Search Results (22)

Performance variability in MgO-based cements stems partly from poorly characterized dissolution kinetics of commercial lightly burned magnesia (LBM). Existing studies focus on high-purity materials under acidic conditions, but LBM also dissolves in alkaline conditions, where Mg(OH)₂ precipitation prevents reliable sampling at high pH. We validated pH monitoring against ICP-AES for tracking initial LBM dissolution kinetics across pH 2.0–11.0 and temperatures 25–85 °C. Commercial LBM (32 m²/g, 7.5 wt% CaO) exhibited rates one to two orders of magnitude higher than synthetic magnesia (10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² mol/cm²·s). X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and BET analysis revealed enhanced reactivity from poor crystallinity, multiphase composition, and high surface area with textural porosity. Temperature effects peaked at 75 °C before declining due to Mg(OH)₂ passivation. The validated method provides practical guidance for MBC quality control and performance optimization. By providing a rapid, instrument-simple alternative to ICP-AES for reactivity assessment, it lowers the analytical barrier to systematic LBM quality control, supporting the transition of magnesia-based cements from laboratory materials to scalable low-carbon alternatives to Portland cement. Full article

This study investigates the dual mechanisms by which SiO₂ deteriorates magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) performance. MgO-SiO₂ clinkers were prepared using lightly calcined magnesia (MgO) with SiO₂ additions ranging from 1% to 9%, followed by calcination at temperatures between 1100 °C and 1500 °C. Through XRD–Rietveld refinement, workability, compressive strength, and hydration heat analyses, the damaging effects of SiO₂ were systematically evaluated. Results reveal that SiO₂ degrades MPC through two concurrent mechanisms: chemical consumption and physical deactivation of reactive MgO. Chemically, SiO₂ reacts with MgO during calcination to form inert forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄), irreversibly reducing reactive MgO content. Physically, SiO₂ and its reaction products lower the crystallinity and reactivity of remaining MgO while diluting reactive components. A calcination temperature of 1200 °C was optimal, yielding the highest compressive strength (3 d strength > 30 MPa). Increasing SiO₂ dosage monotonically reduced strength; at 1200 °C, 9% SiO₂ reduced 3 d strength by ~40% compared to 1%. Hydration heat analysis showed that both heat flow rate and cumulative heat release increased with SiO₂ content due to enhanced heterogeneous nucleation from Mg₂SiO₄. Critically, this increased heat output did not translate into higher strength, indicating that microstructural quality—not reaction extent—governs mechanical performance. Rietveld quantification confirmed that Mg₂SiO₄ formation increased linearly with SiO₂ dosage and temperature (reaching 72.24% at 1500 °C with 9% SiO₂), providing the material basis for dual damage. This work offers mechanistic insights and experimental support for utilizing low-grade magnesite and optimizing MPC performance. Full article

This study presents an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional energy-intensive methods for soil improvement by investigating an enzyme-induced active magnesium oxide carbonation (EIMC) technique for the stabilization of gravelly soil. The solidification efficacy and strengthening mechanism of EIMC-treated soil were systematically investigated through a combination of mechanical property tests and microstructural analyses. Results indicate that key mechanical properties—including compressive strength, shear strength, and elastic modulus—were directly proportional to the magnesium oxide (MgO) content. Notably, an 8% MgO content resulted in a 113-fold increase in unconfined compressive strength (UCS) compared to the untreated soil. The strength development stabilized after a five-day curing period. While higher MgO content yielded greater absolute strength, the efficiency of strength gain per unit of MgO peaked at a 4% dosage. Consequently, considering both performance and efficiency, an MgO content of 4% and a curing period of 5 days are recommended as the optimal parameters. The EIMC treatment substantially improved the soil’s mechanical properties, inducing a transition in the failure mode from plastic to brittle, with this brittleness becoming more pronounced at higher MgO concentrations. Furthermore, the treatment enhanced the soil’s water stability. Microstructural analysis revealed that the formation of hydrated magnesium carbonates filled voids, cemented particles, and created a dense structural matrix. This densification of the internal structure underpinned the observed mechanical improvements. These findings validate EIMC as a feasible and effective eco-friendly technique for gravelly soil stabilization. Full article

