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Admixtures in Cement-Matrix Composites for Mechanical Reinforcement, Sustainability, and Smart Features.

ABSTRACT: For more than a century, several inclusions have been mixed with Portland cement-nowadays the most-consumed construction material worldwide-to improve both the strength and durability required for construction. The present paper describes the different families of inclusions that can be combined with cement matrix and reviews the achievements reported to date regarding mechanical performance, as well as two other innovative functionalities of growing importance: reducing the high carbon footprint of Portland cement, and obtaining new smart features. Nanomaterials stand out in the production of such advanced features, allowing the construction of smart or multi-functional structures by means of thermal- and strain-sensing, and photocatalytic properties. The first self-cleaning concretes (photocatalytic) have reached the markets. In this sense, it is expected that smart concretes will be commercialized to address specialized needs in construction and architecture. Conversely, other inclusions that enhance strength or reduce the environmental impact remain in the research stage, in spite of the promising results reported in these issues. Despite the fact that such functionalities are especially profitable in the case of massive cement consumption, the shift from the deeply established Portland cement to green cements still has to overcome economic, institutional, and technical barriers.

SUBMITTER: Bastos G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5456999 | biostudies-other | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:The durability of a cement-based material is mainly dependent on its permeability. Modifications of porosity, pore-structure and pore-connectivity could have significant impacts on permeability improvement, which eventually leads to more durable materials. One of the most efficient solutions in this regard is to use permeability reducing admixtures (PRA). Among these admixtures for those structures exposed to hydro-static pressure, crystalline waterproofing admixtures (CWA) have been serving in the construction industries for decades and according to ACI 212-chemical admixtures' report, it has proven its capability in permeability reduction and durability-enhancement. However, there is substantial research being done on its durability properties at the macro level but very limited information available regarding its microstructural features and chemical characteristics at the micro level. Hence, this paper presents one of the first reported attempts to characterize microstructural and chemical elements of hydration products for cementitious composites with CWA called K, P and X using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Backscattered SEM images taken from a polished-section of one CWA type-K-admixture were analyzed in ImageJ to obtain paste matrix porosity, indicating a lower value for the CWA-K mixture. X-ray analysis and SEM micrographs of polished sections were examined to identify chemical compositions based on atomic ratio plots and brightness differences in backscatter-SEM images. To detect chemical elements and the nature of formed crystals, the fractured surfaces of three different CWA mixtures were examined. Cementitious composites with K admixture indicated needle-like crystal formation-though different from ettringite; X and P admixtures showed sulfur peaks in Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS) spectra, like ettringite. SEM images and X-ray analyses of mixtures incorporating Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) indicated lower-than-average porosity but showed different Si/Ca and Al/Ca atomic ratios.

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Admixtures in Cement-Matrix Composites for Mechanical Reinforcement, Sustainability, and Smart Features.

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