Eco-efficient high-strength engineered cementitious composites: mechanical and self-healing behaviors influenced by fly ash content and particle size
Jianqiao Yu, Zhigang Zhang, Yuanchuan Chen, Jamal A. Abdalla, Xiaoyue Zhang
Abstract
As infrastructure demands continue to grow, there is an increasing need for sustainable materials that combine superior mechanical properties with environmental benefits. This work addresses the challenge of developing high-strength engineered cementitious composites (HS-ECC) by optimizing the particle size and content of fly ash. The novelty of this work lies in the comprehensive investigation of ultra-fine fly ash (UFA) impact on the mechanical properties and sustainability of ECC. The results showed that UFA enhances compressive strength, increasing it from 85.52 MPa to 93.17 MPa, and improves the ductility of ECC, with tensile strain capacity reaching 6.24%. Additionally, the incorporation of UFA reduces crack width and promotes self-healing. Sustainability analysis further reveals that increasing the UFA content in ECC leads to a significant reduction in the material sustainability indicator (MSI) value, with embodied carbon decreasing by up to 27.5%. These findings highlight the multiple advantages of UFA in producing high-strength, self-healing, and eco-efficient ECC, with potential applications in infrastructure requiring both durability and sustainability.