Mechanical Characterization of Rubber Latex-Based Carpets (Hevea bresiliensis): Influence of Rubber Latex Content and Fiber Fabrics (Cotton and Mosquito Nets) on Wear Resistance of Rubber Latex-Based Carpets

This work focuses on the development of carpets from sand, fabrics of cotton fiber and mosquito nets and rubber latex. Following a study on the choice of the best formulations, the quantity of rubber latex used for shaping varies between 14% and 18% (latex/sand + latex ratio) for the carpet with the fabric of mosquito nets and between 16% and 18% for the one made with the fabric of cotton fiber. Thus, with a mixture of sand, fiber fabrics (cotton and mosquito nets) and rubber latex, carpets were developed. In addition, the wear test carried out on these samples indicates that it is possible to produce carpets with the new material made of rubber sand and latex: SABLATEX At room temperature. Following the characterization test, it resorts to only 16% latex with cotton fiber fabric, allowing to have carpets with good mechanical characteristics.

Mechanical Characteristics Test of Concrete Steel Bars Available in Côte d’Ivoire

Buildings collapse has now become a recurrent phenomenon in Côte d’Ivoire. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out the reasons for these disasters, and check in particular to the extent, and concrete steel bars produced in Côte d’Ivoire and used in buildings’ structures are involved. Samples having 6, 8, 10 and 12 mm in diameter steel taken from the five (5) major manufacturers or suppliers of the Ivorian market were subjected to physical, chemical and mechanical tests to determine their performance. A comparison of these results with the NF EN 10080 and NF A35 080-1 standards made it possible to calculate the probability to have out-of-standard products in a structure. Pieces having 60 cm were cut from three bars of the same thickness and then subjected to tests. These are the chemical test by optical emission spectrometer, physical tests by caliper measurements of diameter, height of bolts and ribs and calculation of linear mass, and tensile tests with the help of hydraulic press. These tests made it possible to determine the characteristics of the steel bars. Then, these characteristics were compared with standards NF EN 10080 and NF A35 080-1, in order to judge their conformity for construction. Finally, the likelihood of having non-standard steel bars in a structure is calculated. These tests indicate that the relative surfaces of the bolts of the various bars HA6, HA8, HA10 and HA12 vary from 0.146 to 0.323 respectively;0.120 to 0.312;0.101 to 0, 297 and 0.142 to 0.482. Likewise, their calculated linear masses of these bars are respectively between 28.3 mm2 and 222 g/m;50.3 mm2 and 395 g/m;78.5 mm2 and 617 g/m;and 113 mm2 and 888 g/m. In addition, their yield strengths and elongations at break vary from 344 MPa to 582 MPa and from 0.2% to 15% respectively. According to analysis of these results, 100% of steel bars would lead to a steel-concrete adhesion that complies with standard requirements and 100% have a linear mass or density lower than the standard. Similarly, on the mechanical aspect, 70% of steel bars have a yield strength lower than 400 MPa and 95% have an inappropriate ductility. Non-compliance with cross-sections, inadequate performance and non-compliance with the chemical composition of steel bars expose buildings to low durability and even sudden collapse of their structural elements. Concrete steel bars contribute a great deal to failures found in buildings.

Effect of Sand Partial Substitution for Glass Powder on the Behaviour of Sand-Cement Mortar

Partial substitution of aggregates for pieces of glass in concrete contributes to reducing the use this resource and preserving the environment for future generations. However, concretes or mortars mixed with crushed glass can deteriorate within a few years, because of the alkali-silica reaction related to the size of glass pieces. Some investigations were carried out in order to find out how to bring down this phenomenon. Different percentages of glass powder were mixed with mortar made from sand, cement and crushed glass pieces of which diameter is between 1 and 5 mm. Products obtained were submitted to flexural testing, compressive strength testing and resistance to acid attack and Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) observations were made after a period running from 28 to 180 days of drying. The results show an increase in the mechanical properties of products with glass powder and an improvement in the durability of mortar in acidic environment. Such improvements are related to the enhanced adhesion created between crushed glass pieces and cementitious matrix containing glass powder as a result of pozzolanic reaction.

Use of Alternative Binder: Influence of Latex Content on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Laterite Stabilized with Raw Rubber Latex

Raw rubber Latex contents, from 0% to 30% were used to stabilize lateritic samples to provide an alternative to cement stabilization. These samples were submitted to physical tests (water resistance test, absorption test) and mechanical tests (dry compressive strength test). The results indicate that samples made of latex content less than 15% dissolve completely into water. So it was impossible to make sample with these contents. Samples with 15% of raw rubber content or more are steady after water resistance test. The absorption rate of these samples decreases as the latex content increases. It goes from 14.45% for the samples at 15% to 5.87% for those at 30%. Therefore, the compressive strength test indicates that the resistance increases from 0.37 MPa for samples without latex to 3.15 MPa for those at 30% of latex content. Also, the rheological study shows that the samples pass from a brittle behaviour to a plastic behaviour when the latex content increases. The behaviour of the sample according to these different tests shows that this material can be used in several activity areas, such as construction, road building and sports area.

Influence of a Mineral Filler on the Fire Behaviour and Mechanical Properties of a Wood Waste Composite Material Stabilized with Expanded Polystyrene

The use of vegetable fibers composites in structures sometimes presents significant fires risks because of their high flammability. This work aims to study the impact of the addition of mineral filler (clay) on the fire behaviour of wood-polystyrene composites and their mechanical properties. Thus, composites containing 25% of expanded polystyrene binder have been produced. On this base material, proportions of clay ranging from 0% to 15% were gradually added. These samples were elaborated by compaction and for some them, submitted to thermoforming after drying. Both kinds of sample were subjected to flame persistence test;flexural strength and compressive strength test were also measured. The results show that composites without mineral filler ignite continuously until the total consumption and when the mineral filler content increases the combustion time decreases. The addition of the mineral filler allows these composites to pass from class M3 of moderately flammable combustible materials to class M2 of hardly flammable materials, according to the M classification of construction and furnishing materials. The measurement of the mechanical properties shows that the strengths increase when the filler content goes from 0% to 10% and then decrease. This leads to set the optimum content of mineral filler around 10%.

Influence of the Granular Class of Crushed Granites on the Litho-Stabilization of Samo Laterites (South-East of Côte d’Ivoire)

Most of the laterites found in Ivory Coast do not meet the technical conditions to be used in their natural state for the design of road foundations. Also, to meet the growing needs for road materials, various amendments are made to them, including litho-stabilization. Thus, this study proposes to understand the influence of the granular class of natural aggregates on the performance of laterites. To achieve this objective, different proportions of crushed granites of class 0/5, 0/15 and 5/15 have been incorporated into the soils of southern Côte d’Ivoire, especially in Samo. This modified soil has been subjected to mechanical tests such as the modified Proctor and CBR test. The results obtained show that the dry densities of the incorporated laterites containing crushed granites increase with the content of natural aggregates and decrease with the increase in the water content. Likewise, the CBR bearing indices at 95% of the Modified Optimum Proctor of the different compositions (laterites + crushed granites) increase with the proportion of aggregates. The addition of coarse aggregates to the laterites therefore promotes the establishment of a framework which improves its bearing capacity. From 20% to 30% crushed granites respectively of class 0/15;0/5 and 5/15, the values of the CBR obtained are greater than those of 30% therefore these modified soils can be used as a foundation layer for traffic of T1, T2 and T3 type. Likewise, the laterites’ mixtures with at least 40% crushed granites of class 0/15 and 0/5 can also be used for the foundation and base layers.

Study of the Evolution of Properties of Concrete Containing Used Tire Aggregates

Concrete is generally composed of cement, water, gravel, and sand. However, some research focuses on substituting aggregates with waste materials. In this study, used tires are used as a substitute for gravel. Characteristics such as tensile strength, compressive strength, and porosity were monitored at 7, 14, and 28 days of maturation. The results show that aggregates made from used tires are suitable for concrete production and can replace natural gravel. Regarding the formed concrete, low substitution rates lead to improved concrete properties, but only at an early age. A reaction between the cement and rubber could be the underlying cause. Additionally, the products of this reaction may mitigate the evolution of the compressive strength of the concrete over time.