Backscattered electron imaging of cementitious microstructures: understanding and quantification

During the last 20 years, backscattered electron imaging of polished surfaces has become well established as a method for the study of cement and concrete microstructures. The technique has many advantages, including the visualisation of representative cross-sections over a wide range of magnifications and reproducible contrast dependent on atomic number. Nevertheless the limitations of observing a two-dimensional section of a three-dimensional structure must be borne in mind.

In this paper, the general microstructural features of hydrated cement pastes are described. Although the amount of aluminate phase (“C₃A”) in cement is comparatively minor, it plays an important role in determining many of the microstructural features of cement paste microstructure, for example in the formation of “Hadley” grains.

Despite the very heterogeneous nature of cement paste, it is important to be able to derive quantitative measures if the relationships between microstructure and properties are to be understood. The possibilities to quantify BSE images are described. The interface between paste and aggregates in concrete is particularly variable, but average features can be measured, which help to understand the processes of packing cement grains, which gives rise to this region. Finally an example of the potential for BSE images to study concrete durability is given.     

Effect of geometric parameters in the design of hip implants paper IV

The effect of geometric parameters has been studied in this paper on the development of stress in hip implants. The parameters include: head diameter, neck diameter, and neck angle. Two three-dimensional models were drawn, one modular and one integrated implant. These models were then altered geometrically one variable at a time, and finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on the models. In total, twenty assemblies of implant/bone cement/bone were tested. Stress spectrum was drawn for each case under a combination of hip dimensions. It is shown that as the head diameter increases, the stress at a given location reduces, however, as the surface area from increased head diameter increases, the wear rate increases. Neck angle has been found to concentrate stresses in the select regions of the hip implant. In that an angle of 40° showed low stress combinations. Therefore, a particular combination offering the best performance has not been identified and constitutes a part of an on going research activity in Mechanical Engineering Department at Ohio Northern University.     

Trabecular bone scaffolding using a biomimetic approach

The current treatment of large bone defects has several disadvantages. An alternative for using grafts or bone cement for the filling of bone cavities is the use of a bone scaffold that provides a temporary load-bearing function. This paper describes a biomechanical design procedure for a personalized implant with a geometry that has a good fit inside the defect and an internal architecture that provides a scaffold with optimized mechanical properties. These properties are optimized for a load-bearing application, for avoiding stress shielding in the bone surrounding the implant and for activation of osteoblasts seeded inside the scaffold. The design is based on medical images both of the defect and of healthy bone tissue that is representative for the tissue being replaced by the scaffold. Evaluation of the scaffold's mechanical properties is done with high-resolution finite element analyzes of the scaffold and healthy bone. This allows matching of the scaffold and bone mechanical properties, thus giving the scaffold its biomimetic properties.     

Effect of bone density on the damping behavior of dental implants: An in vitro method

For normal healthy teeth the percussive energy generated by mastication is attenuated by the periodontal ligament at the healthy bone–natural tooth interface. However when the natural tooth must be replaced by an implant due to damage or disease the ligament is lost and the implant will transmit the percussive forces directly into the bone. Studies have been carried out to examine the mechanical damping behavior of dental implants. However, a study of the effect of bone density at the time of implant placement in conjunction with quantitative measures of mechanical energy dissipation has not been reported. The present research hopes to uncover some of this missing information by evaluating the effect of bone density on the energy dissipation of an implant upon surgical placement. In this work, four different dental implant geometries were tested as a function of simulated bone density utilizing a series of artificial foam bone models (Pacific Research Laboratories, Vashon Island, WA) that vary in density and structure. The implants were placed following recommended placement protocols. The hypothesis of the work is that the Periometer, a percussion probe system designed to measure local damping capacity, can be used to assess the quality of the underlying support structure. It is also hypothesized that Periometer results can be used to differentiate between implant model geometries within the same support structures.     

