Effect of Nano-TiO2 and Polypropylene Fiber on Mechanical Properties and Durability of Recycled Aggregate Concrete

Abstract

In order to promote the engineering application of recycled concrete, the effects of PPF and nano-TiO2 dioxide on the mechanical properties and durability of recycled concrete were studied.

Polypropylene fiber recycled concrete(PRAC) and nano-TiO2 recycled concrete(TRAC) were prepared by adding different volume contents of PPF and nano-TiO₂. The experimental findings demonstrated that the PPF and nano-TiO₂ improved the splitting tensile strength of RAC better than the compressive strength. When the volume content of nano-TiO₂. and PPF is 0.8% and 1.0%, respectively, the corresponding splitting tensile strength of concrete reaches the maximum value(3.4 and 3.7 MPa). The contribution rates of nano-TiO₂ and PPF with different volume contents to the mechanical properties of RAC have optimal values, which are 0.4 and 1.0%, respectively. The incorporation of nano-TiO₂ and PPF can effectively inhibit the loss of RAC mass and the generation of pores under freeze–thaw conditions, and slow down the decrease of dynamic elastic modulus. When the volume content of PPF is 1.0% and the volume content of nano-TiO₂ is 0.4%, the protection effect on the internal structure of RAC is better, and its carbon resistance is better. The results of RSM model analysis and prediction show that both PPF and nano-TiO₂ can be used as admixture materials to improve the mechanical properties and durability of RAC, and the comprehensive improvement effect of PPF on RAC performance is better than that of nano-TiO₂.