Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete with High Volumes of Modified Phosphogypsum
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Method
2.1. Raw Materials
2.2. Preparation of Specimens
2.3. Experimental Process
3. Experimental Results
3.1. Effect of HPG Content on Mechanical Properties of HPGM
3.2. Effect of Mineral Admixtures on the Mechanical Properties of HPGM
3.2.1. Effect of GGBS on the Compressive Strength of HPGM
3.2.2. Effect of Quicklime and Silica Fume on the Mechanical Properties of HPGM
3.3. Effect of HPG Content on Mechanical Properties of HPGC
3.4. Effect of Mineral Admixtures on Mechanical Properties of HPGC
3.5. Microstructure
4. Numerical Simulation
4.1. Mesoscale Model
4.1.1. Coarse Aggregate Grading and Particle Size Distribution
4.1.2. Coarse Aggregate Generation and Placement
4.2. Constitutive Model
4.2.1. Concrete Plastic Damage Model
4.2.2. Parameters of Each Component Material
4.3. Validation of the Mesoscale Model
4.3.1. Verification of Damage Modes of HPGC
4.3.2. Verification of Mechanical Properties of HPGC
4.4. Analysis of Simulation Results
4.4.1. Effect of HPG Content on Compressive Mechanical Properties of HPGC
4.4.2. Effect of Coarse Aggregate Shape on Compressive Mechanical Properties of HPGC
4.4.3. Effect of Coarse Aggregate Content on Compressive Mechanical Properties of HPGC
4.4.4. Effect of Coarse Aggregate Elastic Modulus on Compressive Mechanical Properties of HPGC
4.4.5. Effect of ITZ Thickness on Compressive Mechanical Properties of HPGC
4.4.6. Effect of ITZ Mechanical Parameters (ITZMP) on Compressive Mechanical Properties of HPGC
5. Conclusions
- (1)
- The replacement cement with a high volume of HPG resulted in a significant decrease in the mechanical properties of HPGM and HPGC. Moreover, as the HPG content increased, the compressive strength and elastic modulus of HPGM and HPGC gradually decreased. Notably, the influence of HPG content on the compressive strength of HPGM and HPGC was higher than that on the elastic modulus.
- (2)
- The incorporation of GGBS could significantly improve the mechanical properties of HPGM and HPGC, with 20% GGBS content being the optimal ratio for HPGM with a high volume of HPG. Additionally, adding an appropriate amount of quicklime and silica fume further enhanced the compressive strength and elastic moduli of HPGM and HPGC. The results demonstrate that the appropriate incorporation of mineral admixtures can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of HPGM and HPGC at 40%, 50%, and 60% dosages. This improvement brings their strength levels in line with, or even exceeding, the requirements for the corresponding grades of mortar and concrete. This approach not only offers innovative strategies for the development and application of green building materials in practical engineering, but also provides an effective solution for mitigating the environmental impact of phosphogypsum.
- (3)
- A 2D mesoscale model for HPGC was established, and the compressive strength and elastic moduli of HPGC with 40%, 50%, and 60% HPG content were predicted. Upon analysis, the simulation results agreed well with the experimental results. Furthermore, the maximum deviations of compressive strength and elastic modulus were 5.74% and 8.38%, respectively. Both of them were less than 10%, which verified the accuracy of the mesoscale model. Mesoscopic numerical simulation not only facilitates an in-depth analysis of the mechanical properties and failure modes of concrete in practical engineering applications, but also accurately predicts the effects of each component on the mechanical properties of concrete. Furthermore, it provides essential theoretical support for engineering design, reduces the trial-and-deviation process, and significantly improves engineering efficiency.
