Preliminary study on comprehensive regulation of multi-performance characteristics of desert ultrahigh performance concrete in desert and gobi regions

This study performed experiments on 16 groups of Desert Ultrahigh Performance Concrete (DUHPC) prepared with desert sand and Gobi stone, systematically examining its mechanical properties, durability, economic performance, and carbon emissions, as well as exploring the multi-performance optimization strategy. Both the desert sand and Gobi stone replacement rates showed complex effects on the mechanical properties of DUHPC. The results indicated that the optimal compressive strength occurred at a 20 % desert sand replacement rate and 30 % Gobi stone replacement rate; the best flowability was achieved when both replacement rates were 20 %; the highest elastic modulus was obtained at a 40 % desert sand replacement rate and 20 % Gobi stone replacement rate; and the optimal tensile strength was obtained at a 40 % desert sand replacement rate and 10 % Gobi stone replacement rate. As the replacement rates of desert sand and Gobi stone increased, the durability of DUHPC showed a slight decrease. Within the experimental replacement range, the maximum loss rates of mass, dynamic elastic modulus, and tensile strength after freeze-thaw cycles were 0.26 %, 3.42 %, and 5.01 %, respectively. Following sulfate attack, the maximum mass loss rate and tensile strength loss rate were 0.07 % and 3.93 %, respectively, while the compressive strength sulfate attack resistance coefficient reached 97.1 %. Meanwhile, prediction models describing the variation of durability indicators with desert sand and Gobi stone replacement rates were developed using response surface analysis. Compared with ordinary Ultrahigh Performance Concrete (UHPC), DUHPC demonstrated better economic performance and lower carbon emissions, with maximum reductions of 9.7 % in production cost and 4.6 % in carbon emissions. Finally, by integrating deviation maximization weighting method and grey relational analysis, this study established a multi-performance collaborative regulation scheme for DUHPC tailored to desert and Gobi environments. The scheme achieves optimal material performance design and provides solid theoretical and data support for demand-driven material development.