the three models, the complicated form and too many coefficients make it impractical for engineering applications.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.267-278
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• 2020

This paper reports on the result of an experimental investigation carried out to study the compressive strength and sorptivity properties of blended cement concrete exposed to 5% and 10% MgSO₄ solution using fly ash (FA) and silpozz. Usually in sulphate environment the minimum grade of concrete is M30 and the mix design is done for target mean strength of 39 MPa. Silpozz is manufactured by burning of agro-waste rice husk in designed furnace in between 600° to 700℃ which is one of the main agricultural residues obtained from the outer covering of rice grains during the milling process. There are four mix series taken with control mix. The control mix made 0% replacement of FA and silpozz with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The first mix series made 0% FA and 10-30% replacement of silpozz with OPC. The second mix series made with 10% FA and 10-40% replacement of silpozz with OPC. The third mix series made 20% FA and 10-30% replacement of silpozz with OPC and the fourth mix series made 30% FA and 10-20% silpozz replaced with OPC. The samples (cubes) are prepared and cured in normal water and 5% and 10% MgSO₄ solution for 7, 28 and 90 days. The studied parameters are compressive strength and strength deterioration factor (SDF) for 7, 28 and 90 days. The water absorption and sorptivity tests have been done after 28 days of normal water and magnesium sulphate solution curing. The investigation reflects that the blended cement concrete incorporating FA and silpozz showing better resistance against MgSO₄ solution when compared to normal water curing (NWC) samples.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2020

Performance of Sustainable materials continues through using of recycled waste construction materials to minimize the utilization of the natural resources. The cement industry is a major source of CO₂ in the atmosphere which is the main cause of global warming. Replacement of OPC with other sustainable cementitious materials has been the most interesting area of researches. This investigation focuses on the properties of alkali-activated mortar with the different replacement ratios of ceramic tile powder (CTP) by fine soil powder (FSP) (0 to 100)% and different molarities of sodium hydroxide concentrations. The experimental program was conducted by examining the compressive strength, water absorption, and water sorptivity. The results showed that the compressive strength of the specimens at age of (28, 56, and 90 days) increases with an increase in the amount of fine soil powder content and decreases at the age of 120 days. Also, minimum water absorption at the age of 90 days was found in the mixes containing 100% fine soil powder. However, fine soil powder replacement had a negative effect on the sorptivity and water absorption values at the age of 120 days. On the other hand, the 12M sodium hydroxide concentration was considered the optimum concentration compared to other concentrations.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.47-68
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• 2018

This article reports the utilization of fly ash (FA) waste product from industry and silpozz which is an agro-waste from agriculture as an environmental friendly material in construction industry. The evaluation of strength and durability study was observed using FA and silpozz as a partial replacement of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The studied parameters are compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength and bond strength as well as the durability study involves the acid soluble chloride (ASC), water soluble chloride (WSC), water absorption and sorptivity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD of selected samples are also done. It reveals from the test results that the deterioration factor (DF) in compressive strength is 4% at 365 days. The DF of split tensile strength and flexural strength is 0.96% and 0.6% at 90 days respectively. The minimum slip is 1mm and 1.1mm after 28 days of testing bond strength for NWC and SWC sample respectively. The percentage decrease in bond strength is 10.35% for 28 days SWC samples. The pre-cast blended concrete samples performed better to chloride diffusion. Modulus of elasticity of SWC samples are also studied.The water absorption and sorptivity tests are conducted after 28 days of curing.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2021

Rice Husk Ash (RHA) geopolymer paste activated by sodium aluminate were characterized by X-ray diffractogram (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion X-Ray analysis (EDAX)and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Five series of RHA geopolymer specimens were prepared by varying the Si/Al ratio as 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. The paper focuses on the correlation of microstructure with hardened state parameters like bulk density, apparent porosity, sorptivity, water absorption and compressive strength. XRD analysis peaks indicates quartz, cristobalite and gibbsite for raw RHA and new peaks corresponding to Zeolite A in geopolymer specimens. In general, SEM micrographs show interconnected pores and loosely packed geopolymer matrix except for specimens made with Si/Al of 2.0 which exhibited comparatively better matrix. Incorporation of Al from sodium aluminate were confirmed with the stretching and bending vibration of Si-O-Si and O-Si-O observations from the FTIR analysis of geopolymer specimen. The dense microstructure of SA2.0 correlate into better performance in terms of 28 days maximum compressive strength of 16.96 MPa and minimum for porosity, absorption and sorptivity among the specimens. However, due to the higher water demand to make the paste workable, the value of porosity, absorption and sorptivity were reportedly higher as compared with other geopolymer systems. Correlation regression equations were proposed to validate the interrelation between physical parameters and mechanical strength. RHA geopolymer shows comparatively lower compressive strength as compared to Fly ash geopolymer.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.675-686
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• 2015

The use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) from steel industries waste is showing perspective application in civil engineering as partial substitute to cement. Use of such waste conserves natural resources and minimizes the space required for landfill. The GGBFS used in the present work is of ultra fine size and hence serves as micro filler. In this paper strength and durability characteristics of ultra fine slag based high strength concrete (HSC) (with a characteristic compressive strength of 50 MPa) were studied. Cement was replaced with ultra fine slag in different percentages of 5, 10, and 15% to study the compressive strength, porosity, resistances against sulfate attack, sorptivity and chloride ion penetration. The experiments to study compressive strength were conducted for different ages of concrete such as 7, 28, 56, and 90 days. From the detailed investigations with 16 mix combinations, 10% ultra fine slag give better results in terms of strength and durability characteristics.