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Fire behaviour of biochar-based cementitious composites
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Structural and Fire Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4720-5380
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Structural and Fire Engineering.ORCID iD: 0009-0005-3959-6803
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Structural and Fire Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5247-3390
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Structural and Fire Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8682-876X
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2024 (English)In: Composites Part C: Open Access, ISSN 2666-6820, Vol. 14, article id 100471Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The study aimed to test the hypothesis that biochar's unique properties, such as its microporous structure, can enhance concrete's resilience to high temperatures. Despite expectations of reduced crack formation and enhanced fire resistance, the experimental results revealed a limited impact on concrete's fire behaviour. The investigation involved the use of two biochar types, fine and coarse biochar as replacements for cement and aggregates, respectively. Fine biochar exhibited higher water absorption and Young's modulus than coarse biochar, but both resisted ignition at 35 kW/m2 radiative heat flux and had peak heat release rates below 40 kW/m2. Incorporating these biochars at varying weight percentages (10, 15, and 20 wt.%) into concrete led to a gradual decline in compressive and tensile strength due to reduced binding ability with increased biochar content. Exposure to 1000 °C compromised mechanical properties across all the samples. However, the biochar concrete maintained compressive strength (compared to the control) with up to 20 wt.% biochar as a fine aggregate substitute after exposure to 600 °C, and as a cement replacement after exposure to 200 °C. This substitution also yielded a significant reduction in CO2 emissions (50 % reduction as the biochar loading amount doubled) from concrete manufacturing, showcasing biochar's potential for sustainable construction practices. Despite not fully supporting the initial hypothesis, the study demonstrated biochar's viability in reducing carbon footprint while maintaining concrete strength under certain fire conditions.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2024. Vol. 14, article id 100471
Keywords [en]
Biochar concrete, Elevated temperatures, Mechanical properties
National Category
Other Civil Engineering
Research subject
Structural Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-105626DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomc.2024.100471ISI: 001247311700001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85193825752OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-105626DiVA, id: diva2:1863082
Funder
Brandforsk, 322-003Swedish Research Council Formas, 2022-00676Svenska Byggbranschens Utvecklingsfond (SBUF), 14062
Note

Validerad;2024;Nivå 1;2024-05-30 (signyg);

Full text license: CC BY;

For correction, see: Mensah R. A., Wang D., Shanmugam V., Sas G., Försth M. & Das O. (2025) Corrigendum “Fire behaviour of biochar-based cementitious composites” [Composites Part C: Open Access 14 (2024) 100471]. Composites Part C: Open Access, 17, 100589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2025.100589

Available from: 2024-05-30 Created: 2024-05-30 Last updated: 2025-10-21Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Using biochar in concrete
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Using biochar in concrete
2025 (English)Licentiate thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Biochar demonstrates strong potential as a supplementary cementitious material in concrete but significantly affects workability when added by weight. To address this, this study applied a volumetric water-to-cementitious materials ratio (w/c), replacing cement with biochar powder by volume at 5 %, 10 %, and 20 %, and compared the results to a 5 % weight-based replacement. Additionally, biochar aggregate was used to replace sand at 30 %, 60 %, and 100 % by volume, offering a sustainable solution to ecological degradation and environmental pollution. Various properties, including slump, air content, mechanical strength, and hydration products, were assessed. For biochar powder replacing cement, the results indicate that the volumetric w/c ratio effectively improved workability and enhanced internal curing, leading to increased hydration products and better mechanical performance compared to weight-based biochar replacement. Despite having a lower cement content, the 10 % volumetric biochar sample achieved higher strength than the 5 % weight-based sample. Furthermore, replacing sand with biochar aggregate reduced shrinkage through internal curing. However, due to its poor engineering properties, excessive sand replacement negatively impacted concrete strength, suggesting that biochar aggregate replacement should not exceed 30 %.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Luleå tekniska universitet, 2025. p. 59
Series
Licentiate thesis / Luleå University of Technology, ISSN 1402-1757
Keywords
Biochar, fresh property, hydration, shrinkage, volumetric w/c, pre-wetting
National Category
Other Civil Engineering
Research subject
Structural Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-111835 (URN)978-91-8048-775-7 (ISBN)978-91-8048-776-4 (ISBN)
Presentation
2025-05-23, B1301, ALC, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2025-03-04 Created: 2025-03-04 Last updated: 2025-10-21Bibliographically approved

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fulltext(9903 kB)431 downloads
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File name FULLTEXT01.pdfFile size 9903 kBChecksum SHA-512
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correction(3009 kB)62 downloads
File information
File name FULLTEXT02.pdfFile size 3009 kBChecksum SHA-512
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Type fulltextMimetype application/pdf

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Mensah, Rhoda AfriyieWang, DongShanmugam, VigneshwaranSas, GabrielFörsth, MichaelDas, Oisik

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