Identification of the Diffusion Coefficients of Pollutants ( N O 3 - and Mn2+) through the Walls of Concrete Tank and Vulnerability of the Stored Water Quality

The populations of urban centers in Congo-Brazzaville have decided to develop various methods of water storage (concrete or masonry underground tanks) for domestic use, due to shortages in the distribution of water through the public network. However, questions remain as to the physico-chemical quality of the water stored in these tanks, when these structures are built in wet and relatively polluted areas. This paper presents a model of pollutant diffusion through the cementitious matrix (concrete) of tank walls simulated at a buried reservoir. The results of the experimental and numerical simulations show that certain concrete parameters, such as porosity, permeability and diffusivity, have a significant influence on the transfer of pollutants through the concrete walls, thus altering the physico-chemical quality of the stored water. The numerical models (1D) used to predict pollutant transfer and the quality of the stored water are consistent with those of the optimal control for identifying the diffusion coefficient. Major ion concentrations appear to be correlated with system porosity and diffusion coefficient. Nevertheless, the identification of the diffusion coefficient from the optimal control method, based on an explicit numerical resolution of a finite volume PDE for the approximation of the experiment, is not consistent with that of the optimal control method.

Calculation of ion diffusion coefficient related to concrete deterioration based on Debye-Hückel-Onsager theory

This paper applies the Debye-Hückel-Onsager electrolyte solution theory to investigate the diffusivity of ions in concrete pore solutions.First,a model of the diffusion coefficient associated with the ionic species,solution concentration and ambient temperature is proposed in the saturated concrete.Secondly,as an example,the effects of sodium chloride solution concentration,which are associated with influencing factors such as the ionic cloud radius,electrophoresis and relaxation,on the chloride diffusion coefficient are analyzed.It is found that the diffusion coefficient decreases with the increase in solution concentration,and the electrophoresis and ionic cloud radius are two important factors influencing the ionic diffusivity.Finally,the experiments,in which the chloride diffusion coefficients in specimens under different water-cement ratios are measured by the rapid chloride migration（RCM）method,are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model,and the results indicate that there is a generally reasonable agreement between the experimental and the proposed model results.

Influence of Binder Composition and Concrete Pore Structure on Chloride Diffusion Coefficient in Concrete

The influence of binder composition and pore structure of concrete on chloride diffusion coefficient in concrete were investigated by the natural immersion test, MIP test, SEM and EDS test, respectively. The experimental results showed that the effect of binder composition on chloride diffusion coefficient was the comprehensive result of concrete pore structure and binder hydration products, and the porosity and pore size distribution were the main factors that influence the changes of diffusion coefficient. The chloride diffusion coefficient decreased with increasing the curing temperature and the relative humidity. The hydration degree were promoted by improving curing temperatures, and then the porosity of concrete decreased and the proportion of gel pore and transitional pore increased, respectively. But the water evaporation decreased with increasing the relative humidity and then decreased porosity and increased the proportion of gel pore and transitional pore. Additionally, The chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete got the lower value when the appropriate replacement of fly ash in the ranges of 10%-20%, when the double-adding fly ash and slag content was 50%. The porosity increased and the ratio of C/S in C-S-H decreased with further increasing the fly ash content, which led to increase the chloride diffusion coefficient in concrete.

Time Dependent Chloride Diffusion Coefficient in Concrete

In order to study how to correctly apply the two different time dependencies to service life prediction models, the definition of parameters in the time dependent equation using the long-term test method and the short-term test method, and its relationship were discussed. The experimental results show that, as the two time dependencies have different meanings, they have different manners when handled in service life prediction models. Time dependency of chloride diffusion coefficients in concrete was obtained by fitting experimental data. A large number of accurate experimental data were required to fit the formula of time dependency to ensure the accuracy of service life prediction model.

Test and analysis of influencing factors on the permeability coefficient of steel slag permeable concrete

The steel slag （SS） permeable concrete was prepared by SS. The influences of the aggregate-cement rate, the aggregate particle size, the water-cement rate, the admixture dosage and other factors on the permeability coefficient of SS permeable concrete were analyzed. The law of influence was also investigated. The study serves as a technological reference for the construction and design of SS permeable concrete.

Effect of Curing Age on Chloride Diffusion Coefficient of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Subjected to Compressive Stresses

The effect of curing age on chloride diffusion coefficient of recycled aggregate concrete subjected to different compressive stresses was investigated.A compression loading setup was both designed and fabricated.The chloride diffusion coefficients of recycled aggregate concrete under compressive stresses were measured by the rapid chloride ion migration(RCM)method.The experimental results show that the chloride diffusion coefficients of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)under different compressive stress ratios generally decrease with the increase of curing age.For RAC subjected to the same compressive stress ratios,the chloride diffusion coefficients approximately have power functions with curing ages and the relationship models are proposed.Moreover,the influence of curing age on chloride diffusion coefficient firstly decreases and then increases as the compressive stress ratio increases.

Investigating the Relationship between Porosity and Permeability Coefficient for Pervious Concrete Pavement by Statistical Modelling

A study evaluating the relationship between porosity and permeability coefficient for pervious concrete (PC) is presented. In addition, the effect of mixture design parameters particularly, water-to-cement ratio (W/C) and size of aggregate on the permeability coefficient of PC was investigated. The PC mixtures were made with 4 range of W/C and 2 range size of aggregate. PC mixes were made from each aggregate and were tested. The results showed that the W/C and aggregate size are key parameters which significantly affect the characteristic performance of PC. Permeability coefficient of coarse pervious concrete (CPC) is bigger than fine pervious concrete (FPC) and the porosity of CPC are bigger than porosity of FPC. A regression model (RM) along with analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to study the significance of porosity distribution on permeability coefficient of PC. The statistical model developed in this study can facilitate prediction permeability coefficient of CPC and FPC as the sustainable pavements.

Calculation of photon attenuation coefficient and dose rate in concrete with the addition of SiO_2 and MnFe_2O_4 nanoparticles using MCNPX code and comparison with experimental results

One of the most important safety features of nuclear facilities is the shielding material used to protect the operating personnel from radiation exposure. The most common materials used in radiation shielding are concretes. In this study, a Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended code is used to calculate the gamma-ray attenuation coefficients and dose rates for a new concrete material composed of MnFe_2O_4 nanoparticles, which is then compared with the theoretical and experimental results obtained for a SiO_2 nanoparticle concrete material. According to the results, the average relative differences between the simulations and the theoretical and experimental results for the linear attenuation coefficient(l) in the SiO_2 nanoparticle materials are 6.4% and 5.5%, respectively. By increasing the SiO_2 content up to 1.5% and the temperature of MnFe_2O_4 up to 673 K, l is increased for all energies. In addition, the photon dose rate decreases up to 9.2% and3.7% for MnFe_2O_4 and SiO_2 for gamma-ray energies of0.511 and 1.274 MeV, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that the addition of SiO_2 and MnFe_2O_4 nanoparticles to concrete improves its nuclear properties and could lead to it being more useful in radiation shielding.

Experimental Study on Friction Coefficient Between Concrete and the Top Surface of Rubble Mound Foundation

Experimental studies on the friction coefficient between concrete and the top surface of a rubble mound foundation in China are reviewed. Through comparison of different test results, the development of this research is comprehensively analyzed. An experiment is carried out in the condition similar to prototype. The process curve of friction coefficient with the test block sliding is analyzed and a standard for determination of the friction coefficient is defined. The variation features of the friction coefficient are analyzed on the basis of the present experimental results and other studies in China. It is shown that the friction coefficient between concrete and the top surface of a rubble mound foundation decreases with the increase of the foundation pressure, and the friction coefficient for a very fine leveling bed is smaller than that for a fine leveling bed.

THE TEMPERATURE STRESS OF RC CONCRETE COMPONENT INDUCED BY LINEAR EXPENSION COEFFICIENT DIFFERENCE

The temperature stress of reinforced concrete component caused by different linear expension coefficient has been discussed in this paper from the point of view of composite materials, The temperature dress can reach about 22 to 45 percent of the tension strength for the concrete with low grade and high ratio of reinforcement which should be considered seriously.

