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Developing Mix Proportions for Class C Fly Ash-Based Alkali-Activated 3D-Printed Concrete Mixtures
Transportation Research Record
  • Fareh Abudawaba
  • Eslam Gomaa
  • Ahmed Geni
  • Mohamed ElGawady, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Abstract

This study investigated the use of class C fly ash (FA) as a precursor for alkali-activated mortar (AAM) for 3D-printed concrete (3DPC). AAMs with different water-to-FA (W/FA), alkaline activator-to-FA (Alk/FA), and sodium silicate-to-sodium hydroxide (SS/SH) ratios were examined to develop mixtures that can be tailored for different structural applications of 3DPC. The fresh properties, including extrudability and buildability, were evaluated through the open time (OT) and immediate deformation tests, respectively. Different cycle times (CTs) were applied to achieve a strain limit state necessary to maintain the printed shape. The strength of AAMs in different directions at different CTs was examined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out on AAM specimens having different CTs for a better understanding of the bond area. OTs ranging from 2.5 min to 31 min and axial strains ranging from 0.17% to 11.2% were achieved depending on the proportions of the AAMs and CT, which offers flexibility in optimizing the speed of printing and strength of concrete for different projects. The 3DPC specimens displayed anisotropic behavior compared with full-height specimens, where the compressive strength of full-height specimens was higher by 0.2% to 18% and 0.9% to 28% than 3DPC specimens when tested parallel and normal to the printing directions, respectively. SEM images and line scan indicated an approximately even intensity of the element concentration at the interfacial zones of AAMs having short CTs, which explained the relatively high compressive strength of those specimens. For AAMs having long CTs, there was a significant change in the intensity of the element concentration at the interfacial bond zone, and voids were observed resulting in low compressive strength of those specimens.

Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Comments
The work in this research project was partially funded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR).
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2021 National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
9-23-2021
Publication Date
23 Sep 2021
Citation Information
Fareh Abudawaba, Eslam Gomaa, Ahmed Geni and Mohamed ElGawady. "Developing Mix Proportions for Class C Fly Ash-Based Alkali-Activated 3D-Printed Concrete Mixtures" Transportation Research Record Vol. 2676 Iss. 2 (2021) p. 197 - 212
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mohamed-elgawady/102/