Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Strain Hardening Cement Based Composite (SHCC) is a type of High Performance Fibre Reinforced Cement-based Composite (HPFRCC). SHCC contains randomly distributed short fibres which improve the ductility of the material and can resist the full tensile load at strains up to 5 %. When SHCC is subjected to tensile loading, fine multiple cracking occurs that portrays a pseudo strain hardening effect as a result. The multiple cracking is what sets SHCC aside from conventional Reinforced Concrete (RC). Conventional RC forms one large crack that results in durability problems. The multiple cracks of SHCC typically have an average crack width of less than 80 μm (Adendorff, 2009), resulting in an improved durability compared to conventional RC. The aim of this research project is to quantify the cracking behaviour of SHCC which can be used to quantify the durability of SHCC. The cracking behaviour is described using a statistical distribution model, which represents the crack widths distribution and a mathematical expression that describes the crack pattern. The cracking behaviour was determined by measuring the cracks during quasi-static uni-axial tensile tests. The cracking data was collected with the aid of a non-contact surface strain measuring system, namely the ARAMIS system. An investigation was performed on the crack measuring setup (ARAMIS) to define a crack definition that was used during the determination of the cracking behaviour of SHCC. Several different statistical distributions were considered to describe the distribution of the crack widths of SHCC. A mathematical expression named the Crack Proximity Index (CPI) which represents the distances of the cracks to each other was used to describe the crack pattern of SHCC. The Gamma distribution was found to best represent the crack widths of SHCC. It was observed that different crack patterns can be found at the same tensile strain and that the CPI would differ even though the same crack width distribution was found. A statistical distribution model was therefore found to describe the CPI distribution of SHCC at different tensile strains and it was established that the Log-normal distribution best describes the CPI distribution of SHCC. After the cracking behaviour of SHCC was determined for quasi-static tensile loading, an investigation was performed to compare it to the cracking behaviour under flexural loading. A difference in the crack widths, number of cracks and crack pattern was found between bending and tension. Therefore it was concluded that the cracking behaviour for SHCC is different under flexural loading than in tension. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: “Strain Hardening Cement-based Composite” (SHCC) is ‘n tipe “High Performance Fibre Reinforced Cement-based Composite” (HPFRCC). SHCC bevat kort vesels wat ewekansig verspreid is, wat die duktiliteit van die material verbeter en dit kan die maksimum trekkrag weerstaan tot en met ‘n vervorming van 5 %. Wanneer SHCC belas word met ‘n trekkrag, vorm verskeie fyn krake wat ‘n sogenaamde vervormingsverharding voorstel. Die verskeie krake onderskei SHCC van normale bewapende beton. Normale bewapende beton vorm een groot kraak met die gevolg dat duursaamheidsprobleme ontstaan. Die gemiddelde kraakwydte van SHCC is minder as 80 μm (Adendorff, 2009) en het dus ‘n beter duursaamheid as normale bewapende beton. Die doel van die navorsingsprojek is om die kraak gedrag van SHCC te kwantifiseer en wat dan gebruik kan word om die duursaamheid van SHCC te kwantifiseer. Die kraak gedrag is beskryf deur ‘n statistiese verspreiding model wat die kraak wydtes se verspreiding voorstel en ‘n wiskundige uitdrukking wat die kraak patroon beskryf. Die kraak gedrag was bepaal deur die krake te meet tydens die semi-statiese een-asige trek toetse. Die kraak data was met behulp van ‘n optiese vervormings toestel, naamlik die ARAMIS, versamel. ‘n Ondersoek is gedoen op die kraak meetings opstelling (ARAMIS), om ‘n kraak definisie te definieer wat gebruik is om die kraak gedrag te bepaal. Daar is gekyk na verskeie statistiese verdelings om die kraak wydtes van SHCC te beskryf. Die kraak patroon van SHCC is beskryf met ‘n wiskundige uitdrukking genoem die “Crack Proximity Index” (CPI) wat die krake se afstande van mekaar voorstel. Dit is bevind dat die Gamma verdeling die kraak wydtes van SHCC die beste beskryf. Daar is waargeneem dat verskillende kraak patrone by dieselfde vervorming verkry kan word en dat die CPI kan verskil al is die kraak wydte verdeling dieselfde. ‘n Statistiese verdelingsmodel is dus gevind om die CPI verdeling van SHCC te beskryf by verskillende vervormings, en daar is vasgestel dat die Log-normaal verdeling die CPI verdeling van SHCC die beste beskryf. Nadat die kraak gedrag van SHCC bepaal is vir semi-statiese trek-belasting, is ‘n ondersoek gedoen waar die trek-kraak gedrag vergelyk is met buig-kraak gedrag. ‘n Verskil in die kraak wydtes, aantal krake en kraak patroon is gevind tussen buiging en trek. Dus is die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die kraak gedrag van SHCC verskillend is in buiging as in trek.

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / 192 leaves on CD format, preliminary i-xii pages and numbered pages 1-135. Includes bibliography, list of figures and tables. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As a fibre reinforced material, engineered cementitious composite (ECC) has tough, strain-hardening behaviour in tension despite containing low volumes of fibres. This property can be brought about by developments in fibre, matrix and interfacial properties. Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) fibre has been developed in recent years for ECC, due to its high tensile strength and elasticity modulus. However, the strong interfacial bond between fibre surface and matrix is a challenge for its application. This study focuses on the tailoring of matrix and fibre/matrix interfacial properties by cement replacement with fly ash (FA) and Ground Granulated Corex Slagment (GGCS). In this study the direct tensile test, three point bending test, micro-scale analysis, such as X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry analysis (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), are employed to investigate the influence of cement replacement, aging, Water/Binder (W/B) ratio, workability on ECC behaviour. This study has successfully achieved the aim that cement replacement by FA and GGCS helps to improve the fibre/matrix interfacial properties and therefore enhances the ECC tensile behaviour. Specifically, a high volume FA-ECC has stable high tensile strain capacity at the age of 21 days. This enables a constant matrix design for the investigation of other matrix influences. The Slag-ECC has a higher tensile strength but lower tensile strain capacity. The combination of FA and GGCS, moderate tensile strength and strain capacity is achieved Both tensile tests and Micro-scale analyses infer that the high volume FA-ECC has an adhesive type fibre/matrix interfacial interaction, as opposed to the cohesive type of normal PVA fibre-ECC. The different tensile behaviour trend of steel fibre-ECC and PVA fibre-ECC with the FA content is presented and discussed in this research. The investigations of aging influence indicate that the high volume FA-ECC has a beneficial effect on the properties of the composite at an early stage. However, at a high age, it has some difficulty to undergo multiple cracking and then leads to the reduction of tensile strain capacity. The modified mix design is made with the combination of FA and GGCS, which successfully increases the interfacial bond and, thereby, improves the shear transfer to reach the matrix crack strength. Therefore, an improved high age tensile behaviour is achieved. The W/B and fresh state workability influence investigations show that the W/B can hardly affect the tensile strain at early age. However, the workability influences on composite tensile strain significantly, because of the influence on fibre dispersion. Other investigations with regard to the hybrid fibre influences, the comparison of bending behaviours between extruded plate and cast plate, the relation between bending MOR and tensile stress, and the relation between compression strength and tensile strength contribute to understand ECC behaviour. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: As ‘n veselversterkte materiaal, het ontwerpte sementbasis saamgestelde materiale, taai vervormingsverhardingseienskappe in trek, ten spyte van lae veselinhoud. Hierdie eienskap word bewerkstellig, deur ontwikkelings in vesel, matriks en tussenveselbindingseienskappe. Poli-Viniel Alkohol (PVA) vesels is ontwikkel vir ECC, as gevolg van die hoë trekkrag en hoë modulus van hierdie veseltipe. Die sterk binding tussen die PVA-veseloppervlak en die matriks is egter ‘n uitdaging vir sy toepassing. Hierdie studie fokus op die skep van gunstige matriks en vesel/matriks tussenvesel-bindingseienskappe deur sement te vervang met vlieg-as (FA) en slagment (GGCS).In hierdie navorsing is direkte trek-toetse, drie-punt-buigtoetse, mikro-skaal analise (soos die X-straal ‘Fluorescence Spectrometry’ analise (XRF) en Skanderende Elektron Mikroskoop (SEM))toegepas. Hierdie metodes is gebruik om die invloed van sementvervanging,veroudering, water/binder (W/B)-verhouding en werkbaarheid op die meganiese gedrag van ECC te ondersoek.Die resultate van hierdie navorsing toon dat sementvervanging deur FA en GGCS help om die vesel/matriks tussenveselbindingseienskappe te verbeter. Dus is die ECC-trekgedrag ook verbeter. Veral ‘n hoë volume FA-ECC het stabiele hoë trekvervormingskapasiteit op ‘n ouderdom van 21 dae. Dit bewerkstellig ‘n konstante matriksontwerp vir die navorsing van ander matriks invloede. Die Slag-ECC het ‘n hoër treksterkte, maar laer trekvervormingskapasiteit. Deur die kombinasie van FA en GGCS word hoë treksterkte, sowel as gematigde vervormbaarheid in trek verkry. Beide trektoetse en mikro-skaal analise dui aan dat die hoë volume FA-ECC ‘n adhesie-tipe vesel/matriks tussenvesel-bindingsinteraksie het, teenoor die ‘kohesie-tipe van normale PVA vesel-ECC. Die verskille in trekgedrag van staalvesel-ECC en PVA vesel-ECC ten opsigte van die FA-inhoud is ondersoek en word bespreek in die navorsing. Die navorsing toon verder dat die hoë volume FA-ECC goeie meganiese eienskappe het op ‘n vroeë ouderdom. Op hoër ouderdom word minder krake gevorm, wat ‘n verlaging in die trekvervormingskapasiteit tot gevolg het. Met die kombinasie van FA en GGCS, word die vesel-matriksverband verhoog, waardeur ‘n verbetering in die skuifoordrag tussen vesel en matriks plaasvind. Verbeterde hoë omeganiese gedrag word daardeur tot stand gebring. Navorsing ten opsigte van die invoed van die W/B en werkbaarheid dui daarop dat die W/B slegs geringe invloed het op die trekvormbaarheid, terwyl die werkbaarheid ‘n dominerende rol speel in hierdie verband.Verdere studies sluit in die invloed van verskillende vesels, die vergelyking van die buigingsgedrag van geëkstueerde plate en gegote plate, die verhouding tussen buigsterkte en treksterkte, en die verhouding tussen druksterkte en treksterkte dra by tot beter begrip van die gedrag van ECC.

