Thesis (M. Eng.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves 95-101.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xvi, 250 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2007. / "PCA R&D Serial No. 3030." (cover)

Geopolymerization has been considered as a new technology to replace the ordinary Portland cement in construction industry. It provides an option to manage the industry waste and byproducts like fly ash, mine tailings. At the same time, the CO₂ emissions can be reduced about 80% compared to that of ordinary Portland cement. The present research includes three main parts. First part is applying mine tailings as construction materials using geopolymerization method. The study is focused on efficiently activating mine tailings, reducing alkali consumption, decreasing curing time and improving compressive strength. We investigate the activation temperature effects, the impacts of additives and effects of forming pressures. The results show that a 40 MPa unconfined compressive strength (UCS) can be achieved with the geopolymerization samples after mine tailings are activated by sodium hydroxide at 170°C for 1 hour with the addition of calcium hydroxide and alkali dissolved aluminium oxide, further compressed with a 10 MPa forming pressure and finally cured at 90°C for 3 days. To elucidate the mechanism for the contribution of additives to geopolymerization, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques including scanning electron microscopy/ energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are used to investigate the micro/nanostructure and the elemental and phase composition of geopolymerization specimens. The stress-strain behavior was also characterized. The results shows that the mechanical behavior is similar with that of concrete and the dynamic modulus is 22 GPa, which is comparable with that of concrete. The Young's modulus of geopolymer product was also calculated and the value is in the range of 2.9 to 9.3 GPa. The findings of the present work provide a novel method for the geopolymerization of mine tailings as construction materials. Second section is applying fly ash as a high strength water-resistant construction material. Through the present investigation, a procedure has been studied. The experiment results indicate that the concentration of NaOH, water content, and curing condition can significantly affect the mechanical property of geopolymer matrix. At the same time, the chemical composition, especially the Si/Al ratio and calcium content, is also an important factor during geopolymerization. XRD results show that the amorphous feature can be observed for both high and low calcium fly ash. It is the key of the success of geopolymerizaton due to its high reactivity. XRD, FTIR and SEM tests were performed to study how experiment conditions and the properties of fly ash affect geopolymerization. The obtained compressive strength of the geopolymerization product can reach above 100 MPa. The stress-strain behavior was also characterized. The results shows that the dynamic modulus is 36.5 GPa. The product obtained from the present work shows very high water resistance without losing any compressive strength even after a one month soaking time. Third part is applying the mixture of class C fly ash and mine tailings as construction materials. Through the present investigation, a protocol has been set up. The experiment results of the present work also help set up the working conditions such as activation temperature and time, the concentration of NaOH, the addition of Ca(OH)₂, forming pressure, mine tailing to class C fly ash weight ratio, curing temperature and curing time. To elucidate the mechanism for the contribution of additives to geopolymerization, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as SEM/EDX, X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy were used to investigate the micro/nanostructure and the elemental and phase composition of geopolymerization composite. The obtained compressive strength of the geopolymerization product can reach above 60 MPa. The stress-strain behavior of the geopolymer matrix of the mixture of mine tailing and fly ash were also characterized and the results show that the mechanical behavior is similar to that of concrete with a 24 GPa dynamic modulus. The Young's modulus of geopolymer product was also calculated and the value is in the range of 4.0 to 13.5 GPa. The findings of the present work provide a novel method for the geopolymerization of the mixture of mine tailings and class C fly ash as construction materials, such as bricks for construction and road pavement.

