Thesis (M.S.)--University of Waterloo, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 121-127).

Coal powered power plants account for more than 40 percent of the electricity production of the United States. The combustion of coal results in a large number of solid waste materials, or coal combustion byproducts (CCBs). These waste materials are stored in landfill or ponds. The construction industry is heavily reliant on concrete which is used to make the building blocks for any type of structures, bricks. Concrete is a composite material made of a binder and coarse and fine aggregate. The most widely used binder in concrete production is Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Since cement manufacture is costly and environmentally damaging, research has increased in recent years to find a more readily available binder. This study aims at investigating the properties of Illinois fly ash as a binder in the production of geopolymer concrete. Geopolymer concrete is an innovative material made by using Alumina and Silica rich materials of geological origins as a binder as well as an alkali activated solution. Sodium Silicate and Sodium Hydroxide were used to make the activator solution of two different ratios. Geopolymer Concrete with a ratio of 1:1 of Sodium Silicate to Sodium Hydroxide reached a compressive strength above 6000 psi while samples made with a ratio of 1:2 reached a compressive strength above 4000 psi. This environmentally-friendly, green concrete was also found to have a cost comparable to conventional concrete.

Recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) are an eco-sustainable alternative to traditional aggregates. The equivalent mortar volume method has been developed to design RCA concrete with comparable mechanical and strength properties to natural aggregate concrete by accounting for the adhered mortar that distinguishes RCA from natural aggregates. This method also presents an opportunity to reduce the cement content of RCA concrete, increasing its cement efficiency. Modifications to mix design procedures were introduced to improve the fresh state properties of RCA concrete with a 19% cement reduction compared to the control mix. Beams cast with the RCA concrete had similar flexural capacity to corresponding control beams, however the shear strength varied as a function of RCA content in the concrete. Polished core samples taken from RCA members showed that crack development and aggregate interlock in RCA members is influenced by the aggregate properties and the spacing of coarse aggregates, indicating that knowing the compressive strength of RCA concrete is not the only parameter required for member design.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: To evaluate surgery, infectious disease, and nephrology consult documentation of antimicrobial content in bone cement within 30 days post-surgery; evaluate documentation of antimicrobial cement content by pharmacists in pharmacokinetic drug level evaluations within 6 months post-surgery; assess frequency and severity of adverse drug events associated with antimicrobials in bone cement. Methods: Retrospective chart review, which utilized a data collection form to evaluate the dose and type of antimicrobial agents prescribed, median and range antimicrobial doses per 40 grams of cement, documentation rates of antimicrobial content in clinical notes and incidence of potential adverse drug effects. Subjects were identified based on an ICD-9 code and their electronic medical records were accessed. Main Results: The sample size was 24 patients. The surgery notes had the highest rates of documentation with 96% naming the drug and 75% included the dose. The rates were the same in the infectious diseases consults and pharmacy pharmacokinetics notes with the drug name at 27% and the dose at 9%. No nephrology consult notes mentioned antimicrobials contained in the cement. Renal dysfunction (sCr≥2) developed in 13% of patients within 30 days and 25% of patients within 100 days. Approximately 17% of patients with renal dysfunction had the antimicrobial-laden cement removed. Conclusions: A variety of antimicrobial agents were embedded in bone cement at various concentrations and documentation from multiple sources was inconsistent. Likewise, adverse events associated with antimicrobial containing bone cement are not consistent.

The thesis is focused on research and development of hydraulic binders based on FBC-ashes. It examines the possibilities of using this ash in the clinker so that the properties of the final cement are comparable to Portland cement. As an integral part of this thesis the research of emission reduction possibilities in the cement industry - a very current topic these days - is presented.

