Bond Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Considering Freeze–Thaw Cycles and Corrosion of Stirrups

In relatively cold environments, the combination of freeze–thaw and steel bar corrosion is a key factor affecting the durability of concrete. The adjustment of the stirrup ratio would change the mechanical performance of surrounding concrete, while the circumferential compressive stress can further improve the bonding performance. Hence, based on eccentrically tensioned specimens, the influence of corrosion of stirrups and freeze–thaw of concrete on bond properties is discussed in this paper. The monotonic pull-out test of reinforced concrete specimens is carried out to study the variation rules of bond strength and slip between steel bar and concrete under the coupling action of corrosion rate, freeze–thaw times and stirrup spacing. Based on the experimental data, the empirical formula for the ultimate bond strength is obtained, and a bond–slip constitutive model is established considering the stirrup spacing, stirrup corrosion rate and freeze–thaw times. Then, a refined finite element pull-out specimen model is established by ABAQUS simulation, and the numerical simulation results are compared with the real test ones, so as to make up for the deficiencies in the test and lay the foundation for further finite element analysis.     

Concrete Durability after Load Damage and Salt Freeze–Thaw Cycles

To determine how the performance of concrete changes after initial load damage and salt freezing, concrete samples were first subjected to loading and unloading, and were then put into salt solutions to carry out rapid freeze–thaw cycle (FTC) experiments. Salt solutions were created based on the saline soil of western Jilin, China, for use in salt freeze–thaw testing. This determined the change law of the compressive strength and the dynamic elastic modulus (DEM). Additionally, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology and a scanning electron microscope were applied to investigate the pore characteristics and microstructure of concrete samples after FTCs. This study found that when the concrete specimens were subjected to an initial load of 0.3f under 50 FTCs, the loss in the compressive strength increased by 24% when the concrete was subjected to freeze–thaw cycles in freshwater and increased by 24% when concrete was subjected to freeze–thaw cycles in a 6.8% composite salt solution compared with the specimens without the initial load. When the concrete was subjected to FTCs in a 6.8% composite salt solution 50 times, the loss in the compressive strength increased by 110% for concrete without an initial load and increased by 109% when the concrete was subjected to an initial load of 0.3f compared with the specimens under FTCs in freshwater. The persistent effect of the FTCs also aggravated chloride ion erosion in the concrete, which gradually reduced the concrete’s permeability resistance. Internal pores in the concrete, especially the proportion of above-medium-sized pores, gradually increased along with the increase in the number of FTCs. There is a good linear correlation between the change rule of compressive mechanical properties and the change rules of mass, DEM, and pore characteristics inside the concrete under rapid FTCs in different salt solutions.     

The Influence of Freeze–Thaw Cycles and Corrosion on Reinforced Concrete and the Relationship between the Evolutions of the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

Freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) and steel bar corrosion (SBC) are the most common service conditions of hydraulic concrete and have significant impacts on its durability. Using pullout and microscopic tests of different FTC and SBC rates, we selected the mass loss rate, ultrasonic velocity, bond strength and bond slip in order to describe the changes in the macro-properties, and also selected the porosity and pore size distribution as micro-parameters in order to explore the influence of FTCs and SBC on the mechanical properties of hydraulic concrete. The results showed that the bond strength decreased as the FTCs increased due to the microstructure damage caused by FTC and SBC, which affects the mechanical properties. A corrosion rate of ≤3% offset the damage caused by 50 FTCs. FTCs and SBC resulted in superimposed damage effects on the concrete. In addition, we established a bond strength damage model based on the joint FTCs and SBC and quantitatively described the degradation law of the macro-mechanical properties. The analysis shows that the influence of FTCs on the bond strength was greater than that of the SBC. These research results can provide a reference and experimental support for the frost-resistant design and durability prediction of hydraulic concrete structures in cold environments.     

