Effect of Curing Methods on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortar Contaminated with Heavy Crude Oil

  • Rajab Abousnina School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
  • Fahad Aljuaydi Department of Mathematics, College of Sciences & Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
Keywords: Heavy crude oil, contamination, hydration, remediation, mechanical properties

Abstract

Crude oil contamination poses significant environmental issues, particularly in regions where oil spills affect soil and groundwater. Utilising damaged materials in construction offers a cost-effective rehabilitation strategy that repurposes waste and reduces pollution. This study examines the effects of curing methods and heavy crude oil contamination on the mechanical properties of cement mortar. Mortar samples with different amounts of heavy crude oil (0%, 2%, and 10%) were cured using air, water, and sealed plastic. Water curing attained the highest compressive strength across different pollution levels by maintaining moisture for complete hydration. In contrast, air curing resulted in the lowest strength, especially for uncontaminated and 2% oil samples, due to rapid drying that limited hydration and increased porosity. Curing techniques did not affect the strength of samples with 10% heavy crude oil, perhaps due to oil saturation impeding hydration. Increased oil contamination, particularly with heavy crude, significantly enhanced porosity and reduced compressive strength. The high viscosity and complex molecular structure of heavy crude oil form a dense coating around cement particles, hindering hydration and undermining the integrity of the cement matrix. The findings suggest that selecting an appropriate curing procedure for low-level crude oil may facilitate repurposing materials contaminated with heavy crude oil as sustainable, cost-effective alternatives for specific civil engineering applications, offering a viable option for oil-contaminated sand.

References

Abdul Ahad, R. B., & Mohammed, A. A. (2000). Compressive and tensile strength of concrete loaded and soaked in crude oil. Engineering Journal ofthe University of Qatar, 13.

Abousnina, R., Manalo, A., Ferdous, W., Lokuge, W., Benabed, B., & Al-Jabri, K. S. (2020). Characteristics, strength development and microstructure of cement mortar containing oil-contaminated sand. Construction and Building Materials, 252, 119155.

Abousnina, R., Manalo, A., Lokuge, W., & Al-Jabri, K. S. (2018). Properties and structural behavior of concrete containing fine sand contaminated with light crude oil [Article]. Construction and Building Materials, 189, 1214-1231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.09.089

Abousnina, R. M., Manalo, A., & Lokuge, W. (2016). Physical and Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortar Containing Fine Sand Contaminated with Light Crude Oil. Procedia Engineering, 145, 250-258. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.04.071

Ajagbe, W. O., Omokehinde, O. S., Alade, G. A., & Agbede, O. A. (2012). Effect of Crude Oil Impacted Sand on compressive strength of concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 26(1), 9-12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.06.028

Aljuaydi, F., Abousnina, R., Alajarmeh, O., & Alajmi, A. (2024). The Influence of Fibres on the Properties and Sustainability of Oil-Impacted Concrete. Sustainability, 16(17), 7344. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/17/7344

Almabrok, M., Mclaughlan, R & Vessalas, K 2011, 'investigation of oil solidification using direct immobilization method', in Environmental Research Event: proceedings of theEnvironmental Research Event Moreton Bay Research Station, North Stradbroke Island QLD. (2011). Investigation of oil solidification using direct immobilization method. Environmental Research Event: proceedings of theEnvironmental Research Event Moreton Bay Research Station, North Stradbroke Island QLD.,

Almabrok, M. H., Mclaughlan, R., Vessalas, K., & Thomas, P. (2019). Effect of oil contaminated aggregates on cement hydration. American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER).

Bentz, D. P. (2007). Internal curing of high-performance blended cement mortars. Materials Journal, 104(4), 408-414.

Ezziane, K., Bougara, A., Kadri, A., Khelafi, H., & Kadri, E. (2007). Compressive strength of mortar containing natural pozzolan under various curing temperature. Cement and Concrete Composites, 29(8), 587-593. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2007.03.002

Hamad, B. S., & Rteil, A. A. (2003). Effect of used engine oil on structural behavior of reinforced concrete elements. Construction and Building Materials, 17(3), 203-211. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-0618(02)00038-7

Jamrah, A., Al-Futaisi, A., Hassan, H., & Al-Oraimi, S. (2007). Petroleum contaminated soil in Oman: Evaluation of bioremediation treatment and potential for reuse in hot asphalt mix concrete. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 124, 331-341.

Joshaghani, A., Balapour, M., & Ramezanianpour, A. A. (2018). Effect of controlled environmental conditions on mechanical, microstructural and durability properties of cement mortar. Construction and Building Materials, 164, 134-149.

Kocaman, B., Yanik, R., Kose, C., & Ozturk, A. (2011). Effect of Different Cure Conditions on Compressive Strength of Concrete Having Different Properties. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10(14), 1756-1759.

Kuppusamy, S., Maddela, N. R., Megharaj, M., Venkateswarlu, K., Kuppusamy, S., Maddela, N. R., Megharaj, M., & Venkateswarlu, K. (2020). Ecological impacts of total petroleum hydrocarbons. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons: Environmental Fate, Toxicity, and Remediation, 95-138.

Lavagna, L., & Nisticò, R. (2022). An insight into the chemistry of cement—a review. Applied Sciences, 13(1), 203.

Mehta, P. K. (1986). Concrete. Structure, properties and materials.

Neville, A. (1995). Properties of concrete (4th and final ed.) Longman Group Limited. In: London.

Neville, M. A. (1981). Properties of concrete. Pitman, London, 18.

Ore, O. T., & Adeola, A. O. (2021). Toxic metals in oil sands: review of human health implications, environmental impact, and potential remediation using membrane-based approach. Energy, Ecology and Environment, 6(2), 81-91.

Taylor, P. C. (2013). Curing concrete. CRC press.

Total Energies Trading & Shipping. (2020). Crude OMAN TBP Country Oman DISTILLATION https://ts.totalenergies.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OMAN.pdf.

Wang, X.-Y., & Park, K.-B. (2017). Analysis of the compressive strength development of concrete considering the interactions between hydration and drying. Cement and Concrete Research, 102, 1-15.

Published
2024-12-31
How to Cite
Abousnina, R., & Aljuaydi, F. (2024). Effect of Curing Methods on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortar Contaminated with Heavy Crude Oil. Journal of Building Materials and Structures, 11(2), 98-106. https://doi.org/10.34118/jbms.v11i2.4113
Section
Original Articles