Mechanical performance and microstructure evolution of MgO-doped high volume GGBFS-based engineered cementitious composites at room and elevated temperatures

Rawat, S; Vongsvivut, J; Zhang, L; Zhang, YX

Mechanical performance and microstructure evolution of MgO-doped high volume GGBFS-based engineered cementitious composites at room and elevated temperatures

Rawat, S

Vongsvivut, J Zhang, L Zhang, YX

Permalink

Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Building Engineering, 2024, 98, pp. 111437
Issue Date:: 2024-12-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (17.01 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Rawat, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1985-7579
dc.contributor.author	Vongsvivut, J
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, L
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, YX
dc.date.accessioned	2025-04-01T05:20:26Z
dc.date.available	2025-04-01T05:20:26Z
dc.date.issued	2024-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Building Engineering, 2024, 98, pp. 111437
dc.identifier.issn	2352-7102
dc.identifier.issn	2352-7102
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/186416
dc.description.abstract	This paper presents a comprehensive study on the effect of MgO on the mechanical performance of ternary or quaternary blended engineered cementitious composites (ECC) primarily composed of cement, silica fume, and a high volume of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) at both room and elevated temperatures. The study evaluates the mechanical performance with varying dosages of MgO and GGBFS, focusing on compressive strength, tensile strength, and residual compressive strength, along with strength variation and microstructural evolution analysis at different temperatures. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques, with further analysis of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) conducted using synchrotron Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy. Test results indicated that 10–20 % MgO can be utilized in combination with GGBFS to develop high-strength and high-ductility ECC even at total cement replacement level as high as 80 %. Furthermore, elevated temperature analysis revealed the beneficial effect of MgO addition, particularly due to its hydration-retarding properties which led to accelerated strength development at later stages and resulted in higher residual strength. A compressive strength retention of over 45 % was observed for mixes containing 60 % GGBFS and 10 % MgO. While silica fume addition was found beneficial in terms of enhanced hydration until 200 °C, it led to spalling at high temperatures despite higher dosage of GGBFS. Analysis of the ITZ in the MgO-based matrix further showed the formation of a densely packed calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and calcite around brucite, indicating a strong interface. Magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) was also observed through X-ray diffraction analysis and was found in the matrix till 400 °C, possibly contributing to strength development and higher retention.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Building Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111437
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering, 1201 Architecture, 1202 Building
dc.subject.classification	3302 Building
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.title	Mechanical performance and microstructure evolution of MgO-doped high volume GGBFS-based engineered cementitious composites at room and elevated temperatures
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	98
utslib.for	0905 Civil Engineering
utslib.for	1201 Architecture
utslib.for	1202 Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-04-01T05:20:24Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	98

Abstract:

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the effect of MgO on the mechanical performance of ternary or quaternary blended engineered cementitious composites (ECC) primarily composed of cement, silica fume, and a high volume of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) at both room and elevated temperatures. The study evaluates the mechanical performance with varying dosages of MgO and GGBFS, focusing on compressive strength, tensile strength, and residual compressive strength, along with strength variation and microstructural evolution analysis at different temperatures. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques, with further analysis of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) conducted using synchrotron Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy. Test results indicated that 10–20 % MgO can be utilized in combination with GGBFS to develop high-strength and high-ductility ECC even at total cement replacement level as high as 80 %. Furthermore, elevated temperature analysis revealed the beneficial effect of MgO addition, particularly due to its hydration-retarding properties which led to accelerated strength development at later stages and resulted in higher residual strength. A compressive strength retention of over 45 % was observed for mixes containing 60 % GGBFS and 10 % MgO. While silica fume addition was found beneficial in terms of enhanced hydration until 200 °C, it led to spalling at high temperatures despite higher dosage of GGBFS. Analysis of the ITZ in the MgO-based matrix further showed the formation of a densely packed calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and calcite around brucite, indicating a strong interface. Magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) was also observed through X-ray diffraction analysis and was found in the matrix till 400 °C, possibly contributing to strength development and higher retention.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/186416