Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Mater.
Sec. Structural Materials
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmats.2025.1539929

Preparation and carbon emission analysis of high-performance pavement concrete using waste gypsums

Provisionally accepted
Hui Wang Hui Wang 1Fengxia Xu Fengxia Xu 2Zhen Liu Zhen Liu 1Shunjie Zhong Shunjie Zhong 3Enkuo Xing Enkuo Xing 1Yongbin Ye Yongbin Ye 4Yan Zhao Yan Zhao 5Chenjiang Li Chenjiang Li 6*
  • 1 Cangzhou Qugang Expressway Construction Co. Ltd, Cangzhou, China
  • 2 College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Tianjin Vocational Institute, Tianjin, China
  • 3 Fujian Zhanglong Construction Investment Group Co. LTD, Zhangzhou, China
  • 4 Fujian Xingyan Construction Group Co. Ltd, Zhangzhou, China
  • 5 China Mcc22 Group Corporation Ltd, Tangshan, China
  • 6 National Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This study explores the potential of waste gypsum, specifically phosphogypsum (PG) and desulfurization gypsum (DG), as alternative materials in supersulfated cement-based concrete (SSCC) for low-carbon road construction. The research comprehensively investigates the effects of PG and DG on the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and water resistance of SSCC. Additionally, the hydration kinetics and microstructure of SSC are analyzed through isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The findings show that PG-modified SSCC outperforms DG-modified SSCC, with 26.9% and 28% improvements in compressive and flexural strengths, respectively. Both PG and DG contribute to enhanced corrosion resistance, particularly in acidic environments, due to the formation of distinct hydration products compared to traditional concrete.Microstructural analysis reveals denser structures with Ettringite (AFt) and calcium silicate hydrate. Moreover, the hydration process of SSC exhibits low heat release, mitigating cracking risks in outdoor applications. A comprehensive evaluation indicates that PG-modified SSCC not only offers superior mechanical properties but also demonstrates significantly reduced carbon emissions and energy consumption, highlighting its potential as a sustainable material for road concrete.

    Keywords: Waste gypsums, Supersulfated cement, Road concrete, Corrosion Resistance, carbon emissions

    Received: 05 Dec 2024; Accepted: 14 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Xu, Liu, Zhong, Xing, Ye, Zhao and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Chenjiang Li, National Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.