Compressive behavior and microstructure of concrete mixed with natural seawater and sea sand

doi:10.1007/s11709-021-0780-2

Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

2021, Vol. 15

Issue (6) : 1347-1357 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-021-0780-2

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Compressive behavior and microstructure of concrete mixed with natural seawater and sea sand

Qinghai XIE^1,², Jianzhuang XIAO¹(

), Kaijian ZHANG¹, Zhongling ZONG²

¹. Department of Structural Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
². School of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China

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Abstract

Noncorrosive reinforcement materials facilitate producing structural concrete with seawater and sea sand. This study investigated the properties of seawater and sea sand concrete (SSC), considering the curing age (3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, and 150 d) and strength grade (C30, C40, and C60). The compressive behavior of SSC was obtained by compressive tests and digital image correction (DIC) technique. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) methods were applied to understand the microstructure and hydration products of cement in SSC. Results revealed a 30% decrease in compressive strength for C30 and C40 SSC from 60 to 150 d, and a less than 5% decrease for C60 from 28 to 150 d. DIC results revealed significant cracking and crushing from 80% to 100% of compressive strength. SEM images showed a more compact microstructure in higher strength SSC. XRD patterns identified Friedel’s salt phase due to the chlorides brought by seawater and sea sand. The findings in this study can provide more insights into the microstructure of SSC along with its short- and long-term compressive behavior.

Keywords seawater and sea sand concrete compressive strength strain field microstructure hydration products

Corresponding Author(s): Jianzhuang XIAO

Online First Date: 19 November 2021 Issue Date: 21 January 2022

Cite this article:

Qinghai XIE,Jianzhuang XIAO,Kaijian ZHANG, et al. Compressive behavior and microstructure of concrete mixed with natural seawater and sea sand[J]. Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 2021, 15(6): 1347-1357.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/10.1007/s11709-021-0780-2
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/Y2021/V15/I6/1347

Fig.1 Comparison of chloride and sulfate concentrations in worldwide seawater. (a)

C l ?

concentration; (b)

SO 4 2 ?

concentration.

Fig.2 Cumulative passing of raw materials.

physical properties	Haizhou Bay	Neilingding Island [24]	Daya Bay [24]	Pearl River Estuary [24]	Coastal beachnear Melbourne [26]
loose bulk density (kg/m³)	1545	1490	1450	1475	–
apparent density (kg/m³)	2549	2625	2578	2661	–
fineness modulus	2.33	3.03	2.79	2.75	2.39
clay content (wt%)	1.08	–	–	–	–
shell content (wt%)	1.53	0.78	0.88	1.12	–
attached $C l ?$ (wt%)	0.13	0.05	0.06	0.05	0.13
attached $SO 4 2 ?$ (wt%)	0.03	0.42	0.54	0.47	0.09

Tab.1 Comparison of physical properties of sea sand

Fig.3 XRD patterns of raw sea sand.

Tab.2 Mix proportions of SSC (kg/m³)

Fig.4 Workability of concrete mixed with seawater. (a) Comparison of slump values; (b) comparison of slump flow values.

Fig.5 Comparison of compressive strength growth for SSC. (a) Compressive strength growth; (b) comparison for C30 and C40 SSC; (c) comparison for C60 SSC.

Fig.6 Comparison between pictures and strain fields for SSC. (a) C30 SSC; (b) C40 SSC; (c) C60 SSC.

Fig.7 Strain contours for C60 SSC under various stress levels. (a) 20% of peak load; (b) 40% of peak load; (c) 60% of peak load; (d) 80% of peak load.

Fig.8 Morphology of hydrated cement in C30 SSC. (a) 14 d; (b) 21 d; (c) 28 d.

Fig.9 Morphology of hydrated cement in C40 SSC. (a) 14 d; (b) 21 d; (c) 28 d.

Fig.10 Morphology of hydrated cement in C60 SSC. (a) 14 d; (b) 21 d; (c) 28 d.

Fig.11 XRD patterns of SSC at different ages. (a) C30 SSC; (b) C40 SSC; (c) C60 SSC.

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