Search results for "Building"

A simple interpretation of the effect of the polymer type on the properties of PMBs for road paving applications

2018

Abstract The paper presents the results of the rheological characterisation of polymer-modified bitumen for paving applications. In order to find a simple interpretation of the influence of polymer type on the blends produced, in this study high density and low density polyethylene (PE) with different chemical properties were used, as well as ethylene-vinyl acetate. The chemical characteristics of the base bitumen and the polymers used were determined by means of SARA analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, FTIR, respectively. The morphology of the produced blends was investigated by means of fluorescent light optic microscopy, while the mechanical properties were investigated…

2019

In this study, the structural behavior of small-scale wood beams externally strengthened with various fiber strengthened polymer (FRP) composites (i.e., flax FRP (FFRP), basalt FRP (BFRP), E-glass FRP (“E” stands for electrical resistance, GFRP) and their hybrid FRP composites (HFRP) with different fiber configurations) were investigated. FRP strengthened wood specimens were tested under bending and the effects of different fiber materials, thicknesses and the layer arrangements of the FRP on the flexural behavior of strengthened wood beams were discussed. The beams strengthened with flax FRP showed a higher flexural loading capacity in comparison to the beams with basalt FRP. Flax FRP prov…

Atomistic modeling of crystal structure of Ca1.67SiHx

2015

The atomic structure of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-1.67-S-H-x) has been investigated by theoretical methods in order to establish a better insight into its structure. Three models for C-S-H all derived from tobermorite are proposed and a large number of structures were created within each model by making a random distribution of silica oligomers of different size within each structure. These structures were subjected to structural relaxation by geometry optimization and molecular dynamics steps. That resulted in a set of energies within each model. Despite an energy distribution between individual structures within each model, significant energy differences are observed between the three m…

The Suitability of Chemically and Thermally Activated Quaternary Clays of Latvia as Raw Material for Geopolymer Binders

2013

It is now accepted that new binders are needed to replace Portland cement (PC) for enhanced environmental and durability performance. The urge to reduce emissions of carbon and the fact that PC structures having built a few decades ago are already facing disintegration problems points out the handicaps of PC binders. Research works carried out in developing of alkali-activated binders show that this new type of  binder could have a huge potential to become as alternative building material. Latvian Quaternary clays were studied from the point of view of the national economy, analysing the physical properties and chemical composition of those sediments in connection with the possibilities of …

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…

Investigation on Application of Basalt Materials as Reinforcement for Flexural Elements of Concrete Bridges

2015

Basalt polymers are rather new materials for civil engineering; therefore, identification of peculiarities and limitations of application of such polymers in concrete structures (particularly bridges) is of vital importance. This paper experimentally investigates deformation behaviour and cracking of flexural elements, which are predominant parameters governing serviceability of the bridges. Unlike a common practice, the present study is not limited by the analysis of concrete beams reinforced with the polymer bars; it also considers effectiveness of basalt fibre reinforced polymer sheets for repairing the beams. The analysis has revealed that a combination of the high strength and elastici…

Active Translucent Envelopes in Warm and Hot Areas – An innovative multifunctional, dry-assembled components for BIPV

2014

International directives that regulates buildings energy efficiency and environmental sustainability establish strict parameters for the construction of a new generation of “Zero Energy Buildings” indicating transmittance limits for building envelope components and encouraging the use of renewable sources. In this sense, the PV sector aims at the definition of novel efficient solutions for the integration in the building envelope, standing out for their multifunctional features. After an overview on the main PV technologies and building integrated applications, focusing on semi-transparent envelope solutions, the paper shows the results of a research carried out at the Department of Archite…

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…