Experimental study on the micro-mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate

Coal gangue, a byproduct of coal beneficiation, has low strength and high carbon content, which negatively affects the mechanical properties of concrete when used as a substrate for natural gravel. However, high temperature calcination can activate its pozzolanic properties, improving its suitabilit...

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Main Authors: Shengpeng Hao, Wenyu Xu, Bambesiwe M. May, Zhenyu Zhang, Yuyu Zhang
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/S2214509525004784
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author Shengpeng Hao
Wenyu Xu
Bambesiwe M. May
Zhenyu Zhang
Yuyu Zhang
author_facet Shengpeng Hao
Wenyu Xu
Bambesiwe M. May
Zhenyu Zhang
Yuyu Zhang
author_sort Shengpeng Hao
collection DOAJ
description Coal gangue, a byproduct of coal beneficiation, has low strength and high carbon content, which negatively affects the mechanical properties of concrete when used as a substrate for natural gravel. However, high temperature calcination can activate its pozzolanic properties, improving its suitability for concrete production. This study investigates the microstructural and mechanical property of concrete incorporated with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate at different temperatures (500°C, 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C). The experimental results indicate that metakaolin in coal gangue begins to decompose at 500°C, increasing the content of reactive SiO2 and Al2O3, which participate in secondary hydration reactions with calcium hydroxide (CH). This process forms additional calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel, ettringite (AFT) crystals, and afwillite, enhancing the concrete microstructure. Notably, coal gangue concrete calcined at 800°C exhibited a porosity of 1.29 % and a compressive strength of 38 MPa after 28 days of curing, meeting the C30 concrete standard. Furthermore, the correlation between the compressive strength of CCGC and its microstructure exceeded 0.72, indicating that fractal dimension analysis is an effective method for predicting concrete strength.
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spelling doaj-art-de4ad250849c4e34b1a0de578a4b16f32025-08-20T03:14:17ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0468010.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04680Experimental study on the micro-mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregateShengpeng Hao0Wenyu Xu1Bambesiwe M. May2Zhenyu Zhang3Yuyu Zhang4State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Geofluids, Geomechanics and Geoenergy (3G) Research Group, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Corresponding author at: State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Geofluids, Geomechanics and Geoenergy (3G) Research Group, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, ChinaAfrican Rainbow Minerals Geometallurgy Chair, Department of Earth Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South AfricaState Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Geofluids, Geomechanics and Geoenergy (3G) Research Group, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, ChinaDepartment of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, CanadaCoal gangue, a byproduct of coal beneficiation, has low strength and high carbon content, which negatively affects the mechanical properties of concrete when used as a substrate for natural gravel. However, high temperature calcination can activate its pozzolanic properties, improving its suitability for concrete production. This study investigates the microstructural and mechanical property of concrete incorporated with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate at different temperatures (500°C, 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C). The experimental results indicate that metakaolin in coal gangue begins to decompose at 500°C, increasing the content of reactive SiO2 and Al2O3, which participate in secondary hydration reactions with calcium hydroxide (CH). This process forms additional calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel, ettringite (AFT) crystals, and afwillite, enhancing the concrete microstructure. Notably, coal gangue concrete calcined at 800°C exhibited a porosity of 1.29 % and a compressive strength of 38 MPa after 28 days of curing, meeting the C30 concrete standard. Furthermore, the correlation between the compressive strength of CCGC and its microstructure exceeded 0.72, indicating that fractal dimension analysis is an effective method for predicting concrete strength.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525004784Calcined coal gangue coarse aggregateConcreteHydration reactionsMicrostructureCompressive strength
spellingShingle Shengpeng Hao
Wenyu Xu
Bambesiwe M. May
Zhenyu Zhang
Yuyu Zhang
Experimental study on the micro-mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
Concrete
Hydration reactions
Microstructure
Compressive strength
title Experimental study on the micro-mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
title_full Experimental study on the micro-mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
title_fullStr Experimental study on the micro-mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
title_full_unstemmed Experimental study on the micro-mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
title_short Experimental study on the micro-mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
title_sort experimental study on the micro mechanism and compressive strength of concrete with calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
topic Calcined coal gangue coarse aggregate
Concrete
Hydration reactions
Microstructure
Compressive strength
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525004784
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