This study provides an investigation into the influence of surface roughness, porosity, and chemistry on the wettability and infiltration behavior of calcia-magnesia-alumino-silicates (CMASs) in thermal and environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) used in high-temperature gas turbine engines. High-temperature contact angle measurements were performed at 1260 °C on 7 wt.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) and yttrium ytterbium disilicate (YYbDS, (Y_1/2Yb_1/2)₂Si₂O₇) to evaluate the interaction of CMASs with different surface finishes and coating microstructures. The findings demonstrate that porosity plays a dominant role in determining CMAS infiltration dynamics. In YYbDS, increasing porosity from 6.3% to 22.7% facilitated the formation of an apatite layer that limited CMAS penetration to approximately 2 µm. Surface roughness exhibited a subtler influence in that reducing Sa from 0.61 µm to 0.05 µm increased the change in the contact angle by ~2°, although its impact was found to be less significant compared to porosity and reactive chemistry. These results indicate that an integrated approach that optimizes porosity, chemistry, and surface morphology can significantly enhance CMAS resistance. The study emphasizes that leveraging both microstructural and chemical properties is critical to developing coatings capable of withstanding the harsh conditions encountered in aerospace environments. Full article

Magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) binders, synthesized from magnesia and silica, exhibit promising mechanical and thermal properties but face challenges in early strength development due to delayed kinetics and limited MgO solubility. This study investigates the impact of early exposure to CO₂-saturated atmospheres on MgO-SiO₂ cementitious systems, emphasizing the role of carbonation in phase evolution and mechanical performance. Early carbonation promotes the formation of hydrated magnesium hydroxycarbonates (HMHC), altering hydration pathways and reducing M-S-H gel content. Key analyses, including XRD, TGA, SEM-EDS, and FTIR, reveal that higher carbonation levels correlate with reduced Mg(OH)₂ stability at early ages, an enhanced precipitation of HMHC phases, and significant effects on mineralogy and strength. Results underscore the influence of formulation, water-to-cement ratio, and early carbonation in optimizing strength and phase development, providing a pathway to more efficient MgO-SiO₂ cement systems with reduced reliance on reactive SiO₂. Full article

The effectiveness of the stabilisation/solidification process depends upon a number of factors, the most significant of which are the type of binder, contaminants, and soil undergoing treatment. In accordance with the principles of sustainable construction, alternatives to cement are sought after, with the objective of achieving the lowest environmental impact while maintaining a high level of strength and effective binding of the contaminant. In the study of the stabilisation/solidification of zinc-contaminated loess, incinerated sewage sludge fly ash with reactive magnesia was selected as the binder, and the UCS of the mixtures and microstructure was verified after 28 days of treatment. The values obtained were related to the strength of a reference sample and exhibited by S/S products using Portland cement. The findings verified the effectiveness of the selected materials in the S/S process. Following a 28-day treatment with 30 and 45% IFA and MgO in a 2:1 ratio, the samples were classified as a hard subgrade, suitable for civil engineering purposes, due to the UCS values achieved, ranging from 0.52 to 0.9 MPa. Furthermore, a correlation between the UCS values and the water content was identified, and the mineralogical composition of S/S products was determined with the use of the XRD technique. Full article

