Concretes containing biomass ashes: mechanical, chemical and ecotoxic performances

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Abstract

The objective of this work was to assess the possibility of using biomass ashes as substitutes for cementand natural aggregates in concretes, without compromising their mechanical, chemical, and ecotoxicproperties. Thirteen concrete formulations were prepared with different percentages of bottom and flyashes produced in the power plant of a pulp and paper industry. These formulations were submittedto mechanical compressive strength assays, after 28, 60, and 90 days of cure. The reference formulation(without biomass ashes) and two formulations (with biomass ashes), were selected for further characterization.After 90 days of cure, the selected formulations were submitted to the leaching test described inthe EN12457-2 (L/S = 10 L/kg, 24 h batch cycle) by using two leaching agents: a synthetic marine water(ASPM medium) and a synthetic freshwater (ISO 6341 medium). The eluates produced were submitted tochemical characterization (set of 19 metals, pH, SO2 4 , F, dissolved organic carbon, chlorides, phenoliccompounds, and total dissolved solids) and to an ecotoxicological characterization (for marine eluates:bioluminescence inhibition of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri; growing inhibition of the microalgae Phaedactilumtricornutum; mobility inhibition of the microcrustacean Artemia franciscana; for freshwater eluates:mobility inhibition of the microcrustacean Daphnia magna; growing inhibition of the microalgae Pseudokirchneriellasubcapitata). The substitution of 10% cement by fly ashes has promoted similar to higherlevels of the compressive strength to reference formulation. The new formulations presented emissionlevels of chemical species similar to, or even lower than, those observed for the reference formulation.The ecotoxicological levels were reduced for all of the formulations.
Original languageUnknown
Pages (from-to)457-463
JournalConstruction and Building Materials
Volume48
Issue numberNovember
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2013

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