Effect of Vibration Mixing on Performance and Carbon Emissions of Fly Ash Concrete

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.1001

Abstract

Abstract:

With the increasing demand for low-carbon and high-performance concrete， evaluating the effect of vibration mixing on the microstructure， durability， and life-cycle carbon emissions of fly ash concrete is essential for advancing green construction technologies and emission-reduction strategies. In this study， the effect of vibration mixing process on the mechanical properties， frost resistance enhancement， microstructure and carbon emission of fly ash concrete was systematically investigated. The vibration mixing method was compared with the conventional mixing method through preparing concrete specimens under five mix proportions with different fly ash content. The macroscopic properties were evaluated according to the results of compressive tests and rapid freeze-thaw cycle tests. The characteristics of porosity， hydration degree and interfacial transition zone （ITZ） were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR）， thermogravimetric analysis （TG/DTG）， scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy （SEM-EDS） and microhardness test， respectively. Besides， life cycle assessment （LCA） was applied to quantify carbon dioxide emissions. The results indicate that compared with the conventional mixing method， the vibration mixing method significantly improves the compressive strength and frost resistance of fly ash concrete. The porosity of fly ash concrete decreases by 3.46% under the vibration mixing method， in which the hydration process of the cement and the pozzolanic reaction of the fly ash are effectively promoted. And the ITZ is better optimized， which manifests as higher microhardness and a denser bonding interface. According to the LCA results， while maintaining or enhancing the properties of concrete， the vibration mixing method can reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the preparation process of fly ash concrete by 14~20 kg/m³.

Key words: fly ash concrete, vibration mixing, macroscopic property, microstructure, life cycle assessment, carbon emission

CLC Number:

TU528

ZHU Shidong, CHEN Wannian, LI Zhonghui, ZHANG Yu, ZHANG Yunsheng, LI Wangxin. Effect of Vibration Mixing on Performance and Carbon Emissions of Fly Ash Concrete[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(4): 1193-1207.

Figures/Tables 24

References 64

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Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	CaO	SiO₂	Al₂O₃	Fe₂O₃	MgO	LOI
Cement	35.50	34.67	7.90	2.93	1.77	17.23
Fly ash	5.98	50.77	22.68	5.64	1.74	13.19

Material	Mass fraction/%
Material	CaO	SiO₂	Al₂O₃	Fe₂O₃	MgO	LOI
Cement	35.50	34.67	7.90	2.93	1.77	17.23
Fly ash	5.98	50.77	22.68	5.64	1.74	13.19

Type	Reduction rate/%	Gas content/%	Na₂SO₄content/%	Cl^- content/%	Bleeding rate/%	Alkali content/%	28 d shrinkage
Standard	≥25.0	≤6.0	≤10.0	≤1.00	≤70	≤10.0	≤110
Measured	26.2	3.0	1.1	0.02	35	1.5	100

Type	Reduction rate/%	Gas content/%	Na₂SO₄content/%	Cl^- content/%	Bleeding rate/%	Alkali content/%	28 d shrinkage
Standard	≥25.0	≤6.0	≤10.0	≤1.00	≤70	≤10.0	≤110
Measured	26.2	3.0	1.1	0.02	35	1.5	100

Group	Mix proportion/（kg·m^-3）					Mass fraction/%
Group	Cement	Fly ash	Water	Fine aggregate	Coarse aggregate	Cement	Water-reducing agent
NV-1	340	60	160	810	1 030	0	0.8
V-1	340	60	160	810	1 030	0	0.8
NV-2	330	71	167	816	996	3	0.8
V-2	330	71	167	816	996	3	0.8
NV-3	323	80	167	824	986	5	0.8
V-3	323	80	167	824	986	5	0.8
NV-4	313	93	165	842	967	8	0.8
V-4	313	93	165	842	967	8	0.8
NV-5	306	102	165	840	966	10	0.8
V-5	306	102	165	840	966	10	0.8