Effects of Aggregate-to-Binder Ratio on Mechanical Performance of Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates
This study investigates the development of a fully rubberized fine-aggregate engineered geopolymer composite (R-EGC) by replacing quartz sand with waste rubber particles (RPs). The influence of the rubber aggregate-to-binder mass ratio (A/B) on the performance of the R-EGC was systematically examine...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Yiwei Li Shuzhuo Zhi Ran Chai Zhiying Zhou Jiarui He Zizhao Yao Zhan Yang Genquan Zhong Yongchang Guo |
| author_facet | Yiwei Li Shuzhuo Zhi Ran Chai Zhiying Zhou Jiarui He Zizhao Yao Zhan Yang Genquan Zhong Yongchang Guo |
| author_sort | Yiwei Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the development of a fully rubberized fine-aggregate engineered geopolymer composite (R-EGC) by replacing quartz sand with waste rubber particles (RPs). The influence of the rubber aggregate-to-binder mass ratio (A/B) on the performance of the R-EGC was systematically examined from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. Quantitative analysis of crack width and number was conducted using binarized image-processing techniques to elucidate the crack propagation patterns. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to analyze the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the rubber aggregates and the geopolymer matrix under varying A/B ratios, aiming to explore the underlying failure mechanisms of the R-EGC. The research results indicated that the flowability of the R-EGC decreased gradually with increasing A/B ratio. The flowability of R-0.1 was 73.5%, outperforming R-0.2 and R-0.3 (66% and 65%, respectively). R-0.1 achieved the highest compressive strength of 35.3 MPa (compared to 31.2 MPa and 28.4 MPa for R-0.2 and R-0.3, respectively). R-0.3 demonstrated the most effective crack-control capability, with a tensile strength of 3.96 MPa (representing increases of 11.9% and 3.7% compared to R-0.1 and R-0.2, respectively) and the smallest crack width of 104 μm (indicating reductions of 20.6% and 43.5% compared to R-0.1 and R-0.2, respectively). R-0.2 exhibited the best ductility, with an ultimate tensile strain of 8.33%. Microstructural tests revealed that the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) widths for R-0.1, R-0.2, and R-0.3 were 2.47 μm, 4.53 μm, and 1.09 μm, respectively. An appropriate increase in the ITZ width was found to be beneficial for enhancing tensile ductility, but it compromised the crack-control ability of the R-EGC, thereby reducing its durability. Overall, this study clarifies the fundamental influence of the A/B ratio on the mechanical performance of the R-EGC. The findings provide valuable insights for future research in this field. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2a8c7ab3d2f94e20929dba3f14b2f89f |
| institution | Matheson Library |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-2a8c7ab3d2f94e20929dba3f14b2f89f2025-07-25T13:17:30ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011514249610.3390/buildings15142496Effects of Aggregate-to-Binder Ratio on Mechanical Performance of Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Recycled Rubber AggregatesYiwei Li0Shuzhuo Zhi1Ran Chai2Zhiying Zhou3Jiarui He4Zizhao Yao5Zhan Yang6Genquan Zhong7Yongchang Guo8School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaGuangzhou Building Materials Institute Limited Company, Guangzhou 510663, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaThis study investigates the development of a fully rubberized fine-aggregate engineered geopolymer composite (R-EGC) by replacing quartz sand with waste rubber particles (RPs). The influence of the rubber aggregate-to-binder mass ratio (A/B) on the performance of the R-EGC was systematically examined from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. Quantitative analysis of crack width and number was conducted using binarized image-processing techniques to elucidate the crack propagation patterns. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to analyze the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the rubber aggregates and the geopolymer matrix under varying A/B ratios, aiming to explore the underlying failure mechanisms of the R-EGC. The research results indicated that the flowability of the R-EGC decreased gradually with increasing A/B ratio. The flowability of R-0.1 was 73.5%, outperforming R-0.2 and R-0.3 (66% and 65%, respectively). R-0.1 achieved the highest compressive strength of 35.3 MPa (compared to 31.2 MPa and 28.4 MPa for R-0.2 and R-0.3, respectively). R-0.3 demonstrated the most effective crack-control capability, with a tensile strength of 3.96 MPa (representing increases of 11.9% and 3.7% compared to R-0.1 and R-0.2, respectively) and the smallest crack width of 104 μm (indicating reductions of 20.6% and 43.5% compared to R-0.1 and R-0.2, respectively). R-0.2 exhibited the best ductility, with an ultimate tensile strain of 8.33%. Microstructural tests revealed that the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) widths for R-0.1, R-0.2, and R-0.3 were 2.47 μm, 4.53 μm, and 1.09 μm, respectively. An appropriate increase in the ITZ width was found to be beneficial for enhancing tensile ductility, but it compromised the crack-control ability of the R-EGC, thereby reducing its durability. Overall, this study clarifies the fundamental influence of the A/B ratio on the mechanical performance of the R-EGC. The findings provide valuable insights for future research in this field.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2496rubber particles (RPs)aggregate-to-binder ratiosengineered geopolymer composites (EGCs)interfacial transition zone (ITZ)axial compressive behavioraxial tensile behavior |
| spellingShingle | Yiwei Li Shuzhuo Zhi Ran Chai Zhiying Zhou Jiarui He Zizhao Yao Zhan Yang Genquan Zhong Yongchang Guo Effects of Aggregate-to-Binder Ratio on Mechanical Performance of Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates Buildings rubber particles (RPs) aggregate-to-binder ratios engineered geopolymer composites (EGCs) interfacial transition zone (ITZ) axial compressive behavior axial tensile behavior |
| title | Effects of Aggregate-to-Binder Ratio on Mechanical Performance of Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates |
| title_full | Effects of Aggregate-to-Binder Ratio on Mechanical Performance of Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Aggregate-to-Binder Ratio on Mechanical Performance of Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Aggregate-to-Binder Ratio on Mechanical Performance of Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates |
| title_short | Effects of Aggregate-to-Binder Ratio on Mechanical Performance of Engineered Geopolymer Composites with Recycled Rubber Aggregates |
| title_sort | effects of aggregate to binder ratio on mechanical performance of engineered geopolymer composites with recycled rubber aggregates |
| topic | rubber particles (RPs) aggregate-to-binder ratios engineered geopolymer composites (EGCs) interfacial transition zone (ITZ) axial compressive behavior axial tensile behavior |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2496 |
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