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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 30026

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Olga Smirnova

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Guest Editor

Department of Constructing Mining Enterprises and Underground Structures, Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Interests: construction; materials science; cement; building materials and technologies

Prof. Dr. Grigoriy Yakovlev

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Geotechnics and Construction Materials, Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University, Izhevsk, Russia
Interests: construction; materials science; cement; gypsum, building materials and nanotechnologies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Issues associated with expanding the functional properties of traditional building materials are contemporary. Obtaining new functional properties is possible at all stages of the production of building materials: justification of design solutions, selection of material composition, selection of production technology, etc. Obtaining construction composites with new properties for various operating conditions is possible using secondary resources. The production of building materials is an industry that can make a significant contribution to processing secondary resources and improving the environmental situation.

The compositions, structure, and physical and mechanical properties of building composites are interdependent. Changes in composition and morphology of binder hydration products effect the main properties of cement composites that determine their durability. Composite materials based on inorganic binders can be classified as self-healing materials under optimal environmental conditions due to ongoing hydration processes in the matrix. At the same time, an unfavorable environment leads to destructive processes that reduce the properties of composites. Composites can have significant durability when creating conditions that provide a balance between destructive processes and structural changes due to the ongoing hydration of the binder and recrystallization of newly formed hydration products. It is necessary to change the structure and properties of the matrix in the direction of forming its increased resistance to environmental factors. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to the modification of composites with additives to change the structure at the micro- and nanoscales that determines the creation of composites with the specified properties.

The statement of correlations among composition, structure, and properties of materials as well as justification of the correct mathematical model and the determination of model parameters based on processing of the test results, together, represent a complex and unsolved problem at present. The use of software products for performing the computational experiments makes it possible to reproduce most details, including visualization of the phenomenon under study for analysis and comparison of the obtained numerical data with experimental results. Solving this problem can significantly increase the durability of building materials in difficult operating conditions.

The aim of the issue is to promote the expansion of application field of new building materials and technologies in civil, transport, and underground construction.

The subjects of interest for this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

use of secondary resources and wastes to expand the functional properties of building materials;
increase of durability of building materials;
porosity as a structural element for obtaining the new functional properties of material;
conductive silicate matrices for building composites;
acoustic materials;
vapor-permeable materials;
numerical modeling of the properties of building materials under difficult operating conditions, etc.

Dr. Olga Smirnova
Prof. Dr. Grigoriy Yakovlev
Guest Editors

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Keywords

functional properties
durability of building materials
conductive silicate matrices for building composites
acoustic materials
vapor-permeable materials
secondary resources
porosity
nano-level structure

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 8008 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Study of Metal Corrosion Resistance near Weld Joints When Erecting Building and Structures Composed of Precast Structures

by Pyotr V. Zgonnik, Alyona A. Kuzhaeva and Igor V. Berlinskiy

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2518; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052518 - 28 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2783

Abstract

Corrosion processes of the most common steel grades in various environments are the subject of numerous studies. At the same time, the corrosion of welded joints hidden in concrete thickness has not yet been studied. The authors set themselves the task of investigating this process. For this purpose, the corrosion resistance of several metals (grade St.3, U7 and their weld joints) was studied in standard test solutions, simulating a concrete pore liquid, containing sodium carbonates and hydrocarbonates, and sodium chlorides. Data on comparative corrosion resistance in saline media for specified materials were obtained. It was shown that the corrosion rate depends on the ease of CO₂ ingress into the solution, and, to a lesser degree, on the metal microstructure. The surface character of the metal samples and the composition of corrosion products were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and an X-ray diffraction analysis. Chemical forms of surface compounds were determined. For the first time, it is clearly shown that the electrode coating flowing during welding does not always protect the weld from corrosion, as was previously believed. The corrosion rate, in this case, is just the same as at the surface of the metal plate of a similar composition. In the conclusion of this work, it is emphasized that in the case of alkaline and chloride-containing media, the protective coating falling from the electrode to the weld does not protect it sufficiently from corrosion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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13 pages, 2536 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Sulphate Attack on Properties of Modified Cement Composites

by Grigoriy Yakovlev, Irina Polyanskikh, Anastasiya Gordina, Igor Pudov, Vít Černý, Alexander Gumenyuk and Olga Smirnova

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8509; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188509 - 13 Sep 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3247

