Porosity, pore size distribution and in situ strength of concrete

In this study, in situ strength of concrete was determined through compression test of cores drilled out from laboratory cast beams. The apparent porosity and pore size distribution of the same concrete were determined through mercury intrusion porosimetry, performed on small-drilled cores. The normal-strength concrete mixes used in the experimental investigation were designed to exhibit a wide variation in their strengths. To ensure further variation in porosity, pore size distribution and strength, two modes of compaction, two varieties of coarse aggregates, different levels of age, curing period and exposure condition of concrete were also introduced in experimental scheme. With the data so generated, an appraisal of the most frequently referred relationships involving strength, porosity and pore size of cement-based materials was carried out. Finally, a new empirical model relating the in situ strength of concrete with porosity, pore size characteristics, cement content, aggregate type, exposure conditions, etc., is presented.     

CONSTRUCTION OF AN ANALYTICAL MODEL OF PAPER DRYING

A theoretical model developed is presented to simulate the paper drying process on a production paper machine. The paper sheet is represented as a matrix of pulpfibres which contains free and bound water, water vapour and air. The model is heavily dependent upon a wide range of physical data including pore size distribution, permeability sorptive characteristics, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, density, diffusion coefficients and shrinkage characteristics as well as heat and mass transfer behaviour at the interfaces. Theoretical relationships to describe these parameters in terms of the physical pore structure are developed and compared with published data. The model was compared against actual measurements on the Australian Newsprint Mills Boyer PM3 newsprint machine. The comparison with actual machine moisture content values showed the model prediction of moisture change during drying to cylinder No. 38 on PM3 to be 2% less than actual and 0.1% more than actual by the exit from the drying cylinder. In terms of predicting thermal energy consumption of the paper machine a 91% correlation was obtained.     

CONSTRUCTION OF AN ANALYTICAL MODEL OF PAPER DRYING

ABSTRACT

A theoretical model developed is presented to simulate the paper drying process on a production paper machine. The paper sheet is represented as a matrix of pulpfibres which contains free and bound water, water vapour and air. The model is heavily dependent upon a wide range of physical data including pore size distribution, permeability sorptive characteristics, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, density, diffusion coefficients and shrinkage characteristics as well as heat and mass transfer behaviour at the interfaces. Theoretical relationships to describe these parameters in terms of the physical pore structure are developed and compared with published data. The model was compared against actual measurements on the Australian Newsprint Mills Boyer PM3 newsprint machine. The comparison with actual machine moisture content values showed the model prediction of moisture change during drying to cylinder No. 38 on PM3 to be 2% less than actual and 0.1% more than actual by the exit from the drying cylinder. In terms of predicting thermal energy consumption of the paper machine a 91% correlation was obtained.     

基于核磁共振技术分析生活垃圾焚烧灰渣代砂混凝土的微观结构与抗压强度

孔结构是混凝土微观结构中重要的组成部分,影响着混凝土的宏观性能,为了研究生活垃圾焚烧灰渣代替天然砂对混凝土孔结构和抗压强度的影响,通过核磁共振技术对生活垃圾焚烧灰渣代砂混凝土微观孔结构进行测试,分析了孔隙率和孔隙分布变化规律,并根据分形理论研究了孔隙分形特征,获得各孔径区间的分形维数与整体分形维数,并探讨了各孔径占比、孔隙率和分形维数与抗压强度之间的灰熵关联度。结果表明:随生活垃圾焚烧灰渣代砂率的增加,混凝土孔隙率增加,无害孔占比减小,抗压强度降低;分形维数随着生活垃圾焚烧灰渣代砂率的增加而减小,由于生活垃圾焚烧灰渣具有潜在的水硬性,随龄期的增长,分形维数呈增加趋势,同时孔隙结构得到了优化。灰熵关联度分析发现生活垃圾焚烧灰渣代砂混凝土整体分形维数和无害孔占比对抗压强度影响最大。     

Unified determination of relative molecular diffusivity and fluid permeability for partially saturated cement-based materials

From conductivity theory, general models for relative molecular diffusivity and fluid permeability are first derived with unknown tortuosity function and modification coefficient, which can be respectively deduced from hydraulic diffusivity and water retention curve (WRC). Based on empirical laws for hydraulic diffusivity and WRC of cement-based material, unified models for relative molecular diffusivity and fluid permeability are further formulated with only two measurable parameters. Because of practical difficulty for measuring water permeability and pure gaseous molecular diffusivity, only relative gas permeability and relative chloride diffusivity models are verified by the reported data. It is found that the predicted relative gas permeability agrees with measured values and exponential law is a little more preferable than power law for quantifying hydraulic diffusivity. Moreover, relative chloride diffusivity from the unified model also agrees well with experimental data derived via Nernst–Einstein Equation. However, the unified model doesn't capture the possibly overestimated relative chloride diffusivity from Fick's law.     

Analysis and modeling of the pore size effect on the thermal conductivity of alumina foams for high temperature applications

Analytical and finite element analyses were carried out to investigate the influence of the pore sizes on the effective thermal conductivity, which is the main physical property related to the ceramic microstructure insulating capacity at high temperatures. Thermal conductivity was estimated by analytical models using Litovsky's and Rosseland's approaches for a monodisperse pore distribution, whereas via finite element analysis a high porosity microstructure with three different pore sizes was investigated. Based on this, an ideal pore size range (0.5–3.0 µm) was found that optimizes the reduction of thermal energy transmission in the 1000–1700 °C range. Furthermore, the ideal pore size range seems to be independent of the ceramic foam material. When considering a pore size distribution, the ideal range is narrowed due to less effective thermal radiation scattering by sub-micron and large pores. The results obtained showed that nanopores (< 0.1 µm) are not the best option to reduce thermal conductivity at high temperatures. This statement is supported by experimental data on nanopore aerogels, which show a significant thermal conductivity increase at the high temperature range.     

Assessment of permeation quality of concrete through mercury intrusion porosimetry

Permeation quality of laboratory cast concrete beams was determined through initial surface absorption test (ISAT). The pore system characteristics of the same concrete beam specimens were determined through mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Data so obtained on the measured initial surface absorption rate of water by concrete and characteristics of pore system of concrete estimated from porosimetry results were used to develop correlations between them. Through these correlations, potential of MIP in assessing the durability quality of concrete in actual structure is demonstrated.     

Effect of humidity on the thermal conductivity of porous zirconia ceramics

This study focuses on the role of the water content on the effective thermal conductivity of porous ceramics placed in different conditions of relative humidity. Fully stabilized zirconia samples with variation in the capacity to take up water were prepared by varying the temperature of the thermal treatment. The pore volume fraction of the dried samples decreases from 56% down to 30%. Thermal conductivity measurements were made on samples placed in a chamber where the relative humidity was fixed between 3% and 99%. For all samples, the experimental values of the effective thermal conductivity increase significantly with the water content. Experimental results agree closely to analytical predictions based on the upper limit of the Hashin and Shtrikman expressions for calculating the thermal conductivity of the pores (constituted by air and water) and Landauer's effective medium expression for calculating the effective thermal conductivity of the material.     

Strategy for predicting effective transport properties of complex porous structures

Measurements of effective transport properties of porous media, such as effective diffusivity and permeability, are well established by several experimental techniques. Effective transport properties can be also calculated from the spatially 3D reconstructed porous media, where the morphology characteristics required for the reconstruction are obtained from electron microscopy images. Here we demonstrate the reconstruction of porous alumina catalyst carrier with bimodal pore size distribution. Multi-scale concept is employed for the computation of effective diffusivity and permeability of reconstructed porous media and calculated effective transport properties are compared with transport parameters experimentally determined in Graham diffusion and simple permeation cell. The limitations of current state-of-the-art reconstruction techniques for porous media with broad pore size distribution are discussed. We show that the contribution of nano-pores towards the total diffusion flux is significant and cannot be neglected, but it is reasonable to neglect the contribution of nano-pores towards the sample permeability.     

Factors affecting measurement of hydraulic conductivity in low-strength cementitious materials

The hydraulic conductivity (water permeability) is one of the most significant transport properties of concrete and measuring it is a key step in predicting the performance of concrete as a barrier to the movement of fluids and ions. The transport properties are critical for the performance of the cover layer in protecting embedded reinforcement as waste containments barriers (which are considered in this paper) and other applications such as dams. The measurements are difficult to interpret due to experimental effects of sample size and changes of flow with time and the chemistry of the fluid used.The intrinsic permeability to water and synthetic leachate was determined and the relationship between the eluted volume passing and permeability was established for mortar mixtures having compressive strengths ranging from 5 to 20 MPa. Two mortar mixtures containing portland cement and one without portland cement and incorporating cement kiln dust, lagoon ash, and Ferrosilicate slag were tested. The effects of the sample size were also investigated.The results indicate a decrease in hydraulic conductivity for lower strength mixtures and a slight increase in permeability coefficient for the higher strength mixtures with increasing permeating volumes. Increasing the testing specimen size also slightly increased the coefficient of permeability in lower strength mixtures and decreased the coefficient in higher strength mixtures. The permeability coefficient did not change significantly with pore solution pressure.     