This thesis explores the environmental and social responsibilities being increasingly shouldered by cement manufacturing sector and outlines a new approach for these companies to accept their responsibilities and to utilise professional approaches to address the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable business. Managing these three dimensions in business translates corporate responsibility into an integrated responsibility for doing business profitably, ethically and in sustainable manner. This three-pronged approach is sometimes called the Triple Bottom Line. It helps companies to fulfil their more holistic Corporate Social Responsibility. A critical review of the literature led the thesis author to develop the theoretical framework for environmental and social reporting to proceed on TBL/CSR journey within the cement industry. Data were collected from TBL/CSR reports from cement companies on key environmental and social performances. Based upon those data, a questionnaire was developed to obtain more information from the leading worldwide cement companies. The combined results of the responses to the questionnaire and the quantitative data derived from the TBL/CSR reports were used to establish best practice benchmarks to serve as performance targets for the author's case study company, Oman Cement Company (OCC). The contribution to knowledge of this research is the summarisation and prioritisation of the cement industry's implementation of TBL/CSR management systems, which integrate the elements of TBL/CSR into their strategic plans and daily operational procedures. Guidelines were derived from the Global Reporting Initiative, the United Nations Global Compact and the new ISO 26000 standard, which promotes a new way of working towards innovation, value creation and incremental actions for transforming businesses to become more responsible. The contributions to practice of this research are the practical and procedural insights, gained by quantitative analysis of environmental and social indicators, into how cement companies are making improvements in their processes and products in response to climate change, economic, governmental regulations and social pressures for improvement. Based upon the findings, recommendations and timetables were developed and are being implemented within the OCC as it progresses on its TBL/CSR journey.

Portland cement concrete, the most widely used manufactured material in the world, is made primarily from water, mineral aggregates, and portland cement. The production of portland cement is energy intensive, accounting for 2% of primary energy consumption and 5% of industrial energy consumption globally. Moreover, Portland cement manufacturing contributes significantly to greenhouse gases and accounts for 5% of the global CO2 emissions resulting from human activity. The primary objective of this research was to explore methods of reducing the environmental impact of cement production while maintaining or improving current performance standards. Two approaches were taken, 1.) incorporation of waste materials in portland cement synthesis, and 2.) optimization of an alternative environmental friendly binder, calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cement. These approaches can lead to less energy consumption, less emission of CO2, and more reuse of industrial waste materials for cement manufacturing. In the portland cement part of the research, portland cement clinkers conforming to the compositional specifications in ASTM C 150 for Type I cement were successfully synthesized from reagent-grade chemicals with 0% to 40% fly ash and 0% to 60% slag incorporation (with 10% intervals), 72.5% limestone with 27.5% fly ash, and 65% limestone with 35% slag. The synthesized portland cements had similar early-age hydration behavior to commercial portland cement. However, waste materials significantly affected cement phase formation. The C3S–C2S ratio decreased with increasing amounts of waste materials incorporated. These differences could have implications on proportioning of raw materials for cement production when using waste materials. In the calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cement part of the research, three calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cement clinkers with a range of phase compositions were successfully synthesized from reagent-grade chemicals. The synthesized calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cement that contained medium C4A3 S and C2S contents showed good dimensional stability, sulfate resistance, and compressive strength development and was considered the optimum phase composition for calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cement in terms of comparable performance characteristics to portland cement. Furthermore, two calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cement clinkers were successfully synthesized from natural and waste materials such as limestone, bauxite, flue gas desulfurization sludge, Class C fly ash, and fluidized bed ash proportioned to the optimum calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cement synthesized from reagent-grade chemicals. Waste materials composed 30% and 41% of the raw ingredients. The two calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cements synthesized from natural and waste materials showed good dimensional stability, sulfate resistance, and compressive strength development, comparable to commercial portland cement. / text

For repairing concrete transportation infrastructure, such as pavements and bridges, much importance is placed on early-age strength gain as this has a major impact on scheduling and opening to traffic. However, the long-term performance and durability of such repair materials are often not satisfactory, thus resulting in future repairs. This research project focuses on the evaluation of the durability of various rapid-setting cementitious materials. The binders studied in this project include calcium aluminate cement (CAC), calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA), Type III portland cement, alkali-activated fly ash (AAFA) , and various prepackaged concrete materials. In addition, selected CAC and CSA mixtures were further modified with the use of a styrene-butadiene latex. The durability aspects studied include freezing-and-thawing damage and the implications of air entrainment in these systems, alkali-silica reaction, sulfate attack, and permeability of the concrete matrix and potential corrosion. / text

<p> </p><p><strong>Degree Project Advanced Level - Business Administration, Linnaeus Business School at Linnaeus University, Business Process and Supply Chain Management, 4FE02E, Spring 2010.</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Authors:</strong> Muhammad Rizwan ul Haque, Ahmed Nawaz Shaikh, Kamonmarn Jaenglom, Zaheer Tariq</p><p><strong>Tutor:</strong> Petra Andersson</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Title: Supplier Selection Process Improvement through Six-Sigma DMAIC (A case of Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited)</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Cement industry is considered to be an intensive supplier base industry. Cement manufacturing involves several types of suppliers ranging from general utilities to large plant equipments. Also, supply chain performance is significant topic in many cement organisations. The supply chain department at Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited (LPCL) wants to inspect and improve their supplier selection process. The intended objective of this inspection is two folded. First, LPCL wants to develop a competitive supplier base out of bulk suppliers available in the market that would result in competitive advantage over its competitors. Second, they want to improve their supplier selection process so that there would be low variance and exclusion of unnecessary activities that would ultimately help in achieving the cost, quality and service enhancement objectives.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Research question: </strong></p><p>How can the existing supplier selection process at Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited (LPCL) be improved by applying Six-Sigma DMAIC?</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong></p><p>This thesis is a descriptive case study and was conducted with a deductive approach. Data was collected through interviews, discussions and questionnaire. The scientific credibility of this thesis was secured by using many sources, avoidance of assumptions, studying a common process and following standardized steps of supplier selection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p><p>The existing process of supplier selection at LPCL was defined and mapped to understand the process characteristics and capabilities. The existing process was then analysed to identify problem areas, variations and unnecessary activities. Corrective actions were recommended to deal with problem areas and an improved supplier selection process for LPCL was suggested with process coordination and control measures.</p><p><strong>Suggestions for future research:</strong></p><p>Based on the findings of this thesis, we suggest that the further research for LPCL could be done in the area of sourcing and suppliers relationship management. Sourcing; a study could examine the sourcing policy at LPCL on purchasing practises of products. It would also be interesting to focus more on this area which leads to excellent cost reduction. Using scenario method could compare and analyse regional, national and worldwide sourcing. Supplier Relationship Management; a study could investigate supplier relationship management that leads to creating a competitive advantage for LPCL through the development of supplier performance monitoring and supplier development programme. More details could continuously move towards cost reduction, increased reliability and risk mitigation, transparency of supplier costs and quality, and enhanced efficiency of sourcing process.</p>

Cementproduktion står idag för totalt 5 % av koldioxidutsläppen globalt, vilket t.ex. är mer än dubbelt så mycket som den globala flygindustrin. Nya cement- och betongrecept, med nya egenskaper, utvecklas med målet att minska klimatbelastningen. I produkten Bascement ersätts delar av klimatbelastande cementklinker med mineraltillsatsen flygaska, en restprodukt från andra industrier. Detta ska alltså leda till en minskad klimatbelastning. Betong med Bascement har dock orsakat förseningar och extra kostnader i produktion på grund av långa torktider som inte stämt överens med simuleringar i TorkaS 3.2, en programvara baserad på betong med Byggcement. TorkaS ska ersättas av programvaran Produktionsplanering Betong (PPB) som kan simulera uttorkning i betong med Bascement. Målet med studien är att undersöka hur fuktsimuleringar i PPB skiljer sig jämfört med genomförda fuktmätningar i fyra betongprover med två olika vattencementtal, vct. Genom att förvara proverna i olika miljö är målet att experimentellt mäta hur omgivningen påverkar uttorkningen. Målet är vidare att visa skillnader mellan fuktsimuleringar med inbyggd klimatdata i PPB och med egna uppmätta klimatdata. Resultaten från de experimentella undersökningarna visar att uttorkningen blev större i betongprover med vct 0,40 än för motsvarande prover med vct 0,55 efter 70 dagar. Prover som hade förvarats i en stabil inomhusmiljö hade torkat mer än prover som hade förvarats i en varierande utomhusmiljö, vilket i denna studie inte stämde överens med simuleringar i PPB. Resultatet i denna studie visar att simuleringar i PPB tenderar att visa något större uttorkning jämfört med genomförda fuktmätningar. Denna överskattning blir större vid simuleringar med en varierande utomhusmiljö än med en stabil inomhusmiljö. Överskattningen blir större vid simuleringar med inbyggd klimatdata i PPB än med egna uppmätta klimatdata. Vid justering av betongens maxtemperatur i PPB till verkligt uppmätt maxtemperatur påverkas fuktsimuleringarna positivt så att de närmar sig de experimentellt erhållna resultaten. Betong med låga vct påverkas mer av en sådan justering än höga vct. Slutsatsen i denna studie är baserad på simuleringar och fuktmätningar i ett fåtal betongprover, vilka kan ha utsatts för störningar. Fler studier behövs för att validera reliabiliteten hos programvaran PPB. Val av härdningsmetod samt maxtemperatur under härdning kan påverka uttorkningen och simuleringar i PPB. Experimenten indikerar att simuleringar med PPB tenderar att avvika om betong med höga vct utsätts för vattentillskott kort efter gjutning. Korrekt maxtemperatur i PPB är viktigt för en mer verklig simulering av uttorkning i betong, särskilt vid låga vct. Simuleringar i PPB tenderar att bli mer korrekta med egna klimatdata än med inbyggd klimatdata. / Cement production currently accounts for a total of 5 % of carbon dioxide emissions globally, which for example is more than twice as much as the global aviation industry. New cement and concrete recipes, with new properties, are being developed with the aim of reducing the climate load. In the Portland fly ash cement, parts of climate-stressing cement clinkers are replaced with the mineral-added fly ash, a residual product from other industries. This should lead to a reduced climate impact. Concrete with Portland fly ash cement, however, has caused delays and extra costs in production due to long drying times that did not match with simulations in the software TorkaS 3.2, which is based on concrete with Portland-limestone cement. TorkaS will be replaced by the software Production Planning Concrete, PPB, which can simulate dehydration in concrete with Portland fly ash cement. The aim of the study is to investigate how moisture simulations in PPB differ from executed moisture measurements in four concrete samples with two different w/c ratio. By storing the samples in different environments, the goal is to experimentally measure how the environment affects the dehydration. The goal is also to show differences between moisture simulations with the built-in climate data in PPB and with the own measured climate data. The results from the experimental studies show that the dehydration became larger in concrete samples with w/c ratio 0.40 than for samples with w/c ratio 0.55 after 70 days. Samples that had been stored in a stable indoor environment had dried more than samples that had been stored in a varying outdoor environment, which in this study did not correspond to simulations in PPB. The result of this study shows that simulations in PPB tend to show slightly greater dehydration than executed moisture measurements. This overestimation is greater in simulations with a varying outdoor environment than with a stable indoor environment. The overestimation is greater in simulations with the built-in climate data in PPB than with the own measured climate data. When adjusting the maximum temperature of the concrete in PPB to the actual measured maximum temperature, the moisture simulations is positively affected so that they approach the experimentally obtained results. Concrete with low w/c ratio is more affected by such an adjustment than concrete with high w/c ratio. The conclusion in this study is based on simulations and moisture measurements in a few concrete samples, which may have been exposed to disturbances. More studies are needed to validate the reliability of the PPB software. Choice of curing method and maximum temperature during curing can affect the drying and simulations in PPB. The experiments indicate that simulations with the PPB software tend to deviate if concrete with a high w/c ratio is exposed to water shortly after casting. Correct maximum temperature in PPB is important for a more real simulation of dehydration in concrete, especially at high w/c ratio. Simulations in PPB tend to be more accurate when using own climate data than using the built-in climate data.