Uniaxial Compressive Stress–Strain Relation of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete with Different Carbonation Depths

Highlights

• Uniaxial compressive stress–strain curves of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) with different carbonation depth were investigated.
• The effect of carbonation depth on peak stress, strain, elastic modulus, and the relative toughness of RAC was studied.
• Stress–strain models of recycled aggregate concrete with different carbonation depths were established.

AbstractThe stress–strain relation of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) after carbonation is very important to the assessment of the durability of RAC. The objective of this study is to investigate the uniaxial compressive stress–strain curves of RAC after carbonation. In this study, the specimens were prepared with 70-mm diameter and 140-mm height cylinders, and the carbonation of the specimens was accelerated after curing 28 days. Then a uniaxial compressive loading test on the specimens was performed by using a mechanical testing machine. The results show that the peak stress (σ0) and elastic modulus (Ec) of all specimens increase with the increase of carbonation depth. The ratio of ultimate strain to peak strain (εu/ε0) and relative toughness of the specimens decrease with the increase of carbonation depth. Furthermore, carbonation has a stronger effect on natural coarse aggregate concrete (NAC) than the 50% replacement rate of RAC with similar compressive strength. Stress–strain models of recycled aggregate concrete with different carbonation depths were established according to experimental results.     

Freeze–Thaw Resistance and Air-Void Analysis of Concrete with Recycled Glass–Pozzolan Using X-ray Micro-Tomography

Recent studies have shown promising potential for using Glass Pozzolan (GP) as an alternative supplementary cementitious material (SCM) due to the scarcity of fly ash and slag in the United States. However, comprehensive studies on the freeze–thaw (FT) resistance and air void system of mixtures containing GP are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate GP’s effect on FT resistance and characterize mixtures with different GP contents, both macro- and microscopically. In this study, six concrete mixes were considered: Three mixes with 20%, 30% and 40% GP as cement replacements and two other comparable mixes with 30% fly ash and 40% slag, as well as a mix with 100% Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as a reference. Concrete samples were prepared, cured and tested according to the ASTM standards for accelerated FT resistance for 1000 cycles and corresponding dynamic modulus of elasticity (Ed). All the samples showed minimal deterioration and scaling and high F/T resistance with a durability factor of over 90%. The relationships among FT resistance parameters, air-pressured method measurements of fresh concretes and air void analysis parameters of hardened concretes were examined in this study. X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT scan) was used to evaluate micro-cracks development after 1000 freeze–thaw cycles and to determine spatial parameters of air voids in the concretes. Pore structure properties obtained from mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and N₂ adsorption method showed refined pore structure for higher cement replacement with GP, indicating more gel formation (C-S-H) which was verified by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Study on Deterioration of Gray Brick with Different Moisture Contents under Freeze–Thaw Environment

Generally, brick buildings are in the open-air environment year round, and damage to them is aggravated by the effect of repeated freezing and thawing cycles. In order to determine freeze–thaw damage and deterioration mechanism, the initial moisture content of gray brick specimens was set as 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%. The effects of moisture content and the number of freeze–thaw cycles on the quality, mechanical properties and microstructure of gray brick were investigated by uniaxial compression tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests. Numerical simulations were applied to model the freezing and thawing process. The results showed that: as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increased, the mass loss rate and peak strength reduction rate of gray brick both increased. The initial moisture content had a greater impact on damage to gray brick due to freeze–thaw; ω = 80% was defined as the limit moisture content of gray brick. Under the repeated action of freeze–thaw cycles, the areas affected by thermal stress were mainly concentrated in the center of the outer surface and the center of the side of gray bricks. The maximum thermal stress after 55 freeze–thaw cycles was 1.522 × 10⁻² MPa. This research results provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and protection of frost damage of brick buildings in a freeze–thaw environment.     

Residual TRM-to-Concrete Bond after Freeze–Thaw Cycles

In the present work, the effect of various freeze–thaw cycles (namely, 0, 10, 30, 50, 60, and 70) on the residual bond characteristics of textile reinforced mortar (TRM)-to-concrete was experimentally examined. The TRM consisted of a carbon dry fiber textile embedded in a cement-based matrix. Two mortar types were used as the matrix: a normal-weight and a lightweight one sharing the same hydraulic powders but different aggregates (limestone and pumice sand, respectively). The single-lap/single-prism set up was applied after the specimens underwent hygro-thermal treatment (according to ASTM C 666-Procedure B). Failure was due to the sleeve fibers rupturing the load aligned yarns or textile slippage from the mortar for an exposure period ranging between 0 and 60 cycles and to TRM debonding from the substrate for 70 cycles. Increasing cycles resulted in the intensification of partial interlaminar debonding phenomena and the weakening of the textile-to-matrix bond, with lightweight mortar being more prone to these effects. In the absence of a commonly accepted standardized method for the assessment of the freeze–thaw resistance of cement-based composites, the criterion for the termination of the freeze–thaw sequence was the number of cycles inferring a shift in failure mode (from fiber rupture/fiber slippage to TRM debonding from the substrate).     

Freeze–Thaw Effect on Road Concrete Containing Blast Furnace Slag: NMR Relaxometry Investigations

The present work investigates the effect of freeze–thaw cycles on the porosity of three mixtures of road concrete containing blast furnace slag in comparison with two mixtures made with conventional materials. The main technique used in our investigations is nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry. This permitted the extraction of information with respect to the freeze–thaw effect on pore-size distribution, which influences both the mechanical strength and the molecular transport through the material. Moreover, by using this technique, the structure of the air voids was analyzed for the entire pore system in the cement paste and the aggregate particles. The samples under study were first dried in a vacuum oven and then saturated with water or cyclohexane where the distribution of the transverse relaxation times of the protons was recorded. The NMR relaxation measurements were performed on samples extracted from specimens maintained at 300 freeze–thaw cycles and on control samples extracted from specimens kept in water during the freeze–thaw period. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the microstructure of concrete samples in order to obtain information about the pore sizes and the distance between them. The results from the NMR relaxation measurements were consistent with those obtained by using standard techniques for determining the porosity and the freeze–thaw resistances. The investigations made it possible to establish the optimal composition of blast furnace slag that can be incorporated into road concrete compositions. This non-invasive technique can also complete standard techniques for assessing the porosity and the progress of internal cracks during the freeze–thaw test.     

Pore Structure Characteristics and Strength Variation of Red Sandstone under Freeze–Thaw Cycles

To study pore structure characteristics and the strength of red sandstone under freeze–thaw cycles, the saturated red sandstone was studied by the combination of freeze–thaw cycle test, high-pressure mercury injection test, uniaxial compression test and theoretical analysis, and research shows that: with the increase of freeze–thaw cycles, the pores of red sandstone continue to expand and extend, macropore volume and the total pore volume increases gradually, and the pore size distribution curves become more continuous. Porosity of samples after 10, 30, 70 and 100 freeze–thaw cycles is 1.14 times, 1.17 times, 1.28 times and 1.44 times of that of 0 cycle, and the uniaxial compressive strength of samples is 0.68 times, 0.53 times, 0.26 times and 0.17 times of that of 0 cycle, respectively. With the increase of freeze–thaw cycles, freeze–thaw damage continues to accumulate, the crack propagation direction changes from axial through-through failure mode to transverse and axial simultaneous failure mode. Taken the change of porosity as a parameter, through the regression analysis of the test data, the functional relationship between uniaxial compressive strength and the change of porosity in red sandstone is established. The research results will provide a theoretical basis for stability research of slopes of railway subgrade in cold region.     

