Effects of the Water-Cement Ratio and the Molding Temperature on the Hydration Heat of Cement

The effects of the water-cement ratio and the molding temperature on the hydration heat of cement were investigated with semi-adiabatic calorimetry.The specimens were prepared with water-cement ratios of 0.31,0.38,and 0.45,and the molding temperature was specified at 10 and 20℃.The experimental results show that,as the water-binder ratio increases,the value of the second temperature peak on the temperature curve of the cement paste decreases,and the age at which the peak appears is delayed.The higher the water-cement ratio,the higher the hydration heat release in the early period of cement hydration,but this trend reverses in the late period.There are intersection points of the total hydration heat curve of the cement pastes under the influence of the water-cement ratio,and this law can be observed at both molding temperatures.With the increase in the molding temperature,the age of the second temperature peak on the temperature curve of the cement paste will advance,but the temperature peak will decrease.The higher the molding temperature,the earlier the acceleration period of the cement hydration began,and the larger the hydration heat of the cement in the early stage,but the smaller the total heat in the late period.A subsection function calculation model of the hydration heat,which was based on the existing models,was proposed in order to predict the heat of the hydration of the concrete.

Simulation of Cement Hydration and Porous Structures by the Hydration-Pixel Probability Model

This research proposes a new pixel-based model called the hydration-pixel probability model which aims to simplify cement hydration as a probability problem.The hydration capacity of cement,the solution within pores,and the difiusion of solid particles are represented by three probability functions derived from experimental data obtained through electrical resistivity and hydration heat measurements.The principle of the model is relatively simple,and the parameters have clear physical meanings.In this research,the porous structures of difierent cement pastes with w/c ratios of 0.3,0.4,and 0.5 are investigated.The results indicate that the porosity of the cement paste decreases during the first few hours,followed by a rapid decline,and eventually reaches a steady state.The porosity of the paste decreases as w/c ratio decreases,and the rate of decrease is more rapid in the early stages.Referring to the porosity curves,the average degree of hydration and depth of hydration can be derived.The simulation results show that the hydration degree of paste composed of irregular particles is higher than that of the paste composed of round particles.The trend in the development of the average hydration depth is similar to that of the average hydration degree.Upon analyzing the average growth rate of the hydration depth,it is observed that there are two peaks in the curves,which correspond to the three characteristic points in the electrical resistivity test.

A Model for Temperature Infl uence on Concrete Hydration Exothermic Rate (Part one: Theory and Experiment)

Recent achievements in concrete hydration exothermic models based on Arrhenius equation have improved computation accuracy for mass concrete temperature field. But the properties of the activation energy and the gas constant （Ea/R） have not been well studied yet. From the latest experiments it is shown that Ea/R obviously changes with the hydration degree without fixed form. In this paper, the relationship between hydration degree and Ea/R is studied and a new hydration exothermic model is proposed. With those achievements, the mass concrete temperature field with arbitrary boundary condition can be calculated more precisely.

Towards a semi-empirical model of the sea ice thickness based on hyperspectral remote sensing in the Bohai Sea

Sea ice thickness is one of the most important input parameters for the prevention and mitigation of sea ice disasters and the prediction of local sea environments and climates. Estimating the sea ice thickness is currently the most important issue in the study of sea ice remote sensing. With the Bohai Sea as the study area, a semiempirical model of the sea ice thickness（SEMSIT） that can be used to estimate the thickness of first-year ice based on existing water depth estimation models and hyperspectral remote sensing data according to an optical radiative transfer process in sea ice is proposed. In the model, the absorption and scattering properties of sea ice in different bands（spectral dimension information） are utilized. An integrated attenuation coefficient at the pixel level is estimated using the height of the reflectance peak at 1 088 nm. In addition, the surface reflectance of sea ice at the pixel level is estimated using the 1 550–1 750 nm band reflectance. The model is used to estimate the sea ice thickness with Hyperion images. The first validation results suggest that the proposed model and parameterization scheme can effectively reduce the estimation error associated with the sea ice thickness that is caused by temporal and spatial heterogeneities in the integrated attenuation coefficient and sea ice surface. A practical semi-empirical model and parameterization scheme that may be feasible for the sea ice thickness estimation using hyperspectral remote sensing data are potentially provided.

Model Analysis of Initial Hydration and Strueture Forming of Portland Cement

The auto efficiently hydration heat arrangement and the non-contacting electrical resistivity device were used to test the therrnology effect and the resistivity variation of Portland cement hydration. The structure forming model of Portland cement initial hydration was established through the systematical experiments with different cements, the amount of mixing water and the chemical admixture. The experimental results show that, the structure forming model of cement could be divided into three stages, i e, solution-solution equilibrium period, structure forming period and structure stabilizing period. Along with the increase of mixing water, the time of inflexion appeared is in advance for thermal process of cement hydration and worsened for the structure forming process. Comparison with the control specimen, adding Na2SO4 makes the minimum critical point lower, the flattening period shorter and the growing slope after stage one steeper. So the hydration and structure forming process of Portland cement could be described more exactly by applying the thermal model and the structure-forming model.

Comparative Study among Different Semi-Empirical Models for Soil Salinity Prediction in an Arid Environment Using OLI Landsat-8 Data

Salt-affected soils, caused by natural or human activities, are a common environmental hazard in semi-arid and arid landscapes. Excess salts in soils affect plant growth and production, soil and water quality and, therefore, increase soil erosion and land degradation. This research investigates the performance of five different semi-empirical predictive models for soil salinity spatial distribution mapping in arid environment using OLI sensor image data. This is the first attempt to test remote sensing based semi-empirical salinity predictive models in this area: the Kingdom of Bahrain. To achieve our objectives, OLI data were standardized from the atmosphere interferences, the sensor radiometric drift, and the topographic and geometric distortions. Then, the five semi-empirical predictive models based on the Normalized Difference Salinity Index (NDSI), the Salinity Index-ASTER (SI-ASTER), the Salinity Index-1 (SI-1), the Soil Salinity and Sodicity Index-1 and Index-2 (SSSI-1 and SSSI-2), developed for slight and moderate salinity in agricultural land, were implemented and applied to OLI image data. For validation purposes, a fieldwork was organized and different important spots-locations representing different salinity levels were visited, photographed, and localized using an accurate GPS (σ ≤ ±30 cm). Based on this a priori knowledge of the soil salinity, six validation sites were selected to reflect non-saline, low, moderate, high and extreme salinity classes, descriptive statistics extracted from polygons and/or transects over these sites were used. The obtained results showed that the models based on NDSI, SI-1 and SI-ASTER all failed to detect salinity bounds for both extreme salinity (Sabkhah) and non-saline conditions. In Fact, NDSI and SI-ASTER gave respectively only 35% dS/m and 25% dS/m in extreme salinity validation site, while SI-1 and SI-ASTER indicated 38% dS/m and 39% dS/m in non-saline validation site. Therefore, these three models were deemed inadequate for the study site. However, both SSSI-1 and SSSI-2 allowed a detection of the previous salinity bounds and furthermore described similarly and correctly the urban-vegetation areas and the open-land areas. Their predicted EC is around 10% dS/m for non-saline urban soil, about 25% dS/m for low salinity urban-vegetation soil, approximately 30% to 75% dS/m, respectively, for moderate to high salinity soils. SSSI-2 based semi-empirical salinity models was able to differentiate the high salinity versus extreme salinity in areas where both exist and was very accurate to highlight the pure salt where SSSI-1 has reach saturation for both salinity classes. In conclusion, reliable salinity map was produced using the model based on SSSI-2 and OLI sensor data that allows a better characterization of the soil salinity problem in an Arid Environment.

A Simple Cement Hydration Model Considering the Influences ofWater-to-Cement Ratio and Mineral Composition

A simple hydration model is used here by taking the composition of the cement and the initial water: cementratio (w/c) into account explicitly. Its conceptual basis is a combination of the Avrami equation and Bentz’s modelbased on simple spatial considerations. In this model, the Avrami equation determines the initial reaction, andBentz’s model describes the following hydration stage. The model favors engineers for it relies on one experimentalparameter and has a reliable approximation in the practice.

Description of martensitic transformation kinetics in Fe-C-X(X = Ni,Cr,Mn,Si) system by a modified model

Controlling the content of athermal martensite and retained austenite is important to improving the mechanical properties of high-strength steels,but a mechanism for the accurate description of martensitic transformation during the cooling process must be addressed.At present,frequently used semi-empirical kinetics models suffer from huge errors at the beginning of transformation,and most of them fail to exhibit the sigmoidal shape characteristic of transformation curves.To describe the martensitic transformation process accurately,based on the Magee model,we introduced the changes in the nucleation activation energy of martensite with temperature,which led to the varying nucleation rates of this model during martensitic transformation.According to the calculation results,the relative error of the modified model for the martensitic transformation kinetics curves of Fe-C-X(X = Ni,Cr,Mn,Si) alloys reached 9.5% compared with those measured via the thermal expansion method.The relative error was approximately reduced by two-thirds compared with that of the Magee model.The incorporation of nucleation activation energy into the kinetics model contributes to the improvement of its precision.

Deformation Characteristics of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments

The safe and efficient development of natural gas hydrate requires a deep understanding of the deformation behaviors of reservoirs.In this study,a series of triaxial shearing tests are carried out to investigate the deformation properties of hydrate-bearing sediments.Variations of volumetric and lateral strains versus hydrate saturation are analyzed comprehensively.Results indicate that the sediments with high hydrate saturation show dilative behaviors,which lead to strain-softening characteristics during shearing.The volumetric strain curves have a tendency to transform gradually from dilatation to compression with the increase in effective confining pressure.An easy prediction model is proposed to describe the relationship between volumetric and axial strains.The model coefficientβis the key dominating factor for the shape of volumetric strain curves and can be determined by the hydrate saturation and stress state.Moreover,a modified model is established for the calculation of lateral strain.The corresponding determination method is provided for the easy estimation of model coefficients for medium sand sediments containing hydrate.This study provides a theoretical and experimental reference for deformation estimation in natural gas hydrate development.

Gas hydrate saturation from NGHP 02 LWD data in the Mahanadi Basin

During the Indian National Gas Hydrate Program(NGHP)Expedition 02,Logging-while-drilling(LWD)logs were acquired at three sites(NGHP-02-11,NGHP-02-12,and NGHP-02-13)across the Mahanadi Basin in area A.We applied rock physics theory to available sonic velocity logs to know the distribution of gas hydrate at site NGHP-02-11 and NGHP-02-13.Rock physics modeling using sonic velocity at well location shows that gas hydrate is distributed mainly within the depth intervals of 150-265 m and 100 -215 mbsf at site NGHP-02-11 and NGHP-02-13,respectively,with an average saturation of about 4%of the pore space and the maximum concentration of about 40%of the pore space at 250 m depth at site NGHP-02-11,and at site NGHP-02-13 an average saturation of about 2%of the pore space and the maximum concentration of about 20%of the pore space at 246 m depth,as gas hydrate is distributed mainly within 100-246 mbsf at this site.Saturation of gas hydrate estimated from the electrical resistivity method using density derived porosity and electrical resistivity logs from Archie's empirical formula shows high saturation compared to that from the sonic log.However,estimates of hydrate saturation based on sonic P-wave velocity may differ significantly from that based on resistivity,because gas and hydrate have higher resistivity than conductive pore fluid and sonic P-wave velocity shows strong effect on gas hydrate as a small amount of gas reduces the velocity significantly while increasing velocity due to the presence of hydrate.At site NGHP-02-11,gas hydrate saturation is in the range of 15%e30%,in two zones between 150-180 and 245-265 mbsf.Site NGHP-02-012 shows a gas hydrate saturation of 20%e30%in the zone between 100 and 207 mbsf.Site NGHP-02-13 shows a gas hydrate saturation up to 30%in the zone between 215 and 246 mbsf.Combined observations from rock physics modeling and Archie’s approximation show the gas hydrate concentrations are relatively low(<4%of the pore space)at the sites of the Mahanadi Basin in the turbidite channel system.

3D and 2D topographic correction to estimated geothermal gradient from the base of gas hydrate stability zone in the Andaman Forearc Basin

Methane gas hydrate related bottom-simulating reflectors(BSRs)are imaged based on the in-line and cross-line multi-channel seismic(MCS)data from the Andaman Forearc Basin.The depth of the BSR depends on pressure and temperature and pore water salinity.With these assumptions,the BSR depth can be used to estimate the geothermal gradient(GTG)based on the availability of in-situ temperature measurements.This calculation is done assuming a 1D conductive model based on available in-situ temperature measurement at site NGHP-01-17 in the study area.However,in the presence of seafloor topography,the conductive temperature field in the subsurface is affected by lateral refraction of heat,which focuses heat in topographic lows and away from topographic highs.The 1D estimate of GTG in the Andaman Forearc Basin has been validated by drilling results from the NGHP-01 expedition.2D analytic modeling to estimate the effects of topography is performed earlier along selected seismic profiles in the study area.The study extended to estimate the effect of topography in 3D using a numerical model.The corrected GTG data allow us to determine GTG values free of topographic effect.The difference between the estimated GTG and values corrected for the 3D topographic effect varies up to~5℃/km.These conclude that the topographic correction is relatively small compared to other uncertainties in the 1D model and that apparent GTG determined with the 1D model captures the major features,although the correction is needed prior to interpreting subtle features of the derived GTG maps.

An improved semi-empirical friction model for gas-liquid two-phase flow in horizontal and near horizontal pipes

Pressure drop and liquid hold-up are two very important fluid flow parameters in design and control of multiphase flow pipelines.Friction factors play an important role in the accurate calculation of pressure drop.Various empirical and semi-empirical closure relations exist in the literature to calculate the liquid-wall,gas-wall and interfacial friction in two-phase pipe flow.However most of them are empirical correlations found under special experimental conditions.In this paper by modification of a friction model available in the literature,an improved semiempirical model is proposed.The proposed model is incorporated in the two-fluid correlations under equilibrium conditions and solved.Pressure gradient and velocity profiles are validated against experimental data.Using the improved model,the pressure gradient deviation from experiments diminishes by about 3%;the no-slip condition at the interface is satisfied and the velocity profile is predicted in better agreement with the experimental data.

Adaptive semi-empirical model for non-contact atomic force microscopy

Non-contact atomic force microscope is a powerful tool to investigate the surface topography with atomic resolution.Here we propose a new approach to estimate the interaction between its tips and samples,which combines a semi-empirical model with density functional theory(DFT)calculations.The generated frequency shift images are consistent with the experiment for mapping organic molecules using CuCO,Cu,CuCl,and CuO_(x)tips.This approach achieves accuracy close to DFT calculation with much lower computational cost.

Simulation of a DI Diesel Engine Performance Fuelled on Biodiesel Using a Semi-Empirical 0D Model

Diesel engines have proven over the years important in terms of efficiency and fuel consumption to power generation ratio. Many research works show the potential of biodiesel as a substitute for conventional gasoil. Mainly, previous and recent researches have focused on experimental investigation of diesel engine performance fuelled by biodiesel. Researches on the mathematical description of diesel engine process running on biodiesel are scarce, and mostly about chemical and thermodynamic description of the combustion process of biodiesel rather than performance studies. This work describes a numerical investigation on the performance analysis of a diesel engine fuelled by palm oil biodiesel. The numerical investigation was made using a semi empirical 0D model based on Wiebe’s and Watson’s model which was implemented via the open access numerical calculation software Scilab. The model was validated first by comparing with experimental pressure and performance data of a one cylinder engine at rated speed and secondly by comparing with a six cylinders engine performance data at various crankshaft rotational speeds. Simulations were then made to analyze the engine performance when running on biodiesel. The calculations were made at constant combustion duration and constant coefficient of excess air. Results showed that the model matches the overall experimental data, such as the power output and peak cylinder pressure. The ignition delay was somehow underestimated by the model for the first experiment, which caused a slight gap on in cylinder pressure curve, whereas it predicted the average ignition delay fairly well for the second set of validation. The simulations of engine performance when running on biodiesel confirmed results obtained in previous experimental researches on biodiesel. The model will be further investigated for engine control when shifting to biodiesel fuel.

Salt-Affected Soil Mapping in an Arid Environment Using Semi-Empirical Model and Landsat-OLI Data

The aim of this research is to map the salt-affected soil in an arid environment using an advanced semi-empirical predictive model, Operational Land Imager (OLI) data, a digital elevation model (DEM), field soil sampling, and laboratory and statistical analyses. To achieve our objectives, the OLI data were atmospherically corrected, radiometric sensor drift was calibrated, and distortions of topography and geometry were corrected using a DEM. Then, the soil salinity map was derived using a semi-empirical predictive model based on the Soil Salinity and Sodicity Index-2 (SSSI-2). The vegetation cover map was extracted from the Transformed Difference Vegetation Index (TDVI). In addition, accurate DEM of 5-m pixels was used to derive topographic attributes (elevation and slope). Visual comparisons and statistical validation of the semi-empirical model using ground truth were undertaken in order to test its capability in an arid environment for moderate and strong salinity mapping. To accomplish this step, fieldwork was organized and 120 soil samples were collected with various degrees of salinity, including non-saline soil samples. Each one was automatically labeled using a digital camera and an accurate global positioning system (GPS) survey (σ ≤ ± 30 cm) connected in real time to the geographic information system (GIS) database. Subsequently, in the laboratory, the major exchangeable cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl- and SO42-), pH and the electrical conductivity (EC-Lab) were extracted from a saturated soil paste, as well as the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) being calculated. The EC-Lab, which is generally accepted as the most effective method for soil salinity quantification was used for statistical analysis and validation purposes. The obtained results demonstrated a very good conformity between the derived soil salinity map from OLI data and the ground truth, highlighting six major salinity classes: Extreme, very high, high, moderate, low and non-saline. The laboratory chemical analyses corroborate these results. Furthermore, the semi-empirical predictive model provides good global results in comparison to the ground truth and laboratory analysis (EC-Lab), with correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.97, an index of agreement (D) of 0.84 (p < 0.05), and low overall root mean square error (RMSE) of 11%. Moreover, we found that topographic attributes have a substantial impact on the spatial distribution of salinity. The areas at a relatively high altitude and with hard bedrock are less susceptible to salinity, while areas at a low altitude and slope (≤2%) composed of Quaternary soil are prone to it. In these low areas, the water table is very close to the surface (≤1 m), and the absence of an adequate drainage network contributes significantly to waterlogging. Consequently, the intrusion and emergence of seawater at the surface, coupled with high temperature and high evaporation rates, contribute extensively to the soil salinity in the study area.

A synthetic semi-empirical physical model of secondary electron yield of metals under E-beam irradiation

Calculations of secondary electron yield（SEY） by physical formula can hardly accord with experimental results precisely. Simplified descriptions of internal electron movements in the calculation and complex surface contamination states of real sample result in notable difference between simulations and experiments. In this paper, in order to calculate SEY of metal under complicated surface state accurately, we propose a synthetic semi-empirical physical model. The processes of excitation of internal secondary electron（SE） and movement toward surface can be simulated using this model.This model also takes into account the influences of incident angle and backscattering electrons as well as the surface gas contamination. In order to describe internal electronic states accurately, the penetration coefficient of incident electron is described as a function of material atom number. Directions of internal electrons are set to be uniform in each angle. The distribution of internal SEs is proposed by considering both the integration convergence and the cascade scattering process.In addition, according to the experiment data, relationship among desorption gas quantities, sample ultimate temperature and SEY is established. Comparing with experiment results, this synthetic semi-empirical physical model can describe the SEY of metal better than former formulas, especially in the aspect of surface contaminated states. The proposed synthetic semi-empirical physical model and presented results in this paper can be helpful for further studying SE emission, and offer an available method for estimating and taking advantage of SE emission accurately.

Improvement of Bare Soil Semi-Empirical Radar Backscattering Models (Oh and Dubois) with SAR Multi-Spectral Satellite Data (X-, C- and L-Bands)

The objective of this study is to improve the performance of semi-empirical radar backscatter models, which are mainly used in microwave remote sensing (Oh 1992, Oh 2004 and Dubois). The study is based on satellite and ground data collected on bare soil surfaces during the Multispectral Crop Monitoring experimental campaign of the CESBIO laboratory in 2010 over an agricultural region in southwestern France. The dataset covers a wide range of soil (viewing top soil moisture, surface roughness and texture) and satellite (at different frequencies: X-, C- and L-bands, and different incidence angles: 24.3° to 53.3°) configurations. The proposed methodology consists in identifying and correcting the residues of the models, depending on the surface properties (roughness, moisture, texture) and/or sensor characteristics (frequency, incidence angle). Finally, one model has been retained for each frequency domain. Results show that the enhancements of the models significantly increase the simulation performances. The coefficient of correlation increases of 23% in mean and the simulation errors (RMSE) are reduced to below 2 dB (at the X and C-bands) and to 1 dB at the L-band, compared to the initial models. At the X- and C-bands, the best performances of the modified models are provided by Dubois, whereas Oh 2004 is more suitable for the L-band (r is equal to 0.69, 0.65 and 0.85). Moreover, the modified models of Oh 1992 and 2004 and Dubois, developed in this study, offer a wider domain of validity than the initial formalism and increase the capabilities of retrieving the backscattering signal in view of applications of such approaches to stronglycontrasted agricultural surface states.

A coupled model of temperature and pressure based on hydration kinetics during well cementing in deep water

Considering the complicated interactions between temperature,pressure and hydration reaction of cement,a coupled model of temperature and pressure based on hydration kinetics during deep-water well cementing was established.The differential method was used to do the coupled numerical calculation,and the calculation results were compared with experimental and field data to verify the accuracy of the model.When the interactions between temperature,pressure and hydration reaction are considered,the calculation accuracy of the model proposed is within 5.6%,which can meet the engineering requirements.A series of numerical simulation was conducted to find out the variation pattern of temperature,pressure and hydration degree during the cement curing.The research results show that cement temperature increases dramatically as a result of the heat of cement hydration.With the development of cement gel strength,the pore pressure of cement slurry decreases gradually to even lower than the formation pressure,causing gas channeling;the transient temperature and pressure have an impact on the rate of cement hydration reaction,so cement slurry in the deeper part of wellbore has a higher rate of hydration rate as a result of the high temperature and pressure.For well cementing in deep water regions,the low temperature around seabed would slow the rate of cement hydration and thus prolong the cementing cycle.

Coupled effect of cement hydration and temperature on rheological properties of fresh cemented tailings backfill slurry

The fluidity of fresh cemented tailings backfill（CTB） slurry depends on its rheological properties. Hence, it is crucial to understand the rheology of fresh CTB slurry, which is related to the cement hydration progress and temperature evolution within CTB mixtures. For this reason, a numerical model was developed to predict the evolution of the rheological properties of fresh CTB slurry under the coupled effect of cement hydration and temperature. Experiments were conducted to investigate the rheological behaviours of the fresh CTB slurry. By comparing the simulated results with the experimental ones, the availability of this developed model was validated. Thereafter, the model was used to demonstrate the coupled effect of cement hydration and temperature on the evolution of fresh CTB slurry＇s rheological properties, under various conditions（initial CTB temperature, cement to tailings ratio, and water to cement ratio）. The obtained results are helpful to better understanding the rheology of CTB slurry.

Multicomponent seismic forward modeling of gas hydrates beneath the seafloor

We investigated the effect of microscopic distribution modes of hydrates in porous sediments, and the saturation of hydrates and free gas on the elastic properties of saturated sediments. We simulated the propagation of seismic waves in gas hydrate-bearing sediments beneath the seafloor, and obtained the common receiver gathers of compressional waves（P-waves） and shear waves（S-waves）. The numerical results suggest that the interface between sediments containing gas hydrates and free gas produces a large-amplitude bottomsimulating reflector. The analysis of multicomponent common receiver data suggests that ocean-bottom seismometers receive the converted waves of upgoing P- and S-waves, which increases the complexity of the wavefield record.