The work in this thesis examines the suitability of utilising ground waste brick as a cement replacement material. The brick types investigated were obtained from the UK,Denmark, Lithuania and Poland. Cement was partially replaced by various quantities and types of ground brick in mortar and concrete. Compressive strength, pore size distribution and sorptivity of mortar generally all benefit from the presence of ground brick and the greatest effect can be seen after water curing for one year. Compressive strength of concrete is also shown to increase as the fineness of ground brick increases although the optimum particle size for ground brick in concrete is still to be determined. The ground bricks investigated have a significant effect on the performance of ground brick mortar when exposed to sodium sulphate solution and synthetic seawater. It is seen that depending on the chemical and phase composition, the effect of ground brick can increase substantially the rate of deterioration of mortar or can reduce significantly the expansion observed. No definite mechanism was identified as being responsible for the observed deterioration of mortar exposed to sodium sulphate solution although it seems likely that water intake due to ettringite formation and adsorption of water by the resultant colloidal product are the primary causes of expansion. Sulphate content, glass content and oxide chemistry of brick are key factors as to its performance when used as a cement replacement material in mortar. Bricks with a high proportion of low calcium glass make very effective pozzolans. Bricks with high calcium glass or a low proportion of glass should not be used as pozzolans. Small amounts of sulphate in ground brick do not have any serious deleterious effects on ground brick mortars and can be beneficial. It is established that it is technically feasible to partially replace cement with ground brick in mortar and concrete, depending on its chemical and phase composition to produce a more durable, cost effective and (due to the lower cement content) a less environmentally damaging material than that produced without cement replacement.

Please read the abstract in the dissertation. Copyright / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

The use of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for predicting levels of degradation in laboratory soil block tests was investigated. Calibrations were developed for mass loss, compression strength, and exposure period using data measured from the prior methods, and untreated and mathematically treated (multiplicative scatter correction and first and second derivative) NIR spectra from various spans of wavelengths by partial least squares regression. Strong correlations were obtained from each study conducted, while calibrations developed from NIR spectra from the cross-sectional face of southern yellow pine presented the strongest predictions. Of them, calibrations for mass loss resulted in the strongest predictions. Calibrations constructed from spectra obtained from the radial face of southern yellow pine also produced strong predictions, where the strongest model was for exposure period. While, calibrations developed for cottonwood presented the weakest statistics, the strongest calibration found was for exposure period.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the difference between containerboard materials strength and stiffness properties in tension and compression, how the mechanisms behind compressive and tensile properties are affected by the relative humidity of the ambient air and how the relative humidity affects the compressive response of the fibre network. These properties are used to predict the lifetime performance of corrugated boxes and to prevent early collapses of the boxes and thereby waste or harm of the transported goods inside. The work also discusses the methods used to evaluate the different properties and how reliable the results are. The experimental part includes testing of linerboard and fluting materials from both virgin and recycled fibres, which have been conditioned at 50% and 90% relative humidity. The compression tests were filmed to evaluate if different compression failure modes can be related to the strength and stiffness of the material. The results indicated that the compressive strength and stiffness differ from the strength and stiffness values in tension at 90% relative humidity. Compressive strength is lower in both 50% and 90% relative humidity compared with the tensile strength. However, the compression stiffness shows a higher value than the tensile stiffness at 90% relative humidity. The study of the method for evaluating the compressive behaviour of the paper does not present a complete picture on what type of failure the paper actually experience.

A presente pesquisa propõe analisar, avaliar e validar o uso de ensaios de aderência açoconcreto para estimativa da resistência à compressão axial do concreto in loco nas primeiras idades em canteiros de obras, como alternativa ao controle de qualidade tradicional. Alguns pesquisadores propuseram a utilização de um ensaio de aderência modificado, que denominaram Appropriate Pull-Out Test (APULOT), como uma adaptação do método pullout test (POT) tradicional, normalizado pela norma EN12504-3. Para viabilizar o uso do ensaio APULOT como ensaio que possa ser implementado na prática do controle tecnológico do concreto em canteiros de obras e seja representativo da resistência in loco é necessário definir um padrão para o mesmo. O presente trabalho desenvolveu um molde específico para o ensaio, analisou a influência do processo da cura nos resultados da tensão máxima de aderência, estudou como a medição da maturidade no concreto pôde auxiliar na determinação do momento certo para fazer o ensaio de arrancamento e comparou resultados dos ensaios feitos em corpos de prova para teste de aderência com ensaios de arrancamento de barras de aço em painéis de concreto. Para tanto foram feitos nove concretagens empregando diferentes tamanhos e configurações de corpos de prova, ensaios de arrancamento, extrações de testemunhos de painéis de concreto, ensaios à compressão simples e medições de maturidade dos concretos empregados. Também se realizaram registros de temperatura ambiente e velocidade do vento na vizinhança dos painéis, buscando estabelecer relações entre a maturidade e as condições ambientais do canteiro. Os ensaios descritos anteriormente realizaram-se às idades de 3, 5, 7 e 28 dias. Os resultados obtidos mostram que, sob condições padronizadas de ensaio, existe ótima correlação entre a tensão máxima de aderência e a resistência à compressão do concreto e por tanto o ensaio de aderência pode ser utilizado para fazer uma estimativa da resistência à compressão do concreto in loco nas primeiras idades. / This research aims to analyze, evaluate and validate the use of steel-concrete bond tests to estimate the axial compression strength of in situ concrete at early ages on construction sites, as alternative to conventional strength control tests. Some researchers have proposed the use of a modified bond test, named Appropriate Pull-Out Test (APULOT), as an adaptation of the traditional pull-out test method (POT) standardized by the EN12504-3. To implement the APULOT as a strength control procedure for concrete on construction site, standardization is needed. This study developed a specific mold for the test; analyzed the influence of curing process on the results of the maximum bond stress; studied how measuring the maturity in the concrete could help to determine when is the right time to make the pull-out test; compared results of tests made on cores for testing the bond and pull-out tests on steel bars in concrete panels. Therefore, it have been made nine concrete events, pull-out tests using different sizes and configurations of cylindrical concret specimen, pull-out tests and extraction of cores from concrete panels, compressive test and maturity measurements of specific employees. Also, temperature and wind speed records have been performed in the panel´s sourrundings, seeking to establish relationships between maturity and ambiental conditions on construction site. The tests described above were carried out at 3, 5, 7 and 28 days. The results show that, under standardized test conditions, a correlation between the maximum bond stress and the concrete compression strength exists, and therefore, bond test can be used to estimate the in situ compression strength of the concrete in the first ages.

The compressive strength perpendicular to grain of cross laminated timber (CLT) was studied experimentally. The problem was also theoretically analyzed and a finite element model was created and solved using a commercial finite element software package. The experiments were carried out with three layer CLT specimens of dimensions 200x200x120 mm and 300x300x120 mm. In some of the experiments a contact free deformation measurement system was used to analyze the strain field during loading. Different ways to apply the load were used: over the whole surface of the specimens and by a 50 mm wide steel bar. The position of the steel bar in relation to the specimen edge and its orientation relative the surface grain direction was varied. It was found that the compression strength of the cross laminated timber depended on the way in which the load was applied. The compression strength perpendicular to grain was found vary from 2.9 N/mm2 for specimens loaded by a line load at the edge of the specimen and parallel to the surface grain direction to 5.8 N/mm2 for specimens loaded by a line load at the specimen centre and perpendicular to the surface fiber direction. / Tryckhållfastheten vinkelrät fiberriktningen i korslimmade massivträskivor (CLT) bestämdes experimentellt. Även teoretiska studier genomfördes med hjälp av ett kommersiellt finita elementprogram. Provningarna genomfördes på treskiktsskivor med måtten 200x200x120 mm samt 300x300x120 mm. I vissa av försöken användes dessutom ett mätsystem för beröringsfri deformationsmätning för att bestämma töjningsfälten. Olika sätt att belasta provbitarna undersöktes: genom att belasta hela provytan eller genom att belasta provet med en 50 mm bred stålstav. Stålstavens läge i förhållande till provbitens kant och dess orientering i förhållande till ytskiktets fiberriktning varierades. De experimentella resultaten visade att hållfastheten beror på hur provbitarna belastas. Tryckhållfastheten varierade mellan 2.9 N/mm2 för fallet med en linjelast vid provbitens kant och orienterad parallellt med ytskiktets fiberriktning och 5.8 N/mm2 för fallet med en linjelast mitt på provbiten och orienterad vinkelrät mot ytskiktets fiberriktning.