During the late eighteenth and throughout the nineteenth century masonry technology underwent a major transition, whereby, the production process increasingly absorbed techniques traditionally carried out by craftsmen. This transition also involved an increasing shift from lime technology to cement technology1. This influenced traditional work methods involving lime mortars as well as creating new methods for preparation of cement. Development of cement assisted the expansion of vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, dams, sewers, and high-rise structures. In order to facilitate high-rise construction with cement, masonry units such as commercially produced brick were developed with similar strength and compression characteristics as cement. Historically, lime mortar preparation involved multiple and variant treatment methods. These practices arose from generations of experimental practice, in order to determine which methods were most beneficial. Development of these skills was transferred from master to apprentice and from father to son. These treatment methods involved a calcium carbonate raw material and its conversion into a lime suitable for blending with aggregates, which resulted in a workable mortar for uniting building materials. Such lime building compounds included, stuccos, frescos, plasters, and mortars. The scope of this project involves primarily lime mortar, although treatment methods and materials are very similar for all of these five lime compounds. Restoration of historic structures built with lime mortar creates challenges for architects, conservators, masons and all persons tasked with masonry restoration. Original masonry Materials and methods involving lime technology have been superseded by cement technology with its own materials and techniques. Cement has failed to provide a successful role as a binder for the restoration of historic structures built with lime mortar. In order to maintain the integrity of historic structures, rediscovery and application of traditional lime technology can further bridge the gap between past and present masonry mortar. / Master of Science

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Background: With the improvement of CAD/CAM technology and translucency of zirconia material, the full contour zirconia crown was introduced to offer dentists a metal free, high strength, and acceptable esthetic prosthesis option. In addition, it is claimed that it is possible to make a full contour high translucent zirconia crown close to natural tooth color by using coloring liquid. However, there is little information in the literature regarding the effect of coloring techniques and cement color on the optical properties of high translucent zirconia. Objective :1) To evaluate the effect of the coloring liquid technique on the resulting optical properties of a monolithic high translucent zirconia 2) To evaluate the cumulative effect of the cement color on the resulting optical properties of a monolithic high translucent zirconia. Alternative hypothesis: There is a significant difference in optical properties between the high translucent monolithic zirconia ceramics with different color staining technique. In addition, the use of shaded resin cement has an effect on the final optical properties of high translucent monolithic zirconia ceramics. Materials and methods: 35 specimens of high translucent zirconia (11mm x11mm) with thickness 1mm was divided into 5 groups according coloring technique, as follows: no color, submerge, two layers of painting, four layers of painting, and six layers of painting. All specimens were measured for the Δ E, transparent parameter (TP), and opalescence parameter(OP) by spectrophotometer (CM-2600D) after firing. Forty-two specimens of high translucent zirconia (11mm x11mm) with thickness 1mm were divided into three groups according to cement color, as follows: clear, opaque, and A2. After firing and cementing with ND4 resin Block. The Δ E, TP and OP will be measured by spectrophotometer. Statistics: The data were analyzed with significant level set at 0.05 one way ANOVA followed by pair-wise group comparisons using Fisher’s Protected Least Significant Differences. Result: 1) The shade of cement significantly affected the mean value of ΔE of E-max CAD and BruxZir high translucent zirconia restoration. Using opaque cement combined with E-max CAD resulted in color difference that was above the clinically perceptible level (ΔE> 3.7). 2) With more layers of staining liquid application, the ΔE and value decreased. The six-layered group showed lowest mean delta ΔE value of 22 (0.78). ΔE was significantly different among groups (p<0.0001). The submerged group showed higher ΔE than the all painting groups. Conclusions: Based on the results of the study, the colors of BruxZir high translucent zirconia and E-max CAD restorations were affected by the shade of cement, whereas white opaque resin cement resulted in BruxZir high translucent zirconia more yellowish. The results of the study demonstrated that the staining technique has an influence on value and final color of Lava-Plus high translucent. Therefore, it is recommended to consider staining technique as one of the influential factors on the final color of zirconia crowns.