Impact of Freeze–Thaw Cycles on the Long-Term Performance of Concrete Pavement and Related Improvement Measures: A Review

Freeze–thaw damage is one of the most severe threats to the long-term performance of concrete pavement in cold regions. Currently, the freeze–thaw deterioration mechanism of concrete pavement has not been fully understood. This study summarizes the significant findings of concrete pavement freeze–thaw durability performance, identifies existing knowledge gaps, and proposes future research needs. The concrete material deterioration mechanism under freeze–thaw cycles is first critically reviewed. Current deterioration theories mainly include the hydrostatic pressure hypothesis, osmolarity, and salt crystallization pressure hypothesis. The critical saturation degree has been proposed to depict the influence of internal saturation on freeze–thaw damage development. Meanwhile, the influence of pore solution salinity on freeze–thaw damage level has not been widely investigated. Additionally, the deterioration mechanism of the typical D-cracking that occurs in concrete pavement has not been fully understood. Following this, we investigate the coupling effect between freeze–thaw and other loading or environmental factors. It is found that external loading can accelerate the development of freeze–thaw damage, and the acceleration becomes more evident under higher stress levels. Further, deicing salts can interact with concrete during freeze–thaw cycles, generating internal pores or leading to crystalline expansion pressure. Specifically, freeze–thaw development can be mitigated under relatively low ion concentration due to increased frozen points. The interactive mechanism between external loading, environmental ions, and freeze–thaw cycles has not been fully understood. Finally, the mitigation protocols to enhance frost resistance of concrete pavement are reviewed. Besides the widely used air-entraining process, the freeze–thaw durability of concrete can also be enhanced by using fiber reinforcement, pozzolanic materials, surface strengthening, Super Absorbent Polymers (SAPs), and Phase Change Materials. This study serves as a solid base of information to understand how to enhance the freeze–thaw durability of concrete pavement.     

The Durability of Recycled Fine Aggregate Concrete: A Review

With the rapid development of urbanization, many new buildings are erected, and old ones are demolished and/or recycled. Thus, the reuse of building materials and improvements in reuse efficiency have become hot research topics. In recent years, scholars around the world have worked on improving recycle aggregates in concrete and broadening the scope of applications of recycled concrete. This paper reviews the findings of research on the effects of recycled fine aggregates (RFAs) on the permeability, drying shrinkage, carbonation, chloride ion penetration, acid resistance, and freeze–thaw resistance of concrete. The results show that the content of old mortar and the quality of recycled concrete are closely related to the durability of prepared RFA concrete. For example, the drying shrinkage value with a 100% RFA replacement rate is twice that of normal concrete, and the depth of carbonation increases by approximately 110%. Moreover, the durability of RFA concrete decreases as the RFA replacement rate and the water–cement ratio improve. Fortunately, the use of zeolite materials such as fly ash, silica fume, and meta kaolin as surface coatings for RFAs or as external admixtures for RFA concrete had a positive effect on durability. Furthermore, the proper mixing methods and/or recycled aggregates with optimized moisture content can further improve the durability of RFA concrete.     

Mechanical Properties and Uniaxial Compression Stress—Strain Relation of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete after Carbonation

The application of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) made from waste concrete to replace natural coarse aggregate (NCA) in concrete structures can essentially reduce the excessive consumption of natural resources and environmental pollution. Similar to normal concrete structures, recycled concrete structures would also suffer from the damage of carbonation, which leads to the deterioration of durability and the reduction of service life. This paper presents the experimental results of the cubic compressive strength, the static elastic modulus and the stress–strain relation of recycled coarse aggregate concrete (RAC) after carbonation. The results show that the cubic compressive strength and the static elastic modulus of carbonated RAC gradually increased with the carbonation depth. The uncarbonated and fully carbonated RAC show smaller static elastic modulus than natural aggregate concrete (NAC). As the carbonation depth increased, the peak stress increased, while the peak strain decreased and the descending part of the curves gradually became steeper. As the content of RCA became larger, the peak stress decreased, while the peak strain increased and the descending part of the curves gradually became steeper. An equation for stress–strain curves of RAC after carbonation was proposed, and it was in good agreement with the test results.     

