• Energy Research

Abstract This paper presents an experimental study of the effect of partially replace of fine aggregate by sugarcane bagasse ash (CBA) in mortar mixtures in cement reactivity at early ages. The setting times and the initial development of the ultrasonic velocity for mortars produced at various water/cement ratios were evaluated. The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of the partial replacement of fine aggregate by sugarcane bagasse ash in the initial process of cement hydration. Therefore, the CBA used in this study went through different beneficiation processes, by grinding, reburning and sieving, with the objective of improve its features. The results suggest the viability of CBA use to accelerate cement hydration at early ages, with also an observed higher compressive strength.

A study on the incorporation of coal bottom ash from thermoelectric power stations as a substitute material for natural sand in the production of concrete is here presented. The normally coarse, fused, glassy texture of bottom ash makes it an ideal substitute for natural aggregates. The use of bottom ash in concrete presents several technical challenges: the physical and mineralogical characteristics of the bottom ash; the effect on water demand and the participation on cements hydratation. In the production of the concrete, substitutions in volume were used. Two different ways to employ bottom ash were used to make up the mix proportions: one considering the natural humidity present in the porous particles and the other not considering it, seeking to maintain the same strength. These considerations are fundamental given that the process of bottom ash extraction is carried out through moisture. Mechanical tests by compressive strength were performed and the elastic modulus was determined. An analysis of the influence of bottom ash in the formation of pores was carried out through tests for the water loss by air drying and water uptake by capillary absorption. The results show that the higher the bottom ash contents in the concrete, the worse the performance regarding moisture transport. However, for one bottom ash concrete type, the mechanical properties were maintained.

Resumo O desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias e o incentivo ao reaproveitamento de resíduos vêm crescendo em função da redução dos prazos nas construções e da preocupação com o meio ambiente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da adição de resíduo de polimento de porcelanato (RPP) proveniente de dois lotes de uma empresa em argamassas autoadensáveis. Foram mantidos constantes a relação água/cimento e os teores de aditivos para cada porcentagem de adição de RPP. Observou-se que a granulometria e a área superficial específica afetaram a fluidez e as propriedades mecânicas. A adição do RPP0 (menor área superficial específica e partículas mais grossas) resultou em menor teor de ar incorporado e o aumento de resistência a partir de 10% de adição. Já, o RPP1 (área superficial específica maior e partículas mais finas) diminuiu a fluidez das argamassas mantendo alto o teor de ar incorporado, resultando em ganhos menores de resistência à compressão. Os resultados demonstraram que a influência do teor ar incorporado prevaleceu sobre a possível melhora no empacotamento das partículas e o efeito de nucleação. No entanto, independente do teor e tipo de RPP utilizado, os resultados viabilizaram o uso desses finos em argamassas autoadensáveis.

ABSTRACT This paper examines the suitability of partially replacing natural aggregate, sand, (NA) with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) or lightweight aggregate (LWA) in mortars, under the hypothesis that pre-wetting aggregates would produce improvement in mortar properties. Fresh mortar properties such as density, entrained air content, consistency and heat of hydration, as well as hardened mortar properties such as dry density, compressive and flexural strength, and dimensional instability at 0% and 100% saturation were determined. The results show that mortars made with natural aggregate (75%) and recycled concrete aggregate (25%) have similar properties to mortars made with only natural aggregate (100%) and that pre-wetting the aggregates does not influence the properties of mortars significantly. Therefore, partial replacement with recycled concrete aggregate is a viable alternative for producing mortar.