Strength properties of xanthan gum and guar gum treated kaolin at different water contents

Nowadays,using biopolymer as a ground improvement method has become very popular.However,since biopolymers are organic and degradable,their long-term effect is not fully known.In this study,the effects of biopolymers on the mechanical behavior of kaolin clay were investigated through a comprehensive program of experiments.Two types of biopolymer,i.e.xanthan gum and guar gum were chosen to investigate the effect of biopolymer type.For this purpose,specimens were prepared using standard Proctor energy at four different water contents(25%,30%35%and 40%)with 0.5%,1%,1.5%and 2%biopolymer inclusions.The specimens were cured for 1 d,7 d,28 d and 90 d.Moreover,some of the specimens were kept in the curing room for 3 years to observe the long-term effect of the biopolymers.At the end of the curing periods,the specimens were subjected to unconfined compression test,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)analysis was performed to observe the mechanism of strength improvement.The results revealed that the unconfined compressive strength(UCS)of the specimens treated with biopolymers increased in all biopolymer inclusion levels and water contents up to a 90-d curing period.For specimens containing xanthan gum,the maximum strength increase was observed at 25%water content and 2%xanthan gum with 90-d curing.The strength increased 5.23 times induced by xanthan gum addition when compared to the pure clay.Moreover,the increase in strength reached 8.53 times in specimens treated with guar gum.Besides,increasing water content caused more ductile behavior,thus increasing the axial deformation.

An artificial neural network approach for prediction of long-term strength properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete containing fly ash

In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model for studying the strength properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) containing fly ash was devised. The mixtures were prepared with 0 wt%, 15 wt%, and 30 wt% of fly ash, at 0 vol.%, 0.5 vol.%, 1.0 vol.% and 1.5 vol.% of fiber, respectively. After being cured under the standard conditions for 7, 28, 90 and 365 d, the specimens of each mixture were tested to determine the corresponding compressive and flexural strengths. The pa- rameters such as the amounts of cement, fly ash replacement, sand, gravel, steel fiber, and the age of samples were selected as input variables, while the compressive and flexural strengths of the concrete were chosen as the output variables. The back propagation learning algorithm with three different variants, namely the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM), scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) and Fletcher-Powell conjugate gradient (CGF) algorithms were used in the network so that the best approach can be found. The results obtained from the model and the experiments were compared, and it was found that the suitable algorithm is the LM algorithm. Furthermore, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method was used to determine how importantly the experimental parameters affect the strength of these mixtures.

Influence of structural factors on the strength properties of aluminum alloys under shock wave loading

The results of measurements of the strength characteristics-Hugoniot elastic limit and spall strength of aluminum and aluminum alloys in different structural states under shock wave loading are presented.Single-crystals and polycrystalline technical grade aluminumА1013 and aluminum alloysА2024,АА6063Т6,А1421,A7,А7075,А3003,A5083,АА1070 in the initial coarse-grained state and ultrafine-grained or nanocrystalline structural state were investigated.The refinement of the grain structure was carried out by different methods of severe plastic deformation such as Equal Chanel Angular Pressing,Dynamic Channel Angular Pressing,High-Pressure Torsion and Accumulative Roll-Bonding.The strength characteristics of shock-loaded samples in different structural states were obtained from the analysis of the evolution of the free surface velocity histories recorded by means of laser Doppler velocimeter VISAR.The strain rates before spall fracture of the samples were in the range of 10^(4)-10^(5 )s^(-1),the maximum pressure of shock compression did not exceed 7 GPa.The results of these studies clearly demonstrate the influence of structural factors on the resistance to high-rate deformation and dynamic fracture,and it is much less than under the static and quasi-static loading.