Computer model of drying behaviour of ceramic green bodies with particular reference to moisture content dependent properties

A numerical model was developed to predict the drying behavior of ceramic green bodies. Resolution of the simultaneous heat and mass transfer equations involved finite elements and the Backward Euler method. Based on experimental data, the model uses equivalent moisture diffusivity, water activity, thermal conductivity and heat capacity as input parameters which depend on moisture content. In particular, the equivalent moisture diffusivity is a key parameter controlling water transport from the body interior to the surface. A simple method was used to estimate the effect of shrinkage on drying rate during the initial drying stage. Predictions of the internal moisture distribution, drying rate and surface temperature as a function of time gave good agreement to experiment for green bodies of alumina paste. External conditions of convection coefficient and relative humidity are shown to sensitively control drying rate and surface temperature evolution during the constant rate period.     

Electrophysical Properties and Heat Capacity of Shale from the Kendyrlyk Deposit

In this work, the chemical analysis of the initial and activated shale from the Kendyrlyk deposit of Kazakhstan is described. The activated shale was obtained in the high-temperature processes of carbonization and activation in the atmospheres of argon and water vapor, respectively. The electrophysical characteristics of the test shale were determined for first time by measuring the electrocapacity of samples in a temperature range of 293–483 K. The temperature dependences of the specific heat of shale were obtained by dynamic calorimetry. Based on the experimental data, equations for the temperature dependence of the heat capacity of shale were derived; these equations can be subsequently used for determining the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of shale.     

Influence of grain size on the thermal conductivity of tin oxide ceramics

Measurement of the thermal diffusivity by the laser flash technique has been used to evaluate thermal conductivity values between 20°C and 900°C for tin oxide ceramics. By using MnO₂ as a sintering additive, strong variation of the microstructure in terms of porosity and average grain size was achieved in the samples. For dense ceramics, larger average grain size yielded a significant increase in the room temperature thermal conductivity. This could be attributed to a reduction of the number of grain boundaries in the heat flow path. The grain boundary interfacial resistance was consequently estimated at 4.1×10⁻⁸ m² KW⁻¹. Data concerning the effects of additive amount, pore content, and temperature are also reported.     

Thermal Conductivity of Porous Silicon Carbide Derived from Wood Precursors

Biomorphic silicon carbide (bioSiC), a novel porous ceramic derived from natural wood precursors, has potential applicability at high temperatures, particularly when rapid temperature changes occur. The thermal conductivity of bioSiC from five different precursors was experimentally determined using flash diffusivity and specific heat measurements at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 1100°C. The results were compared with values obtained from object-oriented finite-element analysis (OOF). OOF was also used to model and understand the heat-flow paths through the complex bioSiC microstructures.     

Thermal Diffusivity/Conductivity of Alumina—Silicon Carbide Composites

Thermal diffusivity and conductivity values for several Al₂O₃-SiC whisker composites were determined. The thermal diffusivity values spanned the range from 373 to 1473 K, and thermal conductivity data wre obtained between 305 and 365 K. The thermal diffusivity decreased with increasing temperature and increased with SiC-whisker content. An estimate of the thermal conductivity of the whiskers was obtained from the direct thermal conductivity measurements, but attempts to derive whisker conductivity values from the thermal diffusivity data were not successful because the laser flash method lacks the required accuracy and precision. Specimens were subjected to two different thermal quench experiments to investigate the effect of thermal history on diffusivity. In the most severe case, multiple 1073- to 373-K quenches, radial cracks were observed in the test specimens; however, there was no change in diffusivity. The lack of sensitivity to thermal cycling appears to be related to the sample size.     

Effect of Pore Structure on Proton Conductivity and Water Uptake in Nanoporous TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

This paper reports on an investigation involving water content, water properties and proton conductivity in nanoporous TiO₂ materials fabricated through sol-gel processing techniques. TiO₂ nanoparticles having a primary particle diameter of less than 5 nm are packed into xerogels at room temperature and at 50^∘C. The resulting xerogels are fired at temperatures of 200, 300 and 400^∘C to alter the structural properties of these materials. Further alteration in the surface chemistry of the pore walls of these materials are made by equilibrating these porous wafers at pH 1.5 and 4.0 using nitric acid. Porosity, pore size, and surface area are evaluated with nitrogen adsorption techniques. Water content is calculated using data from thermogravimetric methods and water adsorption isotherms. Proton conductivity is measured using impedance spectroscopy. Of all variables affecting water content, water structure, and proton conductivity, the pH of pre-equilibrating the fired xerogels is the most important. However, porous structures of TiO₂ arising from the open packing of nanoparticles, that have less tortuosity, are substantially different in the uptake of water with relative humidity than samples obtained from the close-packing of these same particles regardless of firing temperature. Also, the material with the smallest pore size (a close-packed structure fired at 200^∘C) has the highest proton conductivity when measured between 20–60% relative humidity making this system the most favorable in terms of proton exchange membrane systems. Lastly, it is interesting to note that the density of water in these pores can vary between 1.2 and 1.6 g/l which is different than the 1.0 g/l of bulk water. This result likely comes from a combination of surface charge and surface roughness that affects the structure of interfacial water. These findings have importance not only for proton exchange membrane systems but also for other membrane technologies, cements, sensors, fabrication of wetting surfaces and in other areas that might benefit from the use of nanoporous materials.     