The primary aim of this research was to investigate the fundamental acoustic properties of several cementitious materials, the influence of mix design parameters/constituents, and finally the effect of the physical and mechanical properties of cementitious material concrete/mortar on the acoustic properties of the material. The main objectives were: To understand the mechanism of sound production in musical instruments and the effects of the material(s) employed on the sound generated; To build upon previous research regarding selection of the tested physical/mechanical properties and acoustic properties of cementitious materials; To draw conclusions regarding the effect of different constituents, mix designs and material properties upon the acoustic properties of the material; To build a model of the relationship between the acoustic properties of a cementitious material and its mix design via its physical/mechanical properties. In order to meet the aim, this research was conducted by employing the semi-experimental (half analytical) method: two experimental programmes were performed (I and II); a mathematical optimization technique (least square method) was then implemented in order to construct an optimized mathematical model to match with the experimental data. In Experimental Programme I, six constituents/factors were investigated regarding the effect on the physical/mechanical and acoustic properties: cementitious material additives (fly ash, silica fume, and GGBS), superplasticizer, and basic mix design parameters (w/c ratio, and sand grading). 11 properties (eight physical/mechanical properties: compressive strength, density, hardness, flexural strength, flexural modulus, elastic modulus, dynamic modulus and slump test; and three acoustic properties: resonant frequency, speed of sound and quality factor (internal damping)) were tested for each constituents/factors related mortar type. For each type of mortar, there were three cubes, three prisms and three cylinders produced. In Experimental Programme I, 20 mix designs were investigated, 180 specimens produced, and 660 test results recorded. After analysing the results of Experimental Programme I, fly ash (FA), w/b ratio and b/s ratio were selected as the cementitious material/factors which had the greatest influence on the acoustic properties of the material; these were subsequently investigated in detail in Experimental Programme II. In Experimental Programme II, various combinations of FA replacement level, w/b ratios and b/s ratios (three factors) resulted in 1122 test results. The relationship between these three factors on the selected 11 properties was then determined. Through using regression analysis and optimization technique (least square method), the relationship between the physical/mechanical properties and acoustic properties was then determined. Through both experimental programmes, 54 mix designs were investigated in total, with 486 specimens produced and tested, and 1782 test results recorded. Finally, based upon well-known existing relationships (including, model of compressive strength and elastic modulus, and the model of elastic modulus and dynamic modulus), and new regressioned models of FA-mortar (the relationship of compressive strength and constituents, which is unique for different mixes), the optimized object function of acoustic properties (speed of sound and damping ratio) and mix design (proportions of constituents) were constructed via the physical/mechanical properties.

The aim of the project is to utilise fly ash (PFA), a waste material/industrial byproduct, with metakaolin (MK), as a partial replacement for Portland cement (PC) in mortar and paste. The influence of various compositions of MK-PFA-PC blends on the resistance to the action of sulphate and synthetic seawater solutions, setting time and heat of hydration will be examined. MK is calcinated clay and is a relatively new pozzolanic material. Although it is a very effective pozzolan it is also very expensive. Using FA, which is a much less expensive material, as a PC replacement material, is problematic, as there is slow and low early strength development whereas MK enhances early strength development. Combining these materials in ternary blends should therefore produce a high performance material at an acceptable cost for use as a pozzolan. However the properties and performance of such a material still need to be fully established. The results of the research show, for the initial and final setting time of binary MK-PC pastes there is a substantial increase at 5% MK and then decreases at 10 and 15% MK before increasing again at 20% MK replacement level. However, with PFA there are different trends to those observed when using MK alone. The initial and final setting time of binary PFA-PC pastes shows a slight increase at 10% PFA and then systematically increases with increase in PFA content up to 40% PFA. Evaluation of sample preparation for porosimetry found that, overall, the compression tested samples show a lower proportion of 'fine pores' (volume (%) 0.05) jam than the cored and cut paste disks. It is deducted that this is due to the widespread microcracking during failure of the cubes under compressive loading thus modifying the pore structure present in the compressive tested samples. In strength development of mortar there is very little advantage in using MK over binary PFA-PC mortar blends when exposed to sulphate solution for up to 2 years. The strength behaviour in seawater is however quite different from that observed in mortar exposed to sulphate solution. As the MK replacement levels increase relative to the PFA levels the resistance to seawater attack improves significantly. In mortar exposed to sulphate solution the durability is greatly improved at high replacement levels in both binary and ternary blends. The durability of mortar exposed to seawater is greatly improved at 30 and 40% total replacement in ternary blended mortars.