Faculty Publications

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    Influence of Integration of Phase Change Materials on Hydration and Microstructure Properties of Nanosilica Admixed Cementitious Mortar
    (American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) onlinejls@asce.org 1801 Alexander Bell DriveGEO Reston VA 20191 Alabama, 2020) Snehal, K.; Das, B.B.; Kumar, S.
    The present study demonstrates the influence of integrating phase change materials (PCMs) on hydration and microstructure properties of nanosilica admixed cementitious mortar. First, the optimized dosage of nanosilica in correspondence to compressive strength was determined. Subsequently, the desired proportion of PCMs was identified pertaining to a designated compressive strength of 35 MPa at the curing age of 28 days. The hydration and microstructure studies were carried out through thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Further, thermal properties were determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Incorporation of nanosilica into the cementitious mortar was found to have a positive influence on early strength development and durability, however, there was found to be an increase in chemical shrinkage as compared to the control mixture. PCMs integrated cementitious mortar improved the thermal efficiency as well as reduced the chemical shrinkage, but adversely affected the mechanical, hydration, and durability properties. With respect to development of compressive strength of the cementitious mortar, it is found that n-octadecane PCMs performed better amidst other PCMs, such as paraffin and sodium carbonate hydrates. Further, studies were carried out on cementitious mortar having both nanosilica (optimized proportion) and PCMs (the best performing). From the results, it is found that cementitious mortar comprising of both nanosilica and PCMs have compensated the drawbacks of one another. Blended mortar (having both nanosilica and PCMs) showed superior strength gain at early age, better durability resistance, low chemical shrinkage, and superior thermal performance. © 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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    Acid, alkali and chloride resistance of binary, ternary and quaternary blended cementitious mortar integrated with nano-silica particles
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2021) Snehal, K.; Das, B.B.
    This paper investigates the quantification of ettringite (Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12.26H2O, AFt), gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O, Gy) and Friedel's salt (Ca4Al2(OH)12Cl2.4H2O, Fs) formed for binary, ternary and quaternary blended cementitious mortar mixes that were exposed to acid (H2SO4), alkali (Na2SO4) and chloride (NaCl) solutions. Quantification was carried out through a thermogravimetric analyzer by characterizing the mass loss associated to the decomposition of these compounds at specific boundaries of temperature (50–120 °C for AFt, 120–150 °C for Gy and 230–380 °C for Fs). Binary, ternary and quaternary blended cementitious mortar mixes were designed by adopting modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing model. A long-term exposure period was spanned to the duration of 180 days for all kind of aggressive media and its effect on engineering properties of blended cementitious mortar were measured. Deterioration due to acid (H2SO4) exposure is found to be more intense due to the synergistic action of acid and sulfates. It is to be noted that for acid exposure period of 180 days, control mortar underwent an acute density and strength losses of 18% and 59%, respectively. However, cementitious mortar mix consisting of 3% nano-silica performs the best against aggressive media. The optimistic resistance to the formation of AFt and Gy was also found to be offered by quaternary blended mix. A similar trend was also observed in the formation of Fs for the mortar mixes exposed to NaCl solution. Significant improvement in particle packing density by the inclusion of micron to nano sized finer particles for quaternary blended mortar mix has minimized the permeable porosity, thus reduced the susceptibility to the formation of voluminous compounds. Enhanced pozzolanic activity due to the presence of nano-silica could be one of the primary reasons for quaternary blended mortar to perform better against the aggressive media that can be adopted in the practice considering sustainability and economical point of view. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
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    Influence of aggressive exposure on the degradation of nano-silica admixed cementitious mortar integrated with phase change materials
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2022) Snehal, K.; Das, B.B.; Barbhuiya, S.