Predicting carbonation in early-aged cracked concrete

Carbonation in cracked concrete is considered as one of major deteriorations accelerating steel corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. For durable concrete structures, it is necessary to control crack in concrete through crack resistance evaluation for early-aged concrete structures, but often unavoidable cracks in early-aged concrete may occur. These cracks become a main path for CO₂ penetration inside concrete so that the carbonation is accelerated in cracked concrete.In this study, an analytical technique for carbonation prediction in early-aged cracked concrete was developed for considering both CO₂ diffusion of pore water in sound concrete and in cracked concrete. Then, characteristics of diffusivity on the carbonation in early-aged concrete are studied through finite element analysis implemented with the so-called multi-component hydration heat model and micro-pore structure formation model. The carbonation behaviour in sound concrete and cracked concrete are also simulated by using the derived diffusivity with consideration of reaction with dissolved CO₂. Finally, numerical results obtained for cracked concrete made with 3 different W / C ratios (45%, 55%, and 65%) with different crack widths were compared with experimental results.     

Uptake and loss of water in a cenosphere-concrete composite material

Cenospheres are hollow, aluminum silicate spheres, between 10 and 300 μm in diameter. Their low specific gravity (0.67) makes them ideal replacements for fine sand for producing low-density concrete. In an effort to understand the potential for practical use of the cenospheres as a fine aggregate in concrete, the moisture uptake and loss by cenospheres and water uptake and loss in cenosphere-concrete composites have been studied in this paper. The equilibrium moisture content of cenospheres is about 18 times higher than that of sand, reflecting the porous nature of cenospheres. The temporal evolution of water penetration into the cenosphere-concrete is modeled using Washburn kinetics. The effective pore size using this model is of the order of several nanometers. These results imply a lack of connectivity within the pores, leading to a low permeability. SEM images of the concrete reveal pore sizes of the order of 2-5 μm. The drying flux for cenospheres shows a classical behavior—a constant rate followed by a linear falling rate period. Thus, experiments done at these conditions can be used to predict drying times for wet cenospheres exposed to other environments. The flux of water vapor away from both the cenosphere-concrete as well as the normal concrete shows a nonlinear change with moisture content throughout the drying cycle, implying that the pore structure within the concrete strongly influences the drying behavior.     

Heat transfer in poly(methyl acrylate) by photoacoustic measurements

The thermal properties (thermal diffusivity, thermal effusivity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity) of poly(methyl acrylate), which was obtained by ultrasonochemical polymerization, were measured experimentally with photoacoustic and other techniques. In addition, the thermal expansion of poly(methyl acrylate) was measured experimentally with an indigenously modified Fizeau's apparatus and is reported here for the first time to an accuracy of 0.05%. The results were compared with the available literature values and examined. Sinclare's apparatus was used to determine the specific heat capacity and matched well with differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The method‐of‐mixtures technique was an alternative method of determining the specific heat capacity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1071–1076, 2004     

Indirect assessment of hydraulic diffusivity and permeability for unsaturated cement-based material from sorptivity

The hydraulic diffusivity, water permeability and relative gas permeability for cement-based materials are indirectly evaluated from measured sorptivity and water vapor sorption isotherms (WVSIs). The dependence of sorptivity on initial saturation degree is first established to help calculate hydraulic diffusivity and other transport properties. An experimental program with a self-scaled preconditioning strategy is also carefully designed and conducted on three concretes to measure their sorptivity, WVSIs as well as permeability to various fluids. It's found that hydraulic diffusivity of ambiguous physical significance may be not a good durability indicator. The predicted water permeability is larger than measured value but at the same order of magnitude. This overestimation is attributed to the required drying preconditioning. The predicted relative water permeability agrees well with reported data. However, the predicted relative gas permeability agrees with the measured data from classical CEMBUREAU method better than that from tri-axial permeameter with higher inlet gas pressure.