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•The results of fracture toughness KIIc of fly ash concrete were validated through DIC method.•There is a correlation between KIIc parameter obtained by using two measuring ...devices.•Fracture processes based on the images of major strain and displacement X were analyzed.•An original solution for measuring the actual length of a crack propagating in the material were presented.•A new sophisticated crack tip tracking (CTT) method was introduced.
This article focuses on the analysis of fracture processes in fly ash (FA) concrete considering the second model of cracking. The basic parameter of fracture mechanics in concrete elements according to Mode II fracture, i.e. KIIc, was determined. Two measuring devices were used in the studies. One of them was the Digital Image Correlation (DIC), which is now a popular and extensively used metrology technique. During the experiments, an attempt was made to validate the results of fracture toughness obtained in strength press tests. The main goal of the studies was to confirm the convergence and determine the discrepancy ranges, between the KIIc results obtained on the MTS 810 press and using the DIC technique. During the investigations a new concept was proposed in the analysis of concrete fracture processes under Mode II using the DIC method, i.e. evaluation the fracture toughness of the composite by the direct testing of the material with an initial defect – in the crack propagation area (Fig. 7b). In addition, it was attempted to determine the usefulness of the DIC system for the analysis of initial cracks development in concrete elements subjected to shear. For this purpose, basing on the images of major strains and displacements in the X direction, an in-depth assessment of the initial cracks growth was made. The article also presents an original, sophisticated solution for measuring the actual length of a propagating crack in the material with the use of the crack tip tracking (CTT) method. Principal strains ε11 were used to visualise the cracks, while their length was determined as the sum of the relative crack increments (generated at successive stages of the loading of the specimen) measured on the XY plane (rel XY).
Disposal of the coal fly ash (CFA) generated from thermal power plants in huge quantities is one of the major concerns for the industry, as well as the natural environment. On the other hand, CFA can ...be used within a certain percentage range in the cement concrete mix as a replacement for cement. Nanomaterials can also be used to improve the properties of concrete. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of nanosilica (nS) on the mechanical parameters and microstructure of CFA cement concretes. This study utilized an nS content of 5%, along with three CFA contents, i.e., of 0, 15, and 25% by volume. Mechanical property tests and a thorough overview of changes in the structure of modified concrete were carried out to study the effect of the CFA content on the analyzed parameters of concrete containing nS. This study had the goal of elucidating the reinforcing mechanisms of CFA concrete by nS and providing design guidance for the practical engineering applications of CFA-nS composites. Based on the conducted studies, it was found that the combined usage of nS and CFA has synergistic and positive effects on improving mechanical parameters and microstructure in such concretes. The combined strengthening of a cement matrix by nS and CFA can fill the pores and microcracks in concrete composites and effectively improve the mechanical properties and microstructure of such materials. In this study, the optimal improvement was achieved when the concentration of additions was 5% nS and 15% CFA. The 28-day compressive strength and splitting tensile strength were increased by 37.68 and 36.21%, respectively, in comparison to control concrete. Tailored blended cements composed of nS and CFA content (up to 30% replacement level) can significantly improve the parameters of concrete composites, as well as reduce the carbon footprint of cement-based materials—constituting a step toward the production of eco-friendly concretes.
This study presents test results and in-depth discussion regarding the measurement of the fracture mechanics parameters of new concrete composites based on quaternary blended cements (QBC). A ...composition of the two most commonly used mineral additives, i.e., fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF), in combination with nanosilica (nS), has been proposed as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) binder. Four series of concrete were made, one of which was the reference concrete (REF) and the remaining three were QBC. During the research, the main mechanical parameters of compressive strength (fcm) and splitting tensile strength (fctm), as well as fracture mechanics parameters and the critical stress intensity factor KIcS, along with critical crack-tip opening displacements (CTODc) were investigated. Based on the tests, it was found that the total addition of siliceous materials, i.e., SF + nS without FA, increases the strength and fracture parameters of concrete by approximately 40%. On the other hand, supplementing the composition of the binder with SF and nS with 5% of FA additive causes an increase in all mechanical parameters by approximately 10%, whereas an increase by another 10% in the FA content in the concrete mix causes a significant decrease in all the analyzed factors by 10%, compared to the composite with the addition of silica modifiers only.