基于界面元法的改进压力集中型锚索作用分析

传统压力集中型锚索在工作中承压板下面的水泥芯柱易被压坏,从而会导致锚索失稳,为此提出了改进的压力集中型锚索。针对这种新型预应力锚索,基于不连续介质力学的界面元法建立了精细模型。在模型中,模拟了水泥浆芯柱、外部岩土体和不同介质交界面等材料的特性,考虑了岩土体和水泥浆芯柱的弹塑性及开裂效应等非线性力学行为。通过典型问题的计算分析,得到了各种情况下预应力锚索各介质的应力值,较为全面地分析了这种新型预应力锚索的受力特征和加固效应,得到了一些有益的认识。研究结果表明:该文所建立的方法可以考虑预应力锚索中各种介质的不连续变形特征,能够较好反映预应力锚索体中各种介质之间的相互作用效应,是进行加锚岩体数值仿真和加锚作用机理研究的一种有效方法。     

Application of X-ray computed tomography to characterise the early hydration of calcium aluminate cement

Techniques that monitor in situ the setting and hardening of calcium aluminate cements (CACs) are of interest to the engineering community. This paper focuses on one non-destructive technique, X-ray computed tomography (CT). The early hydration of the cement can be followed from a few minutes to a few hours after mixing. This technique is based on both X-ray absorption measurements and qualitative observations in chosen axial cross-sections. Results concerning an aluminous cement, Secar 71, are presented (water-to-cement weight ratio: 0.33; duration: 0–24 h). Information deduced from these measurements clearly show that a strong variation of X-ray absorption values occurs during the early age of hydration. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses of CT data allow a chronology of cement setting to be proposed.     

Finite element analysis of bone loss around failing implants

Dental implants induce diverse forces on their surrounding bone. However, when excessive unphysiological forces are applied, resorption of the neighbouring bone may occur. The aim of this study was to assess possible causes of bone loss around failing dental implants using finite element analysis. A further aim was to assess the implications of progressive bone loss on the strains induced by dental implants. Between 2003 and 2009 a total of 3700 implant operations were performed in a private clinic. Ten patients with 16 fixtures developed severe marginal bone defects. Finite element analysis was used to assess the effective strains produced at the bone-implant interface under unidirectional axial loading. These simulations were carried out on 4 specific implant types – Camlog Plus, Astra Osseo Speed, Straumann BL and Straumann S/SP. All implant types exhibited degraded performance under circular and horizontal bone loss conditions. This is evidenced by increased distribution of pathological strain intensities (>3000 με), in accordance with the mechanostat hypothesis, in the surrounding bone. Among the implants, the Camlog design seemed to have performed poorly, especially at the chamfer in the implant collar (>25000 με). Implants are designed to perform under nearly ideal conditions from insertion till osseointegration. However, when the surrounding bone undergoes remodelling, implant geometries can have varied performance, which in some cases can exacerbate bone loss. The results of this study indicate the importance of evaluating implant geometries under clinically observed conditions of progressive bone loss.     

No biological advantage with a low temperature curing versus a conventional bone cement: an experimental, mechanical and histomorphometrical study in the rabbit tibia

Both tibial marrow cavities of 12 rabbits were evacuated and filled with curing bone cement. In one of the tibias conventional curing bone cement (Simplex P®) was injected, while the other tibia of the same animal was filled with a low temperature curing bone cement (Boneloc®). Three titanium implants were inserted along the proximal metaphysis of each tibia. Eight weeks after insertion the most distal implant in each tibia was removed while recording the removal torque. The implant was then once again screwed home into its bone bed. The animals were sacrificed 16 weeks after implant insertion. The previously removed implant and another implant in each tibia were then both removed while recording the removal torque. The third implant in each tibia was cut out en bloc with surrounding tissue and processed for ground section. We found no statistical differences in the mechanical or the histomorphometric evaluation of implant integration between the two cements, indicating that the low temperature curing bone cement does not result in a significantly different bone response from that of a conventional acrylic cement. ©©1999©Kluwer Academic Publishers     

Finite element simulation of anisotropic damage accumulation and creep in acrylic bone cement

Acrylic bone cement is used to fixate hip replacement implants into the bone. Creep and fatigue failure of the cement promote failure of the implant. For the purpose of implant testing, we derived a finite element algorithm that simulates creep and damage accumulation in acrylic bone cement. The simulation combines a Maxwell creep model, with a 3-D continuum damage mechanics approach modeling anisotropic damage accumulation. The technical details of the simulation are described. In a first application tensile fatigue tests on tubular cement specimens are simulated. The creep elongation and fatigue life of the specimens, as predicted by the simulations, are successfully correlated to the experimental results. In a second application, the simulation is used to predict creep and fatigue failure of the cement mantle around two hip implants with different clinical outcomes. It is shown how the simulation is able to predict the locations of cement damage around the implants, and the amounts of implant migration attributable to creep.     