Sustainability and reduction of environmental impacts have continued to increase in importance in the concrete marketplace. Portland-limestone cement (PLC) has been shown to reduce total energy consumed and CO2 produced during the cement manufacturing process. This material may also have the ability to benefit concrete properties, such as compressive strength and time of set. Other concrete performance measures of potential interest evaluated in this study include durability and modulus of elasticity. In this dissertation PLC was evaluated for its ability to further increase concrete sustainability, while at the same time providing advantageous properties. This study’s focus was to show that PLC can improve concrete mixtures that are similar to commonly used ordinary portland cement (OPC) mixtures. PLC was also evaluated for its ability to increase the amount of total cement replacement (further increasing sustainability). Additionally PLC properties and concrete mixture combinations were evaluated in an attempt to clarify which PLC properties are crucial in performance benefits. Approximately 2000 concrete specimens were tested along with approximately 1000 cement paste specimens. This dissertation also includes an evaluation of PLC being used in a large scale construction and renovation project on a college football stadium. The scope of the dissertation included 12 cements from four manufacturing facilities that represent a large portion of the cement industry in the southeast US. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), Class C fly ash, Class F fly ash, and slag cement, were also evaluated in single and dual SCM concrete mixtures at replacement rates up to 70%. Replacement rates of this magnitude are not being used in common practice but may become preferred in some conditions with PLC. Results indicated that PLC outperformed OPC in areas tested, in almost all cases at up to 50% replacement with single and dual SCMs. PLC also showed considerable advantages at 60% replacement but was often outperformed by OPC at 70% replacement. Aggregate type played a large role at 70% replacement. Elastic modulus, durability, and variability were all similar with PLC and OPC. Combinations of certain SCMs were more advantageous than others, and optimal SCM combinations changed depending on cement source.

Cementitious materials obtained from different sources, while evaluated and classified by the same methods and criteria, often produce concrete with compressive strength variance despite other inputs remaining constant. The focus of this thesis was to enumerate and illustrate the possible compressive strength variation when cementitious material sources are interchanged, and investigate the influence that aggregate can have on this variation. This was accomplished by compiling and analyzing compressive strength data from previous research initiatives, and concluded that coefficient of variation (COV) and range values at the 14-, 28-, and 56-day timeframes due to a cement source change varied between 15.3% and 18.1% and 1,988 psi and 2,728 psi in concrete, and 16.1% and 22.9% and 3,406 psi and 5,884 psi in paste or mortar. Concrete that included supplementary cementitious material (SCM) displayed up to 4.1% higher COV values versus non-SCM mixtures, and specific aggregate/cementitious material combinations influenced compressive strength variability.

This dissertation covers concrete and cement paste (CP) containing portland-limetsone cement (PLC) for the purpose of understanding mainly mechanical property behaviors. PLC has been consistently investigated by researchers over the past decade who have found equal and often superior performance with PLC, but few researchers have found reasons why. Throughout this dissertation CP cylinders are used to help understand concrete. By understanding the CP (cementitious materials, water, admix, and no fine or coarse aggregates) portion of concrete, it is believed further understanding can be achieved. The interaction of CP and aggregates, or paste aggregate bond (PAB), is exceptionally important. Literature review suggests PAB can be affected by chemical and physical properties of aggregates as well as cement which dictates the mechanical property performance of concrete. CP measurements used herein are mainly compressive strength, however there were other measurements, such as thermal setting, collected as well. CP properties whether thermal or mechanical, generally agreed with concrete results. Additionally, CP compressive strengths were found to have value beyond what was previously known. Mainly that CP compressive strengths can help diagnose concrete behavior. CP used with concrete measurements can give some indication, not previously available, concerning PAB and bonding efficiency. However, the CP measurements had high variability. As such, a new CP production method was developed alongside different analysis techniques to reduce the variability. CP was further used with concrete to recommend a factor for balancing fineness and limestone percentage in PLC. Next, CP measurements were used with 74 concrete mixtures for investigating the Mississippi Department of Transportation fly ash replacement level limits for ordinary portland cement (OPC) and PLC for implementation into the Mississippi market. Lastly, this dissertation delved into non-production concrete mixtures with few ingredients (washed aggregates, cementitious materials, and water) to discover mechanisms behind PLC and OPC behaviors. From CP and concrete measurement perspectives, it is recommended that PLC in the MS marketplace be implemented without hesitation. From the conclusions herein, there does not appear to be many cases where OPC considerably outperforms PLC. In almost every case, PLC performs equivalent or better than OPC when numerous properties are considered.