This diploma thesis deals with the influence of addition of carbon nanoparticles on cement composites. The theoretical part of the diploma thesis is focused on the research of information about carbon nanoparticles, more precisely about carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide. There are summarized methods of dispersing carbon nanotubes and their effects on cement composites. The practical part follows the theoretical part of the research. In the first phase, the correct technique of graphene oxide dispersion was verified. Subsequently, the effects of graphene oxide on the mechanical properties of cement mortars were verified. In the final phase of the diploma thesis, the knowledge gained from the previous part was verified on concrete samples.

Plasma treatment of polypropylene fibers presents a new progressive method, how to increase the utility properties of these fibers. The thesis is focused on verifying the effect of surface treatment of polypropylene fibers in concrete with low-temperature plasma discharge in the normal atmosphere. The paper describes the procedure for treatment of polypropylene fibers with low-temperature plasma and evaluate the impact of this adjustment on the volume changes of cement composites. It should also be emphasized that the thesis is focused on the initial volume changes, ie volume changes in the early stages of solidification and only for your own mixture, which is not considered an external load. Subsequently, the experimental verification of the effect of the addition made commercially available fibers and fibers treated plasma volume changes to a selected physico-mechanical properties of the test compounds.

The diploma thesis is focused on the behaviour of natural and synthetic aggregates and their behaviour in polymer – cement composites, while being exposed to high temperature. The processes, happening in aggregates and mortar under the thermal load, were described in the theoretical part of the thesis same as the testing of heat effects on the aggregates and mortar. Further, the influence of high temperature on each component of concrete was described, followed by the suggestion of the appropriate components for concrete exposed to high temperature. Various aggregates were tested in the experimental part of the thesis. The basic physical and mechanical properties of aggregates were examined same as their mineralogical composition with using XRD, DTA and SEM methods. At the mortar, the influence of high temperature on the concrete density, compressive strength and tensile strength was defined. The gained knowledge was evaluated in the final part of the thesis

The master thesis is focused on current issues of concrete behaviour under high temperatures. In the theoretical part, a search of knowledge about changes in concrete, which take place when exposed to thermal loads, which simulates the effect of fire, is performed, and summarized. It is also important to summarize the changes in the individual components that are used to produce concrete. This work describes the effect of high temperatures on mechanical and physical properties as well. There is an information about the most used fibres and their function in concrete. Emphasis is placed on describing the possibility of using recycled PET or cellulose fibres due to the positive environmental impact. In the experimental part, recipes with different types and amounts of fibres are proposed. The subject of the research was to determine how individual types and amounts of fibres affect the physical mechanical properties of concrete and their suitability for use at high temperatures. Microscopic scanning and study of changes in the structure of concrete was also performed.

<p>In the United States, buildings are responsible for almost 40% of the country’s total energy consumption and 38% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers are constantly seeking sustainable and efficient energy generation solutions for buildings as society continues to cope with the intensifying energy crisis and environmental deterioration. Thermoelectric technology is one such solution that potentially can lead to significant energy recovery and conversion between waste or excess thermal energy and electrical energy. One promising application is integrating thermoelectric materials into the building envelope (TBE) for power generation and building heating and cooling without transporting energy among subsystems and refrigerant use. TBE can combine structural support and thermal storage with power generation and thermal-activated cooling and heating, thereby contributing to sustainable living and energy. </p> <p>TBE technology is still in its early development stages. This dissertation aimed to develop a fundamental understanding of the characteristics, behaviors, operation, and control of TBE systems as energy-efficient measures for thermal energy harvesting and thermal comfort regulation and to address the significant research gaps concerning high-conversion efficiency materials and optimal module configuration as well as system deployment related to real-world applications. Accordingly, this dissertation focused on the following three key objectives: (1) development and characterization of new thermoelectric composite materials; (2) identification of optimal designs and controls of TBE and established mathematical models for performance simulation; and (3) quantification of the energy-saving benefits of TBE. </p> <p>The following five aspects specifically were investigated:</p> <p>(1)<em> Material development and characterization</em>. New thermoelectric cement composites were developed with cement and various additives, material concentrations, and fabrication methods in the laboratory. Their thermoelectric properties (e.g., Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, power factor, and the figure of merit) were measured simultaneously and characterized at 300–350 K.</p> <p>(2)<em> Module evaluation.</em> Commercially available thermoelectric modules (TEMs) were assessed using well-designed test apparatus in both the heat pumping and power generation modes. The test results validated the numerical model, which assisted with performance comparison and material selection between cement-based and commercial TEMs for the TBE prototype.</p> <p>(3)<em> Prototype assessment. </em>A convective TBE prototype and a radiant TBE prototype were designed, assembled, and evaluated in a pair of controlled testing chambers. The TBE’s surface temperature, thermal capacity, and COP were assessed under summer and winter conditions. </p> <p>(4)<em> Prototype modeling. </em>The first-principle-based numerical models of both the convective and radiant TBE prototypes were developed in Modelica. The modeling results indicated good agreement with the experimental data. The verified models were used to study the impacts of the design parameters and operating conditions on the heat pumping performance of TBE.</p> <p>(5)<em> System simulation. </em>A TBE building system model was established by integrating the TBE prototype model within a building’s heat balance model, considering the building construction, climate condition, power control, etc. Its seasonal performance under various climate conditions was studied to identify the potential optimal operation and energy savings. </p> <p>This dissertation confirmed several key findings in the areas of material development, system design and operation, and energy savings. The TBE achieved higher efficiency with a heat pump for heating than for cooling generally. The TBE heating system performed better than a conventional electric heater (efficiency assumed at 0.9). The measures that improved TBE heating efficiency were enhancing the material’s thermoelectric properties, optimizing the geometry and number of TEMs, and improving the boundary heat transfer of TEMs. </p> <p>This dissertation concluded that the TBE system is a promising alternative to conventional heating systems in buildings. Furthermore, the knowledge gained will strengthen the understanding of thermoelectrics in the building domain and guide further development in TBE, as well as facilitate the operation of net-zero energy and carbon-neutral buildings. </p>

This dissertation deals with the study of durability and degradation repair mortars for reinforced concrete structures. In its theoretical part, there are the research findings on the behavior of repair mortars exposed to corrosive environments with different exposure time and selected high temperatures. Processes occurring in repair mortars during their loading at high temperatures or when exposed to chemically aggressive environments are described, We can find recipes designed for cementitious binder based with a specific replacement using slag or fly ash in its practical part. The object of the research was to determine the durability of the proposed repair mortars, and determine their suitability for use on concrete structures, which may be exposed to a synergistic effect of chemically aggressive environments with high temperatures simulating fire.