Development of mechanistic–empirical design method for an asphalt pavement rutting model using APT

This paper describes the study of accelerated pavement testing (APT) with test variables of temperature and air void ratio, which are important factors that influence rutting. The purpose of the study was to use the APT results to calibrate a laboratory rutting model for asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures and to develop an appropriate rutting model for AC pavements. The test specimen for the APT was prepared as a pavement system with an AC layer of 30 cm, subbase of 30 cm, and subgrade of 180 cm. The experimental variables were chosen to be the important factors that influence the rutting of AC pavement: temperature (50 °C) and air void ratios (7.31% and 10.57%). A multi-depth deflectometer was installed at depths of 12 and 30 cm from the AC pavement surface to measure the plastic and resilient strains, which are necessary for the development of the rutting model. The result was used to examine the rutting models of AC pavement layers suggested by the AASHTO 2002 model as well to calibrate a laboratory rutting model.     

Frost attack resistance and steel bar corrosion of antiwashout underwater concrete containing mineral admixtures

This study aims to evaluate frost durability and steel-bar corrosion in antiwashout-underwater concrete, which has been neglected to date. To achieve this goal, repeated freezing and thawing and accelerated steel-bar corrosion tests have been performed for three types of antiwashout-underwater concrete specimens.The results of repeated freezing and thawing test reveal that adding mineral admixtures has little effects on frost durability because of the large and uneven entrapped-air imprisoned by the cellulose-type antiwashout-underwater admixture. Slight improvement of frost durability was observed through the action of air-entrained (AE) agent in the case of SG50 which presented an air content of 6 ± 0.5%.Measurement results using the half-cell potential showed that, among the entire specimens, steel-bar in Control specimen manufactured under artificial seawater was the first one that exceeded the threshold value, −350 mV proposed by ASTM C 876, at 14 cycles, where the corresponding corrosion current density and concentration of water soluble chloride were measured as 0.3 μA/cm² and 0.258%, respectively. For the other specimens, potential values became below −350 mV later than 18 cycles.     

Laboratory investigation of indirect tensile strength using roofing polyester waste fibers in hot mix asphalt

The vast quantity of waste materials (such as roofing polyester waste fibers) accumulating throughout the world is creating costly disposal problem. The use of these materials was proved to be economical, environmentally sound and effective in increasing the performance properties of the asphalt mixture in recent years. The primary objective of this research was to determine whether homogeneously dispersed roofing waste polyester fibers improve the indirect tensile strength (ITS) and moisture susceptibility properties of asphalt concrete mixtures containing various lengths and percentages of the fiber in various aggregate sources. The experimental design included the use of three aggregate sources, two lengths (0.635 cm (1/4 in.) and 1.270 cm (1/2 in.)) of this fiber, and two fiber contents (0.35% and 0.50% by weight of total mixture). The results of the experiments found that, in general, the addition of the polyester fiber was beneficial in improving the wet tensile strength and tensile strength ratio (TSR) of the modified mixture, increasing the toughness value in both dry and wet conditions, and increasing the void content, the asphalt content, the unit weight, and the Marshall stability.     

Critical embedment length and bond strength of fully encapsulated rebar rockbolts

A series of rock bolt pull tests were carried out in the laboratory to determine the critical embedment length of a specific type of fully cement-grouted rebar bolt. The rebar bolt is 20 mm in diameter, and it is widely used in underground excavations in Norway. Three water-cement (w/c) ratios were used in the tests. It was discovered that the critical embedment length of the rock bolts was approximately 25 cm for the water-cement ratio 0.40 (the corresponding uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the grout is 37 MPa), 32 cm for the ratio 0.46 (UCS 32 MPa), and 36 cm for the ratio 0.50 (UCS 28 MPa), for the specific type of cement, Rescon zinc rock bolt cement. It was found that the bond strength of the rock bolt is not a constant but is related to the embedment length. The bond strength was linearly proportional to the UCS of the grout.     

Laboratory investigation of the properties of asphalt concrete mixtures modified with TOP–SBS

Benefits of adding Tall oil pitch (TOP), Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and TOP + SBS to AC-10 in variant quantities to AC-10 were investigated. Initial research was done to determine the physical properties of asphalt cement and modifiers.Seven asphalt binder formulations were prepared with 8% of TOP; 8 + 3, 8 + 6 and 8 + 9% of TOP + SBS, respectively; 3, 6 and 9% of SBS by total weight of binder. After that, Marshall samples were prepared by using the modified and unmodified asphalt binders.Additionally, compression strength test were done in different conditions to determine water, heat and frost resistance of all Marshall samples.Fatigue life and plastic deformation tests for Marshall samples (for different asphalt mixtures: modified and unmodified) were carried out using PC controlled repeated load indirect tensile test equipment developed at Suleyman Demirel University by Tigdemir (SDU-Asphalt Tester).The results of investigation indicate that asphalt mixture modified by 8% TOP + 6% SBS gives the best results in the tests that were carried out in this study, so that, this modification increases physical and mechanical properties of asphalt binder.     

Deflagrations involving stratified heavier-than-air vapor/air mixtures

The distribution of explosion damage in a structure is a major indicator of the type of explosive material involved and its location. A solid-phase explosive material typically produces localized or “seated” damage, where a vapor/air explosive mixture typically produces generalized, omnidirectional damage. Investigators have been taught that the finding of more intense blast damage to lower portions of an enclosure indicates that the vapors were heavier than air, while explosion damage to upper portions indicates a lighter-than-air gaseous fuel. Most of the explosion pressure data in the literature deal with well-mixed mixtures that are uniform in concentration prior to ignition. This study explores the pressure distributions produced by the ignition of shallow (0.05–0.2 m deep) layers of hexane vapor created by the evaporation of liquid in a still, isothermal compartment. The floor-level vapor layers thus produced were ignited by an electric arc and the pressures at five different locations in the room were monitored. It was found that pressures increased in an exponential fashion over a period of 300–400 ms after ignition until the relief panel failed (at ∼5–6 kPa). The peak pressures observed at all five locations in the compartment coincided in time (to within ±5 ms) and intensity suggesting that the pressures produced within the 3.6 m×2.4 m×2.4 m chamber equilibrated very quickly. Any failure of the compartment, then, would be the result of failure of the weakest part of the confining structure, rather than the result of pre-ignition distribution of the fuel/air mixture. A small (∼−2 kPa), but reproducible negative pressure peak was observed some 60–70 ms after the maximum positive pressure. This finding shows that negative pressure peaks can be produced by deflagrating vapor/air mixtures that could exert physical effects on lightweight debris dislodged by the initial positive pulse.     

Investigation of mixing ratio and restraint condition effects on alkali–silica gel pressure in mortar by using a uniaxial alkali–silica gel pressure measuring device (ASGPM-D)

A pressure of alkali silica gel which is the product of alkali–silica reaction causes pattern crack development and ultimately failure in cement based materials. This paper examines the measurement of alkali–silica gel pressure in cylindrical mortar specimen by a new test device (alkali–silica gel pressure measuring device, ASGPM-D) and investigates also the effects of the test medium on test results. Specimens of various sizes and geometries were tested to develop standard specimen size for ASGPM test method. The most suitable specimen with diameter of 35 mm and 250 mm in length was selected by optimizing the experimental results. Furthermore, the highest alkali–silica pressure value was recorded on a specimen which has 0.45 w/c and 74–150 μm grain size in an 80 °C 1 N NaOH solution. Also, swelling pressures of four reactive aggregates (opal, chert, basalt and chalcedony) were determined under two distinct restraint stages (1.5 kN and 3 kN).     