Introdução: O tratamento dos tumores ósseos benignos é frequentemente realizado por abordagem intralesional com curetagem do tumor e preenchimento da falha óssea com substâncias biológicas ou sintéticas. Entre as biológicas estão os vários tipos de enxertos e o maior representante das sintéticas é o cimento ósseo ou polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA). O uso do cimento ósseo compacto pode apresentar problemas devido à necrose térmica, ao afrouxamento asséptico, à incapacidade de remodelação e à elasticidade inadequada em relação ao osso normal. O desenvolvimento de um cimento ósseo esponjoso que atenda a estas demandas mecânicas e biológicas e que seja de fácil manipulação no ambiente cirúrgico tem estimulado alguns pesquisadores. Basicamente, é possível formar poros no interior do cimento por mistura de substâncias hidrossolúveis ou por reação química produtora de gás. Objetivo: Desenvolver e caracterizar fisicamente e mecanicamente um cimento ósseo com poros intercomunicantes de aspecto estrutural esponjoso. Material e métodos: A produção de cimento esponjoso foi realizada misturando-se o PMMA com bicarbonato de sódio e ácido cítrico. Foram confeccionados 90 corpos de prova com 40 mm de altura por 20 mm de diâmetro distribuídos em 6 grupos (n=15): G1 formado por cimento esponjoso em que antes da polimerização do cimento foram adicionados bicarbonato de sódio e ácido cítrico na proporção de 10% em relação ao componente sólido do cimento (polímero); G2 - cimento esponjoso na proporção de 20%; G3 - cimento esponjoso na proporção de 30%; G4 - cimento ósseo de PMMA compacto; G5 - formado por cimento de poliuretana de mamona (Bioósteo®) na proporção de 20%; G6 formado de corpos de prova cilíndricos de osso esponjoso extraído com trefina de côndilos tibiais proximais de bovinos. A qualidade do cimento esponjoso foi avaliada por macroscopia, cálculo de densidade, imersão em azul de metileno, tomografia computadorizada, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e ensaio mecânico de compressão. Resultados: A melhor forma de produção de cimento esponjoso foi pela mistura de PMMA e componentes efervescentes. O teste da imersão em azul de metileno mostrou que os G2 e G3 apresentaram melhor intercomunicabilidade. As análises com o microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV) mostraram uma ampla variação no tamanho e distribuição dos poros que medem de 50m a 3mm. Em relação aos ensaios mecânicos não houve diferenças significativas entres os grupos de cimento esponjoso G1, G2 e G3. Estes grupos apresentaram valores pouco inferiores aos do grupo G6 de osso esponjoso bovino. O grupo G4 (PMMA compacto) apresentou valores extremamente altos quando comparado ao osso esponjoso bovino e ao cimento esponjoso. O grupo G5 de cimento ósseo de mamona não atingiu os valores aceitáveis de resistência mecânica. Conclusão: Foi possível desenvolver um cimento esponjoso à base de polimetilmetacrilato pela mistura com os aditivos efervescentes, bicarbonato de sódio e ácido cítrico, que apresenta características físicas e mecânicas desejadas como substituto ósseo esponjoso nas curetagens para tratamento de tumores ósseos benignos. O cimento de mamona esponjoso na forma testada mostrou-se inadequado para os fins pretendidos. / Introduction: Benign bone tumors are usually treated by intralesional curettage. The bone defect may be filled with synthetic or biological substitutes. Polymetylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the most popular synthetic substitute and the solid form is associated to thermal necrosis, aseptic loosening, bone remodeling prevention and distinct elasticity. Research of porous cement that solves these drawbacks and can be molded intraoperatively has encouraged many authors. For surgical purposes, porosity can be achieved by mixing hydrosoluble substances or by gas-foaming reactions. Objective: Development and physical and mechanical characterization of a bone cement with interconnecting pores and cancellous bone like structural aspect. Methods: Porous cement was produced by adding the effervescent components sodium bicarbonate and citric acid to PMMA. Six groups of fifteen cylindrical samples (40 mm height, 20 mm diameter) were compared. G1, G2 and G3 groups consisted of porous cement specimens of PMMA with 10%, 20% and 30% of effervescent components respectively. G4 consisted of solid PMMA cement specimens. G5 group consisted of porous ricinic polyurethane cement (Bioósteo®) with 20% effervescent components specimens. The control group G6 consisted of bovine cancellous bone samples. The porous cements were characterized in terms of porosity, density, pore interconnectivity and compressive strength. Macroscopic evaluation and measuring, methylene blue immersion, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), mechanical testing and a special computed tomography reading software were employed for these evaluations. Results: The pilot study showed that adding effervescent components to PMMA was the best solution for porous cement production. The methylene blue immersion test showed that G2 and G3 groups had better pore interconnection. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a wide variation in pore size, from 50m to 3mm, and pore distribution. No significant differences between G1, G2 and G3porous cement groups were found regarding to mechanical strength and Young Modulus. Cancellous bovine bone, G6, was slightly stronger and less elastic than these groups. This property is potentially beneficial considering osteointegration as a consequence of Wolfs law. Solid PMMA is extremely strength and inelastic. These properties do not match with cancellous bone. The porous ricinic polyurethane cement (Bioósteo®) is unacceptably weak. Conclusion: Porous cement was developed by adding effervescent components, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, to polymethylmetacrylate. Physical and mechanical properties are very similar to cancellous bone. Further investigations to evaluate its bone substitute potential should be encouraged. The porous ricinic polyurethane cement (Bioósteo®) is inadequate these purpose.

