Production of Greener High-Strength Concrete Using Russian Quartz Sandstone Mine Waste Aggregates

Abstract

Quartz sandstone (QS) is a mine waste; therefore, its use in construction allows for both reducing the cost of the concrete and contributing to the utilization of waste. The scientific originality of this study is the identification of models of the effect of QS aggregate on the physicomechanical, durability characteristics, and eco-safety of greener high-strength concrete. The study used an energy-efficient method of non-thermal effects of electromagnetic pulses on the destruction mechanisms of quartz-containing raw materials. The characteristics of quartzite sandstone aggregates, including the natural activity of radionuclides, were comprehensively studied. The features of concrete hardening, including the formation of an interfacial transition zone between the aggregate and the cement matrix, were studied, taking into account the chemical and morphological features of quartzite sandstone. In addition, the microstructural and morphological properties of concrete were determined after a 28 day curing. In this study, the behaviors of the concrete with QS aggregate were investigated, bearing in mind the provisions of geomimetics science on the affinity of structures. The results obtained showed that the QS aggregate had the activity of natural radionuclides 3–4 times lower compared to traditional aggregates. Efficient greener concrete with a 46.3 MPa compressive strength, water permeability grade W14, and freeze–thaw resistance of 300 cycles were also obtained, demonstrating that the performance of this greener concrete was comparable to that of traditional concrete with more expensive granite or gabbro diabase aggregates.

Fly Ash-Based Eco-Efficient Concretes: A Comprehensive Review of the Short-Term Properties

“…Thus, curing is an essential step; that is, AAM pastes must be reserved within a sensible moisture and temperature range. Extending curing time endorses creating a cross-linked binding and a dense microstructure [ 133 , 197 ] as curing temperatures rise from 30 to 50 °C, the reactivity of FA increases. Furthermore, when curing temperatures are limited within the range of 60 and 90 °C, the geopolymerization is near complete [ 198 ].…”

“…The optimum compressive strength was 93 MPa [ 189 ]. In a previous study [ 241 ], recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) obtained from crushed structural concrete beams and clay was utilized in FA-based AAM to produce concrete with adequate mechanical characteristics [ 197 , 241 , 242 , 243 ]. It was reported that AAM with RCA developed a less compressive strengths of up to 10.3 MPa compared to that with natural coarse aggregates [ 241 ].…”

Application of Plastic Wastes in Construction Materials: A Review Using the Concept of Life-Cycle Assessment in the Context of Recent Research for Future Perspectives

“…The related literature on this topic also shows the flexibility and importance of choosing scenarios for the respective studies and border systems. Most studies clearly define the objective and scope of the study, making it easier for readers to understand the different criteria considered in each of them, such as [63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72] (Figure 8), [65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74] (Figure 9), and [66][67][68] (Figure 10). In civil engineering, the lifecycle assessment in elements, such as walls, with different end-of-life potentials, is mainly related to direct reuse residues or demolition processes, which depends on the users.…”

Thermal Behavior and Energy Efficiency of Modified Concretes in the Tropical Climate: A Systemic Review

“…Several factors affect the concrete thermal conductivity [55]. For instance, the type of aggregate [56,57], the properties of cementitious materials [58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66], moisture content [67,68], design buildup [69][70][71][72][73][74], temperature [75,76], concrete density [12,[77][78][79][80], etc. The measurement of concrete thermal conduction is divided into steady-state and transient methods [81].…”