Testing of Concrete Abrasion Resistance in Hydraulic Structures on the Lower Sava River

The paper deals with the issues of resistance of concrete linings to long-term abrasion loading caused by waterborne particles, particularly for the proposed hydro power plants on the Sava River in Slovenia. The main purpose of the research work was to define the possibility of forecasting the process of concrete lining wear on the Sava River dam structures based on the standard procedures of abrasion resistance testing. Abrasion resistance of concrete has been researched in accordance with the standard ASTM C 1138 and Böhme (DIN 52108) methods. The research work was based on a comparison between laboratory results and measurements of abrasion resistance of concrete under natural conditions by performing test plots in the stilling basin of the Vrhovo HPP. Concrete composites with different mechanical properties have been analysed within the research programme. The analysis showed a qualitative similarity of the level of concrete abrasion between laboratory simulations and measurements in the field, as well as suitability of the ASTM C 1138 laboratory method for the assessment of\ud abrasion resistance of concretes in the spillway of the HPP chain on the Lower Sava River

Mass concrete with EAF steel slag aggregate

Temperature control is the primary concern during the design and construction process of mass concrete structures. As the concrete production has an enormous negative environmental impact, the development of green mass concretes will eventually become as important as the thermal characteristics. Therefore, this paper investigates the use of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel slag aggregate for the partial replacement of the natural aggregate in the production of mass concrete. The impact of EAF steel aggregate on mass concrete workability, strength, and thermal behaviour was analysed. In addition, a cradle-to-gate LCA study was conducted to evaluate the environmental footprint and sustainability potential of the tested mass concrete mixtures. The study results suggest that the use of EAF steel slag aggregate in combination with a low-heat cement with a high content of blast furnace slag can significantly lower the temperature, reduce the environmental impact, and increase the sustainability potential of mass concrete, while at the same time providing sufficient workability and compressive strength. The study results indicate that EAF steel slag can be upcycled into an aggregate for the production of green mass concrete mixtures

Underwater Abrasion Resistance of Cementitious Acrylic Coating on Repaired Surface of Concrete Dam and Stilling Basin

The paper presents and analyzes the results of the underwater abrasion tests of Cementitious Acrylic Coating (CAC), which was used to protect the repaired surface of concrete dam and stilling basin of power-plant Moste on river Sava in Slovenia. Behavior of the CAC obtained with laboratory tests is rather similar to the behavior obtained after 1 year of application on the power-plant. Relatively good underwater abrasion resistance of CAC was obtained. Results of bond strength show that pressure of capillary water decreases bond between CAC and concrete surface. If such coating is additional loaded with abrasion forces, bond between those two layers becomes worse. Similar conclusions can be made on the basis of the obtained results of surface resistance to freeze-thaw test of CAC has been carried out. The resistance is rather good, but CAC separated from concrete surface, when water is present in the interface between the CAC and concrete surface during freeze-thaw loading

Mass Concrete with EAF Steel Slag Aggregate: Workability, Strength, Temperature Rise, and Environmental Performance

Temperature control is the primary concern during the design and construction process of mass concrete structures. As the concrete production has an enormous negative environmental impact, the development of green mass concretes will eventually become as important as the thermal characteristics. Therefore, this paper investigates the use of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel slag aggregate for the partial replacement of the natural aggregate in the production of mass concrete. The impact of EAF steel aggregate on mass concrete workability, strength, and thermal behaviour was analysed. In addition, a cradle-to-gate LCA study was conducted to evaluate the environmental footprint and sustainability potential of the tested mass concrete mixtures. The study results suggest that the use of EAF steel slag aggregate in combination with a low-heat cement with a high content of blast furnace slag can significantly lower the temperature, reduce the environmental impact, and increase the sustainability potential of mass concrete, while at the same time providing sufficient workability and compressive strength. The study results indicate that EAF steel slag can be upcycled into an aggregate for the production of green mass concrete mixtures