The Effect of the Particle Gradation and Pre-Treatment of Aggregate on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Non-Sintered Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

Non-sintered lightweight aggregate (NSLA) produced by pelletizing and autoclaved curing has received widespread attention due to its environmental protection. However, the effect law of its characteristics, such as particle gradation and water absorption, on the performance of concrete still lacks c...

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Main Authors: Peng Deng, Xianglong Zhang, Weiting Bai, Jian Guo, Dongsong Chang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/11645
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author Peng Deng
Xianglong Zhang
Weiting Bai
Jian Guo
Dongsong Chang
author_facet Peng Deng
Xianglong Zhang
Weiting Bai
Jian Guo
Dongsong Chang
author_sort Peng Deng
collection DOAJ
description Non-sintered lightweight aggregate (NSLA) produced by pelletizing and autoclaved curing has received widespread attention due to its environmental protection. However, the effect law of its characteristics, such as particle gradation and water absorption, on the performance of concrete still lacks clear understanding. In this study, seven different gradation types of concrete were designed to investigate the influence of the particle gradation (particularly particle size) of NSLA on the mechanical properties, especially the axial compressive performance, of alkali-activated slag non-sintered lightweight aggregate concrete (AN-LAC). Meanwhile, the different pre-treatment methods for NSLA were also studied to reduce the drying shrinkage of AN-LAC caused by the high water absorption of NSLA. The results showed that the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength of AN-LAC at 3 d, 7 d, and 28 d showed an increasing trend when the average particle size decreased. The compressive strength of AN-LAC containing 3~5 and 6~10 mm NSLA at 28 days reached the maximum value of 56.7 MPa. AN-LAC containing NSLA with a small particle size exhibited improved elastic modulus. And the modified elastic modulus prediction model of AN-LAC was established considering the effect of particle size of NSLA. The NSLA, which was modified by using a silicone hydrophobic agent and pre-wetted by soaking in water, respectively, could enhance the strength of AN-LAC at 28 days. Combined with the analysis of the microscopic morphology of the ITZ, the shrinkage rate of the concrete with pre-wetted NSLA and modified NSLA at 90 days decreased by 17.7% and 10.3%, respectively.
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spelling doaj-art-a91b29391cee4700b764ab2962ac40b22024-12-27T14:07:56ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0114241164510.3390/app142411645The Effect of the Particle Gradation and Pre-Treatment of Aggregate on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Non-Sintered Lightweight Aggregate ConcretePeng Deng0Xianglong Zhang1Weiting Bai2Jian Guo3Dongsong Chang4Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Civil Engineering Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, ChinaNon-sintered lightweight aggregate (NSLA) produced by pelletizing and autoclaved curing has received widespread attention due to its environmental protection. However, the effect law of its characteristics, such as particle gradation and water absorption, on the performance of concrete still lacks clear understanding. In this study, seven different gradation types of concrete were designed to investigate the influence of the particle gradation (particularly particle size) of NSLA on the mechanical properties, especially the axial compressive performance, of alkali-activated slag non-sintered lightweight aggregate concrete (AN-LAC). Meanwhile, the different pre-treatment methods for NSLA were also studied to reduce the drying shrinkage of AN-LAC caused by the high water absorption of NSLA. The results showed that the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength of AN-LAC at 3 d, 7 d, and 28 d showed an increasing trend when the average particle size decreased. The compressive strength of AN-LAC containing 3~5 and 6~10 mm NSLA at 28 days reached the maximum value of 56.7 MPa. AN-LAC containing NSLA with a small particle size exhibited improved elastic modulus. And the modified elastic modulus prediction model of AN-LAC was established considering the effect of particle size of NSLA. The NSLA, which was modified by using a silicone hydrophobic agent and pre-wetted by soaking in water, respectively, could enhance the strength of AN-LAC at 28 days. Combined with the analysis of the microscopic morphology of the ITZ, the shrinkage rate of the concrete with pre-wetted NSLA and modified NSLA at 90 days decreased by 17.7% and 10.3%, respectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/11645non-sintered lightweight aggregategradationparticle sizealkali-activated slagelastic moduluspre-treatment of aggregate
spellingShingle Peng Deng
Xianglong Zhang
Weiting Bai
Jian Guo
Dongsong Chang
The Effect of the Particle Gradation and Pre-Treatment of Aggregate on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Non-Sintered Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
Applied Sciences
non-sintered lightweight aggregate
gradation
particle size
alkali-activated slag
elastic modulus
pre-treatment of aggregate
title The Effect of the Particle Gradation and Pre-Treatment of Aggregate on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Non-Sintered Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
title_full The Effect of the Particle Gradation and Pre-Treatment of Aggregate on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Non-Sintered Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
title_fullStr The Effect of the Particle Gradation and Pre-Treatment of Aggregate on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Non-Sintered Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of the Particle Gradation and Pre-Treatment of Aggregate on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Non-Sintered Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
title_short The Effect of the Particle Gradation and Pre-Treatment of Aggregate on the Performance of Alkali-Activated Slag Non-Sintered Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
title_sort effect of the particle gradation and pre treatment of aggregate on the performance of alkali activated slag non sintered lightweight aggregate concrete
topic non-sintered lightweight aggregate
gradation
particle size
alkali-activated slag
elastic modulus
pre-treatment of aggregate
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/11645
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