Mechanical Properties and Chloride Penetration Resistance of UHPC Incorporating Tunnel Spoil and Nano-SiO₂

Jinhao Ou

doi:10.54097/z32xy908

Authors

Jinhao Ou College of Operational Support, Rocket Force University of Engineering, Xi’an, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/z32xy908

Keywords:

UHPC; tunnel spoil; nano-SiO₂; chloride wet-dry cycles; chloride penetration resistance; microstructure.

Abstract

Using tunnel spoil in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is attractive for reducing aggregate consumption, yet its porous nature raises concern when the material is exposed to chloride wet–dry action. In this work, quartz sand was partially replaced by tunnel spoil at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, and nano-SiO₂ was incorporated at 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%. Compressive strength, electric flux, mass variation, SEM, and XRD were used to examine performance changes at different curing ages and exposure durations. Compressive performance and chloride penetration resistance declined under repeated chloride wetting and drying, whereas longer curing and a moderate combination of tunnel spoil and nano-SiO₂ were associated with lower electric flux, smaller mass variation, and a denser matrix. Within the tested mixtures, 2% nano-SiO₂ + 20% tunnel spoil (N2C2) showed the most favorable overall balance.

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