An Empirical Dilatancy Model for Coarse-Grained Soil under the Influence of Freeze–Thaw Cycles

In the era of high-speed trains, it is very important to ensure the safety and stability of rail tracks under adverse conditions including seasonal freezing and thawing. Freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) affecting the engineering performance of coarse-grained soil (CGS) is one of the major reasons for track deterioration. The reported results of a number of static freeze–thaw triaxial tests on the shear behaviour of CGS are analysed herein. It was observed that confining pressure (σ₃) and FTCs have a significant influence on the shear behaviour of CGS. In this paper, an empirical mathematical model has been proposed to capture the dilatancy of CGS subjected to FTCs during shearing. The empirical constants a, b, and c proposed in the model are a function of σ₃ and FTCs. The results of the model have been compared with the laboratory experiments and are found to be in good agreement.     

Advanced Evaluation of the Freeze–Thaw Damage of Concrete Based on the Fracture Tests

This paper presents the results of an experimental program aimed at the assessment of the freeze–thaw (F–T) resistance of concrete based on the evaluation of fracture tests accompanied by acoustic emission measurements. Two concretes of similar mechanical characteristics were manufactured for the experiment. The main difference between the C1 and C2 concrete was in the total number of air voids and in the A300 parameter, where both parameters were higher for C1 by about 35% and 52%, respectively. The evaluation of the fracture characteristics was performed on the basis of experimentally recorded load–deflection and load–crack mouth opening displacement diagrams using two different approaches: linear fracture mechanics completed with the effective crack model and the double-K model. The results show that both approaches gave similar results, especially if the nonlinear behavior before the peak load was considered. According to the results, it can be stated that continuous AE measurement is beneficial for the assessment of the extent of concrete deterioration, and it suitably supplements the fracture test evaluation. A comparison of the results of fracture tests with the resonance method and splitting tensile strength test shows that all testing methods led to the same conclusion, i.e., the C1 concrete was more F–T-resistant than C2. However, the fracture test evaluation provided more detailed information about the internal structure deterioration due to the F–T exposure.     

Sulfate Freeze–Thaw Resistance of Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Cement Mortar

Concrete facilities in the severe-cold areas of western China (salt lake environments and heavy saline soils) are seriously damaged by the multiple corrosion effects of freeze–thaw cycles and sulfate corrosion. Magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) cement-based material has become an ideal concrete structural component because of its superior performance. Because concrete structural repair materials are used in heavy-corrosion environments, their durability in those environments should also be considered. Regarding the salt-freezing resistance of MPC, the existing studies have all used a NaCl solution as the heat transfer medium. In addition to chlorine salt, sulfate, especially Na₂SO₄, is also common in typical use environments such as oceans, salt lakes, and groundwater. To evaluate the sulfate freeze–thaw resistance of potassium magnesium phosphate cement (MKPC) mortar, in this study the strength development, weight loss, and water absorption of MKPC mortar specimens subjected to different freeze–thaw cycles were tested and compared with those for Portland cement (P.O) mortar specimens of the same strength grade. The results showed that the P.O mortar specimen completely lost its strength after 75 cycles of rapid water freezing and thawing and 50 cycles of sodium sulfate solution (5%) freezing and thawing. However, the residual strength rating of the MKPC mortar specimen after 75 cycles of water freezing and thawing and 100 cycles of sodium sulfate solution freezing and thawing was higher than 75%. After 50 rapid freeze–thaw cycles in water and a 5% Na₂SO₄ solution, the P.O mortar specimen’s mass loss exceeded the 5% failure standard, whereas the mass loss of the MKPC mortar specimens was much less than 5%. Before the freeze–thaw cycles, the water absorption of the P.O mortar specimen was close to 8 times that of the MKPC mortar specimen, and after 50 water freeze–thaw cycles and 25 sulfate solution freeze–thaw cycles, the water absorption reached 4.88% and 5.68%, respectively. However, after 225 freeze–thaw cycles in water and the sulfate solution, the water absorption rates of MKPC mortar specimens were 2.91% and 2.51% respectively. The test and analysis results show that the freeze–thaw resistance of MKPC mortar was much higher than that of Portland cement mortar specimens. Those results provide a prerequisite for applying and expanding the use of MKPC-based materials in severe-cold areas of western China (salt lake and heavily saline soil environments).     

