Masonry is a layered composite consisting of mortar and the masonry unit. Perfect bond between the masonry unit and the mortar is essential for the masonry to perform as one single entity in order to resist the stresses due to various loading conditions. Nature of stresses developed in the masonry unit and the mortar and the failure pattern of masonry subjected to compression greatly depends upon the relative stiffness of the masonry unit and the mortar. The thesis is focused on (a) some issues pertaining to masonry unit – mortar bond strength and its influence on masonry compressive strength, and (b) developing a finite element (FE) model to predict the compressive strength of masonry. Importance of masonry bond strength and masonry behaviour is highlighted in chapter 1. Characteristics of masonry units and mortars used in the investigations are presented in Chapter 2. Two types of soil-cement blocks with widely varying strength and elastic properties and cement-lime mortars of two different proportions were used in the investigations. Results of stress-strain relationships and other characteristics were determined for the blocks as well as for mortars. Block-mortar combinations were selected to have block modulus to mortar modulus ratio of <1.0, ~1.0 and >1.0. Different artificial methods of enhancing the shear bond strength of masonry couplets have been discussed in chapter 3. Shear bond strength of the masonry couplets was determined through a modified direct shear box test apparatus. Without altering the block and mortar properties, bond strength values for three block-mortar combinations were generated through experiments. Effect of pre-compression on shear bond strength has also been examined for certain block-mortar combinations. Considering five different bond strength values and three block-mortar combinations, compressive strength and stress-strain characteristics of masonry was obtained through the tests on masonry prisms. A detailed discussion on influence of shear bond strength on masonry compressive strength is presented. Major conclusions of the investigation are: (a) without altering the block and mortar characteristics shear bond strength can be enhanced considerably through the manipulation of surface texture and surface coatings, (b) masonry compressive strength increases linearly as the shear bond strength increases only for the combination of masonry unit modulus less than that of mortar modulus, (c) masonry compressive strength is not sensitive to bond strength variation when the modulus of masonry unit is larger than that of the mortar. Chapter 4 is dedicated to the development of a 3D FE model to predict the masonry compressive strength. Literature review of empirical methods/formulae and some failure theories developed to predict masonry strength are presented. Existing FE models for masonry dealing with both macro and micro modelling approaches are reviewed. The proposed FE model considers (a) 3D non-linear analysis combined with a failure theory, (b) uses multi-linear stress-strain relationships to model the non-linear stress-strain behaviour of masonry materials, (c) adopting Willam-Warnke’s five parameter failure theory developed for modelling the tri-axial behaviour of concrete, and (d) application of orthotropic constitutive equations based on smeared crack approach. The predicted values of masonry compressive strength are compared with experimental values as well as those predicted from other failure theories. The thesis ends with a summary of conclusions in chapter 5.

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Civil Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Für die Behandlung von Knochendefekten überkritischer Größe stehen seit einigen Jahren zahlreiche resorbierbare Materialien zur Verfügung, die eine Defektheilung bis hin zur vollständigen knöchernen Regeneration erlauben. Im Fall systemischer Knochenerkrankungen, insbesondere im osteoporotischen Knochen, ist jedoch die Selbstheilungskapazität des Gewebes stark eingeschränkt, was neben der Defektbehandlung eine knochenanabole sowie resorptionshemmende Therapie erfordert. Diese kann beispielsweise durch die Gabe von Strontium-haltigen Präparaten erreicht werden, da der duale Wirkmechanismus der Strontium-Ionen zu vermehrter Knochenneubildung bei gleichzeitig verminderter Knochenresorption führt. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war die Entwicklung eines Strontium-haltigen Knochenzements, welcher eine Freisetzung von Strontium-Ionen spezifisch im jeweiligen Knochendefekt und somit eine lokale Stimulation der Knochenneubildung ermöglicht. Basierend auf einem etablierten Calciumphosphat-Knochenzement wurden Strontium-haltige Zementvarianten hergestellt und ausgiebig charakterisiert. Im Gegensatz zu den meisten bislang verfolgten Methoden konnten Zemente mit deutlich verbesserten mechanischen Eigenschaften hergestellt werden, welche weiterhin Strontium-Ionen in physiologisch relevanten Konzentrationen freisetzen. Durch Zellkulturuntersuchungen an humanen Zellen sowohl der osteoblastären- als auch osteoklastären Linie konnte eine Stimulation der für den Knochenaufbau verantwortlichen Zellen sowie eine Hemmung der den Knochen resorbierenden Zellen durch die entwickelten Zemente nachgewiesen werden.

