Browsing by Author "Forero, J. A."
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- Fracture behaviour of concrete with reactive magnesium oxide as alternative binderPublication . Forero, J. A.; Bravo, M.; Pacheco, João; De Brito, Jorge; Evangelista, LuisThis research evaluates the fracture behavior of concrete with reactive magnesium oxide (MgO). Replacing cement with MgO is an attractive option for the concrete industry, mainly due to sustainability benefits and reduction of shrinkage. Four different MgO's from Australia, Canada, and Spain were used in the concrete mixes, as a partial substitute of cement, at 5%, 10%, and 20% (by weight). The fracture toughness (K-I) intensity factor and the stress-strain softening parameters of the wedge split test were evaluated after 28 days. The experimental results showed that the replacement of cement with MgO reduced the fracture energy between 13% and 53%. Moreover, the fracture energy was found to be correlated with both compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. A well-defined relationship between these properties is important for an adequate prediction of the non-linear behavior of reinforced concrete structures made with partial replacement of cement with MgO.
- Mechanical and fracture properties of concrete with recycled concrete aggregates treated with acids and addition of aluminium sulphatePublication . Forero, J. A.; de Brito, J.; Evangelista, Luís; Pereira, C. H. F.The use of recycled aggregates, particularly concrete waste aggregate, has gained increasing popularity and has become current practice in day-to-day applications in many countries. Enhancing the physical and morphological characteristics of this type of aggregate is crucial to promote its widespread adoption. This study investigates the mechanical and fracture properties of concrete incorporating 100 % recycled concrete coarse aggregate (RCA), both untreated and treated with acid solutions of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4), and addition to the addition of aluminium sulphate (AS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques were employed to characterize the cement and aluminium sulphate (AS). The performance of all mixes was evaluated in terms of mechanical properties, including compressive strength, tensile strength, and secant modulus of elasticity. Experimental fracture tests were conducted using the wedge splitting method on notched specimens aged for 28 days. The results demonstrate an improvement in the mechanical behaviour and fracture resistance of mixes incorporating RCA treated with acid solutions at concentrations of 0.3 M, 1 M, and 3 M for HCl, as well as at a concentration of 0.3 M for H2SO4. However, a decrease in properties was observed at higher concentrations of H2SO4 (1 M and 3 M). Furthermore, the addition of AS also resulted in improvements compared to mixes containing RCA.
- Ternary mixes of self-compacting concrete with fly ash and municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ashPublication . Simões, B.; Raposeiro Da Silva, Pedro; Silva, R.V.; Avila, Yoleimy; Forero, J. A.This study aims to evaluate the potential of incorporating fly ash (FA) and municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash (MIBA) as a partial substitute of cement in the production of self-compacting concrete mixes through an experimental campaign in which four replacement levels (i.e., 10% FA + 20% MIBA, 20% FA + 10% MIBA, 20% FA + 40% MIBA and 40% FA + 20% MIBA, apart from the reference concrete) were considered. Compressive and tensile strengths, Young's modulus, ultra-sonic pulse velocity, shrinkage, water absorption by immersion, chloride diffusion coefficient and electrical resistivity were evaluated for all concrete mixes. The results showed a considerable decline in both mechanical and durability-related performances of self-compacting concrete with 60% of substitution by MIBA mainly due to the aluminium corrosion chemical reaction. However, workability properties were not significantly affected, exhibiting values similar to those of the control mix.