Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag SIFCON for Sustainable Construction Using Recycled Glass and Tire-Derived Waste Steel Fibers
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract This paper presents the outcomes of a study in which continuous steel fibers, recovered from scrap tires of vehicles, were used to prepare alkali-activated slag-based slurry infiltrated fibrous concrete (SIFCON). In this experimental study, the steel fibers used were 250 mm long, with varying fiber contents of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. The alkali-activated SIFCONs were produced by activating ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) with a mixture of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) solutions. Mixtures with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) were also cast for comparison purposes. The feasibility of utilizing finely ground waste glass as a silicate source for chemical activator solution in alkali-activated SIFCONs was also investigated. In this context, two different molar concentrations of NaOH, namely 8 M and 14 M, were employed during production. As activators, one series of mixtures utilized sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solutions, while the other series replaced sodium silicate with finely ground waste glass. As a result, three different waste materials were utilized in concrete. 30 different mixtures were cast and examined in the experimental study. Load–deflection curves were obtained in three-point bending test and mechanical properties of the mixtures such as compressive, splitting and flexural strengths, fracture energy, and toughness were determined. The flexural strength and toughness increased with the use of waste steel fibers. The continuous waste fibers derived from discarded tires yielded results comparable to commercially available fibers, demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing mechanical properties. Depending on mix design, the alkali-activated SIFCON attained flexural strength exceeding 75 MPa and compressive strength surpassing 100 MPa. These results suggest that concretes incorporating a variety of waste materials can be effectively combined. This innovative approach bridges an existing gap in the literature by combining alkali activation, waste glass, and waste steel fibers, ultimately yielding a sustainable composite that outperforms normal concretes in terms of mechanical properties while promoting environmental sustainability. Test results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain concrete with comparable mechanical properties while primarily composed of by-products and waste materials. This approach marks a substantial step in achieving high-performance concrete that relies solely on waste or by-products. Graphical Abstract
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials · Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (45)
Show source-provided references
1. Afkhami, B., Akbarian, B., Beheshti, A. N., Kakaee, A. H., & Shabani, B. (2015). Energy consumption assessment in a cement production plant. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 10, 84–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2015.03.00310.1016/j.seta.2015.03.003 ↗
2. Alonso, M. M., Rodríguez, A., & Puertas, F. (2018). Viability of the use of construction and demolition waste aggregates in alkali-activated mortars. Materiales De Construccion, 68(331), e164. https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2018.0741710.3989/mc.2018.07417 ↗
3. Amin, M. N., Khan, K., Nazar, S., & Deifalla, A. F. (2023). Application of waste recycle tire steel fibers as a construction material in concrete. Reviews on Advanced Materials Science, 62(1), 20220319. https://doi.org/10.1515/rams-2022-031910.1515/rams-2022-0319 ↗
4. Becerra-Duitama, J. A., & Rojas-Avellaneda, D. (2022). Pozzolans: a review. Engineering and Applied Science Research, 49(4), 495–504. https://doi.org/10.14456/easr.202210.14456/easr.2022 ↗
5. Bentur, A., & Mindess, S. (2007). Fibre reinforced cementitious composites. Taylor & Francis.
6. Bulutlar, Y. A. Effects of Content and Strength of Steel Fiber on the Mechanical Behaviour of SIFCON. M.Sc. Thesis, Istanbul Technical University, Institute of Science and Technology, Istanbul, Turkey. 2006. https://polen.itu.edu.tr/items/30767971-9b19-45ba-a50c-6d1af3a66111. Accessed 17 Nov 2023 in Turkish.
7. Caggiano, A., Folino, P., Lima, C., & Martinelli, E. (2017). On the mechanical response of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete with recycled and industrial steel fibers. Construction and Building Materials, 147, 286–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.04.16010.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.04.160 ↗
8. Elibol, C., & Sengul, O. (2016). Effects of activator properties and ferrochrome slag aggregates on the properties of alkali activated blast furnace slag mortars. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 41(4), 1561–1571. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1910-810.1007/s13369-015-1910-8 ↗
9. EN 14488–5. 2006. Testing sprayed concrete – Part 5: Determination of energy absorption capacity of fibre reinforced slab specimens. European Standard.
10. EN 14651. 2007. “Test Method for Metallic Fibre Concrete – Measuring the Flexural Tensile Strength (Limit of Proportionality (LOP), Residual).” European Standard.
11. EN 12390–6. 2009. Testing Hardened Concrete – Part 6: Tensile Splitting Strength of Test Specimens. European Standard.
12. EN 12390–3. 2019. Testing Hardened Concrete – Part 3: Compressive Strength of Test Specimens. European Standard.
13. Global Cement and Concrete Association. The GCCA 2050 Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete report. 2021. https://gccassociation.org/concretefuture/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/GCCA-Concrete-Future-Roadmap-Document-AW.pdf. Accessed 17 Nov 2023.
14. Gok, S.G. A study on the investigation of physical, mechanical and durability properties of alkali activated mortars and waste steel fiber reinforced concretes (SIFCON). Ph. D. Thesis, Istanbul Technical University, Graduate School, Civil Engineering Department, Structural Engineering Program, Istanbul, Turkey. 2020. https://polen.itu.edu.tr/items/b5a25371-2a51-4be7-9923-da126f2ce506. Accessed 03 Nov 2023 in Turkish.
15. Gok, S. G., & Kilinc, K. (2017). Mechanical properties of fly ash and blast furnace slag based alkali activated concrete. Kirklareli University Journal of Engineering and Science, 3(2), 123–131.
16. Gok, S. G., Kilic, I., & Sengul, O. (2021). Properties of alkali-activated roller compacted concretes produced from waste aggregates. Cement Wapno Beton, 26(4), 352–363. https://doi.org/10.32047/CWB.2021.26.4.710.32047/CWB.2021.26.4.7 ↗
17. Gok, S. G., & Sengul, O. (2021). The use of waste glass as an activator in alkali-activated slag mortars. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability, 174(3), 120–130. https://doi.org/10.1680/jensu.19.0007010.1680/jensu.19.00070 ↗
18. Gok, S. G., & Sengul, O. (2023a). Mechanical properties of alkali-activated slag based SIFCON incorporating waste steel fibers and waste glass. Construction and Building Materials, 408, 133697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.13369710.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133697 ↗
19. Gok, S. G. & Sengul, O. (2023b). The Use of Waste Glass in Geopolymer Production”. Beton 2023 Congress Proceedings, November 8–10, 2023, Istanbul, Türkiye, Turkish Ready Mixed Concrete Association, https://www.thbbakademi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BETON-2023-BILDIRI-KITABI-web.pdf. Accessed 17 Nov 2023 Turkish.
20. Kilic, I., & Gok, S. G. (2021b). Strength and durability of roller compacted concrete with different types and addition rates of polypropylene fibers. Revista De La Construcción (Journal of Construction), 20(2), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.7764/RDLC.20.2.20510.7764/RDLC.20.2.205 ↗
21. Kilic, I., & Gok, S. G. (2021a). A study on investigating the properties of alkali-activated roller compacted concretes. Advances in Concrete Construction, 12(2), 117–123. https://doi.org/10.12989/acc.2021.12.2.11710.12989/acc.2021.12.2.117 ↗
22. Liew, K. M., & Akbar, A. (2020). The recent progress of recycled steel fiber reinforced concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 232, 117232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.11723210.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117232 ↗
23. Marey, H., Kozma, G., & Szabó, G. (2022). Effects of using green concrete materials on the CO2 emissions of the residential building sector in Egypt. Sustainability, 14, 3592. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1406359210.3390/su14063592 ↗
24. Marks, J. Development of sodium silicate adhesives for electrical steel bonding. Undergraduate thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering. 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/89976. Accessed 03 May 2023.
25. Mohajerani, A., Vajna, J., Cheung, T. H. H., Kurmus, H., Arulrajah, A., & Horpibulsuk, S. (2017). Practical recycling applications of crushed waste glass in construction materials: a review. Construction and Building Materials, 156, 443–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.00510.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.005 ↗
26. Plizzari, G., & Mindess, S. (2019). 11-fiber-reinforced concrete. In S. Mindess (Ed.), Developments in the formulation and reinforcement of concrete (2nd ed., pp. 257–287). Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering.10.1016/B978-0-08-102616-8.00011-3 ↗