Strength properties examination of high zinc aluminium alloys inoculated with Ti addition

This paper includes studies on the influence of grain refinement treatment with respect to the composition and structure of high zinc aluminium casting alloys on the changes of their tensile properties. The Al-20 wt.%Zn alloy was inoculated with master alloys Al Ti5B1 and Al Ti3C0.15 to determine the impact of a variable titanium addition on the tensile properties of Al Zn20 alloy, and determine on this basis an optimal addition of Ti that would ensure the improvement of elongation of alloys cast in the sand mould, at the same time maintaining high tensile strength. Within the studies, light microscopy(LM) and strength tests were applied. Experimental results showed that the inoculation of high zinc aluminium alloy Al Zn20 with the master alloys Al Ti5B1 and Al Ti3C0.15 causes intensive structure refinement, while the intensity of reaction of both master alloys is comparable. The Al Ti3C0.15 master alloy addition, selected for further studies, introducing about 100 ppm Ti, enhances the tensile properties of the alloy; the elongation increases about 20% and tensile strength increases about 10% against the initial values(uninoculated alloy). Further increase of the Ti addition up to 500–600 ppm leads to the "overinoculation" effect that is accompanied by the decrease of elongation. Therefore,the Ti addition should be reduced to the level of about 100 ppm which ensures obtaining a set of optimal properties.

Improved Breakdown Strength in(Ba_(0.6)Sr_(0.4))_(0.85)Bi_(0.1)TiO_3 Ceramics with Addition of CaZrO_3 for Energy Storage Application

（Ba（0.6） Sr（0.4））（0.85） Bi（0.1） TiO3 ceramics doped with x wt%CaZrO3（x= 0-10） were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The effects of CaZrO3 amount on the dielectric properties and structure of（Ba（0.6）Sr（0.4））（0.85） Bi（0.1） TiO3 ceramics were investigated. X-ray diffraction results indicated a pure cubic perovskite structure for all samples and that the lattice parameter increased till x=5 and then slightly decreased. A homogenous microstructure was observed with the addition of CaZrO3. Dielectric measurements revealed a relaxor-like characteristic for all samples and that the diffusivity γ reached the maximum value of 1.78 at x=5. With the addition of CaZrO3, the dielectric constant dependence on electric field was weakened, insulation resistivity enhanced and dielectric breakdown strength improved obviously and reached 19.9 k V/mm at x=7.5. In virtue of low dielectric loss（tan d〈0.001 5）, moderate dielectric constant（er 〉1 500） and high breakdown strength（Eb 〉17.5 k V/mm）, the CaZrO3 doped（Ba（0.6）Sr（0.4））0.85 Bi（0.1） TiO3 ceramic is a potential candidate material for high power electric applications.

Selection of regression models for predicting strength and deformability properties of rocks using GA

Recently,many regression models have been presented for prediction of mechanical parameters of rocks regarding to rock index properties.Although statistical analysis is a common method for developing regression models,but still selection of suitable transformation of the independent variables in a regression model is diffcult.In this paper,a genetic algorithm(GA)has been employed as a heuristic search method for selection of best transformation of the independent variables(some index properties of rocks)in regression models for prediction of uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)and modulus of elasticity(E).Firstly,multiple linear regression(MLR)analysis was performed on a data set to establish predictive models.Then,two GA models were developed in which root mean squared error(RMSE)was defned as ftness function.Results have shown that GA models are more precise than MLR models and are able to explain the relation between the intrinsic strength/elasticity properties and index properties of rocks by simple formulation and accepted accuracy.

Ideal Strengths and Bonding Properties of UO2 under Tension

By performing density functional theory plus U calculations, we systematically study the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of U02 under uniaxial tensile strain. The results show that the ideal tensile strengths along the [100], [110], and [111] directions are 93.6, 2Z7, and 16.4 GPa at strains of 0.44, 0.24, and 0.16, respectively. After electronic-structure investigation for tensile stain along the [001] direction, we find that the strong mixed ionic/covalent character of U-O bond is weakened by the tensile strain and there will occur an insulator to metal transition at strain over 0.30.

An Average Failure Index Method for the Tensile Strength Prediction of Composite Adhesive-bonded π Joints

An average failure index method based on accurate FEA was proposed for the tensile strength prediction of composite out-of-plane adhesive-bonded π joints. Based on the simple and independent maximum stress failure criterion, the failure index was introduced to characterize the degree of stress components close to their corresponding material strength. With a brief load transfer analysis, the weak fillers were prominent and further detailed discussion was performed. The maximum value among the average failure indices which were related with different stress components was filtrated to represent the failure strength of the critical surface, which is either the two curved upside surfaces or the bottom plane of the fillers for composite π joints. The tensile strength of three kinds of π joints with different material systems, configurations and lay-ups was predicted by the proposed method and corresponding experiments were conducted. Good agreements between the numerical and experimental results give evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed method. In contrast to the existed time-consuming strength prediction methods, the proposed method provides a capability of quickly assessing the failure of complex out-of-plane joints and is easy and convenient to be widely utilized in engineering.

Mechanical properties and energy mechanism of saturated sandstones

The effects of saturation on post-peak mechanical properties and energy features are main focal points for sandstones. To obtain these important attributes, post-peak cyclic loading and unloading tests were conducted on sandstone rock samples under natural and saturated states using the RMT-150B rock mechanics testing system. After successful processing of these tests, comparisons of stress-strain, strength, deformation, damage, and degradation of mechanical properties, wave velocity, and energy features of sandstone were conducted between natural and saturated states. The results show that saturation has evident weakening effects on uniaxial cyclic loading and unloading strength and elastic modulus of post-peak fracture sandstone. With the increase of post-peak loading and unloading period, the increases in amplitude of peak axial, lateral, and volumetric strains are all enhanced at approximately constant speed under the natural state. The increase in amplitude of axial peak strain is also enhanced at approximately constant speed, while the amplitudes of lateral and volumetric peak strains increase significantly under the saturated state. Compared with the natural state, the increase in amplitude of saturated samples＇ peak lateral and volumetric strains, and the post-peak cyclic loading and unloading period all conform to the linearly increasing relationship. Under natural and saturated states, the damage factor （the plastic shear strain） of each rock sample gradually increases with the increase of post-peak cyclic loading and unloading period, and the crack damage stress of each rock sample declines rapidly at first and tends to reach a constant value later with the increase in plastic shear strain. Under natural and saturated states, the wave velocities of rock samples all decrease in the process of post-peak cyclic loading and unloading with the increase in plastic shear strain. The wave velocities of rock samples and plastic shear strain conform to the exponential relationship with a constant. Saturation reduces the total absorption energy, dissipated energy, and elastic strain energy of rock samples.

Mechanical properties and failure characteristics of fractured sandstone with grouting and anchorage

Based on uniaxial compression experimental results on fractured sandstone with grouting and anchorage, we studied the strength and deformation properties, the failure model, crack formation and evolution laws of fractured sandstone under different conditions of anchorage. The experimental results show that the strength and elastic modulus of fractured sandstone with different fracture angles are significantly lower than those of intact sandstone. Compared with the fractured samples without anchorage,the peak strength, residual strength, peak and ultimate axial strain of fractured sandstone under different anchorage increase by 64.5–320.0%, 62.8–493.0%, and 31.6–181.4%, respectively. The number of bolts and degree of pre-stress has certain effects on the peak strength and failure model of fractured sandstone. The peak strength of fractured sandstone under different anchorage increases to some extent, and the failure model of fractured sandstone also transforms from tensile failure to tensile–shear mixed failure with the number of bolts. The pre-stress can restrain the formation and evolution process of tensile cracks, delay the failure process of fractured sandstone under anchorage and impel the transformation of failure model from brittle failure to plastic failure.

Potential of utilization of the residues from poplar plantation for particleboard production in Iran

The composite board industry in Iran is obliged to use residues from forest operation as well as wood industry for competing with paper industry because of shortage of wood. In the present study we investigated the residues from poplar plantation used for particleboard production. Three kinds of wood materials, poplar branches, small di- ameter poplar wood （3-8 cm） and beech wood, were used in the experiment of particleboard production. The results demonstrated that the characteristic of particleboard made from poplar branches and small diameter wood is comparable to that made from mature beech wood. To avoid too much residual acid in the final board, the properties of boards produced with 1.5% hardener at 175℃ press temperature are acceptable, although the properties of particleboard produced with 2% hardener were higher than were higher than that of the board produced with lower hardener （1% or 1.5%）.. The MOR, MOE and IB of particleboard made from branches were measured as 14.57, 2015, and 1.32 MPa, respectively, while The MOR, MOE and IB of particleboard produced from small diameter poplar wood were 19.90, 2199, and 1.86 MPa, respectively. The thickness swelling of boards made from branches after 2 and 24 h im- mersion in water was 20.14% and 31.26%. The utilization of branches and very small diameter wood of poplar is recommended for the survival and developments of particleboard industry in Iran.

