Study on the Strength and Mechanism Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Reactive Powder Concrete

The demand for super-tall buildings and long-span bridges has driven concrete development toward higher strength and durability. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of composition of materials (aggregates, admixtures, and steel fibers) on the mechanical performance and economic feasibility...

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Main Authors: Xiuhong Hao, Haichuan Jia, Guangyao Ding, Xianxian Kong, Xianghe Meng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2327
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author Xiuhong Hao
Haichuan Jia
Guangyao Ding
Xianxian Kong
Xianghe Meng
author_facet Xiuhong Hao
Haichuan Jia
Guangyao Ding
Xianxian Kong
Xianghe Meng
author_sort Xiuhong Hao
collection DOAJ
description The demand for super-tall buildings and long-span bridges has driven concrete development toward higher strength and durability. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of composition of materials (aggregates, admixtures, and steel fibers) on the mechanical performance and economic feasibility of coarse aggregate reactive powder concrete (CA-RPC). The goal is to identify optimal combinations for both performance and cost. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and pore structure analysis were used to assess microstructural characteristics. The results demonstrated that replacing quartz sand with yellow sand as the fine aggregate in CA-RPC effectively reduced construction costs without compromising compressive strength. The use of basalt as the coarse aggregate led to higher mechanical strength compared to limestone. Incorporating 20% fly ash reduced the 7-day compressive strength, while the 28-day strength remained unaffected. The addition of 10% silica fume showed no obvious effect on the early strength but significantly improved the 28-day strength and workability of the concrete. Moreover, the incorporation of steel fibers improved the flexural strength and structural integrity of CA-RPC, shifting the failure mode from brittle fracture to a more ductile cracking behavior. SEM observations and pore structure analyses revealed that the admixtures altered the hydration products and pore distribution, thereby affecting the mechanical performance. This study provides valuable insights into the strength development and underlying mechanisms of CA-RPC, offering a theoretical basis for its practical application in bridge deck pavement and tunnels.
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spelling doaj-art-6ff93d52a5894e5691dc47a18dcdfe882025-08-20T02:35:43ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011513232710.3390/buildings15132327Study on the Strength and Mechanism Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Reactive Powder ConcreteXiuhong Hao0Haichuan Jia1Guangyao Ding2Xianxian Kong3Xianghe Meng4School of Civil Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan 250357, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan 250357, ChinaChina Construction Eighth Bureau Fourth Construction Company Limited, Qingdao 266100, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan 250357, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan 250357, ChinaThe demand for super-tall buildings and long-span bridges has driven concrete development toward higher strength and durability. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of composition of materials (aggregates, admixtures, and steel fibers) on the mechanical performance and economic feasibility of coarse aggregate reactive powder concrete (CA-RPC). The goal is to identify optimal combinations for both performance and cost. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and pore structure analysis were used to assess microstructural characteristics. The results demonstrated that replacing quartz sand with yellow sand as the fine aggregate in CA-RPC effectively reduced construction costs without compromising compressive strength. The use of basalt as the coarse aggregate led to higher mechanical strength compared to limestone. Incorporating 20% fly ash reduced the 7-day compressive strength, while the 28-day strength remained unaffected. The addition of 10% silica fume showed no obvious effect on the early strength but significantly improved the 28-day strength and workability of the concrete. Moreover, the incorporation of steel fibers improved the flexural strength and structural integrity of CA-RPC, shifting the failure mode from brittle fracture to a more ductile cracking behavior. SEM observations and pore structure analyses revealed that the admixtures altered the hydration products and pore distribution, thereby affecting the mechanical performance. This study provides valuable insights into the strength development and underlying mechanisms of CA-RPC, offering a theoretical basis for its practical application in bridge deck pavement and tunnels.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2327coarse aggregate reactive powder concretecompressive strengthflexural strengthscanning electron microscopypore structure analysis
spellingShingle Xiuhong Hao
Haichuan Jia
Guangyao Ding
Xianxian Kong
Xianghe Meng
Study on the Strength and Mechanism Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Reactive Powder Concrete
Buildings
coarse aggregate reactive powder concrete
compressive strength
flexural strength
scanning electron microscopy
pore structure analysis
title Study on the Strength and Mechanism Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Reactive Powder Concrete
title_full Study on the Strength and Mechanism Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Reactive Powder Concrete
title_fullStr Study on the Strength and Mechanism Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Reactive Powder Concrete
title_full_unstemmed Study on the Strength and Mechanism Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Reactive Powder Concrete
title_short Study on the Strength and Mechanism Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Reactive Powder Concrete
title_sort study on the strength and mechanism analysis of coarse aggregate reactive powder concrete
topic coarse aggregate reactive powder concrete
compressive strength
flexural strength
scanning electron microscopy
pore structure analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2327
work_keys_str_mv AT xiuhonghao studyonthestrengthandmechanismanalysisofcoarseaggregatereactivepowderconcrete
AT haichuanjia studyonthestrengthandmechanismanalysisofcoarseaggregatereactivepowderconcrete
AT guangyaoding studyonthestrengthandmechanismanalysisofcoarseaggregatereactivepowderconcrete
AT xianxiankong studyonthestrengthandmechanismanalysisofcoarseaggregatereactivepowderconcrete
AT xianghemeng studyonthestrengthandmechanismanalysisofcoarseaggregatereactivepowderconcrete