Studies were carried out to find a relation between the important physical property, i.e., water absorption and the main mechanical parameter, i.e., compressive strength (
), of concretes containing ...coal fly ash (CFA) in the amounts of 0% (CFA-00), 20% (CFA-20%), and 30% (CFA-30). The methodology of the water absorption tests reflected the conditions prevailing in the case of reinforced concrete structures operating below the water table. The microstructure of all materials was also assessed. Based on the conducted studies, it was found that both the
of concretes with the addition of CFA and its water absorption depended on the percentage of waste used, whereas both analyzed parameters were closely related to the structure of the cement matrix and interfacial transition zone area between the coarse aggregates and the paste. It should be stated that at the content of 20% CFA in the binder composition, an increase in the
of the material is observed, with a simultaneous increase in its water absorption. On the other hand, the addition of 30% CFA results in a significant decrease in both the strength of the composite and its water absorption. Thus, it was found that in the case of concretes with the addition of CFA, the strength of the material is directly proportional to the level of its water absorption. Moreover, the concrete including 30% CFA may increase the durability of reinforced concrete structures subjected to immersion conditions. From an application point of view, the obtained research results may be helpful in understanding the impact of the CFA additive on the level of water absorption in cement concretes with this waste.
The article presents studies of plain concretes prepared based on a quaternary binder containing various percentages of selected supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). The possibilities of ...nanotechnology in concrete technology were also used. An additional important environmental goal of the proposed solution was to create the possibility of reducing CO2 emissions and the carbon footprint generated during the production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). As the main substitute for the OPC, siliceous fly ash (FA) was used. Moreover, silica fume (SF) and nanosilica (nS) were also used. During examinations, the main mechanical properties of composites, i.e., compressive strength (fcm) and splitting tensile strength (fctm), were assessed. The microstructure of these materials was also analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition to the experimental research, simulations of the possible reduction of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, as a result of the proposed solutions, were also carried out. It was found that the quaternary concrete is characterized by a well-developed structure and has high values of mechanical parameters. Furthermore, the use of green concrete based on quaternary binders enables a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. Therefore quaternary green concrete containing SCMs could be a useful alternative to plain concretes covering both the technical and environmental aspects. The present study indicates that quaternary binders can perform better than OPC as far as mechanical properties and microstructures are concerned. Therefore they can be used during the production of durable concretes used to perform structures in traditional and industrial construction.
•Determination of the fracture toughness KIcS and CTODc in concretes containing: 0, 20 and 30% volume content of FA additive.•Application of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) measurements to fly ash ...concrete.•Two measuring devices were used in the studies, i.e. MTS 810 press and DIC system.•Linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics parameters were analyzed.•The DIC system allows accurate and precise examination of the KIcS and CTODc.
In this paper, the fracture toughness during Mode I loading of concretes containing the 0%, 20% and 30% addition of class F fly ash (FA), was investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the critical stress intensity factor KIcS and the critical crack tip opening displacement CTODc in the concrete with FA. The above parameters were determined based on the results obtained from the MTS 810 press and the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system with ARAMIS software. The concrete with the 20% addition of FA is characterized by high fracture toughness, while the concrete with the 30% addition of FA – low fracture toughness. The values of fracture mechanics parameters calculated on the basis of data obtained from the ARAMIS system show the behaviour of the structural material directly at the moment the initial crack initiation. The presented results of the research show the usefulness of the DIC method in experiments of that type.
This article is devoted to the study of the combined effect of siliceous fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), and nanosilica (nS) on the cement matrix morphology and size of microcracks occurring in the ...Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) between the coarse aggregate and the cement paste of concrete composites based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The manuscript contains analyses of width of microcracks (Wc) occurring in the ITZ area of concretes based on quaternary blended cements and changes in ITZ morphology in the concretes in question. Experiments were planned for four types of concrete. Three of them were composites based on quaternary blended cements (QBC), while the fourth was reference concrete (REF). Based on the observations of the matrices of individual composites, it was found that the REF concrete was characterized by the most heterogeneous structure. However, substitution of part of the cement binder with active pozzolanic additives resulted in a more compact and homogenous structure of the cement matrix in each of the QBC series concretes. Moreover, when analyzing the average Wc values, it should be stated that the modification of the basic structure of the cement matrix present in the REF concrete resulted in a significant reduction of the analyzed parameter in all concretes of the QBC series. For QBC-1, QBC-2, and QBC-3, the Wc values were 0.70 μm, 0.59 μm, and 0.79 μm, respectively, indicating a decrease of 38%, almost 48%, and 30%, respectively, compared with the working condition of concrete without additives. On the basis of the above results, it can therefore be concluded that the proposed modification of the binder composition in the analyzed materials clearly leads to homogenization of the composite structure and limitation of initial internal damages in concrete.
