Effects of Mineral Admixtures and Mixing Techniques on the Performance of Steel Fibre-Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In this work, the synergistic effects of mineral admixtures and advanced mixing processes are systematically accounted for steel fibre-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete (SFR-RAC). It studies the improvement of performance optimization in SFR-RAC, inherently weak ITZ by adding 0.5% hooked steel fibres and replacing cement with ground granulated blast furnace slag (25–50%), fly ash (20–40%) and silica fume (7–14%). The efficiency of double-mixing (DM) and triple-mixing (TM) procedures were comprehensively evaluated. Results showed that mineral admixtures could improve mortar-aggregate interface bond, and the triple-mix technique contributed to such improvement. The maximum performance was observed for the combination of 7%SF with triple mixing (7%SF-TM), which presented increased compressive, tensile and flexural strengths by 7–18%, 12–29%, and 16–31% respectively. The durability was significantly improved, and the water resistance could increase by 53% with addition of 7%SF-TM, chloride penetration depth reduced by 86% when incorporated with 25%GGBS-TM, acid attack decreased by 84% with addition of 14%SF-TM. Microstructural analysis (SEM, XRD) confirmed that these enhancements stem from a denser matrix and refined ITZ due to increased C–S–H formation. This study confirms that the strategic integration of fibre reinforcement, pozzolanic admixtures and optimized mixing protocols presents a viable pathway for producing sustainable concrete from construction waste.
Source: Buildings
Authors: Muhammad Qaisar, Muhammad Yaqub
Institution: University of Engineering and Technology Taxila
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4415988980