水泥水化过程计算机模拟研究——CEMHYD3D系统分析与模拟实现

分析了水泥水化过程计算机模拟这一领域最有代表性的模拟系统--CEMHYD3D的建模过程,以CCRL Cement 133水泥为例,对不同水灰比条件下的水泥水化过程进行了实际模拟计算,对水化热、水化程度、水化过程中主要反应物和产物的变化情况进行了预测.研究表明,CEMHYD3D的模拟结果与实验所揭示的规律一致性较好,尤其是该软件在物相成分变化规律方面的预测对于水化机理的研究很有意义.     

Investigation of strength and hydration characteristics in nano-silica incorporated cement paste

A hydration model for Portland cement pastes modified with nano-silica in partial substitution is formulated based on the nucleation growth process from microstructural investigations over time. The model is calibrated against thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction and calorimetry data for four different substitution rates from 0 to 12 wt% and is validated by backscattered electron microscopy. Finite element based compressive strength predictions using representative volume element analysis of the nano modified cement pastes agreed with the experimental values. The model predictions indicate that a rate of 8 wt% is the optimum replacement level of cement by nano-silica leading to a high density matrix promoting a maximum mechanical strength.     

一种改进型透磷灰石骨水泥的初步研究

为了改善透磷灰石骨水泥的性能,使其更适用于临床,在传统透磷灰石骨水泥的基础上引入了α-TCP,测定了其理化性质,并进行了肌肉植入实验.α-TCP的引入延长了透磷灰石骨水泥的固化时间,提高了骨水泥的抗溃散能力,在一定程度上提高了透磷灰石骨水泥的pH值.植入肌肉实验对照表明,植入初期均有轻微炎症,含α-TCP骨水泥的炎症略轻,植入后期炎症反应均消失.     

Modeling the influence of the interfacial zone on the DC electrical conductivity of mortar

The interfacial zone separating cement paste and aggregate in mortar and concrete is believed to influence many of the properties of these composites. The available experimental evidence, obtained on artificial geometries, indicates that the DC electrical conductivity of the interfacial zone, because of its higher porosity, may be considerably larger than that of the bulk cement paste matrix. This paper presents the theoretical framework for quantitatively understanding the influence of the interfacial zone on the overall electrical conductivity of mortar, based on realistic random aggregate geometries. This understanding is also used, via an electrical analogy with Darcy's law, to make predictions about the effect of the interfacial zone on fluid permeability. The results obtained for mortar should also pertain to concrete.     

济南市大气颗粒物来源解析样品的采集及处理技术

本文主要研究了济南市大气颗粒物来源解析中样品的采集及处理技术。通过对济南市大气颗粒物污染源的深入调查，确定排放源类的类别为土壤风沙尘、工业燃煤（油）飞灰、民用燃煤（油）飞灰、机动车尾气燃油飞灰、建筑水泥尘、钢铁尘、扬尘排放源类。根据各种排放源类的不同，须采取不同的采样方式和处理技术，确保样品的代表性和样品分析的最佳效果，同时对颗粒物污染源排放的季节性和季节稳定性作了特征分析。通过受体样品和源样品的粒度分散度测量及数据处理的结果得出尘粒在空气中的沉降和扩散情况，为空气中粗、细颗粒物的组成提供科学依据。为颗粒物来源解析的研究奠定了成功的基础。     

非晶合金应用现状

非晶合金经过几十年的研究,已经到了研发性能卓越、质量稳定,可大批量生产的新产品的阶段.通过简介非晶合金发展历史中3个商业化比较成功的公司非晶体金属公司、安泰科技股份有限公司和液体金属科技股份公司研发新产品的艰难历程,以及非晶合金国内外当前的应用研究状况,说明非晶合金在作为软磁功能材料和薄、轻、小的3C产品结构材料方面具有很大发展潜力.     

Analysis of the debonding of the stem-cement interface in intramedullary fixation using a non-linear fracture mechanics approach

Implant loosening is one of the most important cause of long-term failure of total hip replacements. Fatigue failure of the stem-cement interface and the bulk cement may cause aseptic loosening of the femoral stem. In this work, both mechanisms of failure were simulated using finite elements. The stem-cement interface failure was modelled by means of the cohesive surface theory that was implemented into a specific interface element, while damage accumulation and creep in bone cement were formulated through the theory of Continuum Damage Mechanics. Model parameters, such as, the mechanical characteristics of the interface, damage accumulation rules both for the cement and the interface, crack closure effect and friction evolution law, were determined to simulate the subsidence patterns of the stem in the cement mantle from experimental tests. A parametric analysis was also performed observing how each parameter of the model influences the micromotions and damage accumulation in the cement mantle. Results of this study support the importance of simulating the progressive debonding of the stem-cement interface on the prediction of long-term implant loosening.     

