Silica fume

About: Silica fume is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 10177 publications have been published within this topic receiving 173857 citations.

Prediction of long-term chloride diffusion in silica fume concrete in a marine environment

Abstract: Chloride-induced corrosion is the main factor in determining the durability and service life of the reinforced concrete structures exposed to marine environments. Recognition of chloride diffusion phenomenon in concrete and developing a prediction model that can estimate the service life of the concrete structures subject to long-term exposure is vital for aggressive marine environments. The present study focuses on developing such a prediction model of chloride diffusion coefficient for silica fume concrete under long-term exposure to a durability site located in the southern region of Iran. All investigations are based on 16 concrete mix designs containing silica fume with variable water-to-binder ratios exposed to sea water for maximum period of 60 months. This empirical model is developed by applying regression analysis based on Fick’s second law on the experimental results and is compared with previous studies in this area. This comparison indicates that the predicted chloride diffusion coefficient level is within a ±25% error margin in the specimens. The results indicate that reducing the water-to-binder ratio and adding the silica fume to a dosage of 10% reduces the chloride diffusion coefficient in concrete. This study also confirms that the chloride diffusion coefficient increases with temperature and decreases over time.

Alkali–Silica Reaction: the Influence of Calcium on Silica Dissolution and the Formation of Reaction Products

Abstract: In a model system for alkali―silica reaction consisting of microsilica, portlandite (0-40 mass%), and 1M alkaline solutions (NaOH, KOH), the influence of calcium on silica dissolution and on the formation of reaction products is investigated. The reaction and its products are characterized using calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, desorption experiments, and pore solution analysis in combination with thermodynamic modeling. Silica dissolution proceeds until portlandite is consumed due to the formation of C-S-H, and subsequently, saturation of dissolved silica in the alkaline solution is reached. As a result, the amount of dissolved silica increases with the increasing portlandite content. Depending on the amount of portlandite added, the reaction products show differences in the relative amounts of Q 1 , Q 2 , and Q 3 sites formed and in their average Ca/Si ratio. The ability of the reactions products to chemically bind water decreases with the decreasing relative amount of Q 3 sites and with the increasing Ca/Si ratio. However, the amount of physically bound water in the reaction products reaches a maximum value at a Ca/Si ratio between 0.20 and 0.30.

Effects of silica additives on fracture properties of carbon nanotube and carbon fiber reinforced Portland cement mortar

Abstract: Fiber reinforcements provide many benefits to cementitious composites, including reduction of crack widths and increases in ductility. However, the interfacial transition zone between fibers and hydrated cement can contain a high proportion of calcium hydroxide and porosity. With their high moduli of elasticity, carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers could provide substantial mechanical reinforcement at multiple length scales, but only if their bond to the matrix can be controlled. Surface treatments of fibers and addition of supplemental materials in the matrix can influence both the mechanical interaction at the interface and the dispersion of these relatively small reinforcements. We performed a broad study of Portland cement mortar mixtures containing silica fume, plain or silica-functionalized carbon nanotubes, and carbon fibers to characterize changes in fracture properties. The early age hydration kinetics of cement pastes containing carbon nanotubes were compared using isothermal calorimetry. Early age fracture surfaces of cement pastes containing carbon fibers were observed using a scanning electron microscope. The notched beam test method of the Two Parameter Fracture Model was used to determine the fracture properties of each mix. We observed that silica fume and silica functional groups improved the fracture performance of mixtures containing carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers. Further optimization of dosage, size, and interface strength is required to fully utilize carbon nanotubes in cementitious composites.