Cracks and cavities belong to two basic forms of damage to the concrete structure, which may reduce the load-bearing capacity and tightness of the structure and lead to failures and catastrophes in ...construction structures. Excessive and uncontrolled cracking of the structural element may cause both corrosion and weakening of the adhesion of the reinforcement present in it. Moreover, cracking in the structure negatively affects its aesthetics and in extreme cases may cause discomfort to people staying in such a building. Therefore, the following article provides an in-depth review of issues related to the formation and development of damage and cracking in the structure of concrete composites. It focuses on the causes of crack initiation and characterizes their basic types. An overview of the most commonly used methods for detecting and analyzing the shape of microcracks and diagnosing the trajectory of their propagation is also presented. The types of cracks occurring in concrete composites can be divided according to eight specific criteria. In reinforced concrete elements, macrocracks depend on the type of prevailing loads, whereas microcracks are correlated with their specific case. The analyses conducted show that microcracks are usually rectilinear in shape in tensioned elements; in shear elements there are wing microcracks with straight wings; and torsional stresses cause changes in wing microcrack morphology in that the tips of the wings are twisted. It should be noted that the subject matter of microcracks and cracks in concrete and structures made of this material is important in many respects as it concerns, in a holistic approach, the durability of buildings, the safety of people staying in the buildings, and costs related to possible repairs to damaged structural elements. Therefore, this problem should be further investigated in the field of evaluation of the cracking and fracture processes, both in concrete composites and reinforced concrete structures.
This study investigated the influence of the curing time on the fracture toughness of concrete produced with different content of low calcium fly ash (LCFA). During the study, the amounts of 20% and ...30% of pozzolanic additive were used. In order to observe the effect of the applied pozzolanic additive on the analyzed concrete properties, the obtained results were compared with the values obtained for the reference concrete. Compressive strength—fcm and fracture toughness, by using mode II loading—KIIc (shearing), were determined between the 3rd and 365th days of curing. In the course of experiments, changes in the development of cracks in individual series of concrete were also analyzed. In addition, the microstructures of all composites and the nature of macroscopic crack propagation in mature concretes were assessed. It was observed that the greatest increase in fracture toughness at shear was in the case of reference concrete during the first 28 days, whereas, in the case of concretes containing LCFA, in the period of time above 4 weeks. Furthermore, concrete without the LCFA additives were characterized by a brittle fracture. In contrast to it, concretes with LCFA additives are mainly characterized by a quasi-plastic process of failure. Moreover, most of the samples showed a typical pattern of the destruction that occurs as a result of shearing. The presented test results may be helpful in selecting the composition of concrete mixtures containing LCFA to be used in concrete and reinforced concrete structures subjected to shear loads.
This paper introduced a new concrete composites made by quaternary binder by partially replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with different percentages of supplementary cementitious materials ...(SCMs). The motivation is to reduce our dependency on OPC to reduce CO 2 emission and carbon foot print. As the main substitute for the OPC, siliceous fly ash was used (FA). Moreover, silica fume (SF) and nanosilica (nS) were also used. This study utilized the following contents of SCMs used: 5% of nS; 10% of SF; 0, 15, and 25% of FA. During examinations the main mechanical properties of concrete composites, i.e. compressive strength ( f cm ) and splitting tensile strength ( f ctm ) were assed. The brittleness of these materials was also analysed. Based on the conducted studies, it was found that concrete composite based on quaternary blended cements, of series Mix3, has shown the best results in terms of good strength parameters, whereas the worst mechanical parameters were characterized by concrete of series Mix4. On the other hand, concrete including only SF and nS (Mix2 series) were characterized by the greatest brittleness. It was observed that f cm of concrete composites for series Mix2, Mix3, and Mix4 increase of 41%, 48%, and 31% respectively compared with the concrete without additives, i.e. series Mix1. In addition, f ctm also increase of 39%, 47%, and 30%, respectively, for the three series mentioned above, compared with the control concrete. Concrete of series Mix3, with high mechanical properties and demonstrating the features of quasi-plastic material, i.e. having lower brittleness, can be used in concrete and reinforced concrete structures subjected mainly to dynamic and cyclic loads. Therefore, it can be used, in the construction of foundation structures for machines and other types of structures in which the above-mentioned loads are dominant.
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