Resíduos gerados em diversas indústrias têm sido aproveitados na produção de materiais buscando reduzir o impacto ambiental. No campo das fibras, materiais alternativos vem sendo produzidos em maior quantidade e ganhando destaque na fabricação de compósitos mais adequados ambientalmente. Entre estes produtos está a fibra de escória de alto-forno, microfibra cuja matéria-prima é originária da produção do ferro-gusa, que apresenta vantagens em seu processo produtivo citando-se custo reduzido e ganho ambiental ao proporcionar a ampliação da aplicabilidade de um subproduto gerado em elevada quantidade, tem despertado o interesse no seu uso como reforço de matrizes cimentícias. Neste sentido, a presente pesquisa visa avaliar se, além do beneficio ambiental proporcionado pela utilização da fibra de escória em substituição a outras fibras convencionais, a aplicação deste produto pode proporcionar também benefícios técnicos ao incrementar o desempenho de matrizes cimentícias. Para tanto o programa experimental foi dividido em quatro etapas, sendo a etapa inicial de caracterização dos materiais empregados e da fibra de escória por meio de ensaios de Fluorescência de Raios X, Difração de Raios X e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). A segunda etapa foi proposta buscando avaliar a afinidade existente entre fibra e matriz cimentícia através do ensaio de Le Chatelier. Destinou-se a terceira parte do programa experimental ao preparo dos corpos-de-prova utilizados nos ensaios e a última para avaliação dos compósitos com relação à: Trabalhabilidade; Resistência à Tração na Flexão; Resistência à Compressão; Módulo de Elasticidade Dinâmico; Retração Restringida e Resistência ao Impacto. Os resultados não confirmaram a hipótese levantada, indicando que o desempenho da adição da fibra de escória em matrizes cimentícias foi insatisfatório, sendo constatada falha na distribuição da fibra através da produção de compósitos heterogêneos, com presença de aglomeração da fibra e incorporação de ar. Mesmo com o problema na dispersão da fibra, considerou-se com potencial promissor o resultado obtido no ensaio de retração restringida, onde foi possível verificar a atuação da microfibra de escória na distribuição das tensões permitindo o retardamento da fissuração nos anéis de argamassa reforçada. Estudos adicionais buscando melhorar a dispersão da fibra também não obtiveram bons resultados. Acredita-se que para fins de reforço em matrizes cimentícias a presença de resina adicionada à fibra de escória no seu processo de fabricação compromete a dispersão do material e, consequentemente, seu uso neste tipo de reforço. / Waste generated in various industries have been utilized in the production of materials seeking to reduce the environmental impact. In the field of fibers, alternative materials have been produced in greater quantity and gaining prominence in the manufacture of composites more environmentally appropriate. Among these products is of blast furnace slag fiber, microfiber whose raw material is sourced from the production of pig iron, which has advantages in its production process by citing the cost savings and environmental gains by providing expansion of the applicability of a byproduct generated in large amounts, has stimulated interest in its use as reinforcement in cementitious matrices. In this sense, this research aims to assess whether, in addition to environmental benefits provided by the use of slag fiber as a substitute for other conventional fibers, application of this product may also offer technical benefits to increase the performance of cementitious matrices. For both the experimental program was divided into four phases, the initial step of characterization of materials used and the slag fiber by tests of X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The second step was proposed by assessing the affinity between fiber and cement matrix by testing of Le Chatelier. Allocated to third part of the experimental program to prepare the bodies of the test piece used in the tests and the final assessment for the composites with respect to: Workability; Tensile strength in bending, compressive strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity; Restrained and Retraction Impact Resistance. The results did not confirm the hypothesis, indicating that the performance of slag addition of fiber in cementitious matrices was unsatisfactory, and found fault in the distribution of fiber through the production of composite heterogeneous with the presence of fiber clustering and incorporation of air. Even with the problem in dispersion of fiber, it was considered a promising potential with test result of restrained shrinkage, where it was possible to verify the performance of micro stress distribution in the slag allowing delayed cracking in mortar reinforced rings. Additional studies seeking to improve the dispersion of the fiber also did not obtain good results. It is believed that for purposes of reinforcement in cementitious matrices the presence of resin added to the slag fiber in its manufacturing process compromises the dispersal of the material and hence its use in this type of reinforcement.