Grouting is performed in order to decrease the permeability and increase the stiffness of the material, especially soil and rock. For tunnelling and underground constructions, permeation grouting is done where cement based materials are pumped inside drilled boreholes under a constant pressure, higher than the ground water pressure. The aim of permeation grouting is to reduce the water flow into tunnels and caverns and to limit the lowering of the surrounding groundwater table. Cement based materials are commonly used as grout due to their availability and lower costs. To obtain a proper water sealing and reduce the lowering of the ground water table, a desired spread of grout must be achieved and the rheology of the cement grout is the governing factor for estimating the required spread. Rheological properties of cement grout such as viscosity and yield stress are commonly measured off-line using laboratory instruments, and some simple tools are available to make field measurements. Although the rheological properties of the grout that is used play a fundamental role in design and execution, no method has yet been developed to measure these properties in-line in field work. In addition to the real time measurement, there is no standard method for determining the yield stress for grouting applications. Despite the common usage of Bingham model fitting to determine the yield stress, the range of shear rate is often not specified or is neglected.   In this work, an in-line rheometry method combining the Ultrasound Velocity Profiling (UVP) technique with Pressure Difference (PD) measurements, known as “UVP+PD”, was successfully tested for continuous in-line measurements of concentrated micro cement based grouts. A major obstacle of using the ultrasound based methodology was the transducers, which would be capable of emitting sufficient acoustic energy and can be used in field conditions. The transducer technology was developed in a parallel project and the Flow-Viz industrial rheometer was found to be capable of detail measurement of the velocity profiles of cement grout. The shape of the velocity profiles was visualized, and the change in the shape of the profiles with concentration and time was observed. The viscosity and yield stress of the grout were determined using rheological models, e.g. Bingham and Herschel-Bulkley. In addition, rheological properties were determined using the non-model approach (gradient method) and the tube viscometry concept and were compared with results obtained using the rheological models. The UVP+PD method was found to be capable of determining the rheological behavior of cement grout regardless of the rheological model. The yield stress of cement grout was investigated using off-line rheometry techniques and UVP+PD in-line measurements. Tests were performed applying different shear histories and it was found that two ranges of yield stress indeed exist. Therefore, the design value of yield stress should be chosen with respect to the prevailing shear rate at the grout front for the required spread of grout. In addition, an appropriate shear rate range should be used when a Bingham fitting is done to determine the yield stress. In order to estimate the shear rate, plug thickness and velocity for one dimensional and two dimensional geometry, a non- dimensional nomogram was developed. The advantage of using the nomogram is that it does not depend on the applied pressure and the rheological properties of the grout and can therefore, be used as a simple design tool. Analytical approaches were used for the estimation and good agreements were found with numerical calculations and experimental results. In conclusion, in this work, it was found that it is possible to continuously measure the velocity profiles and determine the change of the rheological properties of cement grout using the ultrasound based UVP+PD method under field conditions. The yield stress was also investigated and it was found that two range of yield stress exist depending on the prevailing shear rate of the grout, which should be used for designing the grouting time at different conditions. In order to decide the design value of yield stress for grouting applications, a non-dimensional nomogram was developed that can be used to estimate the plug thickness, shear rate and velocity of the grout. / <p>Funding for the project was provided by the Swedish Rock Engineering Research Foundation (BeFo), The Swedish Research Council (FORMAS) and The Development Fund of the Swedish Construction Industry (SBUF), who are gratefully acknowledged. QC 20151112</p>

No description available.