Determination of the Thermal Expansion Coefficient of Concrete at Early Ages by Using Temperature-stress Testing Machine

By using the uptodate temperatuer-stress testing machine, the thermal expansion coefficient of concrete at early ages was studied and indicative conclusions were achieved ： temperature rising due to hydration heat is not directly correlated with cracking, but the temperature and stress evolation process should be taken into consideration in the same time. Proper chemical admixtures and mineral cornpasitions can improve the mechanical properties of concrete such as thermal expansion coefficient, which is very indicative in practice.

Investigation in Mathematical Models of Chloride Diffusion Coefficient in Concrete Exposed to Marine Environment

Degradation of RC （reinforced concrete） in maritime structures has become a worldwide problem due to its excessive costs of maintenance, repair and replacement in addition to its environmental impacts and safety issues. Degradation of both concrete and steel which is the main reason of reduction in the service life of RC structures strongly depends on the diffusion process of moisture and aggressive species. In this paper, the major and popular mathematical models of diffusion process in concrete are surveyed and investigated. Predominantly in these models, the coefficient of chloride diffusion into the concrete is assumed to be constant. Whereas, experimental records indicate that diffusion coefficient is a function of time. Subsequently, data analysis and comparisons between the existing analytical models for predicting the diffusion coefficient with the existing experimental database are carried out in this study. Clearly, these comparisons reveal that there are gaps between the existing mathematical models and previously recorded experimental results. Perhaps, these gaps may be interpreted as influence of the other affecting parameters on the diffusion coefficient such as temperature, aggregate size and relative humidity in addition to the water cement ratio. Accordingly, the existing mathematical models are not adequate enough to predict the diffusion coefficient precisely and further studies need to be performed.

A Study on the Strength Surplus Coefficient of Cement

This study considers P.O42.5 cement from different sources and evaluates the related surplus coefficient(defined as the proportionality factor linking the measured compressive strength value of the cement after 28 days to the“standard”value of cement strength).The needed tests have been conducted using a mixer,a pressure testing machine,a flexural testing machine,a vibrating table a ramming rod,a feeder and a metal ruler.The average value of the measured cement strength surplus coefficient of cement produced by five distinct cement manufacturers has been found to be 1.16.These results can be used as the basis to reduce the production cost and improve the performance of commercial concrete.

Dynamic and Seismic Property Experiments of High Damping Concrete and Its Frame Models

The loss tangent and storage modulus of cement mortar containing treated silica fume and styrene-acrylic are measured. Shaking table tests on three groups of 1/4 models of high damping concrete frames are conducted to compare the effects of reducing vibration. A relationship between the viscosity coefficient of high damping concrete and the damping coefficient of structure is established by analyzing dynamic parameters like damping ratio and frequency, and comparing responses of relative displacement and absolute acceleration. Surface treatment of silica fume and styrene-acrylic emulsion prior to incorporation in a cement mortar increases the loss tangent of the resulting composite by 40-400% as compared to the cement mortar without any admixtures, and the damping ratio of the reinforced concrete is raised by 7%-9%. In addition, a theoretical method of determining the viscosity coefficient of the material on the basis of shaking table test results is put forward.

Chloride ion penetration into concrete under hydraulic pressure

The lining concrete of subsea tunnel services under combined hydraulic pressure, mechanical and environmental loads. The chloride ion and water penetrations into concrete under hydraulic pressure were investigated. The experimental results indicate that the water penetration depth, chloride ion transportation depth, and the concentration of chloride ion ingression into concrete increase with raised hydraulic pressure and hold press period. But the chloride ion transportation velocity is only 53% of that of water when concrete specimens are under hydraulic pressure. The chloride transportation coefficient of concrete decreases with hold press period as power function. And that would increase 500% 600% in chloride transportation coefficient when the hydraulic pressure increases from 0 to 1.2 MPa. The hydraulic pressure also decreases the bound chloride ion of concrete to about zero. Besides, the low water-cementitions materials and suitable content of mineral admixture(including fly ash and slag) improve the resistance capacity of chloride penetration, and binding capacity of concrete under hydraulic pressure.

