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Abstract: Belite-sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cements are low-carbon mineral binders, which require low energy consumption and allow the incorporation of various secondary raw materials in the clinker raw meal. In this study two types of unprocessed steel slags, coming from stainless steel production, were incorporated in the BCSA clinkers. The clinker phase composition, clinker reactivity, and the compressive strength of the cement were studied to evaluate the possible use of the slag in BCSA clinkers. The cement clinkers were synthesized by using natural raw materials, white titanogypsum, mill scale, as well as two different steel slags: (i) EAF S slag, which is a by-product of melting the recycled steel scrap in an electric arc furnace, and (ii) la dle slag as a by-product of the processes of secondary metallurgy, in various quantities. Raw mixtures with two different targeted phase compositions varying in belite, calcium sulfoaluminate and ferrite phases were sintered at 1250 °C. Clinker phases were determined by Rietveld quantitative phase analysis, while their distribution, morphology and incorporation of foreign ions in the phases were studied by SEM/EDS analysis. The clinker reactivity was determined by isothermal calorimetry. BCSA cements were prepared by adding titanogypsum. The compressive strength of the cement pastes was determined after 7 days of hydration. The presence of a predicted major clinker phases was confirmed by Rietveld analysis, however periclase was also detected. Microscopy revealed subhedral grains of belite and euhedral grains of calcium sulfoaluminate phases, while ferrite occurred as an interstitial phase. The results showed differences in the microstructure and reactivity of the clinker and cement, which can be attributed to varying amounts of ettringite due to different slag types
Keywords: belite-sulfoaluminate cement, cement clinker, steel slags, clinker microstructure, cement reactivity
Published in DiRROS: 19.01.2024; Views: 169; Downloads: 75
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Abstract: The influence of different curing temperatures on the hydration of belite-calcium sulfoaluminate cement was investigated at 20, 40 and 60 °C. The hydration kinetics and the hydrated phase assemblages were studied by isothermal calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis, as well as field emission scanning electron microscopy. The compressive strength development of the cement pastes was also determined. Results showed that, at early ages, hydration was faster and early compressive strength was higher at elevated temperatures than at ambient temperature. On the other hand, at late ages in cement pastes cured at 60 °C, the amount of ettringite decreased, leading to lower compressive strength, indicating that the degree of hydration was lower at higher temperatures. Moreover, at elevated temperatures prismatic ettringite crystals became smaller due to faster hydration. Other hydration products present were aluminium hydroxide, which is formed together with ettringite from the hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate and gypsum, and C–S–H which precipitates as a main hydration product of belite. Belite hydrated in a lesser amount, especially at 60 °C, when the lowest amount of C–S–H was observed.
Keywords: hydration, cement, temperature, belite, calcium sulfoaluminate, open access, hidratacija, cement, temperatura, belit, kalcijev sulfoaluminat
Published in DiRROS: 04.08.2023; Views: 273; Downloads: 194
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Abstract: The influence of temperature on the early hydration of belite-calcium sulfoaluminate cements with two different calcium sulfate to calcium sulfoaluminate molar ratios was investigated. The phase composition and phase assemblage development of cements prepared using molar ratios of 1 and 2.5 were studied at 25, 40 and 60 ◦C by in situ X-ray powder diffraction. The Rietveld refinement method was used for quantification. The degree of hydration after 24 h was highest at ambient temperatures, but early hydration was significantly accelerated at elevated temperatures. These differences were more noticeable when we increased the temperature from 25 ◦C to 40 ◦C, than it was increased from 40 ◦C to 60 ◦C. The amount of calcium sulfate added controls the amount of the precipitated ettringite, namely, the amount of ettringite increased in the cement with a higher molar ratio. The results showed that temperature also affects full width at half maximum of ettringite peaks, which indicates a decrease in crystallite size of ettringite at elevated temperatures due to faster precipitation of ettringite. When using a calcium sulfate to calcium sulfoaluminate molar ratio of 1, higher d-values of ettringite peaks were observed at elevated temperatures, suggesting that more ions were released from the cement clinker at elevated temperatures, allowing a higher ion uptake in the ettringite structure. At a molar ratio of 2.5, less clinker is available in the cement, therefore these differences were not observed.
Keywords: in situ X-ray diffraction, hydration, temperature, cement, rietveld analysis
Published in DiRROS: 26.06.2023; Views: 308; Downloads: 182
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Abstract: To increase the sustainability of prefabricated timber buildings and constructions, composite timber beams with “box” cross-sections were developed in collaboration with an industry partner. They were constructed from a solid timber frame and from webs made of residual waste wood- particle boards from prefabricated timber buildings production. The developed beams’ design concepts presented in this paper were governed by architectural features of prefabricated timber buildings, geometrical limitations, available production technology, and structural demand related to various possible applications. The paper presents the results of experimental bending tests of six variations of the developed composite timber beams constructed by mechanical fasteners only. The developed design concept of composite timber beams without adhesives is beneficial compared to glued beams in terms of design for deconstruction and lower VOC emissions. The tests were conducted to study the influence of the following parameters on the beams’ mechanical behavior: (i) web material (oriented strand boards (OSBs) vs. cement-particle boards); (ii) the influence of beam timber frame design (flanges and web stiffeners vs. flanges, web stiffeners, and compressive diagonals), and (iii) the influence of stiffener–flange joint design. Besides the beams’ load-bearing capacities, their linear and non-linear stiffness characteristics were the main research interest. While adding compressive timber diagonals did not prove to significantly increase the stiffness of the beams in the case of cement-particle board webs, it increased their load-bearing capacity by enabling the failure of flanges instead of prior webs and stiffener–flange joints failure. For beams with OSB webs, failure of the bottom flange was achieved already with the “basic” timber frame design, but timber diagonals proved beneficial to increase the stiffness characteristics. Finally, mechanical characteristics of the developed beams needed in structural design for their application are provided together with further development guidelines.
Keywords: composite timber beam, box beam, OSB, cement-particle boards, innovative engineered wood product, experimental tests, flexural performance, mechanical fasteners, open access
Published in DiRROS: 29.05.2023; Views: 252; Downloads: 151
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Abstract: The durability of Portland cement mortars is often affected by environmental factors, which can cause physicochemical and mechanical degradation processes. In this study, the performance of three products, calcium acetoacetate and calcium tetrahydrofurfuryloxide dissolved in two different solvents developed and tested as stone consolidants, was evaluated in terms of crack filling or sealing and consolidation. Realistic cracks were induced in quasibrittle cement mortar prisms using a custom-designed test rig. The effectiveness and the performance of the considered treatments, investigated on specimens, were evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopy, colourimetry, water absorption rate, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and surface hardness measurements. Results revealed that, in the examined conditions, the products were more suitable as surface consolidants than as crack fillers.
Keywords: cement mortars, 20th century architecture conservation, calcium acetoacetate, calcium alkoxide, concrete repair, open access
Published in DiRROS: 04.05.2023; Views: 348; Downloads: 202
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