L’objectif de cette étude est de vérifier si un ciment ostéoconducteur résorbable utilisé comme technique de fixation de greffons ostéochondraux permet d'obtenir une stabilité initiale supérieure à celle obtenue avec la technique de mosaicplastie originalement décrite. Il s’agit d’une étude biomécanique effectuée sur des paires de fémurs cadavériques bovins. Pour chaque paire de fémurs, des greffons ostéochondraux autologues ont été insérés et stabilisés au moyen d’un ciment biorésorbable (Kryptonite, DRG inc.) sur un fémur alors qu’au fémur controlatéral, les greffons ont été implantés par impaction selon la technique usuelle de mosaicplastie. Des greffons uniques ainsi que des greffons en configuration groupée ont été implantés et soumis à une évaluation biomécanique. Les charges axiales nécessaires pour enfoncer les greffons de 1, 2 et 3 mm ont été comparées en fonction de la technique de stabilisation utilisée, ciment ou impaction, pour chaque configuration de greffons. Les résultats démontrent que les greffons ostéochondraux cimentés uniques et groupés ont une stabilité initiale supérieure à celle de greffons non cimentés sur des spécimens cadavériques bovins. L’obtention d’une plus grande stabilité initiale par cimentation des greffons ostéochondraux pourrait permettre une mise en charge précoce post-mosaicplastie et mener à une réhabilitation plus rapide. / The objective of this project is to compare the primary stability of osteochondral autografts stabilized with a resorbable osteoconductive bone cement to that of bottomed press fit grafts inserted according to the original mosaicplasty technique. Biomechanical testing was conducted on pairs of cadaveric bovine femurs. For each femoral pair, osteochondral grafts were inserted and stabilized with an osteoconductive bone cement (Kryptonite, DRG inc.) on one bone whereas on the controlateral femur, grafts were inserted in a press fit fashion. Grafts were inserted in 2 different configurations, single grafts as well as groups of 3 adjacent grafts, and submitted to biomechanical testing. Axial loads needed to sink the grafts to 1, 2 and 3 millimeters below cartilage level were recorded and compared according to the fixation technique, cement or press-fit impaction, for each graft configuration. According to those results, cemented osteochondral autografts appear more stable than press fit grafts for both single and 3-in-a-row configurations. Using such a cementation technique could potentially prevent the initial loss of stability that has been shown to occur with osteochondral grafts in the post-operative period, allowing patients to perform early weight bearing and rehabilitation.

Baigiamajame magistro darbe analizuojami cementinio akmens poringumo parametrai. Darbe siekiama palyginti cementinio akmens bandinių su skirtingais vandens ir cemento santykiais poringumo parametrus, gautus pagal skirtingas poringumo parametrų tyrimo metodikas. Apžvelgta literatūra lietuvių, anglų ir rusų kalbomis. Išanalizuotas cementinio akmens ilgalaikiškumo ir poringumo ryšys, įvairių parametrų įtaka cementinio akmens poringumui bei orą įtraukiančių priedų įtaka poringumui reguliuoti. Aprašytos cementinio akmens gamybai naudotos medžiagos: portlandcementis, vanduo ir superplastiklis. Darbe projektuojami trys skirtingi cementinio akmens mišiniai, kurie skiriasi vandens ir cemento santykiu. Pateiktos cementinio akmens mišinių sudėtys. Aprašytos tyrimų metodikos, pagal kurias nustatyti cementinio akmens poringumo parametrai. Atlikti sukietėjusio cementinio akmens tyrimai bei jų palyginimas. Tyrimų duomenys apdoroti kompiuterinėmis programomis „Microsoft Excel“ ir „UTHSCSA ImageTool“, išanalizuoti gauti rezultatai bei pateiktos išvados. Darbą sudaro 5 dalys: įvadas, literatūros analizė, medžiagos ir tyrimai, išvados, literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis – 74 p. teksto, 30 iliustr., 20 lent., 40 bibliografiniai šaltiniai. / The master thesis analyzes hardened cement paste porosity parameters. The aim of work is to campare methods for determination of porosity parameters of hardened cement paste samples with different w/c ratios. Reviewed the literature in Lithuanian, English and Russian languages. Was analyzed the bond beatween durability and porosity, influence of various parameters to hardened cement pastes porosity and influence of air-entraining admixtures to control porosity. Was analyzed the concrete making materials: cement, water and superplasticizer. The work is designed three different cement stone mixtures with different w/c ratios. Presented cement stone compositions of mixtures and set their properties. Described research methodology, by which established hardened cement paste porosity parameters. With solidified cement stone made researches. The research data treated by computer programs Microsoft Excel and UTHSCSA ImageTool, done an analysis of the results and made conclusions. Structure: introduction, literature review, materials and research, conclusions, references. Thesis consist of: 74 p. text without appendixes, 30 pictures, 20 tables, 40 bibliographical entries.

