Experimental study of marine ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA)

Reported are the results of an investigation of the effects of coarse aggregate type and content on the workability, mechanical properties, and long-term durability of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). UHPC specimens were prepared with four types of aggregates – granite, limestone, quartzite,...

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Main Authors: Lianzhen Zhang, Hao Wang, Anni Wang, Qingsong Zhang, Zhipeng Li, Xinpeng Wang, Changxin Huang, Andrey Jivkov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005297
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author Lianzhen Zhang
Hao Wang
Anni Wang
Qingsong Zhang
Zhipeng Li
Xinpeng Wang
Changxin Huang
Andrey Jivkov
author_facet Lianzhen Zhang
Hao Wang
Anni Wang
Qingsong Zhang
Zhipeng Li
Xinpeng Wang
Changxin Huang
Andrey Jivkov
author_sort Lianzhen Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Reported are the results of an investigation of the effects of coarse aggregate type and content on the workability, mechanical properties, and long-term durability of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). UHPC specimens were prepared with four types of aggregates – granite, limestone, quartzite, diabase – and five content levels – 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 kg/m3. The specimens were cured by steam for 48 h and by standard for 28d. The matrix and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by microhardness testing. The results show that the workability of the UHPC with quartzite coarse aggregate is better by 5–30 % than those of the UHPC with the other three coarse aggregates. Further, the UHPC with granite and limestone coarse aggregates are found to have the highest compressive and splitting tensile strengths at content levels of 200–400 kg/m3 and 600–800 kg/m3, respectively. It is shown that the granite coarse aggregate significantly improves the long-term durability of UHPC. In all cases, the workability and the autogenous shrinkage decrease linearly with the coarse aggregate content, while the compressive strength, the splitting tensile strength, and the abrasion resistance increase significantly. The optimal coarse aggregate content for resistance to chloride ion penetration is found to be approximately 600 kg/m3. The steam curing is shown to enhance all properties compared to the standard curing, notably improving chloride ion resistance. Microhardness and SEM analysis confirm a denser cementitious matrix structure following steam curing.
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spelling doaj-art-2ad2c9a2f2ea4c349b25028b54379ff72025-08-20T02:57:19ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0473110.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04731Experimental study of marine ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA)Lianzhen Zhang0Hao Wang1Anni Wang2Qingsong Zhang3Zhipeng Li4Xinpeng Wang5Changxin Huang6Andrey Jivkov7College of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Pipeline and Civil Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Ji'nan, ChinaSchool of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University, Ji’nan, China; Corresponding author.Department of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Ji'nan, ChinaSchool of Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UKReported are the results of an investigation of the effects of coarse aggregate type and content on the workability, mechanical properties, and long-term durability of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). UHPC specimens were prepared with four types of aggregates – granite, limestone, quartzite, diabase – and five content levels – 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 kg/m3. The specimens were cured by steam for 48 h and by standard for 28d. The matrix and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by microhardness testing. The results show that the workability of the UHPC with quartzite coarse aggregate is better by 5–30 % than those of the UHPC with the other three coarse aggregates. Further, the UHPC with granite and limestone coarse aggregates are found to have the highest compressive and splitting tensile strengths at content levels of 200–400 kg/m3 and 600–800 kg/m3, respectively. It is shown that the granite coarse aggregate significantly improves the long-term durability of UHPC. In all cases, the workability and the autogenous shrinkage decrease linearly with the coarse aggregate content, while the compressive strength, the splitting tensile strength, and the abrasion resistance increase significantly. The optimal coarse aggregate content for resistance to chloride ion penetration is found to be approximately 600 kg/m3. The steam curing is shown to enhance all properties compared to the standard curing, notably improving chloride ion resistance. Microhardness and SEM analysis confirm a denser cementitious matrix structure following steam curing.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005297Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)Coarse aggregateCuring methodMechanical propertiesLong-term durabilityMicroscopic testing
spellingShingle Lianzhen Zhang
Hao Wang
Anni Wang
Qingsong Zhang
Zhipeng Li
Xinpeng Wang
Changxin Huang
Andrey Jivkov
Experimental study of marine ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA)
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
Coarse aggregate
Curing method
Mechanical properties
Long-term durability
Microscopic testing
title Experimental study of marine ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA)
title_full Experimental study of marine ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA)
title_fullStr Experimental study of marine ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA)
title_full_unstemmed Experimental study of marine ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA)
title_short Experimental study of marine ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA)
title_sort experimental study of marine ultra high performance concrete with coarse aggregate uhpc ca
topic Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
Coarse aggregate
Curing method
Mechanical properties
Long-term durability
Microscopic testing
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005297
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