Autogenous Shrinkage of High Strength Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

The characteristic of autogenous shrinkage（AS） and its effect on high strength lightweight aggregate concrete（HSLAC） were studied.The experimental results show that the main shrinkage of high strength concrete is AS and the amount of cement can affect the AS of HSLAC remarkably,At the early stage the AS of HSLAC is lower than that of high strength normal concrete,but it has a large growth at the later stage.The AS of high strength normal concrete becomes stable at 90d age,but HSLAC still has a high AS growth .It is found that adjusting the volume rate of lightweight aggregate,mixing with a proper dosage of fly ash and raising the water saturation degree of lightweight aggregate can markedly reduce the AS rate of HSLAC.

Bond Behavior between BFRP Bars and Hybrid Fiber Recycled Aggregate Concrete after High Temperature

The aim of this study is to improve the bond performance of basalt fiber reinforced polymer(BFRP)bars and recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)after being exposed to high temperatures.The bond behavior(failure modes,bond strength,bond stress-slip curves)between BFRP bars and hybrid fiber recycled aggregate concrete(HFRAC)after being exposed to temperatures ranging from 20℃up to 500℃was studied by using pull-out tests.The effect of high temperatures on mechanical properties of concrete(compressive strength,splitting tensile strength)and tensile strength of BFRP bars was also investigated.The bond strength decreased as the temperature increased and the drop of bond strength between RAC and BFRP bar was larger than that between HFRAC and BFRP bar.As the temperature rises,the key factor affecting the bond strength was gradually transformed from concrete strength to BFRP bar strength.The relationship between bond stress and slip in the dimensionless bond stress-slip ascending section was established,which was in good agreement with the experimental results.

Influences of Seasonal Freezing and Thawing on Soil Water-stable Aggregates in Orchard in High Cold Region,Northeast China

Soil aggregate stability,as an important indicator of soil functions,may be affected by seasonal freezing and thawing(SFT)and land use in high cold and wet regions.Therefore,comprehensive understanding the effects of SFT on aggregate stability in orchards during winter and spring is crucial to develop appropriate management strategies that can effectively alleviate the degradation of soil quality to ensure sustainable development of orchard ecosystems.To determine the mechanism of degradation in orchard soil quality,the effects of SFT on the stability of water-stable aggregates were examined in apple-pear orchards(Pyrus ussuriensis var.ovoidea)of four different ages(11,25,40,and 63 yr)on 0 to 5%slopes before freezing and after thawing from October 2015 to June 2016 in Longjing City,Yanbian Prefecture,Northeast China,involving a comparison of planted versus adjacent uncultivated lands(control).Soil samples were collected to investigate water-stable aggregate stability in three incremental soil layers(0–20,20–40 and 40–60 cm).In the same samples,iron oxide,organic matter,and clay contents of the soil were also determined.Results showed that the destructive influences of SFT on water-stable aggregates were more pronounced with the increased orchards ages,and SFT exerted severe effects on water-stable aggregates of older orchards(40 and 63 yr)than juvenile orchards.Undergoing SFT,the soil instability index and the percentage of aggregate destruction increased by mean 0.15 mm and 1.86%,the degree of aggregation decreased by mean 1.32%,and the erosion resistance weakened,which consequently led to aggregate stability decreased.In addition,soil free,amorphous,and crystalline iron oxide as well as soil organic matter and clay contents are all important factors affecting the stability of water-stable aggregates,and their changes in their contents were consistent with those in the stability of water-stable aggregates.The results of this study suggest that long-term planting fruit trees can exacerbate the damaging effects of SFT on aggregate stability and further soil erosion increases and nutrient losses in an orchard,which hider sustainable use of soil and the productivity orchards.

Brittleness Generation Mechanism and Failure Model of High Strength Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

The brittleness generation mechanism of high strength lightweight aggregate con-crete(HSLWAC) was presented, and it was indicated that lightweight aggregate was the vulnerable spot, initiating brittleness. Based on the analysis of the brittleness failure by the load-deflection curve, the brittleness presented by HSLWAC was more prominent compared with ordinary lightweight aggregate concrete of the same strength grade. The model of brittleness failure was also established.