L'implantation de matériaux pour reconstruction osseuse par des techniques chirurgicales peu invasives nécessite des substituts osseux synthétiques, résorbables, injectables et radioopaques. C'est pourquoi le contrôle des propriétés de ces matériaux est primordial. Dans ce contexte, ce travail s'intéresse à la formulation de deux ciments, l'un uniquement à base de carbonate de calcium, le second composé d'un mélange de carbonate de calcium et de phosphate de calcium en quantités égales. Le traitement des phases solides pulvérulentes de ces deux ciments par les procédés de broyage et de co-broyage a été étudié. Ces procédés permettent entre autres de diminuer la taille moyenne des particules. Un mélange intime et homogène entre les constituants de la phase solide est obtenu grâce au co-broyage et les propriétés des ciments sont très significativement améliorées. Le temps de prise est diminué et l'injectabilité de la pâte est fortement augmentée (facteur 100). Cette dernière propriété a pu être évaluée grâce à la mise au point d'un dispositif et d'un protocole de mesure adaptés à un analyseur de texture. Dans le but de visualiser par radiographie aux rayons X l'introduction du ciment injectable dans le site osseux à réparer, du strontium a été introduit en tant qu'agent de contraste radio-opacifiant. Deux voies d'ajout à la formulation du ciment ont été étudiées : la première sous forme de SrCO3 dans la phase solide, la seconde sous forme de SrCl2 dans la phase liquide. Les études réalisées montrent que le co-broyage de la phase solide contenant du SrCO3 est intéressant pour homogénéiser la dispersion de l'agent de contraste et ainsi optimiser la quantité de strontium à incorporer pour atteindre le niveau de radio-opacité requis par la norme en vigueur. De plus, il a été observé que l'ajout de SrCl2 dans la phase liquide rend la pâte plus visqueuse et diminue son injectabilité. Par ailleurs, l'étude de la dissolution de ces ciments à pH physiologique a révélé une libération lente et prolongée du strontium. Enfin, des tests cellulaires in-vitro ont été réalisés sur ces ciments ; ils mettent en évidence l'excellent comportement de cellules ostéoprogénitrices vis-à-vis de ces formulations de ciment ainsi que l'intérêt d'utiliser le sel de SrCO3 plutôt que de SrCl2. La dernière partie de ce travail concerne l'étude de la cristallisation de l'aragonite, variété polymorphe du carbonate de calcium, en présence d'ions phosphate, connus pour inhiber la cristallisation du CaCO3. Grâce à une modélisation à l'aide de la technique de croissance cristalline à composition constante permettant de se placer dans des conditions proches de celles de la prise du ciment uniquement à base de carbonate de calcium in-vivo, il a été montré que la présence d'ions phosphate, même en très faible quantité (concentration &lt; 0,5 µM) diminue à la fois la vitesse de germination et la vitesse de croissance cristalline de l'aragonite. L'ensemble de ces travaux contribue à l'optimisation des propriétés de ces ciments biomédicaux et à mieux appréhender leur comportement que ce soit au moment de leur implantation in-vivo ou de leur évolution et suivi post-opératoires. D'un point de vue fondamental, ces travaux pluridisciplinaires menés dans des conditions modèles in-vitro mais également dans le cadre d'une expérimentation in-vivo ont mis en évidence l'intérêt de confronter ces deux approches pour identifier et comprendre les phénomènes et les réactions impliqués lors de la prise des ciments à base de carbonate de calcium in-vitro et in-vivo. / Implantation of bone substitute materials using minimally invasive surgical techniques requires specific properties for the material including resorbability, injectability and adequate radio-opacity. The control of such properties of the material is of prime importance to meet a surgeon's requirements. In this context, this study deals with two different mineral cements: the first one is only composed of calcium carbonate phases and the second one is a mixture of equal amount of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate phases. An original methodology involving complementary analytical techniques was implemented to thoroughly investigate the grinding mechanism of separated or mixed reactive powders constituting the solid phase and its effects on cement reactivity and properties. We show that co-grinding the solid phase decreases the mean size of the particles and favours both a homogeneous mixing and good contact between the components, leading to a decrease in the setting time. We also set two original protocols designed to evaluate paste injectability and phase separation during paste extrusion. Co-grinding leads to synergistic positive effects on cement injectability and radio-opacity. It allows maintaining a low and constant load during the extrusion of paste, which composition remains constant. Moreover, the cement's mechanical properties can be enhanced by lowering the L/S ratio because of the lower plastic limit. To be able to follow in situ the injection of the bone cement using X-ray radiography, strontium has been introduced as a contrast agent in the cement composition. Two different routes have been investigated: SrCO3 has been added to the solid phase or SrCl2 has been dissolved in the liquid phase. We show that co-grinding process permits to homogenise strontium distribution in the cement allowing us to optimise the minimum amount of strontium to add into the cement paste to reach the radio-opacity required by ISO 9917-1 standard. Moreover, adding SrCl2 in the liquid phase makes the cement paste more viscous and diminishes its injectability. Release tests performed on Sr-loaded cements show a sustained release of strontium at 37°C and pH 7.4. Finally, in-vitro cell tests have shown the excellent behaviour of osteoprogenitor cells, especially on cements including SrCO3. The last part of this work deals with the study of the crystallization of aragonite CaCO3 in the presence of phosphate ions, naturally present in biological fluids, to better understand the setting ability of calcium carbonate cements in-vivo. Using the constant composition crystal growth technique, we show that the presence of phosphate ions, even in very low amount (concentration &lt; 0.5 µM) diminishes both the nucleation and the crystal growth rates of aragonite. This work contributes to the optimization of the properties of calcium carbonate-based cements and a better understanding and control of their behaviours during implantation and their evolution in-vivo. From a fundamental point of view, this multidisciplinary work performed in model conditions in-vitro and completed by preliminary in-vivo experiments have underlined the interest in combining these two approaches to identify and understand the phenomena and the chemical reactions involved during the setting of biomedical cements.

A comprehensive study was conducted on the effects of de-icer and anti-icer chemicals on cement-based materials. Portland cement mortars and concretes were exposed to over 16 chloride-based and non-chloride-based generic and commercial products and changes in cement-based material properties were measured. Deleterious chemical actions of several types of these products on cement-based materials were observed, departing from the well-known position that attributes the concrete damage from such salts mainly to physical actions under freezing and thawing exposure. Independent of freezing and thawing exposure, mortars and concretes exposed to concentrated calcium chloride and magnesium chloride solutions were found to undergo severe deterioration whereas those exposed to sodium chloride did not. The mechanisms of deterioration are complex with factors such as concentration, temperature, and availability of calcium hydroxide playing important roles. It was found that the formation of calcium oxychloride of the form 3Ca(OH)2.CaCl2.12H2O, and the 3- and 5-form magnesium oxychloride, 3Mg(OH)2.MgCl2.8H2O and 5Mg(OH)2.MgCl2.8H2O, were the main causes for the severe deterioration, and to a lesser extent brucite, gypsum, and magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H). The instability of these oxychloride compounds when subjected to conditions normally encountered in sample preparation is suggested as the reason why field investigations have failed to relate distressed concrete to chemical attack by such de-icer and anti-icer chemicals. Concentrated solutions of calcium magnesium acetate were also found to be harmful to cement-based materials by dissolution of calcium hydroxide and formation of calcium acetate hydrate, whereas low concentrated solutions tended to cause slow deterioration by magnesium attack forming brucite, gypsum, and M-S-H. Potassium acetate chemicals did not cause significant deterioration in mortars when these products were diluted (25% by mass), but undiluted products (50% by mass) caused considerable distress in concrete specimens. The combined effect of chemical attack impairing concrete mechanical properties and subsequent salt scaling damage was proposed as the most likely mechanisms of field deterioration.

In recent years, scientific studies are carried out to find new refractory material. Having good mechanical properties under very high temperatures, refractories are widely used in industries like iron, steel, glass, cement and pottery. Researches are focused on monolithic refractory making because of their superior properties comparing to conventional firebrick refractories. Providing a mono-block body, having no joints makes the monolithic refractories more durable at elevated temperatures. Easier production and installation are two main points that people are choosing monolithic refractories, thus an economy is made. In this study, for monolithic refractory production, high alumina cement was used as binding material. It is known that the increase in alumina (Al2O3) content increases the high temperature resistance, so that crushed firebrick, having 85% Al2O3 was used as aggregate. Pozzolanic materials, which are silica fume, fly ash, ground granulated firebrick and ground granulated blast furnace slag, were added to improve physical and mechanical properties of mortar. With the addition of steel fibres, change in compressive strength and flexural strength was observed.Superplasticizer was used to understand its behaviour under high temperatures. Portland cement containing mortars were also prepared to make comparison with high alumina cement containing specimens. Specimens were prepared in 5x5x5 cm and 4x4x16 cm prisms. They were cured for one day at curing room, then heated to 105&deg / C and then heated to 1100&deg / C. Weight, size and ultrasound velocity change, compressive strength and flexural strength tests were done to determine physical and mechanical properties of the monolithic refractories, before and after heating. Heated and non-heated specimens were pulverized for microstructural investigation with X-Ray diffraction (XRD) method. Using high alumina cement with 50 &ndash / 60 % granulated blast furnace slag or granulated firebrick, by the weight of cement, and crushed firebrick as aggregate, a satisfactory monolithic refractory material was made. It was observed that, mechanical properties were decreased at the Portland cement used mortars after several times of heating and cooling cycles. Also, it was determined that the microstructure of the high alumina cement containing mortars did not deteriorate much at 1100&deg / C, as long as there was no change observed from the results.