Este estudo comparou a performance de quarto agentes cimentantes com diferentes estratégias adesivas para cimentação de pinos de fibra de vidro em canais radiculares, através do teste de resistência adesiva e avaliando a dureza em diferentes profundidades. Para isto, foram utilizadas 60 raízes bovinas tratadas endodonticamente. Foram cimentados pinos de fibra de vidro Rebilda Post 20 de acordo com os seguintes protocolos divididos nos seguintes grupos: Grupos QM: Adesivo autocondicionante dual Futurabond DC + cimento resinoso dual Bifix QM; Group SE: Cimento resinoso autocondicionante de polimerização dual Bifix SE; Group RB: Adesivo autocondicionante de polimerização dual Futurabond DC + Resina Rebilda; Group XB: aplicação do adesivo autocondicionante de polimerização dual Futurabond DC + resina composta do tipo \"bulk fill\" X-tra Base. As raízes foram cortadas em fatias de 1mm e separadas em terços, sendo obtidos 2 corpos de prova por terço. Foram avaliadas a resistência adesiva (n=10) e a microdureza (n=5), após uma semana e após 4 meses de armazenamento em água. Para o teste de resistência adesiva (push- out) uma fatia de cada terço foi testada depois de uma semana e as outras 3 fatias provenientes do mesmo dente avaliadas após 4 meses. O ensaio de push out foi realizado a uma velocidade de 0,5mm/min até o deslocamento do pino e/ou fratura da interface adesiva. Para o teste de microdureza 20 dentes foram selecionados aleatoriamente e de cada dente foram obtidas seis 6 fatias que foram armazenadas em água destilada por uma semana até a mensuração em microdurômetro, após uma semana e após 4 meses. Os corpos de prova foram submetidos ao teste de microdureza Knoop em microdurômetro HMV-2000 (Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan), cinco endentações foram realizadas na camada de cimento de cada fatia. Os dados referentes aos testes de resistência adesiva (push- out) e microdureza foram submetidas análise de variância 3 fatores (ANOVA), teste de tukey (p<0,05) e teste de correlação de Person. Os valores de resistência adesiva não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas significantes quando observado os valores de resistência adesiva entre os grupos QM, RB e XB (p>=0.05), porém menores valores de resistência adesiva foram observados no Grupo SE. Quando considerada a variável envelhecimento não foram encontradas diferenças na resistência adesiva medida em uma semana e 4 meses (p>=0.05). Para a microdureza diferenças estatisticamente significantes foram encontradas nos diferentes terços da raiz (p<0.05). Os agentes cimentantes apresentaram diferenças estatísticas significantes na dureza (p<0.05). O grupo XB apresentou os maiores valores seguido por QM, RB e SE. Os grupos SE, RB e XB não apresentaram 80% da dureza máxima nas fatias correspondentes a região apical do canal radicular. O teste de Person mostrou haver correlação positiva linear entre a resistência adesiva e a dureza medidas antes e após o envelhecimento. O uso cimento resinoso dual, associado a uma aplicação anterior do sistema adesivo, ainda é a escolha mais segura, pois apresentou valores de força de adesão elevados, associados a valores de dureza adequados, mesmo em regiões apicais do canal radicular. / This study compared the performance of four cementitious agents with different adhesive strategies for cementing fiberglass pins in root canals, through the adhesive strength test and evaluating the hardness at different depths. For this, 60 endodontically treated bovine roots were used. Rebilda Post 20 fiberglass pins were cemented according to the following protocols divided into the following groups: QM groups: dual self-etching adhesive Futurabond DC + resin cement Bifix QM; Group SE: Dual polymerization resin cement Bifix SE; Group RB: application of self-etching dual-polymerization adhesive Futurabond DC + resin Rebilda; Group XB: application of the self-etching adhesive for dual polymerization Futurabond DC + composite resin of the bulk fill type X-tra Base. The roots were cut into 1mm slices and separated into thirds, obtaining 2 specimens per third. Bond strength (n =10) and microhardness (n = 5) were evaluated after one week and after 4 months of storage in water. For the push-out test one slice of each third was tested after one week and the other 3 slices from the same tooth evaluated after 4 months. The push out test was performed at a speed of 0.5mm / min until the pin displacement and / or fracture of the adhesive interface. For the microtensile test, 20 teeth were randomly selected and six slices were obtained from each tooth, which were stored in distilled water for one week until microdurometer measurement, after one week and after four months. The specimens were submitted to the Knoop microhardness test in HMV-2000 microdurometer (Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan), five indentations were performed in the cement layer of each slice. The data for the tests of bond strenght (push-out) and microhardness were submitted to analysis of variance 3 factors (ANOVA) and Tukey test (p <0.05) and Person correlation test. The bond strength values did not present significant statistical differences when the adhesive strength values were observed between the groups QM, RB and XB (p>=0.05), but lower values of adhesive strength were observed in the SE Group. When the aging variable was considered, differences in adhesive strength measured at one week and 4 months (p>=0.05) were not found. For microhardness, statistically significant differences were found in the different thirds of the root (p <0.05). The cementing agents presented significant statistical differences in the hardness (p <0.05). The XB group presented the highest values followed by QM, RB and SE. The groups SE, RB and XB did not present 80% of the maximum hardness in the slices corresponding to the apical region of the root canal. The Person test showed a linear positive correlation between the adhesive strength and the hardness measured before and after aging. The use of dual resin cement, combined with a previous application of the adhesive system, is still the safest choice, since it presented high values of bond strength, associated with adequate hardness values, even in apical regions of the root canal.