Experimental Study on Compressive Strength of Recycled Aggregate Concrete under High Temperatur

This research aims to study the effect of elevated temperature on the compressive strength evolution of concrete made with recycled aggregate.Demolished building concrete samples were collected from four different sites in Saudi Arabia,namely from Tabuk,Madina,Yanbu,and Riyadh.These concretes were crushed and recycled into aggregates to be used to make new concrete samples.These samples were tested for axial compressive strength at ages 3,7,14,and 28 days at ambient temperature.Samples of the same concrete mixes were subjected to the elevated temperature of 300°C and tested for compressive strength again.The experimental result reveals that the recycled aggregate concrete samples have good quality at ambient and elevated temperatures and are considered fairly close to the concrete made with natural aggregate.However,recycled aggregate concrete at high temperatures showed higher strength degradation than natural aggregate concrete,but with differences that do not exceed 5%to 10%.The concrete samples made from recycled coarse aggregates also reached the design strength.It can be considered acceptable,considering the high variation in the concrete’s thermal response found in the literature.

Relation between Modulus of Elasticity and Compressive Strength of Ultrahigh-Strength Mortar with Mixed Silicon Carbide as Fine Aggregate

Ultrahigh-strength mortar mixed surface-oxidized silicon carbide as a fine aggregate was prepared by means of press-casting followed by curing in an autoclave. The relation between modulus of elssticity up to 111 GPa and compressive strength up to 360 MPa of mortar mixed silicon carbide was discussed and it was revealed that the contributions of the aggregate hardness and of the interfacial strength between the aggregate and the cement paste on the elasticity of mortar were imporant.

Different Curing Systems on Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High Performance Concrete with Coarse Aggregate

High durability and high tensile strength makes ultra-high performance concrete( UHPC) an ideal material for bridges,while its early shrinkage in the construction of cast-in-situ mass concrete leads structure crack-easily,which restricts the application of UHPC in deck system. Whether reasonable amount of coarse aggregate can influence the strength of UHPC and improve the shrinkage performance or reduce the cost is still in doubt. Besides,in order to improve its constructability and workability, whether autoclaved curing system of UHPC can be changed remains to be further researched. In response to these circumstances, a systematic experimental study on the strength of UHPC mixed with coarse aggregate in different ratios has been presented in this paper. The three curing systems,namely standard curing,180-200 ℃/1. 1 MPa autoclaved curing,and hot water curing were tested to reveal the relationship between UHPC's properties and curing systems,and the UHPC ' s microstructure was also preliminarily studied by scanning electron microscope( SEM). The experimental research can draw the following conclusions. Under the condition of the same mix ratio, autoclaved curing guarantees the highest compressive strength,followed by hot water curing and standard curing. The compressive strength of concrete increases with the temperature in the range of 25 to 90 ℃ hot water curing,and high temperature in precuring period can speed up the strength development of UHPC,but the sequence of precuring period does not obviously affect the results. In 90 ℃ hot water and autoclaved curing,the strength is over 150 MPa,and it has little relation with gravel ratio. While the value increases first and then decreases in a lower temperature curing with the increasing of gravel amount,even only about 80 MPa at room temperature. The strength increases moderately along with the increase of the curing age by standard curing,especially in the initial stage.

Shear behavior of coarse aggregates for dam construction under varied stress paths

Coarse aggregates are the major infrastructure materials of concrete-faced rock-fill dams and are consolidated to bear upper and lateral loads. With the increase of dam height, high confining pressure and complex stress states complicate the shear behavfor of coarse aggregates, and thus impede the high dam＇s proper construction, operation and maintenance. An experimental program was conducted to study the shear behavior of dam coarse aggregates using a large-scale triaxial shear apparatus. Through triaxial shear tests, the strain-stress behaviors of aggregates were observed under constant confining pressures： 300 kPa, 600 kPa 900 kPa and 1200 kPa. Shear strengths and aggregate breakage characteristics associated with high pressure shear processes are discussed. Stress path tests were conducted to observe and analyze coarse aggregate response under complex stress states. In triaxial shear tests, it was found that peak deviator stresses increase along with confining pressures, whereas the peak principal stress ratios decrease as confining pressures increase With increasing confining pressures, the dilation decreases and the contraction eventually prevails. Initial strength parameters （Poisson＇s ratio and tangent modulus） show a nonlinear relationship with confining pressures when the pressures are relatively low. Shear strength parameters decrease with increasing confining pressures. The failure envelope lines are convex curves, with clear curvature under low confining pressures. Under moderate confining pressures, dilation is offset by particle breakage. Under high confining pressures, dilation disappears.

Effect of Pre-wetted Light-weight Aggregate on Internal RelativeHumidity and Autogenous Shrinkage of Concrete

This research indicates that the gradient of internal relative humidity （IRH） decreases rapidly within 7-day curing age in HPC. The amount of water imported by pre-wetted light-weight aggregate can regulate IRH of concrete. By importing a proper amount of water, the process of the decline of IRH can be delayed and the autogenous shrinkage can be reduced. The relationship among the amount of water imported by pre- wetted lightweight aggregate, IRH and AS was established. The result provides a new method of reducing early AS and enhancing early cracking resistance of HPC.