Durability characteristics of cement-bonded particleboards manufactured from maize stalk residue

Cement-bonded particleboards of 6 mm in thickness were manufactured using maize stalk （Zea mays） particles of uniform sizes at three levels of board density and additive concentrations respectively. The bending strength and dimensional properties were assessed. Increase in board density and additive concentration caused increase in Modulus of rupture （MOR）, Modulus of elasticity （MOE）, and decrease in Thickness swelling （TS） and Water absorption （WA）. The MOR, MOE and TS of the boards were significantly affected by board density except for WA, but additive concentration affected all the boards＇ properties examined at p ≥ 0.05. Strong and dimensional stable cement-bonded boards could be manufactured from maize stalk particles with Portland cement as the binder after hot water treatment. Although the dimensional stability and mechanical strength properties of the boards were affected by the board density and additive concentration, the study revealed that cement-bonded particleboards could be manufactured from maize stalk （Zea mays） particles. However, the increase in board density and additive concentration could cause the increase in MOR and MOE, and cause the decrease in TS and WA of boards.

Tin-based metal bath heat treatment: an efficient and recyclable green approach for Pinus massoniana wood modification

Pinus massoniana L. was thermally treated with low melting point alloy as heating medium to investigate the strength properties changes. Contact angle, color and scanning electron microscopy were recorded to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Samples were pre-treated in a micro-wave for 5 min followed by metal bath heat treatment at 150, 180, and 210 °C for 2, 4, and 8 h,respectively. Strength properties of metal bath treated wood were decreased with increase temperature and time.Density, modulus of rupture, impact bending, modulus of elasticity were reduced for all treatments. Maximum compressive strength slightly increased at 150 °C for 4 h followed by gradual reduction. The Janka hardness was reduced in the tangential and radial directions. Treatment of the wood at 210 °C for 8 h caused the wood to become brittle and rupture. The contact angle was considerably higher after thermal treatment. The color of the wood became darker with increasing temperature of thermal treatment. Micrographs of the heat-treated samples showed damage to the cell wall with increase in temperature. Metal bath heat treatment of wood was carried out successfully and some strength properties were reduced.

Influence of fines content on the anti-frost properties of coarse-grained soil

This paper aims to determine the optimal fines content of coarse-grained soil required to simultaneously achieve weaker frost susceptibility and better bearing capacity. We studied the frost susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil by means of frost heaving tests and static triaxial tests, and the results are as follows： （1） the freezing temperature of coarse-grained soil decreased gradually and then leveled off with incremental increases in the percent content of fines; （2） the fines content proved to be an important factor influencing the frost heave susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil. With incremental increases in the percent content of fines, the frost heave ratio increased gradually and the cohesion function of fines effectively enhanced the shear strength of coarse-grained soil before freeze-thaw, but the frost susceptibility of fines weakened the shear strength of coarse-grained soil after freeze-thaw; （3） with increasing numbers of freeze-thaw cycles, the shear strength of coarse-grained soil decreased and then stabilized after the ninth freeze-thaw cycle, and therefore the mechanical indexes of the ninth freeze-thaw cycle are recommended for the engi- neering design values; and （4） considering frost susceptibility and strength properties as a whole, the optimal fines content of 5% is recommended for railway sub,fade coarse-~rained soil fillings in frozen re^ions.

Rock slope stability evaluation in static and seismic conditions for left bank of Jinsha River Bridge along Lijiang-Xamgyi'nyilha railway, China