O silicato de cálcio hidratado (C-S-H) é o componente responsável pela resistência mecânica dos cimentos usados na construção civil. Neste trabalho foi caracterizada a evolução da reação de hidratação e as propriedades estruturais das fases resultantes da hidratação da escória de alto forno granulada (EAF). Este tipo de cimento é um potencial candidato para substituir os materiais convencionais, apresentando vantagens relativas ao menor custo energético de produção e a redução do impacto ambiental. Devido à menor reatividade da EAF com água, é necessário a adição de substâncias ativadoras alcalinas de modo geral em baixa concentração. Neste trabalho foi caracterizado o efeito sobre a sua reatividade e as propriedades estruturais dos produtos da reação (C-S-H e aluminatos de cálcio hidratados) de quatro tipos de misturas ativadoras contendo hidróxido de sódio, silicato de sódio e/ou hidróxido de cálcio (CH). As quantidades alcalinas resultantes das misturas usadas nas pastas foram: 5%Na2O, 5% Na2O-2,5%CH, 5% Na2O -7,5%SiO2 e 5% Na2O -2,5%CH- 7,5% SiO2. A técnica experimental utilizada foi a Ressonância Magnética Nuclear (RMN) de alta resolução no estado sólido de 29Si, 27Al e 23Na. Os resultados indicaram diferenças na cinética da reação no estágio tardio (tempos na faixa de 3 dias até 120 dias), na quantidade e nas características estruturais das fases aluminatos de cálcio e do C-S-H, dependentes da presença de SiO2 na mistura ativadora. A inclusão de Ca(OH)2 tem efeitos de magnitude consideravelmente menor sobre estes parâmetros. Foi observada uma correspondência excelente entre as diferenças estruturais observadas por RMN e o comportamento da resistência mecânica do material. / Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) is the component responsible for mechanical resistance of cementitious materials. In this work, a characterization of the evolution of the hydration reaction in granulated blast-furnace slag (bfs) is presented. Also, the structural properties of the reaction products is studied as a function of time, during the late period of the process. This kind of cement is a potential material to replace the conventional Portland in several applications, having several relative advantages regarding to energetic cost and impact on the environment. To overcome the less hydraulic reactivity of gbs respect to Portland, it is generally necessary the addition of small amount of alkaline compounds, called activators, to improve the speed and extension of the reaction. The behavior of four different activator mixtures containing sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate and/or calcium hydroxide (CH) were considered, at fixed amount alkali 5% Na2O, 5% Na2O -2,5% Ca(OH)2, 5% Na2O -7,5% SiO2 and Na2O -2,5% Ca(OH)2- 7,5% SiO2. The hydration kinetics and structural properties of the hydration products, C-S-H and calcium aluminate hydrates, were probed by means of solid-state high resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of 29Si, 27Al and 23Na nuclei. Results showed differences in hydration evolution and structural properties depending strongly on the presence of SiO2 in the mixture. On the other hand, Ca(OH)2 produced only marginal effects on the reaction. An excellent correlation was observed between the structural differences and the mechanical response of the material as a function of the hydration time.

