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Combined effect of SCMs and curing temperature on mechanical properties of high-strength strain-hardening cementitious composites

This study was conducted to evaluate the curing temperature effect on the mechanical properties of high-strength strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC) containing waste supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and polyethylene (PE) fibers. High-strength SHCC is developed to extend the strain-hardening interval by simultaneously inducing multiple cracks and ensuring the durability and strength of high-strength concrete. The starting point of this study was to enhance the tensile performance and durability of high-strength SHCC by utilizing various SCMs. In addition, the optimal curing conditions were investigated to derive the maximum material potential of each SCM, which aims to advance the performance of high-strength SHCC. The temperatures employed for the curing process were 20, 40, and 90°C. Moreover, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), silica fume (SF), and cement kiln dust (CKD), were used as a partial replacement for cement to determine the best mix for achieving optimal tensile performance. Four mix designs were prepared, including a plain test specimen composed entirely of cement as binder; therefore, a total of 12 types of specimens were set considering the three curing temperatures. A compressive strength test was conducted with cube specimens, and a direct tensile test was performed with dog-bone-shaped specimens. Derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping were conducted to identify the microstructures. The SF-containing SHCC cured at 90°C exhibited the best tensile performance in terms of deformability and energy absorption capacity by achieving the highest strain capacity of 4.37% and g-value of 294.5 kJ/m3. In addition, the performance of each specimen was reconfirmed based on the DTG, EDS mapping, and crack pattern results. Through these results, the optimal SCM mixing amount and curing conditions that led to noticeable performance improvement of high-strength SHCC were identified.