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High performance lightweight concrete (HPLC) characterized by low density, high strength and good durability, has prosperous application prospects in civil engineering. In this experiment, the modified Andreasen and Andersen model was used to design the initial mixture of HPLC. Shale ceramic sand (SCS) with different content was used to replace lightweight internal curing sand to prepare HPLC. The effect of different content of SCS on workability, mechanical properties and durability of HPLC were systematically investigated. In addition, this work explored the effect of SCS on the micro-morphology and pore structure of HPLC. It is found that: 1) When the replacement rate of SCS is 100%, the apparent density of HPLC is 1 848. 3 kg/m³, and its compressive strength is 123. 22 MPa. 2) The addition of SCS can improve the mechanical properties of HPLC, and the compressive strength, flexural strength and elastic modulus of HPLC increase by 8. 88% ~ 47. 92%, 22. 50% ~ 56. 30% and 3. 49% ~ 14. 03%, respectively. 3) SCS can improve the durability of HPLC. When SCS replacement rate is 100%, the chloride migration coefficient of HPLC is reduced by 32. 52%, compared to the control group. 4) Due to the addition of SCS, the microstructure of HPLC is significantly improved, and the porosity of HPLC reduces by 14. 86% ~28. 24%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has attracted much attention in civil engineering. However, the high deadweight of UHPC limits its application. To reduce the density of UHPC, this study developed an ultra-high-performance lightweight concrete (UHPLC) by combining the use of shale ceramic sand and nano-materials, according to the modified Andreasen and Andersen (MAA) model. Taking advantage of nanotechnology, graphene oxide (GO) was utilized to improve the mechanical performance of UHPLC, and the effects of GO on the workability, mechanical properties, and microstructure of UHPLC were systematically investigated. It was found that: 1) UHPLC with an apparent density of 2022 ∼ 2114 kg/m³ was prepared according to the MAA model; 2) Owing to the addition of GO, the flexural strength, compressive strength, and elastic modulus of UHPLC increased by 6.3 ∼ 22.4%, 7.6 ∼ 16.7%, and 4.1 ∼ 13.0%, respectively; 3) Considering the effects of GO on the mechanical properties and microstructure of UHPLC, the optimal content of GO was 0.06%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has promising applications in civil engineering. However, the elastic modulus of UHPC is relatively low compared with its compressive strength, which may result in insufficient stiffness in service. This work was carried out to explore the feasibility of producing UHPC with high elastic modulus by nano-Al2O3 (NA). Based on particle densely packing theory, the initial mixture of UHPC was designed via the modified Andreasen and Andersen model. An experimental investigation was conducted to systematically examine the effects of NA on different properties of UHPC, including its fluidity, mechanical properties, durability, and microstructure. It was found that: (1) Compared with UHPC without NA, the flexural strength, compressive strength, and elastic modulus of UHPC were improved by 7.38–16.87%, 4.08–20.58%, and 2.89–14.08%, respectively, because of the incorporation of NA; (2) the addition of NA had a prohibiting impact on the threshold pore diameter and porosity of UHPC, which suggested that NA could be conducive to its pore structure; (3) the incorporation of NA led to a decline of 2.9–11.76% in the dry shrinkage of UHPC, which suggested that incorporating NA in a proper amount could reduce the risk of cracking and alleviate the dry shrinkage of UHPC; (4) the optimal amount of NA in UHPC was 1.0%, considering the effects of NA on workability, mechanical properties, microstructure, and the durability of UHPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• UHPC with high elastic modulus was designed via MAA particle packing model. • Workability, microstructure, and mechanical strength of HMUHPC were studied. • Elastic modulus of HMUHPC ranged from 40.5 GPa to 49.3 GPa. • Optimal content of steel chips in HMUHPC was 50 wt%. Elastic modulus is one of the key parameters to weigh the stiffness of concrete members and structural design in civil engineering. Despite its excellent performance in durability and mechanical properties, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is featured with relatively low elastic modulus, which prevents UHPC from being applied in a much larger scope. This study was conducted to explore the feasibility of preparing UHPC with high elastic modulus (HMUHPC) by using steel chips. The modified Andreasen and Andersen (MAA) particle packing model was used to design the initial mixture of HMUHPC. Based on this, some steps were followed to investigate the impacts of varying contents of steel chips on HMUHPC with regard to its mechanical properties, workability, and apparent density. In addition, attention was also paid to how steel chips affected the microstructure of HMUHPC and the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) propagated in HMUHPC. It was found that: 1) Due to the addition of steel chips, there was an increase from 9.65% to 21.73%, 6.38% to 15.85%, 1.28% to 10.49%, and 3.11% to 16.44%, respectively, in the elastic modulus, compressive strength, flexural strength, and apparent density of HMUHPC; 2) The addition of steel chips could reduce the porosity of HMUHPC and optimize its pore size distribution; 3) Considering the effects of steel chips on HMUHPC regarding its microstructure, mechanical properties, and workability, the optimal content of steel chips in HMUHPC was 50 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SCM with high elastic modulus was developed by using AMP. • Fluidity, microstructure, mechanical strength, and durability of SCM were studied. • DME of SCM was characterized via ultrasonic testing technology. • DME of SCM was increased by 4.37 ∼ 9.97% due to the addition of AMP. • Durability properties of SCM were markedly improved due to the addition of AMP. Cementitious composites are one of the most widely used building materials in civil engineering. However, their low Young's modulus cannot meet the requirements of long-span structures. This work carried out a feasibility study on producing self-compacting mortar (SCM) with high elastic modulus by using Al 2 O 3 micro powder (AMP). Effects of AMP on the workability, microstructure, mechanical properties, and durability properties of SCM were systematically investigated. The dynamic modulus of elasticity (DME) of SCM was characterized via ultrasonic testing technology. It was found that, 1) due to the addition of AMP, the porosity of SCM was reduced by 2.64 ∼ 13.64%, and the threshold pore diameter of SCM was decreased; 2) the flexural strength and compressive strength of SCM were increased by 4.40 ∼ 15.85% and 2.35 ∼ 14.33%, respectively, because of the incorporation of AMP; 3) the drying shrinkage of SCM was reduced by 6.46 ∼ 11.21%, and the chloride migration coefficient of SCM was decreased by 3.38 ∼ 18.64%, due to the addition of AMP; 4) the optimal content of AMP in SCM was 10%, considering the effects of AMP on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and durability properties of SCM; 5) it was feasible to produce SCM with high elastic modulus by using AMP, and the DME of SCM was increased by 4.37 ∼ 9.97%, because of the incorporation of AMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• UHPC with high elastic modulus was design by MAA particle packing model. • Workability, microstructure, and mechanical strength of HEMUHPC were studied. • Elastic modulus of HEMUHPC ranged from 40.50 GPa to 47.13 GPa. • Relationship between elastic modulus and compressive strength was a power function. • Optimal content of alumina micro-powder in HEMUHPC was 10%. Elastic modulus is an important parameter in engineering structural design for evaluating the stiffness of concrete members. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has excellent mechanical properties and durability, but the relatively low elastic modulus prohibits the widespread use of the UHPC. In this study, high elastic modulus UHPC (HEMUHPC) was designed according to Modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing model proposed by Funk and Dinger. Effects of alumina micro-powder (the content of alumina is higher than 99%, and the particle size is lower than 100 μ m) on the workability, microstructure, and mechanical properties of HEMUHPC were systematically investigated. The reason for the improvement of elastic modulus of HEMUHPC was revealed by nano indentation test. It was found that, 1) the porosity and threshold pore diameter of HEMUHPC were reduced because of the addition of alumina micro-powder; 2) the flexural strength, compressive strength, and elastic modulus of HEMUHPC were increased by 3.54–11.23%, 8.89–22.83%, and 6.19–16.37%, respectively, due to the addition of alumina micro-powder; 3) the optimal content of alumina micro-powder was 10%, considering its effects on the workability, mechanical properties, and microstructure of HEMUHPC; 4) Nano indentation experiments showed that the elastic modulus of the alumina micro-powder was 90–135 GPa, which is much higher than the elastic modulus of hydration products of HEMUHPC, and thus the elastic modulus of the HEMUHPC matrix could be improved, due to the addition of alumina micro-powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]