Em agosto de 2001 havia, no Brasil, sete fábricas de cimento com licença para o co-processamento de resíduos industriais em seus fornos, em substituição à matriz energética, e 14 outras em vias de adquiri-la. Há mais de cinco anos, a Companhia de Cimento Ribeirão Grande conta com efetiva participação de uma mistura (blend) de resíduos industriais de diferentes correntes no processo. O clínquer co-processado é hoje o componente principal do cimento portland da fábrica, o qual manteve resistências mecânicas à compressão às idades de 1, 3, 7 e 28 dias sempre acima dos limites normativos mínimos exigidos. Para atestar a imobilidade dos componentes inorgânicos incorporados ao clínquer, utilizaram-se ensaios microscópicos e análises químicas por espectrometria de absorção atômica e de raios X em clínqueres industriais não co-processados e co-processados; testes de lixiviação em cimentos de laboratório; química mineral por microssonda eletrônica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura em clínqueres dopados com Zn, V e Pb. Os resultados levaram, em linhas gerais, às seguintes considerações: - A microestrutura dos clínqueres co-processados manteve-se preservada com a introdução do blend no sistema. - As matérias-primas e o combustível fóssil respondem por boa parte dos elementos traços presentes no sistema. O blend introduz aporte extra dos elementos traços presentes na composição, enriquecendo seletivamente o clínquer co-processado. - Há, de maneira geral, compatibilidade grande dos elementos traços com o clínquer, mesmo de elementos voláteis como cádmio e mercúrio. Já cobalto e, principalmente, chumbo, são os que se mostraram menos compatíveis. - Nos clínqueres experimentais, alita incorporou preferencialmente zinco e chumbo, e belita, vanádio. - Não houve solubilização significativa de nenhum elemento de relevância ambiental dos cimentos, atestando sua retenção nos retículos cristalinos dos minerais formadores do clínquer portland. A qualidade ambiental do clínquer portland co-processado deve abranger sua propriedade de reter elementos traços em solução sólida, a manutenção da integridade das relações texturais, e a garantia da imobilidade de componentes tóxicos no produto final, através de um controle sistemático dos clínqueres e também dos cimentos. / In August 2001, in Brazil, there were seven cement plants with and an increasing number of others on the way to get the permit to co-processing, i.e. burning industrial wastes in their kilns as substitutes for fossil fuels. For over five years now the Companhia de Cimento Ribeirão Grande has counted on partial substitution of a blend of different waste streams for fossil fuels in the burning process. Co-processed clinker makes up today the main component of their Portland cement, which has shown mechanical strengths at 1, 3, 7 and 28 days permanently above standardized minimal limits. In order to assess the immobility of trace elements incorporated to the clinkers, a methodology was used which comprised carrying out microscopy and chemical analysis by atomic absorption and X-ray spectrometry of both conventional and co-processed clinkers, leaching tests on laboratory cements prepared with co-processed clinkers, mineral chemistry by electronic microprobe and scanning electronic microscopy on experimental clinkers doped with Zn, V and Pb. The results led to the following general statements: - Co-processed clinkers showed sound microstructure just like conventional clinkers. - Raw materials – limestone, clay and iron ore – and fossil fuels account a great deal for the amounts of trace elements involved in the burning process. According to its composition, the blend enriches selectively co-processed clinkers. - A general compatibility of trace elements – even highly volatile ones such as Cd and Hg – in clinker was observed. Co and especially Pb, however, were comparatively incompatible. - Alite of experimental clinkers incorporated preferentially Zn and Pb while belite incorporated V. - No elements showed any significant solubility from laboratory cements, thus attesting retention of environmentally relevant trace elements in the crystal lattice of clinker mineral phases. Co-processed Portland clinker must present environmental quality by retaining trace elements in solid solution, while being able to keep sound textural relationships, and guarantee immobility of toxic components on the final product. This should be attested through a systematic control of clinkers and also of cements.