Jinsha River Bridge is located along the Lijiang-Xamgyi＇nyilha railway on the southeastern Tibet plateau; it is an area with a high prevalence of earthquakes. The bridge abutments were designed to be constructed in river bank slopes, where rocks are controlled by two sets of joint planes that significantly influence the stability of the left bank slope. According to the engineering-geological conditions and the characteristics of discontinuities, strength properties of the rock mass were obtained based on Barton model and direct shear test. Numerical analyses were performed using FLAC3D software to examine the slope＇s response to seismic loading. Then in order to evaluate the damage trends of the rock mass under the different loading conditions, a calculation model based on the geological parameters and slope stability was simulated and analyzed using the discrete element numerical simulation program UDEC （Universal Dis- tinct Element Code）, and the effect of degradation of discontinuities on the slope stability was investigated. The results show that the destruction of rock mass under the gravity, bridge foundation, and seismic load are mainly concentrated within 30 m depth of slope, and the slope under loading may slide along joint planes. In addition, the dynamic analysis by amplification of the input loading indicates that instability occurs to the bank slope at a height of about 200 m, and rock blocks will fail under seismic load. Therefore, to prevent the slope from deformation under the engineering loading and strong earthquakes, the bridge foundation should be strengthened.

Mechanical properties of cement mortar in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions

To investigate the mechanical properties of cement mortar in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions, uniaxial compression test and ultrasonic test were performed. Test results show that the relative dynamic elastic modulus, the mass variation,and the compressive strength of cement mortar increase first, and then decrease with increasing erosion time in sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions. The relative dynamic elastic moduli and the compressive strengths of cement mortars with water/cement ratios of 0.55 and 0.65 in sodium sulfate solution are lower than those in sodium chloride solution with the same concentration at the420 th day of immersion. The compressive strength of cement mortar with water/cement ratio of 0.65 is more sensitive to strain rate than that with water/cement ratio of 0.55. In addition, the strain-rate sensitivity of compressive strength of cement mortar will increase under attacks of sodium sulfate or sodium chloride solution.

Hydraulic properties of dune sand-bentonite mixtures of insulation barriers for hazardous waste facilities

The material and elastic properties of rocks are utilized for predicting and evaluating hard rock brittleness using artificial neural networks（ANN）. Herein hard rock brittleness is defined using Yagiz＇method. A predictive model is developed using a comprehensive database compiled from 30 years＇ worth of rock tests at the Earth Mechanics Institute（EMI）, Colorado School of Mines. The model is sensitive to density, elastic properties, and P- and S-wave velocities. The results show that the model is a better predictor of rock brittleness than conventional destructive strength-test based models and multiple regression techniques. While the findings have direct implications on intact rock, the methodology can be extrapolated to rock mass problems in both tunneling and underground mining where rock brittleness is an important control.

Influence of the gassing materials on the dielectric properties of air

Influence of the gassing materials, such as PA6, PMMA, and POM on the dielectric properties of air are investigated. In this work, the fundamental electron collision cross section data were carefully selected and validated. Then the species compositions of the air–organic vapor mixtures were calculated based on the Gibbs free energy minimization. Finally, the Townsend ionization coefficient, the Townsend electron attachment coefficient and the critical reduced electric field strength were derived from the calculated electron energy distribution function by solving the Boltzmann transport equation. The calculation results indicated that H;O with large attachment cross sections has a great impact on the critical reduced electric field strength of the air–organic vapor mixtures. On the other hand, the vaporization of gassing materials can help to increase the dielectric properties of air circuit breakers to some degree.

Plate reinforced square hollow section X-joints subjected to in-plane moment

The static test of 13 square hollow section(SHS) X-joints with different β and different types of plate reinforcement under in-plane moment in brace was carried out. Experimental test schemes, failure modes of specimens, moment-vertical displacement curves, moment-deformation of the chord, and strain strength distribution curves were presented. The effect of β and plate reinforcement types on in-plane flexural property of SHS X-joints was studied. Results show that punching shear of chord face disappears, brace material fracture appears and concave and convex deformation of chord decrease when either collar plates or doubler plates were welded on chord face. Moment-vertical displacement curves of all specimens have obvious elastic, elastic-plastic and plastic stages. As β increases, the in-plane flexural ultimate capacity and initial stiffness of joints of the same plate reinforcement type increase, but ductility of joints decreases. With the same β, the in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of doubler plate reinforced joints, collar plate reinforced joints, and unreinforced joints decrease progressively. Thickness of reinforcement plate has no obvious effect on in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of joints. As thickness of reinforcement plate increases, the ductility of reinforced X-joints decreases. The concave and convex deformation of every specimen has good symmetry;as β increases, the yield and ultimate deformation of chord decrease.