Fine particle aggregating and flotation behavior induced by high intensity conditioning of a CO_2 saturation slurry

The influence on fine particle aggregation and flotation behavior induced by high intensity conditioning(HIC) from saturated of the slurry with CO2 saturation was investigated.Bubble size measurements were conducted.The effect of dissolved gas,xanthate addition and agitation speed on fine sphalerite particle aggregation-and flotation-behavior were studied.The results show that during HIC in air or CO2 saturated water xanthate acts as a frother.The dissolved gas content in the pulp and HIC play a synergistic role in promoting fine particle aggregation and hence flotation;a significantly enhanced aggregation of fine sphalerite particles in a CO2 saturated slurry by HIC is observed.The aggregate size increased when the agitation speed was increased from 700 r/min to 1500 r/min.Increasing the HIC speed to 1500 r/min caused a positive impact on flotation kinetics.Further increasing the speed to 2000 r/min resulted in an adverse effect on flotation kinetics.

Observation of fine particle aggregating behavior induced by high intensity conditioning using high speed CCD

The aggregating behavior between bubbles and particles induced by high intensity conditioning (HIC) was studied using high speed CCD technique. Bubble size measurement was conducted, and the attachment behavior between bubbles and particles in HIC cell and flotation cell were observed. The results show that in HIC cell, high intensity conditioning creates an advantage environment for the formation of small size bubble due to hydrodynamic cavitations, and these fine bubbles have high probability of bubble-particle collision, which will enhance fine particle flotation. The bubble-particle attachment experiments indicate that in high intensity conditioning cell, a lot of fine bubbles are produced in situ on the surface of fine particles, and most of fine particles are aggregated under the bridging action of fine bubbles. The observation of bubble-particle interaction in flotation cell illustrates that aggregates created by HIC can be loaded more easily by big air bubble in flotation cell than those created by normal conditioning.

Inhibitory effects and mechanisms of high molecular-weight phlorotannins from Sargassum thunbergii on ADP-induced platelet aggregation

We evaluated the effects of high molecular-weight phlorotannins from Sargassum thunbergii(STP) on ADP-induced platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid(AA) metabolism in New Zealand white rabbits and Wistar rats.The inhibition of STP on platelet aggregation was investigated using a turbidimetric method,and the levels of the terminal products of AA metabolism were measured using the corresponding kits for maleic dialdehyde(MDA),thromboxane B2(TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α) by colorimetry and radioimmunoassay,as appropriate.We found that STP could inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation,and the inhibitory ratio was 91.50% at the STP concentration of 4.0 mg/mL.Furthermore,STP markedly affected AA metabolism by decreasing the synthesis of MDA(P<0.01) and increasing the synthesis of 6-keto-PGF1α,thus changing the plasma TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α balance when the platelets were activated(P<0.01).Therefore,STP altered AA metabolism and these findings partly revealed the molecular mechanism by which STP inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation.

高填料体系材料树脂团聚问题研究

旨在解决高填料体系材料在层压工序后出现的树脂聚集问题。调整层压工艺中的关键参数,如升温速率、转高压温度和最高压力,选用高比例填料材料,从层压加工的角度探索改善方法。研究结果显示,升温速率是改善树脂聚集问题的核心因素。对比角硅和球硅2种填料发现,相较于角硅填料,球硅填料的分布更为均匀,分散性更佳,其可更有效地缓解树脂聚集现象。通过优化升温速率和选择合适的填料类型,可有效改善高填料体系材料在层压工序后的树脂聚集问题。

A Study on the Impact of Chemical Structure on the Evolution of Aggregate Structure in Fiber-shaped High Density Polyethylene Vitrimer

Vitrimers have emerged as a prominent research area in the field of polymer materials.Most of the studies have focused on synthesizing polymers with versatile dynamic crosslinking structures,while the impact of chemical structure on aggregate structure of vitrimers,particularly during polymer processing,remains insufficiently investigated.The present study employed commercial maleic anhydride-grafted-high density polyethylene(M-g-HDPE)as the matrix and hexanediol as the crosslinker to facilely obtain fiber-shaped HDPE vitrimers through a reaction extrusion and post-drawing process.Through chemical structure characterization,morphology observation,thermal and mechanical properties investigation,as well as aggregate structure analysis,this work revealed the influence of dynamic bonds on the formation of aggregate structures during fiber-shaped vitrimers processing.A small amount of dynamic bonds in HDPE restricts the motion of PE chain during melt-extruding and post-drawing,resulting in a lower orientation of the PE chains.However,lamellar growth and fibril formation during post-drawing at high temperature are enhanced to some extent due to the competition between dynamic bond and chain relaxation.The uneven morphology of fibershaped HDPE vitrimers can be attributed to the stronger elastic effect brought by dynamic bonding,which plays a more dominant role in determining the mechanical properties of fiber-shaped vitrimers compared to aggregate structure.Abstract Vitrimers have emerged as a prominent research area in the field of polymer materials.Most of the studies have focused on synthesizing polymers with versatile dynamic crosslinking structures,while the impact of chemical structure on aggregate structure of vitrimers,particularly during polymer processing,remains insufficiently investigated.The present study employed commercial maleic anhydride-grafted-high density polyethylene(M-g-HDPE)as the matrix and hexanediol as the crosslinker to facilely obtain fiber-shaped HDPE vitrimers through a reaction extrusion and post-drawing process.Through chemical structure characterization,morphology observation,thermal and mechanical properties investigation,as well as aggregate structure analysis,this work revealed the influence of dynamic bonds on the formation of aggregate structures during fiber-shaped vitrimers processing.A small amount of dynamic bonds in HDPE restricts the motion of PE chain during melt-extruding and post-drawing,resulting in a lower orientation of the PE chains.However,lamellar growth and fibril formation during post-drawing at high temperature are enhanced to some extent due to the competition between dynamic bond and chain relaxation.The uneven morphology of fibershaped HDPE vitrimers can be attributed to the stronger elastic effect brought by dynamic bonding,which plays a more dominant role in determining the mechanical properties of fiber-shaped vitrimers compared to aggregate structure.

Parallel computation of seismic analysis of high arch dam

Parallel computation programs are developed for three-dimensional meso-mechanics analysis of fully-graded dam concrete and seismic response analysis of high arch dams （ADs）, based on the Parallel Finite Element Program Generator （PFEPG）. The computational algorithms of the numerical simulation of the meso-structure of concrete specimens were studied. Taking into account damage evolution, static preload, strain rate effect, and the heterogeneity of the meso-structure of dam concrete, the fracture processes of damage evolution and configuration of the cracks can be directly simulated. In the seismic response analysis of ADs, all the following factors are involved, such as the nonlinear contact due to the opening and slipping of the contraction joints, energy dispersion of the far-field foundation, dynamic interactions of the dam-foundation- reservoir system, and the combining effects of seismic action with all static loads. The correctness, reliability and efficiency of the two parallel computational programs are verified with practical illustrations.

Accumulative deformation in railway track induced by high-speed traffic loading of the trains

Prediction and control of the permanent settlement of a track caused by traffic loading from trains is crucial to high-speed railway design and maintenance. In this study, a unified prediction model of accumulative deformation of geomaterials used in railway construction subjected to cyclic loadings is introduced and calibrated using physical model testing. Based on this versatile model, a calculation approach to determine the track structure settlement under repeated loadings caused by the movement of the wheel axle of the train is proposed. Regression analysis on the physical model testing is adopted to determine the parameters involved in the computational approach. Comparison of model test data and computed results shows that the parameters obtained from the back-analysis are consistent throughout the various testing conditions, and the proposed calculation approach is capable of satisfactorily predicting the accumulative settlement of the railway roadbed and subgrade soil for various axle loads and loading cycles. A case study of a high-speed railway is performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach in realistic engineering applications. The computation results from the settlement development of a roadbed and subgrade soil are presented and discussed.

Developing Sustainable Ultra High Strength Concrete Mixtures Using Spent Foundry Sand

This study presents the development of ultra high strength concrete(UHSC)that has been made more sustainable by using both local materials from central Texas and spent foundry sand(FS)from the metal casting industry,which has also been obtained locally.This study first describes various trial mixtures tested as well as the specimen preparation techniques investigated that led to the final UHSC-FS mixtures.The developed mixtures were proportioned with local constituents to increase the sustainable impact of the material by reducing emissions due to shipping as well as making UHSC more affordable to a wider variety of applications.The final mixture design constituents were:river sand,locally available type I/II cement,silica fume,and spent FS,which was obtained from a local steel casting company.Multiple variables were investigated,such as the aggregate type and size,concrete age(7,14,and 28-days),the curing regimen,and the water-to-cement ratio(w/cm)to optimize a UHSC mixture that used local materials and FS.This systematic development revealed that heat curing the specimens in a water bath at 50 oC(122 oF)after demolding and then dry curing at 200 oC(392 oF)two days before testing with a w/cm of 0.20 at 28-days produced the highest compressive strengths.Once an optimum UHSC mixture was identified a partial replacement of the fine aggregate with FS was completed at 10%,20%,and 30%.The results showed an increase of compressive strength performance at 10%replacement,followed by no change at 20%,and finally a slight decrease at 30%.Developing this innovative material with local materials and FS ultimately produces a novel sustainable construction material,reduces the costs,and produces mechanical performance similar to prepackaged,commercially,available construction building materials.