Abstract

Monitoring the condition of building structures based on composite materials in aggressive environments shows that the deterioration of basic properties occurs under the influence of various factors such as temperature and humidity changes, in addition to changes in the chemical composition of air environment. In addition, the composite materials during the operation must retain not only the mechanical properties laid down at the design stage, but also the electro-physical characteristics, regardless of the type of destructive effects. In the current study, the quantitative assessment of the result of the interaction of an aggressive sulphate-containing medium with composites modified with conductive and dielectric additives was carried out. The effect of sulphate attack on the specific electrical conductivity of cement composites was studied. The nature of the interaction was evaluated by changing the properties of the samples of the developed compositions under the influence of a single-normal solution of sodium sulphate. The analysis was carried out by means of potentiometric titration using the exchange interaction method by fixing the degree of absorption of sulphate ions and determining the concentration of calcium ions in the solution. The measurement of the solution potential allowed determination of the quantitative indicators of the rate of calcium hydroxide leaching from the sample structure, which is necessary to assess the intensity of the destruction process and determine the nature of the change in strength properties. Measurements of the electrical resistivity of samples under the constant influence of sulphate aggression were taken during 28 days of observation. A method for quantifying the effect of a sulphate medium on a cement matrix was proposed that enables the material durability to be predicted. The features of changes in the morphology of structural components after exposure to aggressive solution were determined by physical and chemical methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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12 pages, 1593 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Experimental Study of Innovative Methods Regarding the Removal of Sm(III)

by Olga Leonidovna Lobacheva and Natalia Vladimirovna Dzhevaga

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7726; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167726 - 22 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2007

Abstract

The modern development of the construction materials sector determines the use of rare earth metals (REM) for various purposes. In particular, REM are added as basic alloying elements into magnesium alloys to increase alloy durability and strength. The complex systematic study of structural components and REM interaction are the basis for the phase state monitoring of multicomponent oxide polyfunctional materials. In addition, on the preparatory stage, layers with specified construction material coatings are formed. The paper presents experimental and theoretical results of studies of adsorptive bubble methods in the systems containing Samarium cations and surfactants, namely sodium dodecyl sulphate (NaDS). To identify the process mechanisms and prediction of optimal conditions of metal cations’ removal and separation by extraction, flotation, and ion flotation methods, one should know the pH of metal hydroxo-complexes and pH of the hydrate formation. The possibility of lanthanide ions’ removal (by the example of Samarium ions) by the solvent sublation method with NaDS as a collector and isooctyl alcohol as an extractant was studied. From the obtained experimental data, it was clear that the Sm³⁺ removal in acidic mediums is practically non-existent. The results obtained in this paper are topical in the production of electrode coating components, welding fluxes, sorbents for nuclear wastewater burial, wastewater treatment, highly porous heat-insulating and fire-resistant materials, cement, and concrete with improved frost resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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9 pages, 606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reduction in Technogenic Burden on the Environment by Flotation Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Diluted Industrial Solutions

by Natalia Dzhevaga and Olga Lobacheva

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7452; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167452 - 13 Aug 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

Unconventional raw materials are widely used in construction sectors; for example, phosphate sludge with the addition of rare earth elements (REE) when producing brick. The second example is nanostructured composite systems of REE when forming covers of construction materials. This article studies flotation recovery of REE, the impact of chlorides on distribution coefficient, and pH recovery. The study proves the possibility of effective REE recovery from diluted industrial solutions and, consequently, the significant decrease in their content in wastewaters, which allows the improvement of the ecological situation in the industrial plant areas. In this article, optimum flotation conditions of REE by flotation are given by the example of yttrium (III) and lanthanum (III) salts. The processes of rare earth elements recovery by sodium dodecyl sulphate as salts of various compositions were studied. Distribution coefficients for target components as a function of aqueous phase pH and the presence of foreign anions were determined. The analysis of dependences obtained by the comparison of rare earth elements’ chloro and hydroxo complexes stability constants was made. The products of REE obtained by the authors will be used when manufacturing various kinds of building materials: carbon cement, baked brick, light construction materials, and high-tensile steel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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12 pages, 3172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sound-Absorbing Composites with Rubber Crumb from Used Tires

by Olga M. Smirnova, Ignacio Menéndez Pidal de Navascués, Vladislav R. Mikhailevskii, Oleg I. Kolosov and Nikita S. Skolota

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7347; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167347 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 72 | Viewed by 7021

Abstract

Traditional sound-absorbing materials have a number of disadvantages: low water resistance, low compressive and tensile strengths, low weather resistance, etc. Therefore, new sound-absorbing materials need to be developed with improved properties including the involvement of industrial byproducts. The influence of the grain-size composition of the rubber crumb from used car tires on the sound insulation of cement and gypsum composites was studied in the paper. The results of the study contribute to the creation of a structural material for the manufacture of sound-absorbing as well as load-bearing structures. The field of application of the developed materials is very extensive. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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12 pages, 9072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modification of Cement Matrix with Complex Additive Based on Chrysotyl Nanofibers and Carbon Black

by Zarina Saidova, Grigory Yakovlev, Olga Smirnova, Anastasiya Gordina and Natalia Kuzmina

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 6943; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156943 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 2455

Abstract

This paper presents the results of studying the properties of cement-based composites modified with a complex additive based on chrysotile nanofibers and carbon black. The optimal composition of complex additive was stated due to the particle size analysis of suspensions with different chrysotile to carbon black ratios and the mechanical properties study of the fine-grained concrete modified with the complex additive. It was found that the addition of chrysotile in the amount of 0.05% of cement mass together with carbon black in the amount of 0.01% of cement mass leads to a 31.9% compression strength increase of cement composite and a 26.7% flexural strength increase. In order to explain the change in the mechanical properties of the material, physical and chemical testing methods were used including IR-spectral analysis, differential thermal analysis, energy dispersive X-ray analysis as well as the study of the microstructure of the samples modified with the complex additive. They revealed the formation of durable hydration products including thaumasite and calcium silicate hydrates of lower basicity that form a dense structure of cement matrix, increasing the physical and mechanical characteristics of cement-based composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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17 pages, 2874 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Complex Processing of Saponite Waste from a Diamond-Mining Enterprise

by Olga Zubkova, Aleksey Alexeev, Arseniy Polyanskiy, Kirill Karapetyan, Olga Kononchuk and Markus Reinmöller

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(14), 6615; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146615 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2791

Abstract

The solution of the sludge utilization problem and yield increase at processing plants have great importance today all over the world. Disasters associated with the tailings dams failures have madeus develop technologies of tailings sludge utilization as a commercial product, reducing the environmental damage on the regions of mineral extraction. This research aimed to provide new data, methods and an analytical approach to solve the saponite sludge accumulation problem on mining enterprises with silicate coagulant to increase the rate of cycle water clarification for the enrichment process and the recycling of sludge to reduce its hazardous effect. Samples were taken in the deposit located in the north of the European part of Russia, where diamond bearing ore contain montmorillonite minerals, mostly saponite, which is considered to be a perspective secondary product. The content of this mineral in the sludge is above 20 wt.%. Saponite is a clay mineral with the general chemical formula (Ca,Na)_0.3(Mg, Fe²⁺)₃(Si, Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₂·4H₂O. The mineral has high adsorption, ion exchange, and catalytic and filtration properties; due to the developed diffuse layer, saponite particles are highly stable in an aqueous medium—the resulting suspension is highly stable and has slow sedimentation. During the research, a positive effect on the sedimentation process of clay saponite particles was established, due to the introduction of a coagulant containing 70% tricalcium silicate, at a dosage of 2 g/dm³ coagulant; the degree of purification of water containing the saponite clay suspension is 99%. The condensed sediment after the thermal drying and with the limestone addition can be used again as a coagulant or secondary product with enhanced properties;therefore, the sludge will be processed, and not stored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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14 pages, 3206 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Evaluation of Changes in Structure of Modified Cement Composite Using Fractal Analysis

by Grigory Yakovlev, Irina Polyanskikh, V. Belykh, Vladimir Stepanov and Olga Smirnova

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4139; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094139 - 30 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2123

Abstract

The need for research using modern methods of physical and chemical analysis in combination with methods for processing the graphical results arises with an increase of developments aimed at changing the structure and properties of hydration-hardening materials. Currently, the method of scanning electron microscopy is widely used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of materials. Additional information, including fractal analysis of the image, determines the information-entropy levels and the state of the information system in the form of the microstructure based on the generalized structural entropy that increases the volume and quality of analytical information extracted from the obtained images. Images with a magnification of 20,000 times were used to analyze the microstructure of a control cement composite and a carbon black modified composite. The fractal analysis of the images revealed a change in the relative organization of the system, which justifiedthe nature of the change in the physical and technical properties of the modified cement composite relative to the additive-free cement composite from the perspective of self-organization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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15 pages, 5193 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation of the Mechanical Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composites Subjected Dynamic Loading

by Nikita Belyakov, Olga Smirnova, Aleksandr Alekseev and Hongbo Tan

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 1112; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031112 - 26 Jan 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3856

Abstract

The problem of damage accumulation in fiber-reinforced concrete to structures supporting underground workings and tunnel linings against dynamic loading is insufficiently studied. The mechanical properties were determined and the mechanism of destruction of fiber-reinforced concrete with different reinforcement parameters is described. The parameters of the Concrete Damaged Plasticity model for fiber-reinforced concrete at different reinforcement properties are based on the results of lab experiments. Numerical simulation of the composite concrete was performed in the Simulia Abaqus software package (Dassault Systemes, Vélizy-Villacoublay, France). Modeling of tunnel lining based on fiber-reinforced concrete was performed under seismic loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Construction Materials)

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