Paper Titles
Utilization of Rice Husk Ash and Fly Ash for Sustainable Concrete Development in Pakistan
p.11
Experimental Evaluation of Self-Compacting Concrete Incorporating Bentonite Clay and Marble Dust as Sustainable Additives
p.21
Evaluating the Properties of Concrete by Incorporating Bentonite and Crumb Rubber
p.33
Effects of Micro and Nano Scale Sugarcane Bagasse Cellulose Fibers on Cement Based Materials
p.41
Optimizing Acid Resistance of Concrete Due to the Synergistic Effect of Bentonite and Fly Ash Dosages: Mass Loss Kinetics and Microstructural Analysis under HCL
p.57
Discrete vs Smeared Modelling Strategies for TRM – Strengthened Beams: A Benchmark Study
p.67
Physics-Informed Neural Networks Fusion with Deep Learning for Structural Health Monitoring and Prognostics - A Review
p.75
Development of a Data-Driven Predictive Model for GFRP-Concrete Bond Strength Using the XGBoost Algorithm
p.85
Influence of Nanoparticle-Enhanced Concrete on the Nonlinear Seismic Response of Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall
p.93

Optimizing Acid Resistance of Concrete Due to the Synergistic Effect of Bentonite and Fly Ash Dosages: Mass Loss Kinetics and Microstructural Analysis under HCL

Article Preview

Abstract:

This study evaluates the effect of acid attack on the behavior of concrete containing bentonite and fly ash. The concrete mixes contain varying dosages of bentonite mixed with a constant ratio of 10% fly ash. The concrete mixes include A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, which contain 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% bentonite, respectively. Experimental results reveal that the addition of 10% fly ash along with 10% bentonite can show significant resistance toward acid attack. The concrete mix A1, containing 10% fly ash and 10% bentonite, loses only 1.1% of its mass as compared to the controlled mix of concrete, which shows a significant loss of its mass up to 8.4%. Microstructural analysis of concrete specimens reveals significant changes in hydration products using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of 10% bentonite along with fly ash creates a denser microstructure due to the formation of calcium silicate hydrate gel and refines the internal pores of the concrete, which provides a significant resistance towards acid attack. In addition, higher dosages of bentonite lead to a porous and loose microstructure, which becomes susceptible to microcracking and spalling.

You might also be interested in these eBooks
The 15th International Civil Engineering Conference (ICEC) View Preview

Info:

Periodical:

Construction Technologies and Architecture (Volume 23)

Pages:

57-63

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-AP8Dh6

Citation:

Cite this paper

Online since:

May 2026

Authors:

Raja Wajahat Zahoor Khan*, Raja Shujahat Zahoor Khan, Muhammad Yaqub

Keywords:

Acid Attack, Bentonite, Concrete, Durability, Fly Ash

Export:

RIS, BibTeX

Price:

Permissions CCC:

Request Permissions

Permissions PLS:

Request Permissions

Сopyright:

© 2026 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Share:

Citation:

* - Corresponding Author

References

[1] J. Ahmad, K. J. Kontoleon, M. Z. Al-Mulali, S. Shaik, M. H. El Ouni, and M. A. El-Shorbagy, "Partial Substitution of Binding Material by Bentonite Clay (BC) in Concrete: A Review," Buildings, vol. 12, no. 5, 2022.

DOI: 10.3390/buildings12050634

Google Scholar

[2] R. Siddique and T. R. Naik, "Properties of concrete containing scrap-tire rubber - An overview," Waste Manag., vol. 24, no. 6, 2004.

DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2004.01.006

Google Scholar

[3] S. A. Memon, R. Arsalan, S. Khan, and T. Y. Lo, "Utilization of Pakistani bentonite as partial replacement of cement in concrete," Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 30, 2012.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.11.021

Google Scholar

[4] R. and S. Z. K. Raja Wajahat Zahoor Khan, Muhammad Yaqub, "Effect of Acid and Chloride Attack on Durability Properties of Mortar Containing Fly Ash," ICSDC 2023, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371173437_Effect_of_Acid_and_Chloride_Attack_on_Durability_Properties_of_Mortar_Containing_Fly_Ash.

DOI: 10.7324/rjc.2017.1021682

Google Scholar

[5] M. Ahmaruzzaman, "A review on the utilization of fly ash," 2010.

DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2009.11.003

Google Scholar

[6] D. K. Nayak, P. P. Abhilash, R. Singh, R. Kumar, and V. Kumar, "Fly ash for sustainable construction: A review of fly ash concrete and its beneficial use case studies," 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.clema.2022.100143

Google Scholar

[7] R. S. Z. K. Raja Wajahat Zahoor Khan, Dr.Muhammad Yaqub, Tariq Ali, "Effect of carbon nanotubes and fly ash on mechanical and microstructural properties of cement mortars," CSCE'21, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353958731_Effect_of_carbon_nanotubes_and_fly_ash_on_mechanical_and_microstructural_properties_of_cement_mortars.

DOI: 10.1080/01694243.2020.1860548

Google Scholar

[8] H. Fan, C. Wang, Y. Hu, and G. Zhao, "Durability Performance of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Subjected to Sulfate–Magnesium Combined Attack," Materials (Basel)., vol. 17, no. 5, 2024.

DOI: 10.3390/ma17051128

Google Scholar

[9] A. Grandclerc, P. Dangla, M. Gueguen-Minerbe, and T. Chaussadent, "Modelling of the sulfuric acid attack on different types of cementitious materials," Cem. Concr. Res., vol. 105, 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.01.014

Google Scholar

[10] T. A. Fode, Y. A. C. Jande, and T. Kivevele, "Effects of raw and different calcined bentonite on durability and mechanical properties of cement composite material," Case Stud. Constr. Mater., vol. 20, 2024.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e03012

Google Scholar

[11] L. Keke et al., "Rheological characteristics of Ultra-High performance concrete (UHPC) incorporating bentonite," Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 349, 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128793

Google Scholar

[12] M. Muthu, S. Yadav, and J. J. Schneider, "Investigation of the changes in properties and microstructure of graphene oxide-modified cement pastes due to hydrochloric acid attack," J. Sustain. Cem. Mater., vol. 11, no. 2, 2022.

DOI: 10.1080/21650373.2021.1881650

Google Scholar

[13] A. I. A. ASTM C33, "ASTM C33 : Concrete Aggregates 1," ASTM Int., vol. i, no. C, 2010.

Google Scholar

[14] E. Gedik and A. Atmaca, "An experimental study investigating the effects of bentonite clay on mechanical and thermal properties of concrete," Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 383, 2023.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131279

Google Scholar

[15] O. O. Metalssi et al., "Effect of an Early-Age Exposure on the Degradation Mechanisms of Cement Paste under External Sulfate Attack," Materials (Basel)., vol. 16, no. 17, 2023.

DOI: 10.3390/ma16176013

Google Scholar

[16] D. K. Das and A. K. Tiwary, "Influence of nano bentonite clay and nano fly ash on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete," Clean Technol. Environ. Policy, 2023.

DOI: 10.1007/s10098-023-02610-3

Google Scholar