Micro- and nano-scale characterization to study the thermal degradation of cement-based materials

The degradation of hydration products of cement is known to cause changes in the micro- and nano-structure, which ultimately drive thermo-mechanical degradation of cement-based composite materials at elevated temperatures. However, a detailed characterization of these changes is still incomplete. This paper presents results of an extensive experimental study carried out to investigate micro- and nano-structural changes that occur due to exposure of cement paste to high temperatures. Following heat treatment of cement paste up to 1000 °C, damage states were studied by compressive strength test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) atomic force microscopy (AFM) and AFM image analysis. Using experimental results and research from existing literature, new degradation processes that drive the loss of mechanical properties of cement paste are proposed. The development of micro-cracks at the interface between unhydrated cement particles and paste matrix, a change in C–S–H nano-structure and shrinkage of C–S–H, are considered as important factors that cause the thermal degradation of cement paste.     

SectionBuilder: An innovative finite element tool for analysis and design of composite rotor blade cross-sections

SectionBuilder is a finite element based tool for analysis and design of composite rotor blade cross-sections. The tool can create the cross-sections with parametric shapes and arbitrary configurations. It has the ability to generate single- and multi-cell cross-sections with arbitrary lay-ups where the material properties for each layer can be defined on the basis of the design requirements. It can create the variation of thickness of skin and D-spars for rotor blades by considering ply drops. Cross-sections are often reinforced by core material for constructing realistic rotor blade cross-sections. The tool has the ability to integrate core materials into the cross-sections. After meshing the cross-section, the tool determines the sectional properties using finite element analysis. This tool computes sectional properties including stiffness matrix, compliance matrix, mass matrix, and principal axes. A visualization environment is integrated with the tool for visualizing the stress and strain distributions over the cross-section. The detail about the development steps and application of SectionBuilder is presented in this paper.     

An analytical solution for the large deflections of a slender sandwich beam with a metallic foam core under transverse loading by a flat punch

The large deflections of slender ultralight sandwich beams with a metallic foam core are studied under transverse loading by a flat punch, in which interaction of bending and stretching induced by large deflections is considered. Firstly, a unified yield criterion for metallic sandwich structures considering the effect of core strength is proposed, which is valid for metallic sandwich cross-sections with various core strengths and geometries. This can reduce to the yield criterion for a solid monolithic cross-section and the classical yield criterion for sandwich cross-sections with a weak core, respectively. Then, analytical solutions for the large deflections of fully clamped and simply supported metallic foam core sandwich beams are derived under transverse loading by a flat punch, respectively. Comparisons of the present solutions with experimental results are presented and good agreements are found. The effects of the core strength, the size of loading punch and the boundary conditions on the structural response of sandwich beams are discussed in detail. It is shown that the axial stretching induced by large deflections has significant effect on the load-carrying and energy absorption capacities of sandwich structures in the post-yield regime, and the load-carrying and plastic energy absorption capacities of metallic foam core sandwich beams may be underestimated as the core strength is neglected in analysis, especially for the sandwich beams with a strong core.     

In vitro evaluation of a new polymethylmethacrylate cement reinforced with hydroxyapatite

The nature of the orthopedic implant surface affects the interaction between cells and subsequent bone formation. The bone/cement interface in cement-held prostheses is considered to be the main cause of fracture leading to implant revision. It is thought that the introduction of a bioactive phase, such as hydroxyapatite (HA), to cement may permit a stronger implant by encouraging direct bone apposition rather than encapsulation of the implant by fibrous tissue. Thus, a poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) cement incorporating 17.5% HA by weight has been investigated. In this study, in order to analyze the interaction at the cellular level, the in vitro biological response of the HA/PMMA to a similar PMMA without HA incorporation has been studied. Primary human osteoblast-like cells (HOB) were used as they are a model of the cell type the cements might encounter in vivo. Cell proliferation and growth were assessed by measurement of total cellular DNA and tritiated thymidine ([³H]-TdR) incorporation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production was measured as an indicator of HOB phenotype upon the cements. The results showed that HA/PMMA was a better substrate for HOB cells, resulting in increased proliferation and ALP activity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that HOB cells cultured on the HA-filled PMMA preferentially anchored to HA particles exposed at the cement surface, with a close intimacy observed between HA and HOB cells.