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Utilizing diatomaceous earth (DE) as a surface-treating agent of recycled aggregate (RA) for the performance modification of recycled aggregate concrete

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Abstract

This study proposes the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a surface-treating agent for recycled aggregate (RA) to enhance the performance of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The treatment process involves pre-saturating the RA and applying a coating using a slurry composed of calcined DE and ordinary Portland cement at specific proportions. Test results demonstrate that the compressive and splitting tensile strengths of RAC can be significantly improved, with increases of up to 20.0% and 36.0% respectively. Additionally, the 28-day chloride diffusion coefficient of RAC can be reduced by up to 32.0% by adjusting the proportion of DE in the slurry. These improvements are not influenced by changes in the quality of the RA, but rather by the enhanced interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in RAC. Microscopic measurements of the ITZ reveal a layered structure resulting from the surface treatment, characterized by lower porosity and higher microhardness compared to the reference RAC. This enhanced ITZ is primarily responsible for the improved macro-scale performance of RAC. The findings of this study confirm the feasibility of using DE as a surface-treating agent for RA to produce RAC with enhanced strength and durability. Furthermore, it suggests the promising use of DE in the construction industry, avoiding the drawbacks associated with using high-dosage DE that can impact concrete consistency and water demand.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support offered by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 52178121), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China (grant number 2023J01060), the Science and Technology Project of China Overseas Holdings Limited (grant number COHL-2021-Z-1-02), and the Scientific Research and Development Plan Project of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department of Shaanxi Province (2021-K49).

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  1. College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China

    Hongru Zhang, Mengtao Wan, Yuanda Wang & Bingjian He

  2. CCCC First Highway Consultants Co. LTD., Xi’an, 710065, Shaanxi, China

    Yawan Zhao

  3. China State Construction Hailong Technology Co. LTD., Shenzhen, 518110, Guangdong, China

    Jie Yao

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Zhang, H., Wan, M., Zhao, Y. et al. Utilizing diatomaceous earth (DE) as a surface-treating agent of recycled aggregate (RA) for the performance modification of recycled aggregate concrete. Mater Struct 57, 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-023-02276-9

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