Performance of thermally damaged fibre reinforced concretes

Mechanical characteristics of Fibre Reinforced High Performance Concrete (FR-HPC) subjected to high temperatures were experimentally investigated in this paper. Three different concretes were prepared: a normal strength concrete (NSC) and two High Performance Concretes (HPC1 and HPC2). Fibre reinforced concretes were produced by addition of steel or polypropylene fibres in the above mixtures at dosages of 40 kg/m³ and 5 kg/m³, respectively. A total of nine concrete mixtures were produced and fibres were added in six of them. At the age of 120 days specimens were heated to maximum temperatures of 100, 300, 500 and 700 °C. Specimens were then allowed to cool in the furnace and tested for compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and ultrasonic pulse velocity. Reference tests were also performed at air temperature (20 °C). Residual strength of NSC and HPC1 was reduced almost linearly up to 700 °C and 500 °C, respectively whereas the residual strength of HPC2 was sharply reduced up to 300 °C. Explosive spalling was observed on both HPC. Addition of steel fibres increased the residual strength up to 300 °C, but spalling still occurred in HPC1 and HPC2. Such an explosive behavior was not observed when polypropylene fibres were added in the mixtures; however, in this case the residual mechanical characteristics of all concretes were significantly reduced.     

Frost formation and condensation in stone–wool insulations

This paper reports on a laboratory experiment concerning frost formation and moisture condensation in fibrous insulation based on stone–wool. Frost formation in samples of stone–wool open to air was noted in cases when temperature field over the specimen was between +20 and ?20 °C and air on the warm side was saturated with moisture.Frost accumulated with time in the part of the specimen facing the cold air. In the part of the specimen facing the warm humid air condense formation occurred. In this part the material had moisture content considerably higher than what could be anticipated from data such as moisture isotherms.Border between frost and liquid condensate was quite sharp in the specimens of higher density. Moisture content mass by mass has an upward trend with decreasing density of the material sample. Moisture resistance factor was found to be quite high at these circumstances. Reason for this is not clear.     

The characteristics of air void and frost resistance of RCC with fly ash and expansive agent

In order to assure the outer concrete of Longtan dam in China possesses excellent of frost resistance, the losses of strength, mass and air void characteristics of roller compacted concrete (RCC) containing fly ash, superplasticizer and a novel MgO-bearing expansive agent (HNM) were studied using the freezing–thawing method ASTM C666. The results show that there is a linear correlation between strength and mass losses in RCC subjected to cycles of freezing and thawing.There is a relationship between the air void spacing factor and the frost resistance of RCC. However, for RCC containing fly ash and superplasticizer a spacing factor of 0.25 mm is not necessary. Using a water:binder ratio of 0.48 in RCC containing 50% fly ash and 8% HNM a durability factor of over D₃₀₀ can be achieved provided the spacing factor is less than 0.4 mm.     

Effect of crumb rubber modifiers on high temperature susceptibility of wearing course mixtures

This paper investigates the effects of different sizes of crumb rubber modifier (CRM) on the high temperature susceptibility of three gradations (AC-10, AC-20 and PA) of wearing course mixtures. A wet process and 10% CRM by total weight of binders were used in these studies and the control variables for these studies included three CRMs of sizes 0.15 mm, 0.30 mm and 0.60 mm. The evaluations were twofold. Firstly, a comparison of the properties of those modified and unmodified binders at a wide range of testing temperatures and ageing conditions was conducted. Secondary, a comparison of the rutting resistance of the CRM and conventional mixtures was made. The results show that all the CRMs have overall contributed to better performance of both binders and mixtures at high temperatures. In addition, among these three CRM sizes, mixtures modified with 0.15 mm CRM exhibited the best effect on the dense-graded mixture (AC-10 and AC-20) whereas mixtures modified with 0.60 mm CRM exhibited the best effect on the open-graded mixture of porous asphalt (PA).     

Thermal analysis for a double glazing unit with and without a solar control film (SnS–CuxS) for using in hot climates

In this paper the thermal analysis by natural convection of a double glazing unit (DGU) is presented. One of the sheet glasses may or may not have a solar control film (SnS–Cu_xS) on its surface. Solar radiation falls on the outside surface of the DGU at 32 °C, the opposite sheet glass interacts with the inside environment at 24 °C. The governing equations of mass, momentum and energy of the air enclosed between the two sheet glasses are solved, as well as the heat conduction equation for both sheet glasses. The effect of varying the separation distance between the glasses (1.0 ≤ b (cm) ≤ 10.0) and the incident solar radiation is analyzed (500.0 ≤ G (W/m²) ≤ 800.0). From the results, it was found that in order to reduce heat gains towards the inside environment, the optimal separation distance between the sheet glasses was b ≥ 6.0 cm. It was also observed that, the use of a solar control film in this type of system (double glazing unit) is highly recommended; due to energy gain was reduced by 55% compared to the traditional DGU without solar control film.     

