Study on freeze-thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low-field NMR relaxation

To investigate the effect of fly ash (FA) replacements of cement on the freeze-thaw resistance and microscopic pore structure of reactive powder concrete (RPC), a rapid freeze-thaw test on RPC with different fly ash replacement content was conducted. The macroscopic degradation of RPC was assessed b...

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Main Authors: Dehong Wang, Hongji Zhang, Pang Chen, Yanzhong Ju, Peng Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525001329
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author Dehong Wang
Hongji Zhang
Pang Chen
Yanzhong Ju
Peng Guo
author_facet Dehong Wang
Hongji Zhang
Pang Chen
Yanzhong Ju
Peng Guo
author_sort Dehong Wang
collection DOAJ
description To investigate the effect of fly ash (FA) replacements of cement on the freeze-thaw resistance and microscopic pore structure of reactive powder concrete (RPC), a rapid freeze-thaw test on RPC with different fly ash replacement content was conducted. The macroscopic degradation of RPC was assessed by measuring and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME) and mass loss. Furthermore, the pore structure deterioration of RPC was examined using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The models for freeze-thaw damage and RDME attenuation in RPC were developed. The results demonstrate that an appropriate cement replacement with FA can fill the internal pores of the matrix and fully react with Ca(OH)2 for secondary hydration, significantly reduce the number of harmful pores in RPC and optimize the pore size distribution, thus inhibiting the generation of cracks during the freeze-thaw cycle. This replacement leads to reduced mass loss of RPC during cycles and an increase in RDME. When the FA replacement was 15 %, the mass loss rate and RDME of RPC after 1100 cycles were 0.136 % and 63.31 %, indicating that the matrix maintained high density. However, when the FA replacement was 35 %, the mass loss rate and RDME of RPC after 600 freeze-thaw cycles reached 0.148 % and 51.37 %, respectively. Excessive FA replacement accelerates the deterioration of the pore structure and weakens the freeze-thaw resistance of RPC.
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spelling doaj-art-4844a0021f2b43db8afefb30cc3093ce2025-01-31T05:11:20ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e04334Study on freeze-thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low-field NMR relaxationDehong Wang0Hongji Zhang1Pang Chen2Yanzhong Ju3Peng Guo4School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China; Corresponding authors.School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China; Corresponding authors.School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, ChinaTo investigate the effect of fly ash (FA) replacements of cement on the freeze-thaw resistance and microscopic pore structure of reactive powder concrete (RPC), a rapid freeze-thaw test on RPC with different fly ash replacement content was conducted. The macroscopic degradation of RPC was assessed by measuring and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME) and mass loss. Furthermore, the pore structure deterioration of RPC was examined using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The models for freeze-thaw damage and RDME attenuation in RPC were developed. The results demonstrate that an appropriate cement replacement with FA can fill the internal pores of the matrix and fully react with Ca(OH)2 for secondary hydration, significantly reduce the number of harmful pores in RPC and optimize the pore size distribution, thus inhibiting the generation of cracks during the freeze-thaw cycle. This replacement leads to reduced mass loss of RPC during cycles and an increase in RDME. When the FA replacement was 15 %, the mass loss rate and RDME of RPC after 1100 cycles were 0.136 % and 63.31 %, indicating that the matrix maintained high density. However, when the FA replacement was 35 %, the mass loss rate and RDME of RPC after 600 freeze-thaw cycles reached 0.148 % and 51.37 %, respectively. Excessive FA replacement accelerates the deterioration of the pore structure and weakens the freeze-thaw resistance of RPC.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525001329Reactive powder concreteFly ashFreeze-thaw cycleDurabilityPore structureNuclear Magnetic Resonance
spellingShingle Dehong Wang
Hongji Zhang
Pang Chen
Yanzhong Ju
Peng Guo
Study on freeze-thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low-field NMR relaxation
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Reactive powder concrete
Fly ash
Freeze-thaw cycle
Durability
Pore structure
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
title Study on freeze-thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low-field NMR relaxation
title_full Study on freeze-thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low-field NMR relaxation
title_fullStr Study on freeze-thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low-field NMR relaxation
title_full_unstemmed Study on freeze-thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low-field NMR relaxation
title_short Study on freeze-thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low-field NMR relaxation
title_sort study on freeze thaw resistance and pore structure deterioration of fly ash reactive powder concrete based on low field nmr relaxation
topic Reactive powder concrete
Fly ash
Freeze-thaw cycle
Durability
Pore structure
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525001329
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