Resíduos gerados em diversas indústrias têm sido aproveitados na produção de materiais buscando reduzir o impacto ambiental. No campo das fibras, materiais alternativos vem sendo produzidos em maior quantidade e ganhando destaque na fabricação de compósitos mais adequados ambientalmente. Entre estes produtos está a fibra de escória de alto-forno, microfibra cuja matéria-prima é originária da produção do ferro-gusa, que apresenta vantagens em seu processo produtivo citando-se custo reduzido e ganho ambiental ao proporcionar a ampliação da aplicabilidade de um subproduto gerado em elevada quantidade, tem despertado o interesse no seu uso como reforço de matrizes cimentícias. Neste sentido, a presente pesquisa visa avaliar se, além do beneficio ambiental proporcionado pela utilização da fibra de escória em substituição a outras fibras convencionais, a aplicação deste produto pode proporcionar também benefícios técnicos ao incrementar o desempenho de matrizes cimentícias. Para tanto o programa experimental foi dividido em quatro etapas, sendo a etapa inicial de caracterização dos materiais empregados e da fibra de escória por meio de ensaios de Fluorescência de Raios X, Difração de Raios X e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). A segunda etapa foi proposta buscando avaliar a afinidade existente entre fibra e matriz cimentícia através do ensaio de Le Chatelier. Destinou-se a terceira parte do programa experimental ao preparo dos corpos-de-prova utilizados nos ensaios e a última para avaliação dos compósitos com relação à: Trabalhabilidade; Resistência à Tração na Flexão; Resistência à Compressão; Módulo de Elasticidade Dinâmico; Retração Restringida e Resistência ao Impacto. Os resultados não confirmaram a hipótese levantada, indicando que o desempenho da adição da fibra de escória em matrizes cimentícias foi insatisfatório, sendo constatada falha na distribuição da fibra através da produção de compósitos heterogêneos, com presença de aglomeração da fibra e incorporação de ar. Mesmo com o problema na dispersão da fibra, considerou-se com potencial promissor o resultado obtido no ensaio de retração restringida, onde foi possível verificar a atuação da microfibra de escória na distribuição das tensões permitindo o retardamento da fissuração nos anéis de argamassa reforçada. Estudos adicionais buscando melhorar a dispersão da fibra também não obtiveram bons resultados. Acredita-se que para fins de reforço em matrizes cimentícias a presença de resina adicionada à fibra de escória no seu processo de fabricação compromete a dispersão do material e, consequentemente, seu uso neste tipo de reforço. / Waste generated in various industries have been utilized in the production of materials seeking to reduce the environmental impact. In the field of fibers, alternative materials have been produced in greater quantity and gaining prominence in the manufacture of composites more environmentally appropriate. Among these products is of blast furnace slag fiber, microfiber whose raw material is sourced from the production of pig iron, which has advantages in its production process by citing the cost savings and environmental gains by providing expansion of the applicability of a byproduct generated in large amounts, has stimulated interest in its use as reinforcement in cementitious matrices. In this sense, this research aims to assess whether, in addition to environmental benefits provided by the use of slag fiber as a substitute for other conventional fibers, application of this product may also offer technical benefits to increase the performance of cementitious matrices. For both the experimental program was divided into four phases, the initial step of characterization of materials used and the slag fiber by tests of X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The second step was proposed by assessing the affinity between fiber and cement matrix by testing of Le Chatelier. Allocated to third part of the experimental program to prepare the bodies of the test piece used in the tests and the final assessment for the composites with respect to: Workability; Tensile strength in bending, compressive strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity; Restrained and Retraction Impact Resistance. The results did not confirm the hypothesis, indicating that the performance of slag addition of fiber in cementitious matrices was unsatisfactory, and found fault in the distribution of fiber through the production of composite heterogeneous with the presence of fiber clustering and incorporation of air. Even with the problem in dispersion of fiber, it was considered a promising potential with test result of restrained shrinkage, where it was possible to verify the performance of micro stress distribution in the slag allowing delayed cracking in mortar reinforced rings. Additional studies seeking to improve the dispersion of the fiber also did not obtain good results. It is believed that for purposes of reinforcement in cementitious matrices the presence of resin added to the slag fiber in its manufacturing process compromises the dispersal of the material and hence its use in this type of reinforcement.