<p> </p><p>The compressive strength perpendicular to grain of cross laminated timber (CLT) was studied experimentally. The problem was also theoretically analyzed and a finite element model was created and solved using a commercial finite element software package. The experiments were carried out with three layer CLT specimens of dimensions 200x200x120 mm and 300x300x120 mm. In some of the experiments a contact free deformation measurement system was used to analyze the strain field during loading. Different ways to apply the load were used: over the whole surface of the specimens and by a 50 mm wide steel bar. The position of the steel bar in relation to the specimen edge and its orientation relative the surface grain direction was varied. It was found that the compression strength of the cross laminated timber depended on the way in which the load was applied. The compression strength perpendicular to grain was found vary from 2.9 N/mm² for specimens loaded by a line load at the edge of the specimen and parallel to the surface grain direction to 5.8 N/mm² for specimens loaded by a line load at the specimen centre and perpendicular to the surface fiber direction.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> / <p> </p><p>Tryckhållfastheten vinkelrät fiberriktningen i korslimmade massivträskivor (CLT) bestämdes experimentellt. Även teoretiska studier genomfördes med hjälp av ett kommersiellt finita elementprogram. Provningarna genomfördes på treskiktsskivor med måtten 200x200x120 mm samt 300x300x120 mm. I vissa av försöken användes dessutom ett mätsystem för beröringsfri deformationsmätning för att bestämma töjningsfälten. Olika sätt att belasta provbitarna undersöktes: genom att belasta hela provytan eller genom att belasta provet med en 50 mm bred stålstav. Stålstavens läge i förhållande till provbitens kant och dess orientering i förhållande till ytskiktets fiberriktning varierades. De experimentella resultaten visade att hållfastheten beror på hur provbitarna belastas. Tryckhållfastheten varierade mellan 2.9 N/mm² för fallet med en linjelast vid provbitens kant och orienterad parallellt med ytskiktets fiberriktning och 5.8 N/mm² för fallet med en linjelast mitt på provbiten och orienterad vinkelrät mot ytskiktets fiberriktning.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

A presente pesquisa propõe analisar, avaliar e validar o uso de ensaios de aderência açoconcreto para estimativa da resistência à compressão axial do concreto in loco nas primeiras idades em canteiros de obras, como alternativa ao controle de qualidade tradicional. Alguns pesquisadores propuseram a utilização de um ensaio de aderência modificado, que denominaram Appropriate Pull-Out Test (APULOT), como uma adaptação do método pullout test (POT) tradicional, normalizado pela norma EN12504-3. Para viabilizar o uso do ensaio APULOT como ensaio que possa ser implementado na prática do controle tecnológico do concreto em canteiros de obras e seja representativo da resistência in loco é necessário definir um padrão para o mesmo. O presente trabalho desenvolveu um molde específico para o ensaio, analisou a influência do processo da cura nos resultados da tensão máxima de aderência, estudou como a medição da maturidade no concreto pôde auxiliar na determinação do momento certo para fazer o ensaio de arrancamento e comparou resultados dos ensaios feitos em corpos de prova para teste de aderência com ensaios de arrancamento de barras de aço em painéis de concreto. Para tanto foram feitos nove concretagens empregando diferentes tamanhos e configurações de corpos de prova, ensaios de arrancamento, extrações de testemunhos de painéis de concreto, ensaios à compressão simples e medições de maturidade dos concretos empregados. Também se realizaram registros de temperatura ambiente e velocidade do vento na vizinhança dos painéis, buscando estabelecer relações entre a maturidade e as condições ambientais do canteiro. Os ensaios descritos anteriormente realizaram-se às idades de 3, 5, 7 e 28 dias. Os resultados obtidos mostram que, sob condições padronizadas de ensaio, existe ótima correlação entre a tensão máxima de aderência e a resistência à compressão do concreto e por tanto o ensaio de aderência pode ser utilizado para fazer uma estimativa da resistência à compressão do concreto in loco nas primeiras idades. / This research aims to analyze, evaluate and validate the use of steel-concrete bond tests to estimate the axial compression strength of in situ concrete at early ages on construction sites, as alternative to conventional strength control tests. Some researchers have proposed the use of a modified bond test, named Appropriate Pull-Out Test (APULOT), as an adaptation of the traditional pull-out test method (POT) standardized by the EN12504-3. To implement the APULOT as a strength control procedure for concrete on construction site, standardization is needed. This study developed a specific mold for the test; analyzed the influence of curing process on the results of the maximum bond stress; studied how measuring the maturity in the concrete could help to determine when is the right time to make the pull-out test; compared results of tests made on cores for testing the bond and pull-out tests on steel bars in concrete panels. Therefore, it have been made nine concrete events, pull-out tests using different sizes and configurations of cylindrical concret specimen, pull-out tests and extraction of cores from concrete panels, compressive test and maturity measurements of specific employees. Also, temperature and wind speed records have been performed in the panel´s sourrundings, seeking to establish relationships between maturity and ambiental conditions on construction site. The tests described above were carried out at 3, 5, 7 and 28 days. The results show that, under standardized test conditions, a correlation between the maximum bond stress and the concrete compression strength exists, and therefore, bond test can be used to estimate the in situ compression strength of the concrete in the first ages.

A presente pesquisa propõe analisar, avaliar e validar o uso de ensaios de aderência açoconcreto para estimativa da resistência à compressão axial do concreto in loco nas primeiras idades em canteiros de obras, como alternativa ao controle de qualidade tradicional. Alguns pesquisadores propuseram a utilização de um ensaio de aderência modificado, que denominaram Appropriate Pull-Out Test (APULOT), como uma adaptação do método pullout test (POT) tradicional, normalizado pela norma EN12504-3. Para viabilizar o uso do ensaio APULOT como ensaio que possa ser implementado na prática do controle tecnológico do concreto em canteiros de obras e seja representativo da resistência in loco é necessário definir um padrão para o mesmo. O presente trabalho desenvolveu um molde específico para o ensaio, analisou a influência do processo da cura nos resultados da tensão máxima de aderência, estudou como a medição da maturidade no concreto pôde auxiliar na determinação do momento certo para fazer o ensaio de arrancamento e comparou resultados dos ensaios feitos em corpos de prova para teste de aderência com ensaios de arrancamento de barras de aço em painéis de concreto. Para tanto foram feitos nove concretagens empregando diferentes tamanhos e configurações de corpos de prova, ensaios de arrancamento, extrações de testemunhos de painéis de concreto, ensaios à compressão simples e medições de maturidade dos concretos empregados. Também se realizaram registros de temperatura ambiente e velocidade do vento na vizinhança dos painéis, buscando estabelecer relações entre a maturidade e as condições ambientais do canteiro. Os ensaios descritos anteriormente realizaram-se às idades de 3, 5, 7 e 28 dias. Os resultados obtidos mostram que, sob condições padronizadas de ensaio, existe ótima correlação entre a tensão máxima de aderência e a resistência à compressão do concreto e por tanto o ensaio de aderência pode ser utilizado para fazer uma estimativa da resistência à compressão do concreto in loco nas primeiras idades. / This research aims to analyze, evaluate and validate the use of steel-concrete bond tests to estimate the axial compression strength of in situ concrete at early ages on construction sites, as alternative to conventional strength control tests. Some researchers have proposed the use of a modified bond test, named Appropriate Pull-Out Test (APULOT), as an adaptation of the traditional pull-out test method (POT) standardized by the EN12504-3. To implement the APULOT as a strength control procedure for concrete on construction site, standardization is needed. This study developed a specific mold for the test; analyzed the influence of curing process on the results of the maximum bond stress; studied how measuring the maturity in the concrete could help to determine when is the right time to make the pull-out test; compared results of tests made on cores for testing the bond and pull-out tests on steel bars in concrete panels. Therefore, it have been made nine concrete events, pull-out tests using different sizes and configurations of cylindrical concret specimen, pull-out tests and extraction of cores from concrete panels, compressive test and maturity measurements of specific employees. Also, temperature and wind speed records have been performed in the panel´s sourrundings, seeking to establish relationships between maturity and ambiental conditions on construction site. The tests described above were carried out at 3, 5, 7 and 28 days. The results show that, under standardized test conditions, a correlation between the maximum bond stress and the concrete compression strength exists, and therefore, bond test can be used to estimate the in situ compression strength of the concrete in the first ages.

Le Soil-Mixing consiste à traiter le sol avec un liant hydraulique en le mélangeant mécaniquement en place pour améliorer ses propriétés mécaniques. Son coté économique ainsi que son faible impact environnemental ont fait de cette méthode jusque là cantonnée à l'amélioration de sols compressibles ou à forte teneur en matière organique une alternative attrayante aux méthodes traditionnelles de renforcements des sols, de soutènements (temporaires voire définitifs), de fondations et de travaux d'étanchéités. Mais avec cette augmentation de la demande, les exigences nouvelles concernant la méthode et le matériau sont apparues.De nombreuses études permettent d'apporter des éléments de réponses. Cependant, il n'existe pas d'étude paramétrique globale étudiant à la fois l'impact du type de sol et de la quantité d'eau sur la caractérisation du matériau Soil-Mixing et qui permettrait d'améliorer les méthodes de dosage ainsi que les méthodes de dimensionnement des ouvrages en Soil-Mixing.Un mélange sol-ciment est composé majoritairement de sol. Le ciment ne représentera au maximum que 30% du mélange. L'approche adoptée est donc plutôt celle du domaine de la géotechnique que des bétons hydrauliques. Nous avons pris le parti de baser notre travail sur une étude de laboratoire, en réalisant des mélanges dits “de référence”. Trois sables et cinq sols fins ont été traités en faisant varier à chaque fois les quantités de ciment et d'eau, afin d'observer l'influence de la granulométrie, de l'argilosité et de la quantité d'eau présente dans le mélange sur la résistance, la rigidité et la déformation à la rupture du matériau. Par ailleurs, des sols reconstitués à base de sable et de sol fin ont été traités afin d'étudier l'impact des fines et de leur nature sur la résistance du matériau. En parallèle, le suivi de différents chantiers nous a permis d'étudier la mise en œuvre de la méthode, l'homogénéité du matériau réalisé in situ, et de comparer les résultats obtenus avec ceux de l'étude paramétrique. Les retombées de ce travail sont la création d'abaques reliant la résistance au dosage en ciment et au rapport C/E, ainsi qu'un tableau de synthèse de données expérimentales des différentes propriétés mécaniques du matériau Soil-Mixing (en fonction de la nature du sol rencontré), et des formules permettant pour les sols grenus de prédire la résistance à 7 et 28 jours en fonction du pourcentage de fines dans le sol et du dosage en ciment / The Soil-Mixing consists in mixing a hydraulic binder into the soil mechanically in order to improve its mechanical properties. Because of its economical as well as its sustainable advantages, this method so far confined to the improvement of compressible or high organic content soils has become an attractive alternative to traditional methods for soil reinforcement, retaining walls (temporary or final), foundations and cutoff walls. But these new applications imply new requirements on the method as well as on the material. Many studies on the subject provide some answers. However, there is no comprehensive parametric study examining both the impact of soil type and the amount of water on the characterization of the Soil-Mixing material and would improve the testing methods and methods for design of structures in Soil-Mixing.Soil-cement mixtures are predominantly composed of soil. The cement will represent at most 30% of the mixture. That is why we have chosen to follow a geotechnical approach rather than the concrete approach for this project.We followed an experimental program based on a laboratory study, realizing mixes called "reference" mixes. Three sand soil and five fine soils were treated by varying each time the quantities of cement and water to observe the influence of particle size, clay content and the amount of water present in the mixes on the resistance of the material, stiffness and failure strain. In addition, soils made from sand and fine soils were reconstituted and treated to study the impact of fines and their nature on the strength of the material.In parallel, monitoring of various projects has enabled us to study the implementation of the method, the homogeneity of the material produced in situ, and to compare the results with those of the parametric study. The results of this work are the creation of abaci connecting the resistance to the cement content and C/E ratio, and a summary table of experimental data of different mechanical properties of the Soil-Mixing material (depending on the nature of the soil), and formulas for granular soils predicting the strength after 7 and 28 days of curing depending on the percentage of fines in the soil and on cement content