Ladle furnace slag (LFS), a by-product of steel refining, shows a promising reuse pathway as an alternative additive or substitute for Portland cement due to its high alkalinity and similar chemical composition to clinkers. However, LFS is often stored in large, open surface areas, leading to many environmental issues. To tackle waste management challenges, LFS can be recycled as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in many cementitious composites. However, LFS contains some mineral phases that hinder its reactivity (dicalcium silicate (γ-C₂S)) and pose long-term durability issues in the cured cemented final product (free lime (f-CaO) and free magnesia (f-MgO)). Therefore, LFS needs to be adequately treated to enhance its reactivity and ensure long-term durability in the structures of the cementitious materials. This literature review assesses possible LFS treatments to enhance its suitability for valorization. Traditional reviews are often multidisciplinary and explore all types of iron and steel slags, sometimes including the recycling of LFS in the steel industry. As the reuse of industrial by-products requires a knowledge of their characteristics, this paper focuses first on LFS characterization, then on the obstacles to its use, and finally compiles an exhaustive inventory of previously investigated treatments. The main parameters for treatment evaluation are the mineralogical composition of treated LFS and the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the final geo-composite in the short and long term. This review indicates that the treatment of LFS using rapid air/water quenching at the end-of-refining process is most appropriate, allowing a nearly amorphous slag to be obtained, which is therefore suitable for use as a SCM. Moreover, the open-air watering treatment leads to an optimal content of treated LFS. Recycling LFS in this manner can reduce OPC consumption, solve the problem of limited availability of blast furnace slag (GGBFS) by partially replacing this material, conserve natural resources, and reduce the carbon footprint of cementitious material operations. Full article

Reactive magnesia cement (RMC) has gained interest due to its lower production temperatures when compared to Portland cement. In this study, the performance of pozzolan-based RMC concrete samples against sulphate attack was examined. Cube samples, after being removed from their moulds, were stored in a CO₂-rich environment to gain compressive strength. Information obtained from XRD showed the formation of Mg carbonates in different forms. The use of fly ash and slag in large volumes reduces the environmental impact of concrete, but the use of these components have been found to greatly affect the formation of Mg carbonates in RMC mixes. This is mainly due to their filler effects. The coexistence of Ca- and Mg-based products was found in the slag-RMC mixes. The concrete samples based on RMC underwent mass and strength losses when stored in a MgSO₄ solution for up to 12 weeks. The removal of Mg from the microstructure of these samples was confirmed using SEM analysis. The use of the most widely used pozzolans at 50% by weight of the binder greatly affected the carbonation mechanism of the RMC mixes. This finding suggests that they should be limited in the design of Mg-based products that harden under CO₂-rich conditions. Full article

The workability, hydraulic conductivity, and mechanical properties are essential to contaminant containment performance of cementitious backfills in vertical cutoff walls at contaminated sites. This study aims to investigate the engineering properties of a novel vertical cutoff wall backfill composed of reactive magnesia (MgO)-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), sodium-activated calcium bentonite amended with polyacrylamide cellulose (PAC), and clean sand (referred to as MSBS-PAC). Backfills composed of MgO-activated GGBS, sodium-activated calcium bentonite, and clean sand (referred to as MSBS) were also tested for comparison purposes. A series of tests were conducted which included slump test, flexible-wall hydraulic conductivity test, and unconfined compression test. The pore size distributions of two types of backfills were investigated via the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. The results showed the moisture content corresponding to the target slump height was higher for MSBS-PAC backfill than that for MSBS backfill. The MSBS-PAC backfill possessed lower pH, dry density, and higher void ratio at different standard curing times as compared to MSBS backfill. The unconfined compressive strength and strain at failure of the MSBS-PAC backfill were noticeable lower than those of the MSBS backfill. In contrast, the hydraulic conductivity of MSBS-PAC backfill was approximately one order of magnitude lower than that of the MSBS backfill, which was less than 10⁻⁹ m/s after 28-day and 90-day curing. Lower hydraulic conductivity of MSBS-PAC backfill was attributed to the improvement of pore structure and pore fluid environment by PAC amendment. Full article

