Eco-efficient self-compacting concrete with reduced Portland cement content and high volume of fly ash and metakaolin

The eco-efficient, self-compacting concrete (SCC) production, containing low levels of cement in its formulation, shall contribute for the constructions' sustainability due to the decrease in Portland cement use, to the use of industrial residue, for beyond the minimization of the energy needed for its placement and compaction. In this context, the present paper intends to assess the viability of SCC production with low cement levels by determining the fresh and hardened properties of concrete containing high levels of fly ash (FA) and also metakaolin (MK). Hence, 6 different concrete formulations were produced and tested: two reference concretes made with 300 and 500 kg/m3 of cement; the others were produced in order to evaluate the effects of high replacement levels of cement. Cement replacement by FA of 60% and by 50% of FA plus 20% of MK were tested and the addition of hydrated lime in these two types of concrete were also studied. To evaluate the self-compacting ability slump flow test, T500, J-ring, V-funnel and L-box were performed. In the hardened state the compressive strength at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 90 days of age was determined. The results showed that it is possible to produce low cement content SCC by replacing high levels of cement by mineral additions, meeting the rheological requirements for self-compacting, with moderate resistances from 25 to 30 MPa after 28 days.

Avaliação da durabilidade de concretos autoadensáveis com reduzido teor de cimento e elevados teores de adições minerais

A indústria de concreto é uma grande consumidora de recursos naturais, seja para a produção de agregados, ou para a produção de cimento Portland, onde grandes quantidades de calcário são extraídas. Além disso, a indústria do cimento tem uma grande contribuição na emissão de gases responsáveis pelo efeito estufa, portanto iniciativas que busquem reduzir o consumo de cimento nos concretos são importantes para a sustentabilidade das construções. Este trabalho avalia parâmetros de durabilidade de concretos autoadensáveis (CAA) com baixo consumo de cimento e elevados teores de cinza volante e metacaulim, com e sem a adição de cal, em comparação a dois concretos sem adições. Foram avaliados CAA com consumos de cimento entre 150 e 200 kg por m3 de concreto. Os ensaios realizados foram de resistividade, difusão de íons cloreto (LNEC E-463/2004), carbonatação acelerada e absorção por capilaridade. Os resultados demonstram a aptidão em produzir CAA com misturas terciárias e quaternárias com baixo consumo e que atendam as resistências correntes aos 28 dias (30 a 40 MPa), proporcionando ainda ganhos acentuados na durabilidade e elevadas resistências aos 90 dias.

PTX3-based genetic testing for risk of aspergillosis after lung transplant

PTX3-based genetic testing for risk of aspergillosis after lung transplant

An experimental investigation on nano-TiO2 and fly ash based high performance concrete

High performance concrete (HPC) offers several advantages over normal-strength concrete, namely, high mechanical strength and high durability. Therefore, HPC allows for concrete structures with less steel reinforcement and a longer service life, both of which are crucial issues in the eco-efficiency of construction materials. Nevertheless international publications on the field of concrete containing nanoparticles are scarce when compared to Portland cement concrete (around 1%) of the total international publications. HPC nanoparticle-based publications are even scarcer. This article presents the results of an experimental investigation on the mechanical properties and durability of HPC based on nano-TiO2 and fly ash. The durability performance was assessed by means of water absorption by immersion, water absorption by capillarity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, electric resistivity, chloride diffusion and resistance to sulphuric acid attack. The results show that the concretes containing an increased content of nano-TiO2 show decreased durability performance. The results also show that concrete with 1% nano-TiO2 and 30% fly ash as Portland cement replacement show a high mechanical strength (C55/C67) and a high durability. However, it should be noted that the cost of nano-TiO2 is responsible for a severe increase in the cost of concrete mixtures.