O uso de escória de alto forno como aglomerante alternativo ao cimento portland tem sido objeto de vários estudos no Brasil e no exterior. Além de representar vantagens ao meio ambiente por ser um resíduo, a escória apresenta boas possibilidades de emprego, principalmente pelo baixo custo e por suas vantagens técnicas das quais se destacam a elevada resistência mecânica, a boa durabilidade em meios agressivos, o baixo calor de hidratação. No entanto, o emprego deste material carece de estudos detalhados da retração, muito superior à do cimento portland. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a cinética das retrações autógena e por secagem não restringidas do cimento de escória ativada em função, principalmente, do tipo e teor de ativadores empregados. Para a retração autógena, o corpo-de-prova foi selado com papel alumínio protegido internamente com plástico. As medidas estenderam-se de 6 horas até 112 dias. O fenômeno da retração também foi analisado com base nos resultados dos ensaios de porosimetria, calorimetria, termogravimetria e difração de raios X. Foram empregados como ativadores: silicato de sódio, cal hidratada + gipsita, cal hidratada e hidróxido de sódio. Como referência foi adotado o cimento portland da alta resistência inicial CPV-ARI. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a ativação da escória com silicato de sódio apresentou retração por secagem e autógena superior à apresentada pelos demais ativadores e pelo cimento portland. A maior parte dessa retração medida ocorre até os 7 dias. A retração por secagem ocorre em dois estágios: o primeiro logo após a desmoldagem e o segundo a partir do início da formação dos produtos hidratados. O início da retração autógena coincide com o segundo estágio da retração por secagem. Com base nos ensaios de microestrutura, são determinantes para a elevada retração do cimento de escória ativada com silicato de sódio: a baixa porosidade, caracterizada pela predominância quase total de mesoporos; o elevado grau de hidratação e natureza dos produtos hidratados, com predominância quase total de silicato cálcio hidratado (C-S-H). Na ativação com cal e com cal mais gipsita, a composição diferente dos produtos hidratados (baixa formação de C-S-H e presença significativa de fases aluminato e sulfoluminato, respectivamente) altera a porosidade e a retração, principalmente a autógena que apresenta valores inferiores à do cimento portland. A ativação com hidróxido sódio é caracterizada pela elevada retração autógena e baixa formação de C-S-H, com presença significativa de fases aluminato. / The use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) as an alternative binder to portland cement has been the subject of numerous studies in Brazil and other countries. Because BFS is a residue, its use benefits the environment. Furthermore, BFS cement is less costly and shows technical advantages if compared with normal portland cement, namely the higher strength, good durability in aggressive environments, and low heat of hydration. On the other hand, the high shrinkage of BSF cement is often indicated as one of the major limiting aspects for its use. The objective of this research was to study the development of unrestrained autogenous and drying shrinkage of BSF cement as function, mainly, of the chemical activator types and dosages. Autogenous shrinkage was measured in fully aluminum foil and plastic sheet wrapped specimens. Measurements were taken from 6 hours up to 112 days. Shrinkage was also analyzed in conjunction with mercury posorimetry, conduction calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction tests. Activators used were sodium silicate, hydrated lime + gypsite, hydrated lime and sodium hydroxide. High early strength portland cement was used as reference. The results showed that autogenous and drying shrinkage were larger when BFS was activated with sodium silicate. Most of the shrinkage occurs before 7 days of hydration. Drying shrinkage occurs in two phases: the first phase immediately after demolding, and the second phase concurrently with the formation of the hydrated products. Autogenous shrinkage coincides with the second phase of the drying shrinkage. Based on microstructure analysis, determining factors could be identified that respond for the high shrinkage of sodium silicate activated BFS cement: low porosity, mostly mesopores; high degree of hydration and chemical nature of the hydrated products, essentially calcium silicate hydrate - C-S-H. Activation with hydrated lime and hydrated lime plus dehydrated calcium results low amounts of C-S-H and significant quantities of aluminate and sulphoaluminate phases, respectively. Porosity and shrinkage, mainly autogenous, are lower than that verified for portland cement mixtures. Activation with sodium hydroxide causes high autogenous shrinkage, small amounts of C-S-H and significant quantities of aluminate phases.

The carbonation of the building materials based on the ordinary Portland cement is relatively well-known and extensively studied phenomenon. Conversely mechanism, reaction products and factors affecting the carbonation of the alkali activated materials are still not sufficiently clarified. In this work, the progression of the carbonation of the alkali activated materials under different conditions was investigated. The reaction products and the microstructural changes were determined by XRD respectively SEM-EDX analysis. The corrosive conditions due to the decreasing of the pH of the binders by the carbonation were observed by XPS analysis of the steel fibers. The carbonation of the alkali activated samples was compared with the reference samples based on the Portland composite cement. Besides these analyzes, the mechanical properties of the binders were monitored.