Gamma-ray shielding study of light to heavyweight concretes using MCNP-4C code

In this work, linear and mass attenuation coefficients, half and tenth-value layers, effective atomic number and electron density of different types of concretes were determined at 316.51, 468.07, 511, 662, 1173 and 1332 keV using MCNP-4C code and Win XCom programs. The MCNP-4C and Win XCom results agreed well with each other, with differences of \±1.9%. The results agreed with available experimental data, too, with differences of \±6%.The MCNP-4C results showed better agreement with the experimental data than the Win XCom results. Also, it was found that the effective electron density of studied concretes varies in the range of(2.83–3.2) 9 10^(23)electron/g.

Detection of Thermophysical Properties for High Strength Concrete after Exposure to High Temperature

Using the detection principle of infrared thermal imaging technique and the detection principle of DRH thermal conductivity tester laboratory,we investigated the infrared thermal image inspection,coefficient of thermal conductivity,apparent density,and compressive strength test on C80 high-strength concrete（HSC） in the presence and absence of polypropylene fibers under completely heated conditions.Only slight damages were detected below 400 ℃,whereas more and more severe deterioration events were expected when the temperature was above 500 ℃.The results show that the elevated temperature through infrared images generally exhibits an upward trend with increasing temperature,while the coefficient of thermal conductivity and apparent density decrease gradually.Additionally,the addition of polypropylene fibers with appropriate length,diameter,and quantity contributes to the improvement of the high-temperature resistance of HSC.

Prediction of Antifrccze Critical Strength of Infant Age Concrete

The rule of infant age concrete strength development under low temperature and complex affecting factors is researched. An efficient and reliable mathematical forecast model is set up to predict the infant age concrete antifreeze critical strength under low temperature at construction site. On the basis of the revision of concrete equivalent coefficient under complex influencing factors, least-squares curve-fitting method is applied to approximate the concrete strength under standard curing and the forecast formula of concrete compressive strength could be obtained under natural temperature condition by various effects. When the amounts of double-doped are 10% fly ashes and 4% silica fumes as coment replacement, the antifreeze critical strength changes form 3.5-4.1MPa under different low temperature curing. The equivalent coefficient correction formula of concrete under low temperature affected by various factors could be obtained. The obtained equivalent coefficient is suitable for calculating the strength which is between 10% to 40% of standard strength and the curing temperature from 5-20 ℃. The forecast value of concrete antifreeze critical strength under low temperature could be achieved by combining the concrete antifreeze critical strength value with the compressive strength forecast of infant age concrete under low temperature. Then the theory for construction quality control under low temperature is provided.

Study of the seismic response of a recycled aggregate concrete frame structure

Based on six-degree-of-freedom three-dimensional shaking table tests, the seismic response of a recycled aggregate concrete （RAC） frame was obtained. The analysis results indicate that the maximum story shear force and overturning moment reduce proportionally along the height of the model under the same earthquake wave. The story shear force, base shear coefficient and overturning moment of the structure increase progressively as the acceleration amplitude increases. The base shear coefficient is primarily controlled by the peak ground acceleration （PGA）. The relationships between the PGA and the shear coefficient as well as between the PGA and the dynamic amplification factor are obtained by mathematical fitting. The dynamic amplification factor decreases rapidly at the elastic-plastic stage, but decreases slowly with the development of the elastic-plasticity stage. The results show that the RAC frame structure has reasonable deformability when compared with natural aggregate concrete frame structures. The maximum inter-story drift ratios of the RAC frame model under frequent and rare intensity 8 test phases are 1/266 and 1/29, respectively, which are larger than the allowable value of 1/500 and 1/50 according to Chinese seismic design requirements. Nevertheless, the RAC frame structure does not collapse under base excitations with PGAs from 0.066 g up to 1.170 g.

Assessment on Chloride Contaminated Resistance of Concrete with Non-steady-state Migration Method

A preparation technology of chloride contaminated resistant concrete was presented. The newly developed non-steady-state migration test method was employed for the evaluation of chloride ions diffusion coefficient of the concrete. The experimental results show that this method has a good correlation with the traditional NT Build 443 method, and it provides an effective and quick approach to assess the resistant capacity of concrete against chloride ions.