Determining engineering properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete modified with different waste materials

Abstract

Reprocessing solid waste materials is a low-cost method of preserving the environment, conserving natural resources, and reducing raw material consumption. Developing ultra-high-performance concrete materials requires an immense quantity of natural raw materials. The current study seeks to tackle this issue by evaluating the effect of various discarded materials, waste glass (GW), marble waste (MW), and waste rubber powder (WRP) as a partial replacement of fine aggregates on the engineering properties of sustainable ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete (UHPGPC). Ten different mixtures were developed as a partial substitute for fine aggregate, each containing 2% double-hooked end steel fibers, 5%, 10%, and 15% GW, MW, and WRP. The present study assessed the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of UHPGPC. In addition, to evaluate concrete development at the microscopic level due to the addition of GW, MW, and WRP. Spectra of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mercury intrusion (MIP) tests were conducted. The test results were compared to current trends and procedures identified in the literature. According to the study, adding 15% marble waste and 15% waste rubber powder reduced ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete’s strength, durability, and microstructure properties. Even so, adding glass waste improved the properties, as the sample with 15% GW had the highest compressive strength of 179 MPa after 90 days. Furthermore, incorporating glass waste into the UHPGPC resulted in a good reaction between the geopolymerization gel and the waste glass particles, enhancing strength properties and a packed microstructure. The inclusion of glass waste in the mix resulted in the control of crystal-shaped humps of quartz and calcite, according to XRD spectra. During the TGA analysis, the UHPGPC with 15% glass waste had the minimum weight loss (5.64%) compared to other modified samples.

A state-of-the-art review of the physical and durability characteristics and microstructure behavior of ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete

“…It was also noted that the incorporation of quartz at the proportion between 20 % and 40 % results in flowability reductions of 22 %, 28 %, and 22.5 % for the percentage of SF of 0 %, 15 %, and 30 %, respectively. Althoey et al [ 64 ] developed UHPGPC by incorporating various waste materials into its formulation. They found that the presence of WRP, GW, and MW substantially influenced the flow characteristics of UHPGPC.…”

“…Althoey et al [ 64 ] evaluated the compressive strength of UHPGPC modified with WRP, GW, and MW. The authors noted that at GW 15 %, the most enhanced compression performance of 179 MPa was observed after 90 days of curing, compared to the control sample with a strength of 161 MPa at the same duration.…”

“…8 Influence of different additives on the compression performance of UHPGPC (Data from Ref. [ 64 ]). …”

“…Moreover, samples containing 30 % SF and 2 % SFs demonstrate enhanced flexural strength compared to the mixture with 3 % SFs and 5 % SF. Althoey et al [ 64 ] evaluated the impact of WRP, MW, and GW as a partial substitute of sand on the flexural strength of UHPGPC at 28 and 90 days (see Fig. 13 ), the authors noted that the flexural strength of the UHPGPC extended from 4.8 to 12.6 MPa.…”

“…However, concrete materials can be categorized based on their porosity into entrapped, capillary, and gel pores. In a study that evaluated [ 64 ] the total porosity of UHPGPC modified with WRP, GW, and MW using mercury intrusion porosimetry, see Fig. 21 .…”