This thesis is focused on the principles of behavior of shrinkage reducing agents (SRA) in alkali-activated materials based on blast furnace slag. The main focus of this work is selecting the most suitable admixture based on experiments, by which will be achieved through minimal shrinkage and will have negative effect on the properties of alkali-activated blast furnace slag at the same time. In experimental section of this work, the surface tension as individual additives as their mixtures with pore solution were measured primarily. Then the testing samples composed of blast furnace slag, water glass and addition of SRA were prepared. Of these samples was measured shrinkage and weight loss. Moreover, their mechanical properties such as flexural and compressive strength were monitored. Next, the beginning and the end of solidification was studied using the Vicat device and last but not least workability. The hydration process of alkali-activated materials with SRA was measured calorimetrically. Finally the microstructure in prepared samples was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and the total porosity was determined by mercury porosimeter.

L’auto-cicatrisation des fissures des matériaux cimentaires présente un intérêt important pour améliorer leur durabilité (propriétés de transfert par exemple). L’impact du laitier de haut-fourneau sur ce phénomène a été peu étudié bien qu’il ait été observé sur des ouvrages du Génie Civil. Dans cette étude, la cinétique et l’amplitude de l’auto-cicatrisation ont été suivies par des essais non destructifs : la tomographie aux rayons X et la perméabilité à l’air, pour une fissuration créée à 7 jours et à 28 jours. Les résultats montrent que le laitier de haut-fourneau possède un potentiel d’auto-cicatrisation intéressant pouvant dépasser les résultats obtenus pour les formulations de référence sans laitier. Ce bon potentiel dépend des caractéristiques physicochimiques des matériaux brutes et du potentiel d’hydratation de la formulation au cours du temps. De plus pour suivre l’auto-cicatrisation, un nouvel essai a été mis en place afin de fissurer les éprouvettes de mortier par retrait gêné et d’étudier l’auto-cicatrisation d’une fissure naturelle. Cet essai s’est avéré efficace sur la formulation de référence. Une caractérisation des produits de cicatrisation par MEB-EDS témoigne de la formation de nouveaux produits dans les fissures et de l’impact important des conditions de stockage sur le type de produits formés: des C-S-H pour un stockage sous eau et des carbonates de calcium pour un stockage en chambre humide (CO2 + eau). Les résultats de migration aux chlorures de nano-indentation montrent que ces produits de cicatrisation possèdent de bonnes propriétés de durabilité et des propriétés mécaniques à l’échelle microscopique intéressantes (pour le carbonate de calcium). Enfin, une modélisation du phénomène d’auto-cicatrisation est proposée au moyen du code de calcul de géochimie PHREEQC. L’étude a révélé le potentiel intéressant de PHREEQC pour modéliser l’auto-cicatrisation et en faire un outil de prédiction du phénomène. / Self-healing of cementitious materials presents great interest to improve the durability of concrete structure (transfer properties for example). The impact of blast-furnace slag on this phenomenon is not yet clear even if the self-healing of concrete with blast-furnace slag was observed in building sites. To understand the blast-furnace slag influence, non-destructive methods were used to follow self-healing: X-ray tomography and gas permeability test. All specimens were cracked at 7 days and 28 days. The results show that the blast furnace slag has an interesting self-healing potential that can exceed the reference formulation results. This good potential depends on the physico-chemical characteristics of the raw materials and the hydration potential of the formulation over time. In addition to follow the self-healing, a new trial was set up to crack mortar specimens by restrained shrinkage and study the self-healing of a natural crack. In addition to follow the self-healing, a new trial was set up to crack mortar specimens by restrained shrinkage and study the self-healing of a natural crack. This test has proven effective over the reference formulation.The SEM with EDS analysis showed the formation of new products in the crack and the impact of storage conditions on these products : C-S-H for specimens stored in water and calcium carbonate for specimens stored in a damp chamber (CO2 + water). Migration chlorures and nano-indentation tests results showed that self-healing products had interesting durability properties and micro-mechanical properties (for calcium carbonate). Finally, self-healing modelling is proposed by means of geochemistry PHREEQC calculation code. The study revealed interesting potential PHREEQC to model self- healing phenomenon and make it a of predictive tool.