27. Pozitif Kimya. https://www.pozitifkimya.com/urunler/sodyum-silikat. Accessed 19 July 2024.
28. Puertas, F., & Torres-Carrasco, M. (2014). Use of glass waste as an activator in the preparation of alkali-activated slag. Mechanical strength and paste characterisation. Cement and Concrete Research, 57, 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.12.00510.1016/j.cemconres.2013.12.005 ↗
29. RILEM Technical Committee 50-FMC. (1985). Determination of the fracture energy of mortar and concrete by means of three-point bend test on notched beams. Materials and Structures, 18, 287–290. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF0247291810.1007/BF02472918 ↗
30. Robayo-Salazar, R. A., Rivera, J. F., & Mejía de Gutiérrez, R. (2017). Alkali activated building materials made with recycled construction and demolition wastes. Construction and Building Materials, 149, 130–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.12210.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.122 ↗
31. Salihpasaoglu, F., & Sengul, O. (2020). Use of waste ferrochromium slag as aggregate in concrete. Material Cycles and Waste Management, 22, 2048–2058. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-020-01091-610.1007/s10163-020-01091-6 ↗
32. Saxena, R., Gupta, T., Sharma, R. K., & Panwar, N. L. (2021). Influence of granite waste on mechanical and durability properties of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23, 17810–17834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01414-z10.1007/s10668-021-01414-z ↗
33. Sengul, O. (2016). Mechanical behavior of concretes containing waste steel fibers recovered from scrap tires. Construction and Building Materials, 122, 649–658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.11310.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.113 ↗
34. Sengul, O. (2018). Mechanical properties of slurry infiltrated fiber concrete produced with waste steel fibers. Construction and Building Materials, 186, 1082–1091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.04210.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.042 ↗
35. Shi, C., Roy, D., & Krivenko, P. (2003). “Alkali-activated cements and concretes (1st ed.). CRC Press.10.1201/9781482266900 ↗
36. Su, P., Li, M., Dai, Q., & Wang, J. (2023). Mechanical and durability performance of concrete with recycled tire steel fibers. Construction and Building Materials, 394, 132287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.13228710.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132287 ↗
37. Swain, M. W. (1989). Toughening Mechanisms for Ceramics. In: Salama K, Ravi-Chandar K, R. Taplin DM, Rama Rao P (Eds). Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Fracture (ICF7), Pergamon, 24 March 1989. 3739–3786. ISBN: 9780080343419. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-034341-9.50261-8.10.1016/B978-0-08-034341-9.50261-8 ↗
38. Tan, K., Wang, T., Zhou, Z., & Qin, Y. (2021). Biochar as a partial cement replacement material for developing sustainable concrete: an overview. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 33(12), 3121001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000398710.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003987 ↗
39. Thomas, R. J., & Peethamparan, S. (2015). Alkali-activated concrete: engineering properties and stress–strain behavior. Construction and Building Materials, 93, 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.04.03910.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.04.039 ↗
40. Toniolo, N., Rincón, A., Roether, J. A., Ercole, P., Bernardo, E., & Boccaccini, A. R. (2018). Extensive reuse of soda–lime waste glass in fly ash-based geopolymers. Construction and Building Materials, 188, 1077–1084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.09610.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.08.096 ↗
41. Torres, J. J., Palacios, M., Hellouin, M., Puertas, F. 2009. “Alkaline chemical activation of urban glass wastes to produce cementitious materials.” 1st Spanish National Conference on Advances in Materials Recycling and Eco – Energy. 12–13 November, p. 111–114.
42. Torres-Carrasco, M., & Puertas, F. (2015). Waste glass in the geopolymer preparation. Mechanical and microstructural characterisation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 90, 397–408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.11.07410.1016/j.jclepro.2014.11.074 ↗
43. Torres-Carrasco, M., Rodríguez-Puertas, C. D., Mar Alonso, M., & Puertas, F. (2015). Alkali activated slag cements using waste glass as alternative activators. Rheological behaviour. Boletín De La Sociedad Española De Cerámica y Vidrio, 54(2), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsecv.2015.03.00410.1016/j.bsecv.2015.03.004 ↗
44. TS EN 197–1. 2012. “Cement – Part 1: Composition, specification and conformity criteria for common cements”. Turkish Standard.
45. Yazici, H., Aydin, S., Yigiter, H., Yardimci, M. Y., & Alptuna, G. (2010). Improvement on SIFCON performance by fibre orientation and high-volume mineral admixtures. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE, 22(11), 1093–1101. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000011410.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000114 ↗