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A further improvement of the excellent properties of UHPC can be realized with thermal Treatment. Like for normal concrete, it accelerates the hardening and prevents shrinkage after the treatment. Additionally, an increase in strength can be achieved. Aim of this study was the optimisation of the thermal Treatment conditions of UHPC for very different Treatment methods; heat Treatment at 90 °C for unprotected and sealed samples, hot water bath at 90 °C and hydrothermal Treatment at 185 °C/1.1 MPa. The pre-storage time and the dwell time were systematically varied for each method to gain a higher strength. The compressive strength depends on the manner of Treatment at which higher water accessibility leads to higher strengths. The Phase composition changes considerably with different Treatment tempereatures. Finally, it can activate unhydrated binder components forming additional C-S-H, leading to higher strength.
The repair of earthen structures is not an easy task. Earth as a construction material has comparatively weak mechanical properties. It is also susceptible towards liquid water, were it can lose cohesion very quickly if certain moisture contents are exceeded. Repair concepts of structures built with such materials are therefore challenging. Historical earthen structures often exhibit damages in form of extensive cracking, which may have been caused by static or dynamic loads. Frequently these cracks are insufficiently or inappropriately repaired because of lack of knowledge and / or technology. In particular, the behaviour of crack repair by grouting poses a challenge in earthen materials and demands specific requirements for the grouting mortar, such as low water content, good water retention, low shrinkage. Grouting materials require additional specifications such as compatible strengths and Young’s modulus as well as good adhesion to the earthen substrates. In addition, grouts have to be sufficiently flowable to fill small cracks and voids without segregation or bleeding. Therefore, the rheological behaviour has to be well understood and controlled to gain the desired effects.
The repair of cracks in earthen buildings is traditionally done by stuffing manually mortar into the gap. Naturally, this method is only usable for cracks with large widths. Another disadvantage is that cracks going through thicker walls cannot be completely reached by the tools used for stuffing the mortar into the crack. Lime based grouts for earthen materials were usually used for re-attachment of plasters but less for structural reasons. Due to the nature of earthen materials grouts based on formulated or hydraulic lime (according to the definition in EN 459-1) have to meet considerable demands on a variety of properties, which are related to compatibility, durability and in particular to the ability of being injected. The goal of this study was to create a grout, which can be used to re-establish structural continuity in cracked earthen masonry or other massive earth walls (rammed earth and cob) with the focus on grouting cracks. The grout material was based on hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) with additions of pozzolana and lime stone filler.
Thermal treatment improves the excellent properties of UHPC. Recent studies have shown that an increase in compressive strength of more than 30 % is possible. However, the accurate conditions of thermal treatment for a maximal strength are considered as yet undetermined. A multitude of parameters can be varied: temperature, pressure, water saturation, and duration of the process steps. These parameters influence the phase development and in consequence the macroscopic properties of UHPC. The primary objective of the presented study was the optimisation of the conditions for thermal treatment, concerning compressive strength. It focuses on pre-storage time and duration of the treatment at defined temperatures and pressures (90 °C and 185 °C/1.1MPa).
As expected, experimental results showed a fundamental change of phase composition in hydrothermally treated UHPC in comparison to standard cured UHPC: Ettringite decomposes at higher temperatures and is absent after thermal treatment; the amount of portlandite and clinker phases decreases. The change of phase composition is accompanied by increased compressive strength.
Experimental studies of calcium-silicate-systems at hydrothermal conditions predict the formation of the crystalline C-S-H phase tobermorite. In fact, this is a typical phase occurring in other hydrothermally treated calcium-silicate-systems like Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC). Commonly, high strength is attributed to the presence of tobermorite; however, in the presented study tobermorite was not detected in the hydrothermally treated UHPC. Therefore, tobermorite cannot be responsible for the increased strength of hydrothermally treated UHPC.
In conclusion the development of phases and strength of UHPC at hydrothermal conditions differs fundamentally from AAC and the experimental studies with water saturation. Results of these systems cannot be transferred to UHPC. In thermally treated UHPC, the hydration of clinker is enhanced and the puzzolanic reaction is intensified. Hence, more C-S-H is formed that fills pores and cracks, leading to a denser structure and finally to higher strength.