Reactive magnesia cement is considered an eco-efficient binder due to its low synthesis temperature and CO₂ absorption properties. However, the hydration of pure MgO–H₂O mixtures cannot produce strong Mg(OH)₂ pastes. In this study, nesquehonite (Nes, MgCO₃·3H₂O) was added to the MgO–H₂O system to improve its strength properties, and its hydration products and pore structure were analyzed. The experimental results showed that the hydration product changed from small plate-like Mg(OH)₂ crystals to interlaced sheet-like crystals after the addition of a small amount of Nes. The porosity increased from 36.3% to 64.6%, and the total pore surface area increased from 4.6 to 118.5 m²/g. At the same time, most of the pores decreased in size from the micron scale to the nanometer scale, which indicated that Nes had a positive effect on improving the pore structure and enhancing the compressive strength. Combined with an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and a simultaneous thermal analyzer (TG/DSC), the hydration product of the sample after Nes addition could be described as xMgCO₃·Mg(OH)₂·yH₂O. When Nes was added at 7.87 and 14.35 wt%, the x-values in the chemical formula of the hydration products were 0.025 and 0.048, respectively. These small x-values resulted in lattice and property parameters of the hydration products that were similar to those of Mg(OH)₂. Full article

With the development of urban underground space and increased infrastructure functions, both the scale of engineering construction and engineering difficulties have increased globally. In the construction of structures in soft strata, especially in coastal areas, the limited bearing capacity of the foundations poses a significant challenge. The composite pile technologies employing an organic combination of the rigid pile andthe flexible column can enable efficient soft ground treatment. In light of prominent global environmental issues, low-carbon energy-saving curing technologies have been rapidly developed for application in geotechnical engineering. This paper discusses progress in research on the mechanical properties of the efficient and low-carbon pile technologies, including the stiffened deep mixing (SDM) column, squeezed branch pile, pre-bored grouting plated nodular (PGPN) pile, precast cement pile reinforced by cemented soil with a variable section (PCCV), and carbonized composite pile (CCP). In addition, it reviews the technical characteristics and recent progress of feasible low-carbon energy-efficient curing technologies. The paper also proposes future directions for theoretical research and technological development of low-carbon pile technologies. The key contribution of this review is to provide insights into efficient and low-carbon pile technologies. In addition, the findings from the study of the pile technologies used in extra-thick soft strata also provide industry practitioners with a comprehensive guide regarding the specific applications and mechanical performance of the pile technologies, which can serve as a stepping stone to facilitate the technological development of the underground space industry. Full article

The current study evaluates the influence of the static compaction pressure applied during the casting process on Carbonated Reactive Magnesia Cement-based mortars. For this purpose, mortars, embodying biomass fly ash as filler, were designed and moulded through static compaction pressures of 10, 30, 50, and 70 MPa. The moulded specimens were submitted to an accelerated carbonation curing period of 24 h under controlled conditions. The devised mortars were evaluated through compressive strength tests, and their microstructure was assessed through Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP), Thermogravimetry and Derivative Thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), and Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The results showed that the increment in the static compaction pressure during the specimens’ casting process not only led the mortars to reduce their porosity by up to ~30% and increase their compressive strength by up to ~58% (from 19.8 MPa to 31.2 MPa) but also that such a change seems to hinder the CO₂ diffusion into the specimens’ core, thus resulting in a lower content of carbonated products. In addition, the MIP analyses demonstrated that the static compaction pressure applied in the mortar casting process changes the pores’ characteristics, while TG-DTG and FTIR analyses provided evidence that the devised mortars were carbonated to a certain degree. Therefore, this work demonstrated that Carbonated Reactive Magnesia Cement-based mortars are highly influenced by the static compaction pressure applied during the casting process, at least up to a certain value. Full article

Sulfate-bearing soils, which causes many engineering problems, e.g., cracking, collapse, and pavement layer settlement, are often encountered in the construction of pavements. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)-magnesia (MgO) has been regarded as an effective curing agent in the treatment of sulfate-bearing soil containing gypsum. However, field sulfate-bearing soils usually include other forms of sulfates, such as sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄). Currently, few studies have investigated the effect of the type of sulfate on the properties of sulfate-bearing soil stabilized with GGBS-MgO. In this study, GGBS-MgO was used to treat Ca-sulfate-soil and Mg-sulfate-soil. Swelling, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were employed to investigate the properties of the stabilized soils. The results showed that when suitable GGBS:MgO ratios were achieved, the swelling of the two types of sulfate-bearing soils could be well suppressed. However, the trend that the swelling varied with the decrease in the GGBS:MgO ratios was opposite between the two soils. The UCS of Mg-sulfate-soils was much lower than that of the Ca-sulfate-soils after the stabilization of GGBS-MgO irrespective of the curing or soaking stage. CSH significantly occurred in Ca-sulfated soils treated by GGBS-MgO. Ettringite was not observed in the soil with GGBS-MgO = 9:1 but was observed in 6:4. Compared to Ca-sulfate-soils, MSH and less CSH were formed in Mg-sulfate-soils stabilized with GGBS-MgO, which caused the lower strength of the stabilized Mg-sulfate-soils. No ettringite was formed in such soils. Hence, the sulfate type contained in the soils had a significant effect on the swelling and strength properties of sulfate-bearing soils with GGBS-MgO, and so the sulfate needs to be identified before the soil’s stabilization. Full article

One of the major durability concerns for limestone calcined clay cement (LC³) concrete is its high susceptibility to atmospheric carbonation that could lead to an early onset of electrochemical corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete structures. Aimed at designing innovative LC³ formulations with potentially enhanced carbonation resistance, this preliminary study investigates the influence of reactive magnesia (MgO) on the early-age strength development, hydrates assemblage, and atmospheric carbonation resistance of ternary ordinary Portland cement-metakaolin-limestone blends with a constant 45% ordinary Portland cement (OPC) replacement level. The results show that the MgO addition impedes the formation of AFm phases (hemicarbonate and monocarbonate), likely through interfering reactions between metakaolin and portlandite. The formed brucite due to MgO hydration can uptake atmospheric CO₂ to some extent, but at a considerably slower rate, in comparison with other hydrates in LC³ including AFm, AFt, and portlandite. The enhancement of carbonation resistance of LC³ pastes is insignificant by MgO addition of less than 5%. Full article

Currently, low heat Portland (LHP) cement is widely used in mass concrete structures. The magnesia expansion agent (MgO) can be adopted to reduce the shrinkage of conventional Portland cement-based materials, but very few studies can be found that investigate the influence of MgO on the properties of LHP cement-based materials. In this study, the influences of two types of MgO on the hydration, as well as the shrinkage behavior of LHP cement-based materials, were studied via pore structural and fractal analysis. The results indicate: (1) The addition of reactive MgO (with a reactivity of 50 s and shortened as M50 thereafter) not only extends the induction stage of LHP cement by about 1–2 h, but also slightly increases the hydration heat. In contrast, the addition of weak reactive MgO (with a reactivity of 300 s and shortened as M300 thereafter) could not prolong the induction stage of LHP cement. (2) The addition of 4 wt.%–8 wt.% MgO (by weight of binder) lowers the mechanical property of LHP concrete. Higher dosages of MgO and stronger reactivity lead to a larger reduction in mechanical properties at all of the hydration times studied. M300 favors the strength improvement of LHP concrete at later ages. (3) M50 effectively compensates the shrinkage of LHP concrete at a much earlier time than M300, whereas M300 compensates the long-term shrinkage more effectively than M50. Thus, M300 with an optimal dosage of 8 wt.% is suggested to be applied in mass LHP concrete structures. (4) The addition of M50 obviously refines the pore structures of LHP concrete at 7 days, whereas M300 starts to refine the pore structure at around 60 days. At 360 days, the concretes containing M300 exhibits much finer pore structures than those containing M50. (5) Fractal dimension is closely correlated with the pore structure of LHP concrete. Both pore structure and fractal dimension exhibit weak (or no) correlations with shrinkage of LHP concrete. Full article