yes / Test results of thirty six ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS)-based mortars and eighteen fly ash (FA)-based mortars activated by sodium silicate and/or sodium hydroxide powders are presented. The main variables investigated were the mixing ratio of sodium oxide (Na2O) of the activators to source materials, water-to-binder ratio, and fine aggregate-to-binder ratio. Test results showed that GGBS based alkali-activated (AA) mortars exhibited much higher compressive strength but slightly less flow than FA based AA mortars for the same mixing condition. Feed-forward neural networks and simplified equations developed from nonlinear multiple regression analysis were proposed to evaluate the initial flow and 28-day compressive strength of AA mortars. The training and testing of neural networks, and calibration of the simplified equations were achieved using a comprehensive database of 82 test results of mortars activated by sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide powders. Compressive strength development of GGBS-based alkali-activated mortars was also estimated using the formula specified in ACI 209 calibrated against the collected database. Predictions obtained from the trained neural network or developed simplified equations were in good agreement with test results, though early strength of GGBS-based alkali-activated mortars was slightly overestimated by the proposed simplified equations.

Expansive clays undergo a large swell when they are subjected to water. Thus, expansive clay is one of the most abundant problems faced in geotechnical engineering applications. It causes heavy damages in structures, especially in water conveyance canals, lined reservoirs, highways, airport runways etc., unless appropriate measures are taken. In this thesis, Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS), GBFS - Lime combinations and GBFS Cement (GBFSC) were utilized to overcome or to limit the expansion of an artificially prepared expansive soil sample (Sample A). GBFS and GBFSC were added to Sample A in proportions of 5 to 25 percent. Different GBFS-Lime combinations were added to Sample A by keeping the total addition at 15 percent. Effect of stabilizers on grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, swelling percentage and rate of swell of soil samples were determined. Effect of curing on swelling percentage and rate of swell of soil samples were also determined. Leachate analysis of GBFS, GBFSC and samples stabilized by 25 percent GBFS and GBFSC was performed. Use of stabilizers successfully decreased the amount of swell while increasing the rate of swell. Curing samples for 7 and 28 days resulted in less swell percentages and higher rate of swell.

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo desenvolver um novo elemento de cobertura, compatível com o meio ambiente: telhas de cimento alternativo reforçado com fibras celulósicas. Para tanto, foram utilizadas matérias-primas consideradas resíduos industriais (cimento de escória de alto-forno e rejeito de polpa de celulose de eucalipto) para obtenção de pastas cimentícias reforçadas. Os compósitos foram produzidos por dispersão prévia das fibras em água, mistura do compósito em argamassadeira convencional, adensamento por vibração, moldagem em fôrmas, seguida de cura úmida. Foram moldadas placas planas de diferentes formulações de matrizes cimentícias, com as matérias-primas alternativas disponíveis. Com base nos melhores resultados dessa fase preliminar, foram produzidas duas séries de telhas tipo romana \"capa canal\". Foram avaliados o desempenho físico-mecânico, os custos de produção e o comportamento térmico das telhas. Os resultados revelaram a potencialidade dos compósitos obtidos na produção de fibrocimentos alternativos, por meio de técnicas simples e de baixo consumo de energia, direcionados à autoconstrução urbana e rural de baixo custo. / The objective of this study was to develop a new roofing material that would be compatible with the environment: roofing tiles made of alternative cement reinforced with cellulose fibers. Industrial waste materials were used as raw materials (blast furnace slag cement and waste eucalyptus cellulose pulp) to obtain reinforced cement pastes. The composites were produced by previously dispersing the fibers in water, mixing the composite in a conventional cement-mixer, compaction by vibration, shaping them in molds, followed by moist curing. Flat sheets were molded using different formulations of cement matrixes with the alternative raw materials avaiable. Based on the best results from this preliminary phase, two series of Roman tiles for roofing were produced. The physical and mechanical performance, the cost of production, and the thermal behavior of the tiles were evaluated. The results revealed the potential of composites made of alternative fiber-cements, using simple techniques and with low energy consumption, in urban and rural areas for low-cost self-construction.