Damage Fracture Characterization of Asphalt Mixtures Considering Freeze–Thaw Cycling and Aging Effects Based on Acoustic Emission Monitoring

Freeze–thaw (F–T) cycling and aging effects are the main factors contributing to the deterioration of asphalt mixtures. The acoustic emission (AE) technique enables real-time detection regarding the evolution of internal damage in asphalt mixtures during the loading process. This study set out to investigate the effects of F–T cycling and aging on the damage characteristics of asphalt mixture under splitting loads. Firstly, the Marshall specimens were prepared and then exposed to various numbers of F–T cycles (one, three, five, and seven) and different durations of aging (short-term aging and long-term aging for 24, 72, 120 and 168 h), after which the specimens were loaded by means of indirect tensile (IDT) testing, and corresponding parameters were synchronously collected by the AE acquisition system during the fracture process. Finally, the energy, cumulative energy and peak frequency were selected to investigate the damage mechanisms of asphalt mixtures. The findings demonstrate that the AE parameters provided effective identification of the deterioration for all specimens in real-time, and that the F–T cycling and aging effects altered the damage characteristics of asphalt mixtures, causing early damage, exacerbating the formation of micro-cracks in the early stage, accelerating the expansion of macro-cracks and advancing the debonding between the asphalt and aggregates. The findings of this study provide further insight into the mechanism of F–T cycling and aging effects on the deterioration of asphalt mixture.     

Influence Factors and Prediction Model of Bond Strength of Tunnel Fireproof Coating under Freeze–Thaw Cycles

The freeze–thaw resistant performance of a tunnel fireproof coating (TFC) has an important impact on bonding property and durability. The influence of redispersible emulsion powder, polypropylene fiber and air-entraining agent on TFCs was studied. Transverse fundamental frequency and ultrasonic sound velocity were used to evaluate the damage degree of TFC, and the mechanism was revealed by SEM and pore structure. The results show that the most beneficial effect on bond strength of TFC is redispersible emulsion powder, followed by air-entraining agent, and then polypropylene fiber. After freeze–thaw cycles, the cumulative pore volume of micropores in the TFC increases obviously, while the porosity of macropores does not change significantly. A prediction model was proposed, which can calculate the bond strength from the damage degree of TFC under freeze–thaw cycles. The achievement can promote the application of TFC in cold regions.     

Bond–Slip Relationship between Sand-Coated Polypropylene Coarse Aggregate Concrete and Plain Rebar

Recycled plastic waste as an aggregate in concrete mixtures is one of the important issues in the construction industry since it allows the reduction of building weight and has beneficial effects on the environment. In addition, the bonding ability of this kind of lightweight concrete to reinforcement is also a prerequisite as a composite material in forming reinforced concrete structures. Therefore, in this study, the bond of plain rebar embedded in artificial lightweight aggregate concrete made from polypropylene plastic waste coated with sand was investigated. A pull-out test of nine group specimens was conducted to study the bond strength of 10 mm, 12 mm, and 16 mm diameter plain rebar embedded in polypropylene plastic waste coarse aggregates lightweight concrete (PWCAC), failure mode, and bond stress–slip relationship. The test results show that the bond–slip relationship and bond strength depend mainly on the bar diameter for PWCAC. Meanwhile, for all PWCAC specimens tested, the pull-out failure modes were observed. A bond equation for PWCAC was formulated by performing a regression analysis on the experimental results and afterward was combined with an existing bond–slip equation for normal concrete to have the bond–slip formulation for the lightweight concrete studied. The comparison between the model and experimental results indicates a close agreement.     

Effect of Biochar on Metal Distribution and Microbiome Dynamic of a Phytostabilized Metalloid-Contaminated Soil Following Freeze–Thaw Cycles

In the present paper the effectiveness of biochar-aided phytostabilization of metal/metalloid-contaminated soil under freezing–thawing conditions and using the metal tolerating test plant Lolium perenne L. is comprehensively studied. The vegetative experiment consisted of plants cultivated for over 52 days with no exposure to freezing–thawing in a glass greenhouse, followed by 64 days under freezing–thawing in a temperature-controlled apparatus and was carried out in initial soil derived from a post-industrial urban area, characterized by the higher total content of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, As and Hg than the limit values included in the classification provided by the Regulation of the Polish Ministry of Environment. According to the substance priority list published by the Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Agency, As, Pb, and Hg are also indicated as being among the top three most hazardous substances. The initial soil was modified by biochar obtained from willow chips. The freeze–thaw effect on the total content of metals/metalloids (metal(-loid)s) in plant materials (roots and above-ground parts) and in phytostabilized soils (non- and biochar-amended) as well as on metal(-loid) concentration distribution/redistribution between four BCR (community bureau of reference) fractions extracted from phytostabilized soils was determined. Based on metal(-loid)s redistribution in phytostabilized soils, their stability was evaluated using the reduced partition index (Ir). Special attention was paid to investigating soil microbial composition. In both cases, before and after freezing–thawing, biochar increased plant biomass, soil pH value, and metal(-loid)s accumulation in roots, and decreased metal(-loid)s accumulation in stems and total content in the soil, respectively, as compared to the corresponding non-amended series (before and after freezing–thawing, respectively). In particular, in the phytostabilized biochar-amended series after freezing–thawing, the recorded total content of Zn, Cu, Pb, and As in roots substantially increased as well as the Hg, Cu, Cr, and Zn in the soil was significantly reduced as compared to the corresponding non-amended series after freezing–thawing. Moreover, exposure to freezing–thawing itself caused redistribution of examined metal(-loid)s from mobile and/or potentially mobile into the most stable fraction, but this transformation was favored by biochar presence, especially for Cu, Pb, Cr, and Hg. While freezing–thawing greatly affected soil microbiome composition, biochar reduced the freeze–thaw adverse effect on bacterial diversity and helped preserve bacterial groups important for efficient soil nutrient conversion. In biochar-amended soil exposed to freezing–thawing, psychrotolerant and trace element-resistant genera such as Rhodococcus sp. or Williamsia sp. were most abundant.     

Prediction Model for Compressive Strength of Porous Concrete with Low-Grade Recycled Aggregate

As the first batch of products after the resource utilization of construction and demolition waste, low-grade recycled aggregate (RA) has not been fully utilized, which hinders the development of the comprehensive recycling industry of construction waste. Therefore, this paper studies the mechanical properties of porous concrete (POC) with low-grade RA. An improved relationship between porosity and compressive strength of brittle, porous materials is used to express the compressive strength of POC with recycled aggregate (RPOC), and the prediction for compressive strength of porous concrete with low-grade RA is constructed by analyzing the mechanism of compressive damage. The results show: the compressive strength of porous concrete decreases with the addition of low-grade recycled aggregate, but the effect is not obvious when the replacement rate is less than 25%. The error range of the relationship between porosity and compressive strength of RPOC is basically within 15% after improvement. The prediction model for compressive strength based on the ideal sphere model of aggregate can accurately reflect the compressive strength of porous concrete with low-grade RA. The results of this study can provide a reference for the staff to learn about the functional characteristics of recycled products in advance and provide security for the actual project.