Freeze–thaw resistance of blended cements containing calcined paper sludge

This work deals with the frost resistance of blended cements containing calcined paper sludge (source for metakaolin) as partial Portland cement replacements. Freeze–thaw tests were performed on blended cement mortars containing 0%, 10% and 20% waste paper sludge calcined at 650 °C for 2 h. Cement mortar specimens were exposed to freezing and thawing cycles until the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity fell below 60%. The performance of the cement mortars was assessed from measurements of weight, ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, mercury intrusion porosimetry and SEM. Failure of the control cement mortar occurred before 40 freeze/thaw cycles, while cement mortar containing 20% calcined paper sludge failed after 100 cycles. After 28 and 62 freezing and thawing cycles, cement blended with 10% and 20% calcined paper sludge exhibited a smaller reduction in compressive strength than the control cement.     

Extreme selenium and tellurium contamination in soils — An eighty year-old industrial legacy surrounding a Ni refinery in the Swansea Valley

Elevated levels of selenium (maximum 200 mg/kg) and tellurium (maximum 11 mg/kg) are reported in topsoils (< 5 cm) from around a long-established nickel refinery at Clydach in the Lower Swansea Valley, UK. Se and Te are correlated with each other and when these data are plotted as contour diagrams they show a concentric pattern centred on the refinery site. The origin of the Se and Te contamination is investigated. A review of the changes in the refinery practices at the site is presented and used to link the soil contamination to industrial pollution which took place over 80 years ago. The most recent air quality data available cannot rule out some Se contamination up to 2003.     

Evaluation of capillary water absorption in rendering mortars made with powdered waterproofing additives

Several additives, such as powdered stearates, oleates, silanes and silicone films, are used to avoid water absorption in renders. This paper looks at the effectiveness of six powdered waterproofing additives after 28 days of curing at: 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.00% and 2.00% w/w on the whole composition. The waterproofing efficiency is analyzed by capillary water absorption tests, while water immersion tests are also carried out after 20 and 90 min. Powdered silicone and sodium oleate showed the best resistance to water penetration, while metallic soaps in the form of calcium stearate and zinc stearate showed the lowest efficiency in this respect at low dosages. The results are useful for understanding the long-term durability of renders and the minimal waterproofing dosages according to the EN 998 requirements.     

Large-scale triaxial tests of dense gravel material at low confining pressures

The results of a series of large-scale triaxial tests performed on dense, prismatic gravel specimens, with a height of 50 cm and a cross-section of 23 cm×23 cm, are described. The specimens were prepared at a density equal to approximately 95% of the maximum density at the optimum moisture content. Deformations were measured locally using vertical and horizontal local deformation transducers. Stress conditions with selected levels of very low confining pressure were used to simulate specific conditions in the case of road and railway embankments. Particular attention was paid to the bedding error at the top and the bottom ends of the specimens, and to fixing transducers onto the membrane to be used under low confining pressure. The confining pressure was applied by vacuum and varied from 10 kPa to 75 kPa. Unsaturated specimens were tested under drained triaxial compression using monotonic and cyclic loading with frequencies in the range of 0.5–5 Hz. The effects of a large number of load cycles and of specimen preloading were investigated.     