- (4)
- The shape of the coarse aggregate had a minimal effect on the compressive strength and elastic modulus of HPGC, as predicted by the mesoscale model. As the elastic modulus and content of coarse aggregate increased, the compressive strength of HPGC initially decreased and then increased, while the elastic modulus of HPGC gradually increased. When the ITZ thickness increased, both the compressive strength and elastic modulus of HPGC decreased gradually. Conversely, as the ITZMP increased, the compressive strength and elastic modulus of HPGC gradually enhanced, although the rate of change diminished once a certain threshold was surpassed.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Materials | SiO2 | Al2O3 | CaO | Fe2O3 | SO3 | P2O5 | K2O | Others |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cement | 19.90 | 5.15 | 61.71 | 4.46 | 3.96 | 0.17 | 1.19 | 3.45 |
PG | 2.68 | 0.30 | 39.52 | 0.37 | 55.28 | 0.89 | 0.07 | 0.89 |
HPG | 2.71 | 0.29 | 41.84 | 0.38 | 53.60 | 0.86 | 0.07 | 0.25 |
GGBS | 34.99 | 15.70 | 35.18 | 0.84 | 2.61 | 0.03 | 7.58 | 3.07 |
Quicklime | 0.60 | 0.14 | 98.29 | 0.11 | 0.24 | 0.01 | 0.58 | 0.03 |
Silica fume | 96.74 | 0.32 | 0.11 | 0.08 | - | - | - | 2.75 |
HPG (%) | Cement (%) | GGBS (%) | Limestone (%) | Silica Fume (%) | Water (kg/m3) | Sand (kg/m3) | Water–Cement Ratio | Water Reducing (%) | Retarder (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HPGM | 0 | 100 | 0 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1 | - |
40 | 50 | 10 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
40 | 45 | 15 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
40 | 40 | 20 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
40 | 35 | 25 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
50 | 40 | 10 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
50 | 35 | 15 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
50 | 30 | 20 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
50 | 25 | 25 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
60 | 30 | 10 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
60 | 25 | 15 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
60 | 20 | 20 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
60 | 15 | 25 | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
40 | 40 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
50 | 30 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 | |
60 | 20 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1.8 | 0.3 |
HPG (%) | Cement (%) | GGBS (%) | Limestone (%) | Silica Fume (%) | Water (kg/m3) | Sand (kg/m3) | Water–Cement Ratio | Aggregate (kg/m3) | Water Reducing (%) | Retarder (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HPGC | 0 | 100 | - | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1017 | 1 | - |
40 | 60 | - | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1017 | 2 | 0.3 | |
40 | 40 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1017 | 2 | 0.3 | |
50 | 50 | - | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1017 | 2 | 0.3 | |
50 | 30 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1017 | 2 | 0.3 | |
60 | 40 | - | - | - | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1017 | 2 | 0.3 | |
60 | 20 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 170 | 832 | 0.45 | 1017 | 2 | 0.3 |
Items | Elastic Modulus (GPa) | Poisson Ratio (-) | Compressive Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregate | 73.00 | 0.16 | - | - |
Cement mortar | 21.30 | 0.20 | 30.90 | 3.09 |
Cement ITZ | 17.00 | 0.16 | 24.70 | 2.47 |
40% HPGM | 14.50 | 0.20 | 19.40 | 1.94 |
40% HPGM ITZ | 11.60 | 0.16 | 15.50 | 1.55 |
50% HPGM | 14.30 | 0.20 | 16.60 | 1.66 |
50% HPGM ITZ | 11.40 | 0.16 | 13.30 | 1.33 |
60% HPGM | 12.10 | 0.20 | 16.10 | 1.61 |
60% HPGM ITZ | 9.70 | 0.16 | 12.90 | 1.29 |
HPG (%) | Compressive Strength Experiment (MPa) | Compressive Strength Simulation (MPa) | Deviation (%) | Elastic Modulus Experiment (GPa) | Elastic Modulus Simulation (GPa) | Deviation (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HPGC | 0 | 37.37 | 37.33 | 0.11 | 33.07 | 32.30 | 2.33 |
40 | 19.87 | 18.73 | 5.74 | 26.83 | 24.95 | 7.12 | |
50 | 17.10 | 16.42 | 3.98 | 23.85 | 23.89 | −0.17 | |
60 | 16.43 | 15.62 | 4.93 | 22.90 | 20.98 | 8.38 |
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Cheng, X.; Li, Q.; Liu, P.; Huang, J.; Wang, L.; Chen, Y.; Zhang, F.; Li, W.; Yu, Z.; Liu, L.; et al. Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete with High Volumes of Modified Phosphogypsum. Coatings 2025, 15, 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15010065
Cheng X, Li Q, Liu P, Huang J, Wang L, Chen Y, Zhang F, Li W, Yu Z, Liu L, et al. Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete with High Volumes of Modified Phosphogypsum. Coatings. 2025; 15(1):65. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15010065
Chicago/Turabian StyleCheng, Xiang, Qizhi Li, Peng Liu, Jingxiang Huang, Lingling Wang, Ying Chen, Feng Zhang, Wei Li, Zhiwu Yu, Lei Liu, and et al. 2025. "Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete with High Volumes of Modified Phosphogypsum" Coatings 15, no. 1: 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15010065
APA StyleCheng, X., Li, Q., Liu, P., Huang, J., Wang, L., Chen, Y., Zhang, F., Li, W., Yu, Z., Liu, L., Shao, G., & Wang, S. (2025). Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete with High Volumes of Modified Phosphogypsum. Coatings, 15(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15010065