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Performance of Lower-Carbon Concretes After High-Temperature Exposure
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Structural and Fire Engineering.ORCID iD: 0009-0007-9363-2742
2025 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This research was initiated in response to the urgent need to reduce CO₂ emissions, the ongoing green transition within the building materials sector, and the persistent gap in both knowledge and practice regarding the performance of environmentally friendly concretes under high-temperature exposure. The study investigates the behaviour of concrete and paste mixtures incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement following one hour of exposure to elevated temperatures. Mechanical testing, chemical analysis, including real-time monitoring during heating, and microstructural observations were used to evaluate thermal damage and to understand the materials’ response under those conditions. Various binder types, fillers, fibres, and admixtures were examined to assess their influence and to identify both strengths and limitations. The results demonstrated a beneficial effect of GGBFS in systems based on Portland cement, particularly in enhancing residual strength and thermal stability. In CSA-based systems, the inclusion of eggshell powder (ESP) was found to contribute positively to post-fire performance. On the other hand, certain admixtures caused unexpected disturbances at high temperatures, suggesting the need for careful compatibility and awareness of mix when designing thermally resistant concretes. The experimental programs were designed as an initial step toward broader exploration and formed a key component of an ongoing research effort. The findings are intended to support and complement existing studies in both academia and industry, with the goal of improving the fire resistance and overall durability of sustainable concrete materials.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Luleå: Luleå tekniska universitet, 2025.
Series
Doctoral thesis / Luleå University of Technology, ISSN 1402-1544
Keywords [en]
Concrete, low carbon, fire, GGBFS, CSA, slag, high temperature
National Category
Building materials
Research subject
Building Materials
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-114425ISBN: 978-91-8048-881-5 (print)ISBN: 978-91-8048-882-2 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-114425DiVA, id: diva2:1991920
Public defence
2025-10-23, E632, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 10:30 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2025-08-26 Created: 2025-08-26 Last updated: 2025-10-21Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Eco-Concrete in High Temperatures
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Eco-Concrete in High Temperatures
2023 (English)In: Materials, E-ISSN 1996-1944, Vol. 16, no 12, article id 4212Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Concrete technology is becoming more and more sustainable and ecological following more extensive and focused research. The usage of industrial waste and by-products, such as steel ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), mine tailing, fly ash, and recycled fibers, is a very important step toward a good transition of concrete into a “green” future and significant improvement in waste management in the world. However, there are also several known durability-related problems with some types of eco-concretes, including exposure to fire. The general mechanism occurring in fire and high-temperature scenarios is broadly known. There are many variables that weightily influence the performance of this material. This literature review has gathered information and results regarding more sustainable and fire-resistant binders, fire-resistant aggregates, and testing methods. Mixes that utilize industrial waste as a total or partial cement replacement have been consistently achieving favorable and frequently superior outcomes when compared to conventional ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based mixes, especially at a temperature exposure up to 400 °C. However, the primary emphasis is placed on examining the impact of the matrix components, with less attention given to other factors such as sample treatment during and following exposure to high temperatures. Furthermore, there is a shortage of established standards that could be utilized in small-scale testing.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI, 2023
Keywords
eco-concrete, environmentally friendly, fire, elevated temperature
National Category
Building materials
Research subject
Building Materials
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-114442 (URN)10.3390/ma16124212 (DOI)001017225400001 ()2-s2.0-85163744097 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Svenska Byggbranschens Utvecklingsfond (SBUF)
Note

Godkänd;2025;Nivå 0;2025-08-26 (u4);

Funder: Skanska;

Fulltext license: CC BY

Available from: 2025-08-26 Created: 2025-08-26 Last updated: 2025-10-21Bibliographically approved
2. Physical Changes and Performance at High Temperatures of Cement-Slag Blended Concretes
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Physical Changes and Performance at High Temperatures of Cement-Slag Blended Concretes
Show others...
2025 (English)In: Fire and Materials, ISSN 0308-0501, E-ISSN 1099-1018, Vol. 49, no 8, p. 1155-1171Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This study investigates the physical transformations and assesses the performance of blended-cement concretes exposed to temperatures ranging from ambient to 800°C. Three different grades of cement: 32.5, 42.5, and 52.5, with various contents of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), were employed in this research. The primary focus is on understanding how variations in cement-slag ratios impact the structural characteristics of concretes exposed to elevated temperatures. Through a series of mechanical tests and matrix analysis, we examined the response of concretes incorporating supplementary cementitious materials to high temperatures. The study demonstrated that slag-cement blends exhibit superior mechanical performance compared to the conventional concrete reference sample. Notably, after exposure to 400°C, the compressive strength of the blends showed significant improvement. The results contribute to enhancing the understanding of the thermal behavior and overall performance of environmentally conscious concrete mixes in challenging conditions.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2025
Keywords
blast furnace slag, blended cements, concrete, high temperature resistance
National Category
Building Technologies Composite Science and Engineering
Research subject
Building Materials
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-114589 (URN)10.1002/fam.70010 (DOI)001565900500001 ()2-s2.0-105015453988 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Svenska Byggbranschens Utvecklingsfond (SBUF), 13879
Note

Validerad;2025;Nivå 2;2025-11-12 (u8);

Funder: Skanska Sweden;

Full text license: CC BY-NC-ND

Available from: 2025-09-09 Created: 2025-09-09 Last updated: 2025-11-28Bibliographically approved

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The full text will be freely available from 2027-04-02 12:00
Available from 2027-04-02 12:00

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Sundin, Marcin

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