    The objective of the present study is to evaluate the stability of cementitious mortar incorporated with phase change material (PCM, n-octadecane) at aggressive exposure conditions such as acid (1% H2SO4), alkali (5% Na2SO4) and chloride (5% NaCl). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to characterize and quantify the amount of deleterious compounds such as ettringite (Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12·26H2O, AFt), gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O Gy) and Freidel's salt (Ca2Al(OH)6(Cl, OH)·2H2O, Fs) formed due to the action of SO42− (acidic and alkaline media) and Cl− (chloride media) ions at the continuous exposure period of 180 days. Mass loss associated to the thermal degradation of n-octadecane PCM (CH3(CH2)16CH3) at various exposure solutions was also calculated at the temperature boundary of 250–300 °C. This study also highlights the introduction of optimized nano-silica dosage (3%) into the PCM based cementitious mortar to counteract the undesirable facets of PCMs on cementitious system. Results revealed that incorporation of PCM in cementitious mortar augmented the amount of AFt, Gy (at acid and alkali exposure solution) and Fs (at chloride exposure solution) formation, responsible for the amplified rate of deterioration. It is important to be noted that after long term exposure of 180 days no traces of PCM was observed in PCM based cementitious mortar mixes, which signifies the mixes no longer holds the capacity to store energy. However, co-occurrence of nano-silica (3%) in PCM based cementitious mixes curtailed the negative impact of PCM on cementitious mortars exposed to aggressive conditions significantly. Further, differential thermogravimetric (DTG) curve shows an additional endothermic peak at 250–300 °C for 3% nano-silica modified PCM based cementitious mixes even after exposure to aggressive ions that implies the ability of the mix to sustain the thermal efficiency characteristics of PCMs. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
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    Synergistic effect of nano silica on carbonation resistance of multi-blended cementitious mortar
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2023) Snehal, K.; Das, B.B.; Barbhuiya, S.
    Confiscation of alkaline buffer in a blended cementitious system surges the risk of carbonation. Understanding the carbonation mechanism and kinetics of multi-blended cementitious systems in correspondence to microstructural properties is the need of the hour. In this context, the change in the microstructure of binary, ternary, and quaternary blended cementitious mortar mix comprising of fly ash or/and ultra-fine fly ash or/and nano-silica upon accelerated carbonation (3.5% CO2; 70% RH) was studied. All multi-blended mixes were proportioned using modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing theory. Permeable porosity and carbonation parameters such as carbonation depth, rate of change in compressive strength, and carbonation shrinkage were measured. Further, qualitative/quantitative estimation of carbonation phases was done using characterization techniques such as TGA and FTIR. In control mix with solely OPC, the reaction of CO2 with calcium-bearing phases showed chemo-mechanical changes leading to 18% improvement in strength at 30 days of exposure. The optimized multi-blended cementitious systems with nano-silica exhibited higher resistance to carbonation kinetics. Phase assemblages quantified through TGA within depth of carbonation imply a negligible concentration of portlandite (CH). However, mixes without nano-silica exhibited a significant reduction in bound water content associated with C–S–H/AFt/AFm phases and intensified the precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) phase. Asymmetric stretching band of C–O–C at 1424 cm−1 corresponding to calcite phase measured using FTIR validates the outcomes of TGA. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
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    Life cycle assessment and environmental impact of blended cementitious mortar with incinerated biomedical waste Ash as partial replacement to cement
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Tripathi, P.; Joshi, S.; Snehal, K.; Das, B.B.
    In a sustainability-driven world, repurposing industrial byproducts into construction materials is vital for reducing environmental impact and resource conservation. Incinerated biomedical waste ash (IBWA), typically regarded as hazardous landfill waste poses significant environmental challenges. However, high calcium (?45 %) and silicate phases in IBWA contribute to hydration and pozzolanic reaction making it a potentially sustainable cementitious material. From this perspective, this study investigates the life cycle assessment and environmental impact of blended cementitious mortar incorporated with IBWA as a partial replacement for cement, focusing on its ecological and technical benefits. A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) confirmed that uutilization of IBWA in cementitious mortar conserves natural resources, reduces embodied energy consumption, lowers CO2 emissions, and minimizes eutrophication and human toxicity potential by capturing heavy metal within hydration products. To ensure environmental safety, TCLP-ICP-MS analysis was conducted, which affirms that IBWA leachate concentrations were well below EPA regulatory limits and further reduced during hydration, stabilizing heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, etc.) in the solidified matrix. The optimal IBWA dosage of 10 % offered a balance between both technical performance and sustainability. The porous and non-spherical morphology of IBWA increased water demand and inter-particle friction, and its SiO? + CaO content (>50 %) enhanced cement hydration. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Xray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analyses confirmed the progressive formation of secondary hydration products (C-S-H, and C-A-S-H), contributing to densified microstructure (Ca/Si ratio: ?1.2). The final sustainable performance score of 0.77 for the IBWA10 mix signifies an eco-efficient and balanced formulation, offering structural integrity along with environmental and economic advantages. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd