Search results for "2010"
showing 10 items of 449 documents
Heavy Metals in Mollusc Shells: A Quick Method for their Detection
2015
It is known for a long time that calcified tissues secreted by aquatic or terrestrial invertebrates – such as mollusc shells – have the ability to concentrate large amounts of pollutants, in particular heavy metals. In the present paper, we have found an extremely rapid and easy procedure to qualitatively detect the putative presence of heavy metals in shells, without having to use sophisticated techniques such as Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy, atomic adsorption spectroscopy or ICP-MS. Our method rests on the capacity of the silver enhancement chemicals that are traditionally used in immunogold localization experiments to increase the size of heavy metal nanoparticles, whatever the che…
Salt extraction from lime-based mortars: An experimental study using different poultice formulations
2020
Abstract The extractive capability of soluble salts in poultices treatments currently used in mortar conservation (ArbocelTM plus sepiolite; ArbocelTM, sepiolite and sand; Westox-Cocoon®) were tested to evaluate their efficiency and compatibility with specific mortar substrate. The pore size distribution of the experimental mortar substrate and of the blank dried poultices were preliminarily accomplished by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Desalination tests were carried out on specifically-formulated mortars after capillary absorption of Na2SO4 0.3 M solution. The efficiency of salt extraction was measured by means of electrical conductivity meter and ion chromatography. Among the test…
Analysis-oriented stress–strain model of CRFP-confined circular concrete columns with applied preload
2018
The compressive behavior of FRP-confined concrete is a current issue in the field of structural retrofitting. The available models well predict the stress–strain behavior under monotonic and cyclic loads. However, in the practical applications, columns that need an increasing of bearing capacity are often strengthened under serviceability load conditions, with a stress and strain state that could change the response of the reinforced systems with respect to the case of the unloaded state. In this paper, the compressive behavior of circular FRP-confined concrete columns with preload is analyzed with the introduction of a modified analysis-oriented model. Differently from the classical formul…
Analytical prediction of the shear connection capacity in composite steel–concrete trussed beams
2016
Steel–concrete trussed composite beams are a particular types of composite girders constituted by a steel truss embedded in a concrete core. The truss is typically composed by a steel plate or a precast concrete slab working as bottom chord while coupled rebars are generally used to form the upper chord. Moreover, a system of ribbed or smooth steel rebars welded to the plate and forming the diagonals of the truss, works as web reinforcement. In the present study, the attention is focused on the evaluation of the shear resistance of the connection between bottom steel plate (the bottom chord) and concrete core through the diagonal bars of the truss developing a mechanical model able to accou…
Engineering failure analysis of corroded R.C. beams in flexure and shear
2018
Abstract In the present paper, a simple model to reproduce the load-deflection response of corroded beams failing in flexure and shear is presented and discussed. Effects of diffused and pitting corrosion on steel bars, compressive concrete strength degradation and concrete bond strength degradation due to rust formation are included in the model. Engineering approach based on limit state theory was here adopted to predict the peak and the residual flexural and shear strength of corroded beams with corresponding deflections and ductility estimation. Calculation of deflection at cracking taking into account of rust formation and deflection at yielding and the ultimate state taking into accou…
The influence of steel fibres on compressive and tensile strength of ultra high performance concrete : A review
2020
Abstract This review paper presents the effects of steel fibre reinforcement regarding the compressive and tensile strength of UHPC. The intention is to give an overview of the research field and supply guidance for future research. Relevant papers were identified through a systematic literature search. An accumulation of the results shows that fibres have potential for improving the tensile strength of UHPC. The effect depends on fibre content, type and hybrid combinations. The effect of fibres on compressive strength seems to be questionable. Variations in test specimen geometry and other factors might also influence the results.
On the hydro-mechanical behaviour of a lime-treated embankment during wetting and drying cycles
2018
Abstract The paper presents some experimental results obtained on samples extracted from a full-scale embankment obtained by compacting a lime-treated clayey soil. A comprehensive test programme was carried out in order to highlight the improvement of mechanical behaviour induced by lime treatment as well as to assess the durability of the improved material, which may be affected by severe seasonal wetting and drying cycles. Direct shear tests, triaxial compression tests, swelling potential measurement and oedometric tests were performed on samples cured in controlled environmental conditions for at least 18 months. Wetting and drying cycles were applied in a very wide range of suction valu…
Effects of Laboratory Aging on Properties of Biorejuvenated Asphalt Binders
2017
This paper presents the results from a laboratory investigation on the effects of aging on the properties of two binders recovered from two different sources of Reclaimed Asphalt (RA) and additivated with a biorejuvenator derived from pine trees. It has been already proven that the rejuvenators are able to restore some of the properties of the aged binder present in the RA, but nowadays their effects into the long-term period are not well known. In this regard, the rejuvenated asphalt binders and a virgin binder, defined as a target, have been aged artificially to simulate short-and long-term aging. All binders have been studied conducting physical, chemical, rheological, and performance-re…
Experimental Investigation on the Compressive Behaviour of Clay Brick Masonry Columns Confined by BFRP or Steel Wires
2016
This paper presents the results of an experimental research aiming to investigate on the compressive behavior of full size clay brick masonry columns reinforced with Basalt Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (BFRCM) or with steel wires collaring. Uniaxial compressive tests were performed on eight retrofitted columns and four control specimens. Two masonry strength were considered by varying the mortar grade. Results are presented and discussed in terms of axial stress-strain relationships, failure modes and crack patterns of the specimens tested up to failure. For the limit of investigated variables, comparisons with unreinforced specimens show the ability of these alternative techniques …
Influence of bio-based additives on RAP clustering and asphalt binder rheology
2017
The use of high Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) content in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) allows developing innovative materials for the construction and/or rehabilitation of sustainable infrastructures. The chemo-physical phenomena occurring during production of HMA containing high RAP content should be investigated and considered for the mix design optimization. In fact, when additives are used as rejuvenators of the aged bitumen, these phenomena can be affected causing significant variations in the mixture characteristics. This paper aims at studying the influence of two bio-based additives specifically on RAP clustering, phenomena which can significantly affect the performance of high-content R…