Effect of specimen size and loading conditions on spalling of concrete

Different qualities of concrete have been fire tested using different geometries of the specimens as well as different load levels and load configurations. The main objective with the study was to examine a test methodology consisting of a full‐scale test and different small scale‐tests for determining the probability of spalling and the amount of spalling of fire exposed concrete structures. A reference specimen was defined as a one‐sided fire exposed slab with the dimensions 1800 × 1200 mm² giving an exposed area of 1500 × 1200 mm². A number of concrete qualities with different probabilities for spalling, were tested using the reference specimen. These tests showed that the reference specimens worked well giving the expected test results. Small specimens were manufactured in different shapes with the same concrete as the one used in the reference tests. These small specimens were tested either at the same time as the reference specimens in the large furnace or afterwards on a small‐scale furnace where the fire exposed surface was 450 × 360 mm². The test results clearly show the increased probability and the increased amount of spalling by using external compressive loading. The results also show that by using pre‐stress through bars or wires the load can be lost due to heating of the bars/wires which results in a decreased amount of spalling. The boundary of the specimen also affects the amount of spalling. The spalling around the edges was in all tests less than the spalling on the central parts of the exposed area. It could also be noted that the spalling did not pass completely through any of the specimens. The reason for this is probably that the water/vapour could migrate out from the unexposed surface of the specimen. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

UNSTEADY-STATE SORPTION MEASUREMENTS A TEST OF DIFFERENT METHODS TO EVALUATE THE DIFFUSIVITY FROM UNSTEADY-STATE SORPTION MEASUREMENTS

Different simple methods for evaluating the diffusivity from a sorption measurement are presented and tested when there is a surface resistance (a limited mass transfer coefficient), a non-perfect step in relative humidity or non-Fickian effects. It is concluded that the different methods have different qualities and it is impossible to give a general recommendation on which method to use. The best tactic is probably to use more than one of the methods. A knowledge of the experimental conditions will help in choosing the best method.     

Design and Characterization of the CLIMPAQ,Chamber for Laboratory Investigations of Materials,Pollution and Air Quality*

A test chamber has been developed in order to provide a small and simple emission testing facility capable of testing construction products in a climate where the important climatic parameters such as temperature, ventilation rate and air velocity can be varied independently around typical indoor values. The test chamber CLIMPAQ is made of panes of window glass. Other main surface materials are stainless steel and eloxated aluminium. The chamber has a volume of 50.9 litres and is designed to meet the requirements for quantifying air pollution. In this investigation human subjects acted as air pollution judges, and chemical characterization of the air pollution was carried out. Carpet, linoleum, wall paint and seal- ant were tested simultaneously in the CLIMPAQ and in four other chambers ranging from a full-scale chamber of 28 m³ to a field and laboratory emission cell of 3.5· 10^?5m³. Product ranking is the same in all chambers for the sensory measurements. Emission rates based on sensory measurements differ for all products less than 100 % except for tests in a 3-litre chamber where emission rates were higher. Chemical measurements differ up to approximately 10 times for the same product in different chambers. Deviations appear to be the result of different environmental parameters in the various chambers. Low air concentrations or high specific ventilation rates seem to increase emissions, while differences in air velocities and sink properties may also be the cause of differences in emission rates.     

Evidence for Remote Effects of Dreissenid Mussels on the Amphipod Diporeia: Analysis of Lake Ontario Benthic Surveys, 1972–2003

The status of invasive dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. bugensis) and native amphipods (Diporeia spp.) in Lake Ontario was assessed in 2003 and compared with historical data. D. polymorpha (zebra mussels) were rarely observed in 2003, having been displaced by D. bugensis (quagga mussels). D. bugensis expanded its depth range from 38 m depth in 1995 to 174 m in 2003 and this dreissenid reached densities averaging 8,000/m² at all sites < 90 m. During the same time period, Diporeia populations almost completely disappeared from 0–90 m depth, continuing a declining trend from 1994–1997 reported in previous studies. The average density of Diporeia in the 30–90 m depth interval decreased from 1,380/m² to 63/m² between 1997 and 2003. Prior to 2003, areas deeper than 90 m represented a refuge for Diporeia, but even these deep populations decreased, with densities declining from 2,181/m2 in 1999 to 545/m2 in 2003. Two common hypotheses for the decline of Diporeia in the Great Lakes are food limitation and a toxin/pathogen associated with dreissenid pseudofeces. The Diporeia decline in deep waters preceded the expansion of D. bugensis to these depths, and suggests that shallow dreissenid populations remotely influence profundal habitats. This pattern of decline is consistent with mechanisms that act from some distance including nearshore dreissenid grazing and downslope transport of pseudofeces.     

FT-IR spectroscopic study of hydrogen bonding in PA6/clay nanocomposites

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate PA6/clay nanocomposites (PA6CN) with various cooling histories from the melt, including rapid cooling (water-quenched), middle-rate cooling (air-cooling) and slow cooling (mold-cooling). In contrast to pure PA6 dominated by the α-phase, the addition of clay silicate layers favor the formation of the γ-crystalline phase in PA6CN.We focus on the reason why silicate layers favor the formation of γ-phase in PA6. Vaia et al. suggested that the addition of clay layers forces the amide groups of PA6 out of the plane formed by the chains. This results in conformational changes of the chains, which limits the formation of H-bonded sheets so that the γ-phase is favored. If this assumption is correct, PA6CN is expected to show some differences as compared with PA6 with respect to hydrogen bonding.The silicate layers were indeed found to weaken the hydrogen bonding both in the α- and γ-phases. This was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The γ-phase is most likely concentrated in regions close to the silicate layers, whereas the α-phase is favored in the bulk matrix.     

Margarine oil formulation and control

The formulation and control of margarine oils and margarines is based on an understanding of the relation between various physical measurements and the composition of the oils and margarines. Solid-to-liquid-fat ratios are determined by dilatometry or by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Oils are chosen for their crystal habit under conditions of processing and finishing. Some margarine test methods involve appearance, oral melting characteristics, oil-off, slump or collapse, get-away, penetration, and spreadability. Many measurements are effective only when they describe conditions over a range of temperatures. These include dilatometry and consistency determinations which require multipoint measurements. Presented at the American Oil Chemists' Society Short Course on “Processing and Quality Control of Fats and Oils,” Aug. 29–Sept. 1, 1966, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.