Neumann, Blake (2023) Ductility and Cracking Behaviours of Engineered Cementitious Composites. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
The production of cement contributes approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions and it is essential that alternative methods of producing construction materials are explored to assist with reducing emissions. An alternative material to conventional concrete is engineered cementitious composites (ECC). ECC are a specific cement mixture which consists of a unique blend of fibres and composites.
ECC currently contains a waste product from coal power plants known as fly ash. Another waste product from coal power plants is bottom ash and if the fly ash and bottom ash are not used, the ash is pumped into large dams/ponds and creates pond ash. This is an environmental hazard as the dams can overflow during excess rainfall and cause the toxic substance to seep into the soil and pollute the surrounding area. This research project investigated if pond ash could be a successful replacement of fly ash in ECC.
The main objective of this research project was to determine if fly ash could be replaced with pond ash in ECC. This was determined by analysing the ductility and cracking behaviours of ECC. This was performed by casting beams with 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% replacement of fly ash with pond ash.
Flexural testing was conducted to investigate the ductility of the samples. It was found that the 0%, 25% and 100% samples all behaved in the same manner after initial cracking and the 25% sample had the greatest ductility index. Crack-mouth opening displacement (CMOD) testing with the use of digital imaging correlation (DIC) technology was conducted to investigate the cracking behaviours of the samples. The results obtained showed that the 25% sample had the optimal post-cracking performance and the residual strength of all the samples, except for the 100% sample were predicted to be the same. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging was conducted to observe the samples at a microstructural level. The images produced showed that the 25% sample had the optimal microstructural properties.
From the testing conducting, it was confirmed that pond ash is a successful replacement that can be used in ECC; however further research should be conducted to validate the results.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Lokuge, Weena |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Sep 2025 04:53 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Sep 2025 04:53 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction materials; emission reduction |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52981 |
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