TY - JOUR A1 - Lorenzoni, Renata A1 - Cunningham, Patrick A1 - Fritsch, Tobias A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Microstructure analysis of cement‑biochar composites N2 - The use of biochar as a concrete constituent has been proposed to reduce the massive carbon footprint of concrete. Due to the low density and complex porosity of biochar, microstructural analysis of Portland cement-biochar composites is challenging. This causes challenges to the improvement of the micro-scale understanding of biochar composite behavior. This work advances the microstructural understanding of Portland cement composites with 0, 5, and 25 volume percent (vol%) of cement replaced with wood biochar by applying common characterization techniques of mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), gas sorption, scanning electron microscopy, and isothermal heat flow calorimetry (HFC) in conjunction with 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and micro-X-ray computed tomography (XCT) analysis techniques. The combination of these techniques allows a multi-scale investigation of the effect of biochar on the microstructure of cement paste. NMR and XCT techniques allow the observation and quantification of the pore space. HFC and MIP confirmed that biochar absorbs moisture and reduces the effective water-cement ratio. Gas sorption, MIP, and NMR shows that 5 vol% replacement does not significantly affect the gel and capillary pore structures. Results from XCT (supported by MIP and NMR) show that biochar can reduce the formation of larger pores. Importantly, XCT results suggest that biochar can act as a flaw in the microstructure which could explain reductions in the mechanical properties. Overall, the mechanical properties already analyzed in the literature are consistent with the microstructural changes observed, and these results highlight the need to carefully tailor the volume fraction of biochar to control its effect on the paste microstructure. KW - Cementitious materials KW - Biochar KW - Microstructure KW - Porosity KW - Pore size distribution PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-610900 DO - https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-024-02452-5 VL - 57 SP - 16 EP - 175 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-61090 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lorenzoni, Renata A1 - Fritsch, Tobias A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine A1 - Bruno, Giovanni A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram T1 - Mechanical analysis of cement-biochar composites using in-situ X-ray microtomography and digital volume correlation N2 - This study addresses biochar as a potential carbon-sequestering filler in cement and examines its effect on mechanical properties using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and digital volume correlation (DVC). DVC was reliably used to measure global displacement and has proven to be an effective method for correcting displacement data obtained from mechanical tests conducted without traditional instrumentation, such as extensometer. This made it possible to measure strain and Young’s modulus accurately. The results demonstrate that while 5 vol% biochar replacement had minimal effect on mechanical properties, a 25 vol% biochar replacement caused a 35 % reduction in Young’s modulus and 40 % reduction in the ultimate compressive strength. Additionally, DVC detected strain concentrations and predicted material failure locations even when cracks could not be quantified using XCT alone. Moreover, the study reveals that biochar particles, due to their sharp geometry, increase internal shear strain during uniaxial compression, unlike round phases such as pores. KW - Cementitious materials KW - Biochar KW - Mechanical proprieties KW - In-situ X-ray microtomography KW - Digital volume correlation PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-638065 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142511 SN - 1879-0526 VL - 490 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-63806 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lorenzoni, Renata A1 - Mezhov, Alexander A1 - Fritsch, Tobias A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine T1 - Effect of Biochar on the Microstructure and Mechanical Response of Cement Paste N2 - The use of biochar as a supplementary cementitious material is proposed to reduce the global greenhouse gas emissions. Since biochar is non-reactive, has a low density and complex porosity, its incorporation into cementitious materials results in microstructural changes and consequently affects the mechanical response. This work advances the mechanical response understanding of Portland cement composites with 0, 5, and 25 volume percent (vol%) of cement replaced with biochar by using in-situ computed tomography, correlating with the microstructural changes analyzed by HFC, gas sorption, MIP, gas sorption, and NMR. The results highlight the influence of the mesoscale structure on mechanical responses and relate the lack of loss of mechanical strength at 5 vol% replacement to the compensation of decreasing larger pores with biochar addition. At 25 vol% replacement, the amount of weakened zones in the paste due to biochar overcompensates the positive effect of the reduction in larger pores, resulting in a loss of mechanical properties. Hence, small amounts of biochar can enhance the microstructure, but the reduction of the carbon footprint is limited. T2 - 24th International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM24) CY - Baltimore, Maryland, USA DA - 04.08.2024 KW - Supplementary cementitious materials KW - Biochar KW - Microstructure KW - In-situ computed tomography KW - Mechanical proprieties. PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.14359/51742027 VL - 362 SP - 1020 EP - 1032 PB - International Concrete Abstracts Portal AN - OPUS4-62115 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lu, Z. A1 - Becker, S. A1 - Leinitz, Sarah A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - von Klitzing, R. A1 - Stephan, D. T1 - Interaction of Different Charged Polymers with Potassium Ions and Their Effect on the Yield Stress of Highly Concentrated Glass Bead Suspensions N2 - The interaction of different charged polymers, namely anionic polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) and neutral polyethylene glycol (PEG) with potassium ions, and their effect on the yield stress of highly concentrated glass bead suspension (GBS), were studied under different concentrations of potassium ions ([K+]). It was found that, compared to the neutral PEG, the negatively charged PCE can be adsorbed on glass beads (GB), and then decreases the yield stress of GBS. The increasing concentration of free polymer in the interstitial liquid phase with the increased polymer dosage leads to the higher yield stress of GBS, which may be caused by the higher Depletion force. In addition, this effect is also related to the charge density of the polymer and the [K+] in the solution. Along with the increase in [K+], the yield stress of GBS increases significantly with the addition of PCE, but this cannot be observed with PEG, which indicates that potassium ions can interact with negatively charged PCE instead of the neutral PEG. At last, the interparticle Forces between two single GB with adsorbed PCE in solutions containing [K+] and PCE were measured by colloidal probe atomic force microscopy to better understand the interaction of the charged polymer with counterions. KW - Yield stress KW - Free polymer KW - Charge density KW - Depletion force KW - Potassium ions PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-506015 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13071490 SN - 1996-1944 VL - 13 IS - 7 SP - 1490, 1 EP - 1490, 16 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-50601 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lu, Z. C. A1 - Haist, M. A1 - Ivanov, D. A1 - Jakob, C. A1 - Jansen, D. A1 - Schmid, M. A1 - Kißling, P. A. A1 - Leinitz, Sarah A1 - Link, J. A1 - Mechtcherine, V. A1 - Neubauer, J. A1 - Plank, J. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Schilde, C. A1 - Schröfl, C. A1 - Sowoidnich, T. A1 - Stephan, D. T1 - Characterization data of reference cement CEM III/A 42.5N used for priority program DFG SPP 2005 "Opus Fluidum Futurum - Rheology of reactive, multiscale, multiphase construction materials" N2 - Two types of cements were selected as the reference cement in the priority program 2005 of the German Research Foundation (DFG SPP 2005). A thorough characterization of CEM I 42.5 R has been made in a recent publication. In this paper, the characterization data of the other reference cement CEM III/A 42.5 N are presented from the aspects of chemical and mineralogical compositions as well as physical and chemical properties. The characterization data of the slag, which is the second main constituent of this specific cement besides the clinker, are presented independently. For all data received, the mean values and the corresponding errors were calculated. The data shall be used for the ongoing research within the priority program. Also, researchers from outside this priority program can benefit from these data if the same materials are used. KW - Cement KW - Slag KW - Characterization KW - DFG SPP 2005 PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-568980 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.105524 SN - 2352-3409 VL - 30 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-56898 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lu, Z. A1 - Haist, M. A1 - Ivanov, D. A1 - Jakob, C. A1 - Jansen, D. A1 - Leinitz, Sarah A1 - Link, J. A1 - Mechtcherine, V. A1 - Neubauer, J. A1 - Plank, J. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Schilde, C. A1 - Schröfl, C. A1 - Sowoidnich, T. A1 - Stephan, D. T1 - Characterization data of reference cement CEM I 42.5 R used for Priority Program DFG SPP 2005 “Opus Fluidum Futurum - Rheology of reactive, multiscale, multiphase construction materials” N2 - A thorough characterization of starting materials is the precondition for further research, especially for cement, which contains various phases and presents quite a complex material for fundamental scientific investigation. In the paper at hand, the characterization data of the reference cement CEM I 42.5 R used within the priority program 2005 of the German Research Foundation (DFG SPP 2005) are presented from the aspects of chemical and mineralogical compositions as well as physical and chemical properties. The data were collected based on tests conducted by nine research groups involved in this cooperative program. For all data received, the mean values and the corresponding errors were calculated. The results shall be used for the ongoing research within the priority program. KW - Portland cement KW - Characterization KW - DFG SPP 2005 PY - 2019 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-500849 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2019.104699 SN - 2352-3409 VL - 27 SP - 104699 PB - Elsevier Inc. AN - OPUS4-50084 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Meinel, M. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Kühne, Hans-Carsten T1 - Betontechnologische Ansätze zur Erweiterung der Leistungsmerkmale von Betonpflastersteinen KW - Betonpflastersteine KW - Urban heat island effect PY - 2012 SN - 1439-7706 VL - 2 SP - 94 EP - 100 PB - ad-media-Verl. CY - Köln AN - OPUS4-27117 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mezhov, Alexander A1 - Zhang, K. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram T1 - Interactions of Biobased Rheology Modifying Agents with Superplasticizer in Cement Paste N2 - Organic admixtures are an indispensable component of modern concrete. Thus, their purposeful application is not only technically and economically viable but in addition an inevitable tool to make concrete more environmentally friendly. In this context, the use of polysaccharides has increasingly gained interest in the built environment as sustainable resource for performance enhancement. However, due to its origin, biopolymers possess a vast variety of molecular structures which can result in incompatibilities with other polymers present in concrete, such as superplasticizers. The present study highlights effects of the joint application of different types of starches and polycarboxylates with respect to their influence on cement hydration and structural build-up of cement pastes. KW - Polysaccharides KW - Superplasticizers KW - Hydration KW - Cement PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/CTA.1.563 SN - 2674-1237 SP - 563 EP - 568 PB - Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland CY - Basel, Switzerland. AN - OPUS4-58325 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Munsch, Sarah Mandy A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Lorenzoni, Renata A1 - Telong, Melissa A1 - Grobla, Lili A1 - Lauinger, Robert A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine T1 - Investigation of the hydration of clinker‑reduced cementitious binders by 1H NMR relaxometry N2 - In this paper, we demonstrate the value of 1 H NMR relaxometry for studying the hydration of clinker-reduced, climate-friendly cementitious binders. Our study includes white cement (WC), ordinary Portland cement (OPC), and samples incorporating reactive agro-waste based ashes and non-reactive biochars as supplementary cementitous materials (SCM). NMR measurements were performed over a period of up to 120 h during hydration with an echo time of 50 μ s and a relatively large sample size of 20 mL. The results were compared to heat flow calorimetry (HFC) data, and a detailed comparison with literature data was performed for pure OPC and WC. The results show that time-resolved NMR measurements, especially the analysis of individual NMR signal components assigned to defined 1 H reservoirs, are effective for studying hydration processes. They offer insights into the evolution of the microstrucure and specific chemical phases. NMR provides valuable information and serves as a good complement to HFC. The comparison with data obtained with shorter echo times (40 μs or around 15–45 μs with solid echo sequence) on much smaller samples showed almost identical developments with respect to the T2 distributions. For the SCM samples, NMR results indicated partially accelerated hydration processes compared to classical OPC hydration. One SCM sample acted as a highly reactive pozzolan, showing a similar hydration process to OPC with the strongest effect observed when superplasticizer was added. Adding biochar delayed C-S-H gel pore formation but significantly increased capillary pores and even free water, likely due to the sponge-like structure. KW - Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry KW - Heat flow calorimetry KW - Cement KW - Hydration KW - Clinker reduction KW - Carbon emission KW - Kinetics PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-630284 DO - https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-025-02632-x SN - 1871-6873 VL - 58 IS - 137 SP - 1 EP - 23 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-63028 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Paul, S.C. A1 - Pirskawetz, Stephan A1 - Van Zijl, G.P.A.G. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram T1 - Acoustic emission for characterising the crack propagation in strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCC) N2 - This paper presents the analysis of crack propagation in strain-hardening cement-based composite (SHCC) under tensile and flexural load by using acoustic emission (AE). AE is a non-destructive technique to monitor the development of structural damage due to external forces. The main objective of this research was to characterise the cracking behaviour in SHCC in direct tensile and flexural tests by using AE. A better understanding of the development of microcracks in SHCC will lead to a better understanding of pseudo strain-hardening behaviour of SHCC and its general performance. ARAMIS optical deformation analysis was also used in direct tensile tests to observe crack propagation in SHCC materials. For the direct tensile tests, SHCC specimens were prepared with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibre with three different volume percentages (1%, 1.85% and 2.5%). For the flexural test beam specimens, only a fibre dosage of 1.85% was applied. It was found that the application of AE in SHCC can be a good option to analyse the crack growth in the specimens under increasing load, the location of the cracks and most importantly the identification of matrix cracking and fibre rupture or slippage. KW - Acoustic emission KW - Crack Detection (B) KW - Microcracking (B) KW - Fibre Reinforcement (E) KW - Tensile Properties (C) PY - 2015 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2014.12.003 SN - 0008-8846 SN - 1873-3948 VL - 69 SP - 19 EP - 24 PB - Pergamon Press CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-33579 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -