Experimental Study on Flexural Fatigue Resistance of Recycled Fine Aggregate Concrete Incorporating Calcium Sulfate Whiskers

Chuheng Zhong, Xiaoyu Chen, Weiqi Mao, Sijia Xing, Jinhui Chen and Jinzhi Zhou ()
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Chuheng Zhong: School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Xiaoyu Chen: School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Weiqi Mao: China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430050, China
Sijia Xing: China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430050, China
Jinhui Chen: School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Jinzhi Zhou: School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: In order to study the flexural fatigue resistance of calcium sulfate whisker-modified recycled fine aggregate concrete (RFAC), flexural fatigue cyclic loading tests at different stress levels (0.6, 0.7, and 0.9) considering a calcium sulfate whisker (CSW) admixture as the main influencing factor were designed. Furthermore, the fatigue life was analyzed, and fatigue equations were established using the three-parameter Weibull distribution function theory. In addition, the micro-morphology of CSW-modified recycled fine aggregate concrete was observed and analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of CSW on recycled fine aggregate concrete were further explored. The test results demonstrate that the inclusion of recycled fine aggregate reduces the fatigue life of concrete, while the incorporation of CSW can effectively improve the fatigue life of the recycled fine aggregate concrete, where 1% of CSW modification can extend the fatigue life of recycled fine aggregate concrete by 56.5%. Furthermore, the fatigue life of concrete under cyclic loading decreases rapidly as the maximum stress level increases. Fatigue life equations were established with double logarithmic curves, and P-S-N curves considering different survival probabilities ( p = 0.5, 0.95) were derived. Microscopic analyses demonstrate that the CSW has a “bridging” effect at micro-seams in the concrete matrix, delaying the generation and enlargement of micro-cracks in the concrete matrix, thus resulting in improved mechanical properties and flexural fatigue resistance of the recycled fine aggregate concrete.

Keywords: recycled fine aggregate; calcium sulfate whisker; three-parameter weibull distribution; fatigue life; microstructure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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