Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of slag and zeolite on mechanical properties and durability of rapid strengthening ultra-high-performance concrete

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Multiscale and Multidisciplinary Modeling, Experiments and Design Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rapid strengthening ultra-high-performance concretes (RS-UHPCs) have great potential in repair applications and precast elements manufacturing. Using industrial and natural pozzolans to reduce cement consumption and carbon dioxide footprint can be a crucial step in the industrial and economic development of UHPCs. In this study, by introducing ten mix designs based on UHPC and replacing 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight of silica fume with single pozzolans including slag and zeolite separately and a combination of percentages of both pozzolans as a silica fume replacement up to 15% by weight, various tests, including evolutions in internal temperature, setting time, compressive strength, and electrical resistivity in early and higher ages and final water absorption were performed on the specimens. The test results revealed that each of the pozzolans exhibits a different behavior during the hardening period, early and higher ages. In addition, a strong mathematical correlation was found between the results of various mechanical and durability tests. Slag and zeolite in amount of 5% cement weight in the mix designs, acquired the best results in terms of mechanical and durability properties, and percentages of 15% in single and complex conditions gave relatively lower results. The microstructural evaluation of the two optimal designs showed the increased compaction and improved C.S.H. growth due to pozzolan replacement with silica fume.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data set analyzed during the current study is available and can be provided upon request.

References

  • AASHTO TP 95-11 (2011) Standard test method for surface resistivity indication of concrete’s ability to resist chloride ion penetration. Aashto

  • Ahmad I, Shen D, Khan KA, Jan A, Khubaib M, Ahmad T, Nasir H (2022) Effectiveness of limestone powder in controlling the shrinkage behavior of cement based system: a review. Silicon

  • Ahmadi B, Shekarchi M (2010) Use of natural zeolite as a supplementary cementitious material. Cem Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2009.10.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Society for Testing and Materials (2008) ASTM C191-08 standard test methods for time of setting of hydraulic cement by vicat needle. Annual Book of ASTM Standards 191-04

  • An GH, Park JM, Cha SL, Kim JK (2016) Development of a portable device and compensation method for the prediction of the adiabatic temperature rise of concrete. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.10.143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM C348-21 (2021) Standard test method for flexural strength of hydraulic-cement mortars. ASTM International, 04

  • ASTM C494 (2013) Standard specification for chemical admixtures for concrete. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 04

  • ASTM International (2005) C109/C109M-05. Standard test method for compressive strength of hydraulic cement mortars. Annual Book of ASTM Standards

  • ASTM International (2017) ASTM C1856/C1856M-17—standard practice for fabricating and testing specimens of ultra-high performance concrete. ASTM International, 04.02

  • ASTM (2019) ASTM C150/C150M-19a standard specification for Portland cement. Annual Book of ASTM Standards

  • ASTM (2020) ASTM C1240 standard specification for silica fume used in cementitious mixtures. Annual Book of ASTM Standards

  • ASTM-C642 (2013) ASTM C642-13 standard test method for density, absorption, and voids in hardened concrete. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, (3)

  • Bahmani H, Mostofinejad D (2022) Microstructure of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)—a review study. J Build Eng 50:104118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bajaber MA, Hakeem IY (2021) UHPC evolution, development, and utilization in construction: a review. J Mater Res Technol 10:1058–1074

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • British Standards Institution (2019) BS EN 12390-3:2019. Testing hardened concrete part 3: compressive strength of test specimens. BSI Standards Publication

  • Caputo D, Liguori B, Colella C (2008) Some advances in understanding the pozzolanic activity of zeolites: the effect of zeolite structure. Cem Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2007.08.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadli M, Tebbal N, Mellas M (2020) Study of the mechanical behavior of a reactive powder concrete containing fibers. In: Proceedings of the 4th international symposium on materials and sustainable development

