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 - 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 - Fini, E. A1 - Kazemi, M. A1 - Poulikakos, L. A1 - de Claville Christiansen, J. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Parast, M. T1 - Toward Sustainability in the Built Environment: An Integrative Approach N2 - The built environment refers to the human-made surroundings within which people reside and work, including buildings, green spaces, streets, urban centers, and critical infrastructure like water and energy networks. This sector holds a pivotal place in the global economy, contributing to approximately 10 percent of the global gross domestic product (Tokede et al., 2022). However, its importance extends far beyond monetary metrics, exerting a profound influence on emissions, resource utilization, and land use transformations across various industries. Notably, this sector stands responsible for more than one-third of global final energy consumption, underscoring its substantial contribution of nearly 40 % to global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions while consuming nearly 60 percent of the world’s total raw materials (Tokede et al., 2022; Thiedeitz et al., 2022). The recent surge in population and urbanization has exacerbated diverse challenges associated with the built environment, such as climate change, pollution, resource depletion, energy inefficiency, and economic instability (Corona et al., 2019). Addressing these multifaceted issues is crucial for fostering sustainability within the built environment. Accelerating the transition toward creating built environments that are circular, well-balanced, inclusive, and resilient, while achieving net� zero emissions, stands as a paramount necessity. This shift is vital to accommodate the future spatial requirements and combat global warming, particularly in light of the rapid urbanization observed in developing nations. One effective strategy for advancing sustainability within the built environment involves material conservation through engineering approaches. A key facet of this approach involves the judicious utilization of engineered waste materials, such as waste plastics, recycled concrete aggregates, and recycled asphalt, among others. These materials can be efficiently employed, accompanied by streamlined resource management practices, to mitigate resource depletion and curtail the release of toxic pollutants typically associated with conventional material production. Furthermore, the customization of design and engineering processes for adsorptive waste materials, exemplified by zeolites, can play a pivotal role in removing gaseous pollutants present in the vicinity. This comprehensive approach is essential for addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by resource scarcity and accumulating waste materials, while simultaneously nurturing sustainable development (Fini et al., 2021). Therefore, the development of practical methods and tools to facil� itate the incorporation of resource conservation and recycling into the establishment of sustainable built environments becomes an urgent imperative. The objective of this special issue is to demonstrate the myriad opportunities for enhancing the sustainability and health of the built environment. This is accomplished through the presentation of novel perspectives, data, models, frameworks, and innovative approaches designed to prevent or mitigate long-term unintended consequences. The overarching goal is to integrate sustainable practices into the fabric of the built environment and actively contribute to the global pursuit of carbon neutrality. By advancing strategies and approaches conducive to sustainable built environments, we strive to deepen our understanding of the most favorable pathways to toward achieving lowcarbon development. Moreover, these endeavors bolster resilience in the face of the profound challenges posed by the rapid onset of climate change. This special issue comprises 21 articles, collectively illuminating the vast potential to enhance the sustainability and health of the built environment. These articles introduce fresh insights, new datasets, nuanced models, and robust frameworks, all dedicated to fortifying the sustainability and health aspects of the built environment. Additionally, this special issue serves as a platform for highlighting innovative approaches geared toward averting or mitigating undesirable long-term consequences. Notably, these articles coalesce around four central themes: (1) Materials Aspects of Sustainability, (2) Management Aspects of Sustainability, (3) Technology Aspects of Sustainability, and (4) Health Aspects of Sustainability. Overall, this special issue reflects the most recent scientific advances in constructing a more sustainable, carbon-neutral future. KW - Recycling KW - Conservation KW - Resources PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107241 SN - 0921-3449 VL - 201 SP - 1 EP - 4 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-61561 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bühler, M. M. A1 - Hollenbach, P. A1 - Michalski, A. A1 - Meyer, S. A1 - Birle, E. A1 - Off, R. A1 - Lang, Ch. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Cudmani, R. A1 - Fritz, O. A1 - Baltes, G. A1 - Kortmann, G. T1 - The Industrialisation of Sustainable Construction: A Transdisciplinary Approach to the Large-Scale Introduction of Compacted Mineral Mixtures (CMMs) into Building Construction N2 - Abstract: Increasing demand for sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon construction materials has highlighted the potential of Compacted Mineral Mixtures (CMMs), which are formulated from various soil types (sand, silt, clay) and recycled mineral waste. This paper presents a comprehensive inter- and transdisciplinary research concept that aims to industrialise and scale up the adoption of CMM-based construction materials and methods, thereby accelerating the construction industry’s systemic transition towards carbon neutrality. By drawing upon the latest advances in soil mechanics, rheology, and automation, we propose the development of a robust material properties database to inform the design and application of CMM-based materials, taking into account their complex, time-dependent behaviour. Advanced soil mechanical tests would be utilised to ensure optimal performance under various loading and ageing conditions. This research has also recognised the importance of context-specific strategies for CMM adoption. We have explored the implications and limitations of implementing the proposed framework in developing countries, particularly where resources may be constrained. We aim to shed light on socio-economic and regulatory aspects that could influence the adoption of these sustainable construction methods. The proposed concept explores how the automated production of CMM-based wall elements can become a fast, competitive, emission-free, and recyclable alternative to traditional masonry and concrete construction techniques. We advocate for the integration of open-source digital platform technologies to enhance data accessibility, processing, and knowledge acquisition; to boost confidence in CMM-based technologies; and to catalyse their widespread adoption. We believe that the transformative potential of this research necessitates a blend of basic and applied investigation using a comprehensive, holistic, and transfer-oriented methodology. Thus, this paper serves to highlight the viability and multiple benefits of CMMs in construction, emphasising their pivotal role in advancing sustainable development and resilience in the built environment. KW - Decarbonisation KW - Circular economy KW - Recycled materials KW - Demolition wastes KW - Low-carbon construction KW - Building with earth KW - Compressed earth KW - Rammed earth KW - Sustainable construction PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-583260 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310677 VL - 15 IS - 13 SP - 1 EP - 25 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-58326 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine A1 - Munsch, Sarah Mandy A1 - Telong, Melissa A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Bintz, Thilo A1 - Fladt, Matthias A1 - Stelzner, Ludwig T1 - The NMR core analyzing TOMograph: A multi-functional tool for non-destructive testing of building materials N2 - NMR is becoming increasingly popular for the investigation of building materials as it is a non-invasive technology that does not require any sample preparation nor causes damage to the material. Depending on the specific application it can offer insights into properties like porosity and spatial saturation degree as well as pore structure. Moreover it enables the determination of moisture transport properties and the (re-)distribution of internal moisture into different reservoirs or chemical phases upon damage and curing. However, as yet most investigations were carried out using devices originally either designed for geophysical applications or the analysis of rather homogeneous small scale (< 10 mL) samples. This paper describes the capabilities of an NMR tomograph, which has been specifically optimized for the investigation of larger, heterogeneous building material samples (diameters of up to 72 mm, length of up to 700 mm) with a high flexibility due to interchangeable coils allowing for a high SNR and short echo times (50 - 80 m s). KW - Fire spalling KW - Moisture transport KW - Concrete KW - Cement hydration KW - Sensitivity KW - Supplementary cementitous materials KW - Frost salt attack PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-573755 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrl.2023.03.004 SN - 2097-0048 VL - 3 IS - 3 SP - 207 EP - 219 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-57375 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Cunningham, Patrick A1 - Mezhov, Alexander A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram T1 - Revealing Value from Bioderived Polymers: Effects of Locally Sourced Polysaccharides on the Rheology of Limestone Mixtures N2 - Admixtures are important constituents to enhance the performance of concrete. They allow for more efficient use of binders which can mitigate negative environmental impacts from producing cement-based materials. Commonly used rheology modifying agents like polycarboxylate ethers or cellulose ethers are synthetic or semi-synthetic, respectively. This requires additional energy consumption for their production and global supply chains particularly for many developing regions, which will be large consumers of concrete in the future. However, many locally available bio-based polysaccharides could be effectively used instead. These polymers are often overlooked by engineers and scientists due to their limited distribution and inherent complexity, yet they represent an underleveraged source of precursors for admixtures. This study investigates the action mechanisms of some bio-based rheology modifying agents, i.e., acacia gum and miscanthus gum, and provides a comparison to a conventionally modified starch. The results show that the mechanism of action of these polymers is closely related to the composition of the mixture, mixing regime, and the composition of the aqueous phase. Depending on the agent, either plasticizing or stabilizing effects on rheology can be revealed. T2 - ICBBM: International Conference on Bio-Based Building Materials CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 21.06.2023 KW - Polysaccharides KW - Superplasticizers KW - Hydration KW - Cement PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33465-8_60 SN - 2211-0852 VL - 45 SP - 782 EP - 792 PB - Springer Nature Switzerland AG CY - Switzerland AN - OPUS4-58726 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhang, K. A1 - Mezhov, Alexander A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram T1 - Effect of Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer in Ordinary Portland Cement and Sulfate Resistant Cement N2 - Polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCE) are the most widely used admixtures in today’s cementitious construction materials. The molecular structure has a decisive influence on the effectiveness of PCE, which also can be tailored to serve in a different cementitious system. The current study investigates the influence of the backbone charge density of PCE on the rheology, hydration kinetics, and adsorption behavior of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and sulfate-resistant cement (SRC). The results indicate that regardless of the PCE type, OPC requires a higher amount of PCE to be adsorbed to induce changing of rheological parameters and hydration kinetics. Regardless of the cement type, the PCE with a higher charge density exhibits higher adsorption behavior, corresponding to lower viscosity measurement. Compared to OPC, SRC is more sensitive to the introduction of both PCEs and has a lower saturation dosage, indicating that SRC generally provides better workability properties regardless of the PCE. KW - Polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCE) KW - Sulfate resistant cement (SRC) KW - Rheological KW - Adsorption KW - Cement hydration PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-15033 SN - 0899-1561 VL - 35 IS - 6 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - ASCE Libary AN - OPUS4-58244 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Kanjee, J. A1 - Motukwa, G. A1 - Olonade, K. A1 - Dodoo, A. T1 - A snapshot review of future‑oriented standards for cement, admixtures, and concrete: How Africa can spearhead the implementation of green urban construction materials N2 - The existing cement and concrete standards are not capable of making full use of the current technology capacity due to strong focus on conventional concrete and thus they are not fit for the current and future challenges of construction industry. The paper highlights shortcomings with regard to the implementation of the existing standards. It can be seen that future-oriented standards are generally required to contribute to a lower-carbon footprint of the industry. These changes are significantly more relevant in sub-Saharan Africa, due to the rapidly increasing urbanisation challenge and the enormous potentials to develop lower-carbon technologies than elsewhere in the world. KW - Future‑oriented standards KW - Green urban construction KW - Cement PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-582563 DO - https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-023-00563-9 SN - 2731-5894 VL - 4 IS - 8 SP - 557 EP - 565 PB - Springer International Publishing CY - Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham AN - OPUS4-58256 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pott, U. A1 - Crasselt, Claudia A1 - Fobbe, N. A1 - Haist, M. A1 - Heinemann, M. A1 - Hellmann, S. A1 - Ivanov, D. A1 - Jakob, C. A1 - Jansen, D. A1 - Lei, L. A1 - Li, R. A1 - Link, J. A1 - Lowke, D. A1 - Mechtcherine, V. A1 - Neubauer, J. A1 - Nicia, D. A1 - Plank, J. A1 - Reißig, S. A1 - Schäfer, T. A1 - Schilde, C. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Schröfl, C. A1 - Sowoidnich, T. A1 - Strybny, B. A1 - Ukrainczyk, N. A1 - Wolf, J. A1 - Xiao, P. A1 - Stephan, D. T1 - Characterization data of reference materials used for phase II of the priority program DFG SPP 2005 “Opus Fluidum Futurum –Rheology of reactive, multiscale, multiphase construction materials” N2 - A thorough characterization of base materials is the prereq- uisite for further research. In this paper, the characterization data of the reference materials (CEM I 42.5 R, limestone pow- der, calcined clay and a mixture of these three components) used in the second funding phase of the priority program 2005 of the German Research Foundation (DFG SPP 2005) are presented under the aspects of chemical and min- eralogical composition as well as physical and chemical properties. The data were collected based on tests performed by up to eleven research groups involved in this cooperative program. KW - Portland cement KW - Limestone powder KW - Calcined clay KW - Sustainable cement KW - DFG SPP 2005 PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-569913 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.108902 VL - 47 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - Elsevier AN - OPUS4-56991 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bessaies-Bey, H. A1 - Khayat, K. H. A1 - Palacios, M. A1 - Schmidt, Wolfram A1 - Roussel, N. T1 - Viscosity modifying agents: Key components of advanced cement-based materials with adapted rheology N2 - Viscosity modifying agents (VMAs) are essential ingredients for the production of flowable cement-based materials. This paper presents an overview of commonly used VMAs and attempts to shed some light on the underlying physics at the origin of their mechanisms of action. The main molecular parameters of VMA controlling the rheological properties of the cement pore solution are highlighted. As the mechanisms of action of VMAs in cement-based materials are closely related to their affinity with the surface of cement particles, the adsorption of the main VMA types is discussed. The effect of VMAs on flow properties and stability of cement-based materials is presented for VMAs added without any superplasticizer, and then in systems incorporating both VMAs and superplasticizers. Finally, the effect of VMAs in enhancing concrete properties to secure adequate performance of different construction applications, and perspectives for future developments of novel cement-based materials made with VMAs are showcased. KW - Viscosity modifying agents KW - Cement KW - Stability KW - Rheology KW - Working mechanism KW - Compatibility PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106646 VL - 152 SP - 1 EP - 20 PB - Elsevier AN - OPUS4-58396 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -