En la comunidad de Rancha (Ayacucho), se observa un gran porcentaje de viviendas de adobe, elemento que es altamente usado debido a su bajo costo. Sin embargo, este material presenta variaciones en relación a su capacidad resistente e insuficiente aislamiento térmico, esto último se ve más afectado debido a las bajas temperatura de la zona. Además, la densidad y porcentaje de absorción no son las mismas para todos los adobes, ya que los materiales empleados difieren debido a la zona, clima, etc. La propuesta de solución es añadir fibras PET al adobe. Por ello, este trabajo tiene como objetivo, determinar el efecto de las fibras PET en la resistencia a la compresión, densidad, porcentaje de absorción y conductividad térmica del adobe. El procedimiento consiste en elaborar muestras de adobe patrón y de adobe con fibras PET (2%,4%,6%), las cuales se someterán a ensayos basados en la norma E.080 (adobe) y E.070 (albañilería). Después de realizar todos los ensayos, se determinó que el porcentaje óptimo de fibras PET es el 6%, puesto que su resistencia a la compresión en unidades aumentó en 19% y en muretes un 62%. Por otro lado, la densidad se redujo en 16.4%, el porcentaje de absorción en 12% y la conductividad térmica en 35%. Por esta razón, es que la propuesta contribuye al reciclaje de botellas PET, al progreso de las propiedades mecánicas y físicas del adobe para que su tiempo de vida se prolongue y a mejorar el confort térmico dentro de las viviendas. / In the community of Rancha (Ayacucho), there is a high percentage of adobe housing, which is widely used due to its low cost. However, this material presents variations in relation to its resistant capacity and insufficient thermal insulation, the latter being more affected due to the low temperatures of the area. In addition, the density and absorption percentage are not the same for all adobe bricks, since the materials used differ due to the area, climate, etc. The proposed solution is to add PET fibers to the adobe. Therefore, the objective of this work is to determine the effect of PET fibers on the compressive strength, density, absorption percentage and thermal conductivity of adobe. The procedure consists of preparing samples of standard adobe and adobe with PET fibers (2%, 4%, 6%), which will be tested based on the E.080 (adobe) and E.070 (masonry) standards. After performing all the tests, it was determined that the optimum percentage of PET fibers is 6%, since its compressive strength in units increased by 19% and in masonry by 62%. On the other hand, the density was reduced by 16.4%, the absorption percentage by 12% and the thermal conductivity by 35%. For this reason, the proposal contributes to the recycling of PET bottles, to the improvement of the mechanical and physical properties of adobe to extend its life span and to improve thermal comfort inside homes. / Tesis

This diploma thesis is focused to use bonded base layers with different types of admixures for base layers of roads. The first, theoretical part of the work deals with summary of the available literature. Deals with basic and uncoventional type of admixures used for bonded base layers. The second, partical part of the work deals with comparsion of 5 bonded base layers with recycled asphalt with added artifical fibers, cellulose fibers or without admixures and one mixtures created only from First of all is described tesťs methods with design of mixtures and described materials. In the practical part of the work was tested compressive strength, transverse tensile strength and compressive strength after effects of frost. In the end of the work is comparsion all mixtures between themselves and determination effects admixtures on compressive strength and transverse tensile strength.

The diploma thesis deals with a structural and technical survey of the surviving cellar of the German House in Brno. The first part of the thesis is devoted to the theoretical description of the constructions, methods performed and their evaluation concerning the investigated space. The aim of the survey is to determine the strength characteristics of the masonry and on their basis to propose appropriate rehabilitation and structural protection.

This thesis discusses the experimental verification of sorption and mechanical properties of fir wood from the 17th to 21th century. The wood of different ages is thermally treated with temperature of 60°C, 120°C and 180°C for a 17 hours. The effect of thermal treatment of wood on the isothermal sorption characteristics and compressive strength in fiber direction is evaluated.

The use of nanotechnology has become wide spread in all branches of science. Nanotechnology help us to understand microstructure and due to the world has started to produce new materials. One of many examples carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In diploma thesis I tried to find the way of successful introduction into concrete mixture. I was studying influence of CNTs and other nano particles and I was comparing them with referential samples (without CNTs). Also I tested the improvement of mechanical characteristics of concrete. The morphology of nano particles was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results show that introduction of nanoparticles to results in increasing strength and higher density. That is why High Performace Concrete so resistant and durable.

In line with the current focus on utilizing side products of various production processes, this dissertation thesis analyzes the process of alkali activation of particular side products: fly ash and brick fragments. This activation produces geopolymeric materials widely used in civil engineering. The thesis aims to optimize the geopolymerization process so that the resulting geopolymer is both ecologically and economically viable. To that end, the thesis studies the course of geopolymeric reaction between the alkali activator and fly ash from: (i) the Chvaletice power plant, (ii) the Dětmarovice power plant, and (iii) biomass combustion, as well as (iv) fluid fly ash from the Hodonín power plant. All experiments of geopolymeric reaction have focused on the factors influencing the synthesis of geopolymers—that is: composition of the alkali activator, the ratio of alumino-silicate to the activator, and the impact of temperature on structure of the synthesized geopolymer. Further, the thesis analyzed the synthesized polymer’s microstructure, phase composition, resistance against corrosive conditions, and compressive strength, as well as mechanical-fracture properties of selected fly-ash geopolymers. The thesis finds that the most suitable for geopolymeric synthesis appears to be the fly ash from the Chvaletice power plant in which case the obtained geopolymers showed best properties in the studied areas. The fly ash from the Dětmarovice power plant, biomass fly ash, and fluid fly ash have failed to reach acceptable properties. Separately, the thesis studies the geopolymerization of brick body that could be suitable input for alkali activation. The geopolymers synthesized from brick fragments resulted in materials of supperior mechanical strength. A mixed use of fly ash and brick fragments failed to show a synergetic effect. Properties of the resulting geopolymers have been inferior to the properties of geopolymers produced using just fly ash or just brick body.

<p>Hydrated portland cement provides the solid adhesive matrix necessary to bind aggregate (sand and gravel) into concrete. The hydration reaction requires water, however the products of the reaction limit further diffusion of water to unreacted cement. Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogel particles absorb mixing water, then subsequently desorb when the relative humidity drops, serving as internal water reservoirs within the cement matrix to shorten diffusion distances and promote the hydration reaction in a process called internal curing. Internally cured cementitious mixtures exhibit an increased degree of hydration and reduced shrinkage and cracking, which can increase concrete service life. Increased service life can, in turn, reduce overall demand for portland cement production, thereby lowering CO2 emissions.</p> <p>This dissertation addresses practical implementation questions key to the translation of SAP hydrogel internal curing technology to from the benchtop to the field in transportation applications, including: (1) What effects do mix design adjustments made to increase mixture flow when using SAP have on cementitious mixture properties? and (2) What effect do cementitious binder characteristics have on SAP performance?</p> <p>The addition of SAP to a cementitious mixture changes the mixture’s flow behavior. Flow behavior is an important aspect of concrete workability and sufficient flow is necessary to place well consolidated and molded samples. Often, additional water is added to mixtures using SAP to account for the absorbed water, however cementitious mixture workability is often tuned using high range water reducing admixtures (e.g., polycarboxylate ester-based dispersants). Fresh and hardened properties of mortars were characterized with respect to flow modification method (using the mortar flow table test; compressive strength at 3, 7, and 28 days; flexural strength at 7 and 28 days; and microstructural characterization of 28-day mortars). At typical doses, it was found that the addition of extra water lowers the resulting compressive and flexural strength, while high range water reducing admixtures administered at doses to achieve sufficient mortar flow did not compromise compressive or flexural strength.</p> <p>The SAPs used in cement are generally poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid) hydrogels and are not chemically inert in high ionic-load environments, such as cement mixtures. The behavior of an industrial SAP formulation with characterized across five different cement binder compositions with respect the cement hydration reaction (using isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis of hydration product fraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) microstructural analysis), the absorption behavior of the SAP, and the fresh and hardened properties of SAP-cement composites (mortar flow and compressive and flexural strength). The change in properties induced by the addition of SAP was similar across ASTM Type I cements from three manufacturing sources, suggesting that SAP internal curing can be implemented predictably over time and geography. Excitingly, in analysis of cement systems meeting different ASTM standards (Type III and Type I with 30% replacement by mass with ground blast furnace slag), synergistic and mitigating reaction behaviors were observed, respectively, in Type III and slag cement, suggesting that further study of SAP with these cement systems could be of particular interest.</p>

The increase of population results in more housing buildings and infrastructure, which increases the need for stable concrete structures that can safely accommodate people. In countries like Sweden, where temperatures are below zero for several months a year, housing construction cannot come to a halt. If a concrete structure is exposed to low temperatures, the phenomenon of early freezing can occur. This can damage the structure when forms are removed. To ensure that forms can be removed at the right time without causing damage, various methods have been developed by the industry, such as the prediction tool HETT 22. This program uses mathematical models to estimate when a safe form removal can be performed, considering factors such as concrete composition and surrounding conditions during casting and curing. A comparative study was conducted between obtained measurement data from two different building projects and simulations in the software. The results of wall simulations with HETT 22 were positive and show that the program can predict with good accuracy when the removal of formwork can be performed. However, the results from the floor slab simulations were indeterminate due to lack of documentation of infrared heating, making it difficult to draw a suitable conclusion about HETT 22:s capacity for floor slab simulations.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Provisional restorative treatment is an essential part of fixed prosthodontics. Incorporation of adequately constructed provisional restorations will enhance the success rate of definitive restorations. Repairing or replacing failed provisional restorations is a concern for both clinicians and patients. The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of alumina nanofibers reinforcement on the mechanical properties of commercially available provisional fixed partial denture PMMA material. The hypothesis was that the addition of alumina nanofibers to commercially available PMMA resin will significantly increase its flexural strength, fracture toughness, and microhardness. Alumina nanofibers at 0.0 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 1.0 wt %, and 2.5 wt % were added to commercially available provisional fixed partial material (Jet Tooth Shade). A quaternary ammonium acetate dispersant (CC-59, Goldschmidt, Janesville, WI) was added to the acrylic monomer at 0.0 wt %, 1.0 wt %, 2.0 wt % and 5.0 wt % of the nanofiber weight (12 test groups, 1 control). Samples from each group were evaluated for flexural strength, flexural modulus, fracture toughness, and microhardness. The samples were tested after storing in distilled water for 24 hours and 7 days at 37ºC. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the effects of storage time and combinations of alumina nanofiber level and quaternary ammonium acetate dispersant level on the flexural strength, fracture toughness, and microhardness of the provisional PMMA resin. Pair-wise comparisons between groups were performed using Tukey’s multiple comparisons procedure to control the overall significance level at 5 percent. Three fracture toughness samples/group were randomly selected for Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) to qualitatively evaluate the dispersion of the fibers. The data obtained from this study showed that control sample values were in the acceptance range compared with previous research. The experimental samples did not reinforce the provisional resin in the flexural strength, modulus, fracture toughness, or microhardness. There are several factors may attribute to these results, such as poor bonding at the filler/matrix interface. The more homogeneous the mixture of PMMA and fiber, the stronger the acrylic resin. In fact, the presence of poorly bonded fibers, to which little load is transferred, can be almost equivalent to voids. In addition, as seen with EDS images, alumina nanofibers had a tendency to agglomerate. The use of a magnetic stirrer was not effective in physically separating nanofibers agglomerates. Direct dispersion of alumina nanofibers in methyl methacrylate monomer and quaternary ammonium acetate dispersant was not effective in separating the nanofibers into nano-scaled single crystals. The presence of fiber agglomerates acts as a structural defect that detrimentally affects the mechanical properties. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of fibers, dispersion techniques, and coupling agents to enhance the mechanical properties of the provisional PMMA resin.

The primary objective of this research was to quantify the improvement in service life of a flexible pavement constructed using full-depth reclamation (FDR) in conjunction with cement stabilization when specified reductions in the spatial variability of specific construction-related parameters are achieved. This study analyzed pavement data obtained through field and laboratory testing of a reconstruction project in northern Utah. Data analyses included multivariate regression, Monte Carlo simulation, and mechanistic-empirical analyses of a model pavement structure. The results of the research show a steadily increasing trend in 28-day unconfined compressive strength of the cement-treated base (CTB) layer with increasing reductions in variability for cement content, moisture content, and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) content across each of five different reliability levels. The most significant increases in CTB strength occurred with reductions in the standard deviations of moisture content and RAP content. Decreasing the variability of cement content did not provide significant additional strength to the CTB layer. Therefore, when involved on FDR projects, members of the pavement industry should focus energy on reducing the variability of both moisture content and RAP content, which both significantly impact pavement life, to achieve high-quality, long-lasting pavements.