  • Chan SYN, Ji X (1999) Comparative study of the initial surface absorption and chloride diffusion of high performance zeolite, silica fume and PFA concretes. Cem Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0958-9465(99)00010-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cosoli G, Mobili A, Tittarelli F, Revel GM, Chiariotti P (2020) Electrical resistivity and electrical impedance measurement in mortar and concrete elements: a systematic review. Appl Sci (switzerland). https://doi.org/10.3390/app10249152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du J, Meng W, Khayat KH, Bao Y, Guo P, Lyu Z, Abu-obeidah A, Nassif H, Wang H (2021) New development of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Compos B Eng 224:109220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghasemzadeh Mosavinejad SH, Langaroudi MAM, Barandoust J, Ghanizadeh A (2020) Electrical and microstructural analysis of UHPC containing short PVA fibers. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gholhaki M, Kheyroddin A, Hajforoush M, Kazemi M (2018) An investigation on the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete incorporating magnetic water with various pozzolanic materials. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gorzelańczyk T, Hoła J (2011) Pore structure of self-compacting concretes made using different superplasticizers. Arch Civ Mech Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1644-9665(12)60104-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hajforoush M, Madandoust R, Kazemi M (2019) Effects of simultaneous utilization of natural zeolite and magnetic water on engineering properties of self-compacting concrete. Asian J Civ Eng 20(2):289–300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-018-00106-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jan A, Pu Z, Khan KA, Ahmad I, Khan I (2022) Effect of glass fibers on the mechanical behavior as well as energy absorption capacity and toughness indices of concrete bridge decks. SILICON. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-01026-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim H, Koh T, Pyo S (2016) Enhancing flowability and sustainability of ultra high performance concrete incorporating high replacement levels of industrial slags. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Wu Z, Shi C, Yuan Q, Zhang Z (2020) Durability of ultra-high performance concrete—a review. Constr Build Mater 255:119296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, El-Tawil S, Hansen W, Wang F (2018) Effect of slag cement on the properties of ultra-high performance concrete. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.09.173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansoori A, Mohtasham Moein M, Mohseni E (2020) Effect of micro silica on fiber-reinforced self-compacting composites containing ceramic waste. J Compos Mater. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998320944570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moein MM, Soliman A (2022) Predicting the compressive strength of alkali-activated concrete using various data mining methods. In: Canadian society of civil engineering annual conference. Springer Nature, Singapore, pp 317–326

  • Moein MM, Mousavi SY, Madandoust R, Naser Saeid HNS (2019) The impact resistance of steel fiber reinforcement concrete under different curing conditions: experimental and statistical analysis. J Civ Environ Eng 49(94):109–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Moein MM, Saradar A, Rahmati K, Hatami Shirkouh A, Sadrinejad I, Aramali V, Karakouzian M (2022) Investigation of impact resistance of high-strength portland cement concrete containing steel fibers. Cem Mater High Perform Concr 15(20):1–30. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15207157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moein MM, Saradar A, Rahmati K, Ghasemzadeh Mousavinejad SH, Bristow J, Aramali V, Karakouzian M (2023a) Predictive models for concrete properties using machine learning and deep learning approaches: a review. J Build Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moein MM, Saradar A, Rahmati K, Rezakhani Y, Ashkan SA, Karakouzian M (2023b) Reliability analysis and experimental investigation of impact resistance of concrete reinforced with polyolefin fiber in different shapes, lengths, and doses. J Build Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mosavinejad HG, Saradar A, Tahmouresi B (2018) Hoop stress-strain in fiber-reinforced cementitious composite thin-walled cylindrical shells. J Mater Civ Eng 30(10):1–12. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mounira C, Nadia T, Mekki M (2021) Study of mechanical and elastic properties of reactive powder concrete. Alger J Eng Res 5:11–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Pezeshkian M, Delnavaz A, Delnavaz M (2020) Effect of natural zeolite on mechanical properties and autogenous shrinkage of ultrahigh-performance concrete. J Mater Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0002968

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pezeshkian M, Delnavaz A, Delnavaz M (2021) Development of UHPC mixtures using natural zeolite and glass sand as replacements of silica fume and quartz sand. Eur J Environ Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2019.1610074

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poon CS, Lam L, Kou SC, Lin ZS (1999) A study on the hydration rate of natural zeolite blended cement pastes. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-0618(99)00048-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahmati K, Saradar A, Mohtasham Moein M, Sardrinejad I, Bristow J, Yavari A, Karakouzian M (2022) Evaluation of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers under compressive, direct tensile, and drop-weight test. Multiscale Multidiscip Model Exp Design. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41939-022-00135-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadrmomtazi A, Tahmouresi B, Saradar A (2018) Effects of silica fume on mechanical strength and microstructure of basalt fiber reinforced cementitious composites (BFRCC). Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadrmomtazi A, Noorollahi Z, Tahmouresi B, Saradar A (2019) Effects of hauling time on self-consolidating mortars containing metakaolin and natural zeolite. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saradar A, Tahmouresi B, Mohseni E, Shadmani A (2018) Restrained shrinkage cracking of fiber-reinforced high-strength concrete. Fibers. https://doi.org/10.3390/fib6010012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saradar A, Nemati P, Paskiabi AS, Moein MM, Moez H, Vishki EH (2020) Prediction of mechanical properties of lightweight basalt fiber reinforced concrete containing silica fume and fly ash: experimental and numerical assessment. J Build Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101732

