PSI - Issue 79

Naweed Ahmad Rabani et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 79 (2026) 124–137

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its high density (4.9-5.2 g/cm3), magnetic qualities, and affordability make it an invaluable addition to concrete (Peys et al., 2022). This section provides a summary of recent research on how magnetite affects concrete properties. Magnetite aggregates significantly increase the mechanical performance of concrete and also enhance concrete constructions’ compressive strength, thermal stability, and sound insulation, as shown by Özen et al. (2019). Similarly, its function in pavement applications was emphasized by Nabiun et al. (2024), who found that concrete reinforced with magnetite had better mechanical strength and noise absorption capabilities. In comparison to traditional serpentine-based concrete, Chen et al. (2024) observed that increasing the magnetite concentration in concrete aggregates increased compressive strength from 31.5MPa to 40MPa and splitting tensile strength by 54%. The high solid density of magnetite and its capacity to improve interfacial bonding inside the concrete matrix are responsible for these benefits.

b

a

Figure 6:(a) Comparison of mass attenuation coefficient of hematite-serpentine and ordinary concretes doped with nano- WO3 Particles 50%; (b) Comparison of mass attenuation coefficient of hematite-serpentine Conrete among pure concrete, micro-Bi2O3, nano-Bi2O3 particles (Tekin et al. 2018).

Table 3: The rule of Hematite on Concrete

Study

Key Findings

Gencel et al. (2011)

Increased compressive strength (3.7% to 14.3%) at 10-50% hematite content. Improved gamma-ray shielding. No effect on neutron absorption. 30% hematite: maximum compressive strength improvement. No significant effect on splitting tensile strength. 11.90% increase in linear attenuation coefficient. Up to 8.95% increase in thermal conductivity. Slight decrease in compressive strength in UHPC (>110 MPa). 43% increase in linear attenuation coefficient at 40% replacement. Enhanced flexural and impact strength. Fluidity decreased but >170 mm at 40% replacement. Nano-sized WO ₃ and Bi ₂ O ₃ in hematite-serpentine concrete significantly improve radiation shielding. 23% increase in compressive strength with 100% hematite. Increased linear attenuation coefficient. More effective than barite for radiation attenuation. Compatible with concrete, no negative effects on efficiency or setting time.

Ibrahim et al. (2021)

Lv et al. (2022)

Tekin et al. (2018) Shams et al. (2018)

b

a

Magnetite’s thermal durability makes it suitable for high-temperature environments. Horszczaruk et al. (2015) found that standard aggregate concrete lost strength gradually at 300  C, but magnetite-based concrete maintained 79% of its initial compressive strength at 600  C. At higher temperatures, magnetite also prevented spalling and postponed cracking. Nevertheless, Rashid et al. (2020) observed that although magnetite specimens still outperformed silica sand-based UHPC, microcracking in UHPC, including magnetite aggregates, resulted in a 76-82% decrease in radiation-shielding efficacy at 800  C. Figure 7:(a)Compressive strength; (b) Splitting tensile strength of concrete after various temperature exposures. M1 Specimen contained river sand (0-2mm) and magnetite coarse aggregate (2-8 mm and 8-20 mm), M2 Specimen contained entirely magnetite (0-2mm, 2-8mm, 8 20mm), R Specimen contained river sand (0-2mm) and gravel coarse aggregate (2-8mm and 8-20mm).(Horszczaruk et al., 2015)