Influence of annealing treatment on as-grown Ib-type diamond crystal at a high temperature and high pressure

In this paper,we report on the influence of annealing treatment on as-grown Ib-type diamond crystal under high pressure and high temperature in a china-type cubic anvil high-pressure apparatus.Experiments are carried out at a pressure of 7.0 GPa and temperatures ranging from 1700 C to 1900 C for 1 h.Annealing treatment of the diamond crystal shows that the aggregation rate constant of nitrogen atoms in the as-grown Ib-type diamond crystal strongly depends on diamond morphology and annealing temperature.The aggregation rate constant of nitrogen remarkably increases with the increase of annealing temperature and its value in octahedral diamond is much higher than that in cubic diamond annealed at the same temperature.The colour of octahedral diamond crystal is obviously reduced from yellow to nearly colorless after annealing treatment for 1 h at 1900 C,which is induced by nitrogen aggregation in a diamond lattice.The extent of nitrogen aggregation in an annealed diamond could approach approximately 98% indicated from the infrared absorption spectra.The micro-Raman spectrum reveals that the annealing treatment can improve the crystalline quality of Ib-type diamond characterized by a half width at full maximum at first order Raman peak,and therefore the annealed diamond crystals exhibit nearly the same properties as the natural IaA-type diamond stones of high quality in the Raman measurements.

Developing Sustainable High Strength Concrete Mixtures Using Local Materials and Recycled Concrete

This study presents the development of high strength concrete (HSC) that has been made more sustainable by using both local materials from central Texas and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), which has also been obtained locally. The developed mixtures were proportioned with local constituents to increase the sustainable impact of the material by reducing emissions due to shipping as well as to make HSC more affordable to a wider variety of applications. The specific constituents were: limestone, dolomite, manufactured sand (limestone), locally available Type I/II cement, silica fume, and recycled concrete aggregate, which was obtained from a local recycler which obtains their product from local demolition. Multiple variables were investigated, such as the aggregate type and size, concrete age (7, 14, and 28-days), the curing regimen, and the water-to-cement ratio (w/c) to optimize a HSC mixture that used local materials. This systematic development revealed that heat curing the specimens in a water bath at 50℃ (122oF) after demolding and then dry curing at 200℃ (392oF) two days before testing with a w/c of 0.28 at 28-days produced the highest compressive strengths. Once an optimum HSC mixture was identified a partial replacement of the coarse aggregate with RCA was completed at 10%, 20%, and 30%. The results showed a loss in compressive strength with an increase in RCA replacement percentages, with the highest strength being approximately 93.0 MPa (13,484 psi) at 28-days for the 10% RCA replacement. The lowest strength obtained from an RCA-HSC mixture was approximately 72.9 (MPa) (10,576 psi) at 7-days. The compressive strengths obtained from the HSC mixtures containing RCA developed in this study are comparable to HSC strengths presented in the literature. Developing this innovative material with local materials and RCA ultimately produces a novel sustainable construction material, reduces the costs, and produces mechanical performance similar to prepackaged, commercially, available construction building materials.

不同纤维对高强轻骨料混凝土力学性能影响及微观机理研究

为改善高强轻骨料混凝土的力学性能和弯曲韧性,研究了玄武岩纤维、细聚乙烯醇纤维、仿钢纤维、聚丙烯纤维和粗聚乙烯醇纤维的掺入对高强轻骨料混凝土抗压强度、劈裂抗拉强度和抗弯强度的影响规律。通过4点弯曲试验获取荷载-挠度曲线,基于韧性指标对比分析了5种纤维对高强轻骨料混凝土弯曲韧性的影响。通过扫描电子显微镜观察纤维破坏前后的表面微观形貌,阐释了不同纤维的增强增韧机理。研究结果表明:掺入纤维对高强轻骨料混凝土的力学性能均有提升,主要提升高强轻骨料混凝土的抗拉性能和弯曲韧性。粗聚乙烯醇纤维提升劈裂抗拉强度和抗弯强度程度最大,分别提高了83%和220%,使高强轻骨料混凝土破坏由脆性转为高延性。纤维对高强轻骨料混凝土抗拉性能和韧性的提升与纤维表面损伤程度成正比。