Performance of Concrete Subjected to Severe Multiple Actions of Composite Salts Solution under Wet-Dry Cycles and Flexural Loading in Lab

Several action regimes were employed, namely, those exposed to solutions containing single and/or composite chloride and sulfate salts, and under wet-dry cycles and/or flexural loading. The variations in dynamic modulus of elasticity（Erd values） were monitored, as well as the key factor impacting on the chloride ingress when concrete subjected to multiple action regimes was identified by the method of Grey Relation Analysis（GRA）. The changes in micro-structures and mineral products of interior concrete after different action regimes were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction（XRD）, mercury intrusion technique（MIP）, and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The test results showed that the cyclic wet-dry accelerated the deterioration of OPC concrete more than the action of 35% flexural loading based on the results of Erd values and the GEA. The analyses from micro-structures could give certain explanations to the change in Erd values under different action regimes.

Electric Field Distribution of Soluble Salt Deposition on the Surface of Insulators in Railway Overhead Lines

Different constituents of soluble salts have different effects on the insulation performance of insulators.To study the electric field distribution of soluble salt deposition on the surface of high-speed railway insulators,a two-dimensional model of the cantilever insulator electrostatic field and constant-current field with soluble salt deposition is constructed.The simulation results indicate that the relative dielectric constant of dry pollution is the main factor that affects the electric field distribution on the surface of the insulator.The electric field intensity is arranged in the following order:CaSO_(4)>KNO_(3)>NaNO_(3)>K_(2)SO_(4)>NaCl>MgSO_(4),and the conductivity of each dirty liquid in the wet state becomes a key factor affecting the electric field distribution,which is specifically shown as sodium chloride>nitrate>sulfate.The simulation results are compared with existing test results to verify that they were correct.It is also found that the electric field intensity of the insulator with good hydrophobicity is slightly greater than that of the insulator without hydrophobicity.The results provide a theoretical basis for the classification of regional pollution levels and the testing of insulator contamination in the laboratory.

Remediation of saline–sodic soil with flue gas desulfurization gypsum in a reclaimed tidal flat of southeast China

Salinization and sodicity are obstacles for vegetation reconstruction of coastal tidal flat soils. A study was conducted with flue gas desulfurization（FGD）-gypsum applied at rates of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 Mg/ha to remediate tidal flat soils of the Yangtze River estuary.Exchangeable sodium percentage（ESP）, exchangeable sodium（ExNa）, p H, soluble salt concentration, and composition of soluble salts were measured in 10 cm increments from the surface to 30 cm depth after 6 and 18 months. The results indicated that the effect of FGD-gypsum is greatest in the 0–10 cm mixing soil layer and 60 Mg/ha was the optimal rate that can reduce the ESP to below 6% and decrease soil p H to neutral（7.0）. The improvement effect was reached after 6 months, and remained after 18 months. The composition of soluble salts was transformed from sodic salt ions mainly containing Na~＋, HCO_3^-＋ CO_3^（2-）and Cl-to neutral salt ions mainly containing Ca^（2＋）and SO_4^（2-）. Non-halophyte plants were survived at 90%. The study demonstrates that the use of FGD-gypsum for remediating tidal flat soils is promising.