Long-Term Behavior and Microstructure of High-Performance Concrete with Coal Slag
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Research Program
2.1. Characteristics of the Materials
2.2. Mixture Design and Sample Production
2.3. Research Methodology for Hardened HPC Samples
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Absorbability, Density, and Porosity
3.2. Compressive Strength
3.3. Flexural Strength
3.4. Splitting Tensile Strength
3.5. Modulus of Elasticity
3.6. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
3.7. Microstructure
4. Conclusions
- Porosity and water absorption increase with higher coal slag content. For HPC with 30% CS, porosity and absorption increase by 10.6% and 11.3%, respectively, compared to the reference mix, while the density decreases by up to 7.8%.
- Compressive strength improves significantly with the addition of CS. After 28 days, strength increases range from 15.4% (10% CS) to 22.9% (30% CS), and after 730 days, from 9.4% to 20.2%.
- The flexural and splitting tensile strengths also benefit from CS incorporation, showing consistent growth over time. The splitting tensile strength increases by 8–9% at 28 days and increases by 2–3% at 730 days. Flexural strength improves, especially in the early curing stage, most notably at 10–20% CS.
- Statistical relationships are established between compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength, allowing performance prediction for mixes with coal slag aggregates.
- The modulus of elasticity decreases both with time and with increasing slag content, which is attributed to the lower stiffness and higher porosity of coal slag compared to natural aggregates.
- Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) values slightly decline with increased CS content but remain within acceptable ranges for good-quality concrete.
- SEM/EDX microstructural analysis confirms that hydration products (CSH, CH) partially fill the pores of slag grains and contribute to matrix densification, improving overall cohesion and strength development.
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Material Characteristics | Cement | Microsilica |
---|---|---|
Specific surface area (m2/kg) | 398.5 | 17,000 |
Water demand (%) | 28 | — |
Start of setting (min) | 190 | — |
End of setting (min) | 250 | — |
Volume stability acc. to Le Chateliere (mm) | 0 | — |
Compressive strength at 2 days (MPa) | 30.4 | — |
Compressive strength at 28 days (MPa) | 59.2 | — |
Flexural strength at 2 days (MPa) | 5.4 | — |
Composition (%) | ||
SiO2 | 20.46 | 94.80 |
Al2O3 | 4.15 | 1.30 |
Fe2O3 | 3.37 | 0.83 |
CaO | 65.10 | 0.56 |
MgO | 1.21 | 0.71 |
SO3 | 2.58 | — |
K2O | 0.46 | 1.26 |
Na2O | 0.24 | 0.41 |
Cl | 0.09 | — |
Loss in ignition | 3.44 | 0.12 |
Insoluble matter | 0.29 | — |
Sample Description | Concentrations of Natural Radioactive Isotopes (Bq/kg) | Activity Indicators | Gamma Radiation Dose Rate Value | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Potassium K-40 | Rad Ra-226 | Thorium Th-228 | f1 | f2 (Bq/kg) | nGy/h | |
Coal slag | 565 ± 60 | 122.1 ± 15.1 | 99.4 ± 8.9 | 1.09 ± 0.05 | 122.1 ± 15.1 | 142.4 |
Mix ID | Coal Slag | Aggregate | Cement (kg) | Water (L) | Microsilica (kg) | SP (kg) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portion (%) | Weight (kg) | Sand (kg) | Gravel (kg) | |||||
HPC0 | 0 | – | 539 | 1229 | 372 | 186 | 18.6 | 5.9 |
HPC1 | 10 | 123 | 1106 | |||||
HPC2 | 20 | 246 | 983 | |||||
HPC3 | 30 | 369 | 860 |
Formula | Atom [%] | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
HPC2_1 20% CS | HPC2_2 20% CS | HPC2_3 20% CS | HPC3 30% CS | |
Calcium | 6.43 | 0.23 | 0.32 | 7.04 |
Carbon | 32.35 | 26.04 | 29.64 | 31.81 |
Silicon | 9.15 | 1.37 | 7.60 | 11.95 |
Iron | 2.93 | 27.12 | 8.02 | 0.49 |
Aluminum | 3.87 | 0.76 | 3.78 | 2.47 |
Oxygen | 42.98 | 43.72 | 48.03 | 45.11 |
Sodium | 0.40 | 0.00 | 0.17 | 0.20 |
Magnesium | 0.72 | 0.21 | 1.41 | 0.23 |
Sulfur | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0.09 | 0.23 |
Chlorine | 0.07 | 0.14 | 0.16 | — |
Potassium | 0.73 | 0.14 | 0.60 | 0.48 |
Titanium | 0.18 | 0.07 | 0.18 | — |
Calcium/Silicon ratio | 0.70 | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.59 |
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Smarzewski, P. Long-Term Behavior and Microstructure of High-Performance Concrete with Coal Slag. Materials 2025, 18, 2585. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112585
Smarzewski P. Long-Term Behavior and Microstructure of High-Performance Concrete with Coal Slag. Materials. 2025; 18(11):2585. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112585
Chicago/Turabian StyleSmarzewski, Piotr. 2025. "Long-Term Behavior and Microstructure of High-Performance Concrete with Coal Slag" Materials 18, no. 11: 2585. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112585
APA StyleSmarzewski, P. (2025). Long-Term Behavior and Microstructure of High-Performance Concrete with Coal Slag. Materials, 18(11), 2585. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112585