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sbia LA, Peyvandi A, Harsini I, Lu J, Abideen SU, Weerasiri RR, Balachandra AM, Soroushian P (2017) Study on field thermal curing of ultra-high-performance concrete employing heat of hydration. ACI Mater J. https://doi.org/10.14359/51689677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sengul O (2012) Factors affecting the electrical resistivity of concrete. RILEM Bookseries, p 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0723-8_38

  • Shadmani A, Tahmouresi B, Saradar A, Mohseni E (2018) Durability and microstructure properties of SBR-modified concrete containing recycled asphalt pavement. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.080

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma R, Jang JG, Bansal PP (2022) A comprehensive review on effects of mineral admixtures and fibers on engineering properties of ultra-high-performance concrete. J Build Eng 45:10331

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaukat AJ, Feng H, Khitab A, Jan A (2020) Effect of admixtures on mechanical properties of cementitious mortar. Civ Eng J (iran). https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-2020-03091610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi C, Wu Z, Xiao J, Wang D, Huang Z, Fang Z (2015) A review on ultra high performance concrete: part I. Raw materials and mixture design. Constr Build Mater 101:741–751

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soliman AM, Nehdi ML (2013) Effect of partially hydrated cementitious materials and superabsorbent polymer on early-age shrinkage of UHPC. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.12.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stein B, Kramer B, Pyle T, Shatnawi S (2010) Rapid strength concrete for rehabilitation and improvement of pavements. In: First international conference on pavement preservation, pp 411–426

  • Tahmouresi B, Nemati P, Asadi MA, Saradar A, Mohtasham Moein M (2021) Mechanical strength and microstructure of engineered cementitious composites: a new configuration for direct tensile strength, experimental and numerical analysis. Constr Build Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tebbal N, Rahmouni ZEA (2016) Influence of local sand on the physicomechanical comportment and durability of high performance concrete. Adv Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3897064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United States Department of Transportation (2002) FHWA MCL Project # 9902/use of fast-setting hydraulic cement concrete for interstate concrete pavement rehabilitation

  • Viviani M, Lanzoni L, Savino V, Tarantino AM (2022) An auto-calibrating semi-adiabatic calorimetric methodology for strength prediction and quality control of ordinary and ultra-high-performance concretes. Materials. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15010087

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Shi C, Wu Z, Xiao J, Huang Z, Fang Z (2015) A review on ultra high performance concrete: Part II. Hydration, microstructure and properties. Constr Build Mater 96:368–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Yu R, Song Q, Shui Z, Liu Z, Wu S, Hou D (2019) Optimized design of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with a high wet packing density. Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.105921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Wu D, Zhang J, Yu R, Hou D, Shui Z (2021) Design of sustainable ultra-high performance concrete: a review. Constr Build Mater 307:124643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei X, Xiao L (2013) Electrical resistivity monitoring and characterisation of early age concrete. Mag Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1680/macr.12.00127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woo HM, Kim CY, Yeon JH (2018) Heat of hydration and mechanical properties of mass concrete with high-volume GGBFS replacements. J Therm Anal Calorim. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-017-6914-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao R, Deng ZC, Shen C (2014) Properties of ultra high performance concrete containing superfine cement and without silica fume. J Adv Concr Technol. https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.12.73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yalçınkaya Ç, Çopuroğlu O (2021) Hydration heat, strength and microstructure characteristics of UHPC containing blast furnace slag. J Build Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yazici H, Yardimci MY, Yiǧiter H, Aydin S, Türkel S (2010) Mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete containing high volumes of ground granulated blast furnace slag. Cem Concr Compos. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2010.07.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu R, Spiesz P, Brouwers HJH (2014) Mix design and properties assessment of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Cem Concr Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.11.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

    Ataollah Hajati Modaraei & Bijan Bijan

Authors
  1. Ataollah Hajati Modaraei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bijan Bijan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

AHM supervised the research. BBN conducted the research, wrote the main manuscript text and prepared the figures and tables.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bijan Bijan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hajati Modaraei, A., Bijan, B. Effects of slag and zeolite on mechanical properties and durability of rapid strengthening ultra-high-performance concrete. Multiscale and Multidiscip. Model. Exp. and Des. 7, 787–800 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41939-023-00245-x

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41939-023-00245-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation