Experimental Study on the Application of Cementless Material with Industrial By-Products to Steam-Cured Precast Concrete Products

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to apply a cementless binder using industrial by-products (fly ash, ground-granulated blast furnace slag, and silica fume) to precast concrete products. In this binder, calcium hydroxide was included as an alkali stimulant but Portland cement was not included. Experiments on the compressive strength and durability of this type of material were conducted and its applicability to precast concrete products was investigated using full-scale specimens. The experiments proved that high-temperature steam curing is effective at obtaining strength development and that compressive strength can be expressed as a linear function of the binder–water ratio. Experimental results of chloride ion diffusion coefficient and sulfuric acid resistance suggested that the proposed material has higher resistances than conventional cement concrete against these deterioration factors. It was also demonstrated that full-scale specimens of a box culvert and a centrifugally compacted pipe using this type of material have almost the same load-bearing capacity and deformation performance as those using conventional cement concrete. It is believed that the proposed material could be used as a construction material instead of cement concrete, contribute to reducing CO2 emission, and increase the reuse of industrial by-products.

Thermal Effects on Prefabricated Box Culverts and Implications for Joint Performance under Elevated Temperatures

“…The acceleration of urbanisation worldwide necessitates the urgent refinement of transportation networks. Prefabricated box culverts, a novel structural component, are gaining widespread attention within the engineering domain due to their rapid construction, minimal environmental impact, and significant economic benefits [1][2][3][4]. However, the unpredictability of high-temperature scenarios in real-world applications, such as fires and high-temperature industrial processes, places emphasis on the safety and temperature distribution of these culverts [5][6][7].…”

Examining the Influence of Thermal Stress on the Seismic Resilience of Prefabricated Box Culverts

“…The exploration of seismic resilience of prefabricated box culverts is instrumental as it not only provides a scientific foundation for both design and construction, but also facilitates the effective prediction and assessment of safety and reliability under specified conditions [11,12]. It is acknowledged that thermal stress, particularly at elevated temperatures, holds the potential to significantly influence the performance of these structures, a factor that becomes increasingly critical under extreme conditions such as seismic events [13]. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of how thermal stress impacts the seismic behavior of prefabricated box culverts, especially when subjected to elevated temperatures, is deemed imperative for the assurance of both public safety and engineering integrity.…”