The effects of air entrainment and pozzolans on frost resistance of 50–60 MPa grade concrete

An experimental investigation was conducted using an air-entraining agent and pozzolans such as silica fume and fly ash, to meet the design strengths 50 and 60 MPa, as well as frost resistance to 300 cycles of freezing and thawing. Among a series of concretes of grade 50 or 60 MPa, only a small part could resist 300 cycles of freezing and thawing. It was demonstrated that frost resistance might be independent on strength of concrete. By means of mercury intrusion porosimeter, the pore structure characteristics of six concretes were identified. Air entrainment, no matter whether the pozzolans were used, caused an increase in cumulative pore volume, and also an increase in the mean pore size. It is revealed that, as to concrete at a 0.32 water/binder ratio, air entrainment should be a main approach to enhance frost resistance, although the pozzolans could be used to increase long-term strength of concrete.     

Influence of a combination of expansive and shrinkage-reducing admixture on autogenous deformation and self-stress of silica fume high-performance concrete

High-performance concrete (HPC) is characterized by its low water-to-cementitious materials (w/cm) and improved properties but also it exhibits high internal capillary tensile stress because the development of autogenous shrinkage which could result in early-age cracking risk and premature deterioration. Since the use of HPC in structural elements has gained wide acceptance in the last decades, the large magnitude of early-age autogenous strains and stresses has to be mitigated to enhance the durability of concrete structure. In this paper, internal stress development induced during the development of autogenous shrinkage strains, especially at early-age was investigated on three different types of HPC cured with a combination of two shrinkage-compensating admixtures. Binary HPC made with blended cement containing 10% of silica fume (SF) has been used with three different low (w/c + sf) of 0.15, 0.23, and 0.30. Shrinkage-reducing agent (SRA) and an expansive additive (EXA) were combined and added to the HPC mixtures to minimize autogenous shrinkage magnitude.The results indicate that the greater the autogenous shrinkage developed, the higher the induced internal tensile stress. It has been found that for the reference mixes, more than 90% of the ultimate magnitude of both autogenous shrinkage and self-tensile stress was developed during the first 24 h. However, the addition of a combination of SRA and EXA has resulted in a significant reduction and a gradual development of both autogenous shrinkage and self-tensile stress as compared to the rapid development and large magnitude in the reference concretes. Moreover, a high dimensional stability was obtained for the 0.30 and 0.23 HPC mixtures containing the combination of expansive and shrinkage-reducing admixtures. On the other hand, a slight decrease of the compressive, of the splitting tensile strengths and the modulus of elasticity was observed.     

An experimental investigation of mechanical properties of structural cast iron at elevated temperatures and after cooling down

This paper presents the results of an extensive experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of structural cast iron at elevated temperatures and after cooling down to room temperature. A total of 135 tests were carried out. The specimens were subjected to tension (83 tests), compression (48 tests) or were heated for measurement of the thermal expansion (4 tests). The tests in tension include 35 steady-state tests up to 900 °C, 32 transient tests (5 °C/min and 20 °C/min heating rates, applied stress from 20% to 80% of 0.2% proof stress) and 16 tests after cooling down (heated up to 800 °C and cooled down with two different methods: quenching and air flow cooling). 32 steady-state tests (up to 900 °C) and 16 transient tests (5 °C/min and 20 °C/min heating rates, applied stress from 50% to 120% of 0.2% proof stress) were carried out for specimens in compression. The paper evaluates and proposes elevated temperatures material models.     

Flexural response of hybrid carbon fiber thin cement composites

It is evident that the carbon-fiber-reinforced cementitious composites are being used in the structural and construction works owing to the synergetic action from two components viz. fiber and mortar matrix. Incorporation of a very nominal percentage of carbon fibers into a mortar mixture produces a strong and durable composite that leads the product of smart material properties. Flexural behavior of cement-based matrices carrying carbon fibers reinforcement of different percentage and size is studied in this paper. Influence of fiber content and length of the fiber is quantified using load–deflection curves. Specimens containing fiber of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% with 3 mm (0.12 in.), 6 mm (0.36 in.), and their combination are prepared and tested. It is demonstrated that combination of 3 mm (0.12 in.) and 6 mm (0.36 in.) fibers enhances the bearing capacity to crack- and ultimate-stresses as well as the Young’s modulus of the fiber reinforced cement composites. The paper emphasizes the desired performances after the initiation of cracks and discusses the pre- and post-cracking load–deflection characteristics of the composites.