DOI: 10.3390/app14062616 ISSN: 2076-3417

Enhancing Cement Paste Properties with Biochar: Mechanical and Rheological Insights

Daniel Suarez-Riera, Luca Lavagna, Juan Felipe Carvajal, Jean-Marc Tulliani, Devid Falliano, Luciana Restuccia
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • General Engineering
  • Instrumentation
  • General Materials Science

Biochar, the solid sub-product of biomass pyrolysis, is widely considered an effective water retention material thanks to its porous microstructure and high specific surface area. This study investigates the possibility of improving both mechanical and rheological properties of cement pastes on a micro-scale. The results show that using biochar as a reinforcement at low percentages (1% to 5% by weight of cement) results in an increase in compressive strength of 13% and the flexural strength of 30%. A high fracture energy was demonstrated by the tortuous crack path of the sample at an early age of curing. A preliminary study on the rheological properties has indicated that the yield stress value is in line with that of self-compacting concrete.

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