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de corrosão da armadura induzida por carbonatação em concretos com elevados teores de cinza volante, utilizando-se para isso a técnica de resistência de polarização. Selecionou-se para a pesquisa quatro relações água/aglomerante (0,44, 0,48, 0,55 e 0,65) e quatro teores de substituição de cimento (clínquer + gesso) por cinza volante (0,15, 30 e 45%). Foi também escolhido para comparação o cimento CPIV 32. Os corpos-de-prova foram curados por 28 dias, sazonados por 22 dias e então carbonatados em ambientes com 5 e com mais de 50% de CO2, por um período 223 dias. Após, os concretos foram parcialmente imersos durante 35 dias. Os ensaios de resistência de polarização foram feitos durante todo o período de carbonatação e imersão parcial. Paralelamente, romperam-se corpos-de-prova por compressão axial, determinou-se profundidades carbonatadas e monitorou-se as massas dos corpos de prova usados para ensaio de resistência de polarização. Realizou-se também análises complementares de microestrutura, utilizando-se as técnicas de difração por raios-X, fluorescência de raios-X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura por elétrons retroespalhados, análises com EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) e espectroscopia Raman. Os experimentos realizados possibilitaram identificar o efeito significativo da variação do teor de cinza volante para a corrosão da armadura. Os resultados assim obtidos também permitiram constatar o efeito significativo do teor de CO2 para os resultados de potencial de corrosão e de densidade de corrente de corrosão. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho evidenciaram a importância de cada vez mais se buscar a realização de ensaios que reproduzam o máximo possível condições de exposição das estruturas no ambiente. / This work presents a study of corrosion of reinforcing steel induced by carbonation in concretes containing fly ash. Four water-binder ratios (0,44; 0,48; 0,55 and 0,65) and four clinker (clinker + gypsum) replacements of fly ash (0;15; 30 and 45%) were selected. It was also chosen CPIV 32 cement to study. After 28 days kept in the moist curing room, the samples were carbonated during 223 days in a CO2 atmosphere with 5% and more than 50% of CO2 After the carbonation period, the concretes samples were partially immersed during 35 days in potable water. Linear polarization resistance tests were made during the whole carbonation and partial immersion periods. Moreover, compressive strength tests were made, depth of carbonation in concretes were determined and the masses of samples used in linear polarization resistance tests were monitored. Even microstructure complementary analyses were made using X-ray diffraction (DRX) techniques, X-ray fluorescence (FRX), electronic microscopy using backscattered electrons and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses and Raman spectroscopy. Based on the accomplished tests it’s possible to identify the significant effect of the fly ash level replacement in concrete on the reinforcing steel corrosion. The thus gotten results also had of allowed evidencing the significant effect of the CO2 concentration on the results of corrosion potential and corrosion current density.

Vid byggprojekt har det uppdagats fuktproblem i betongplattor där plastmattor har släppt från underlaget. Ett av problemen som beskyllts i media är förändringen från byggcement till bascement. Bascement är en cementsort som 14 % flygaska blandat med portlandklinker. Anledningen till att cementtillverkarna använder flygaska, som är en restprodukt från pulvereldade kolkraftverk, är att det ger minskade mängder portlandklinker som vid tillverkningen släpper ut stora mängder koldioxid. Cement är bindemedlet i betong och när flygaska används binds mindre mängd i vatten i betongens hydrationsprocess. För att undersöka vilken skillnad i uttorkning det finns i betong med bascement och byggcement gjöts två betongprover med samma betongrecept och VCT, men med respektive bascement och byggcement som bindemedel. Dessa betongprover förvarades i en uppvärmd lokal med låg relativ fuktighet. Fuktmätningarna utfördes enligt rådet för byggkompetens fuktmätningsmanual som är det gällande regelverket. Dessa resultat jämfördes med fuktprognoserna från TorkaS och BI Dry, som är de vanligaste fuktberäkningsprogrammen som används. Samtidigt intervjuades olika aktörer från byggbranschen för att undersöka hur de uppfattade problemet med uttorkning i betong. Fuktmätningarna visade ingen markant skillnad mellan betong med bascement och byggcement. Vid jämförelse med de prognosticerade värdena från fuktberäkningsprogrammen framkom att TorkaS värden var väldigt nära de uppmätta fuktvärdena, medans BI Dry:s värden låg långt under de uppmätta värdena. Vid intervjuerna framkom att byggbranschen har många frågor kring uttorkning i betong. Däremot finns svårigheter att avgöra vad som ligger till grund för problemen. Om det är bytet från byggcement till bascement eller om hanteringen av betongen i ett tidigt skede efter gjutningen som påverkar. Däremot om fuktfrågan tas upp i ett tidigt stadium i byggprocessen går det att bespara både tid och pengar. Byggbranschen behöver utbildas hur uttorkningens process ser ut för att öka förståelsen för problemet. / In construction projects, moisture problems have been discovered in concrete slabs where plastic mats have been released from the substrate. One of the problems reported in the media is the change from Portland cement to fly ash cement. Fly ash cement is a cement with 14% fly ash mixed with portland clinker. The reason that cement manufacturers use fly ash, which is a residual product from powder-fired coal power plants, is that it reduces the amount of portland clinkers that release large amounts of carbon dioxide during production. Cement is the concrete binder and when fly ashes are used, less amount of water is bound in the concrete's hydration process. To investigate the difference in dehydration found in concrete with fly ash cement and Portland cement, two concrete samples were obtained with the same concrete recipe and VCT numbers, but with different cement types. These concrete samples were stored in a heated local with low relative humidity. Moisture measurements were carried out according to the current regulations. These results were compared with the moisture predictions from TorkaS and BI Dry, which are the most commonly used moisture calculation programs. At the same time, various actors from the construction industry were interviewed to investigate how they perceived the problem of dehydration in concrete. The moisture measurements showed no significant difference between concrete with base cement and building cement. When compared with the forecasted values from the moisture calculation programs, it was found that the Dry values were very close to the measured moisture values, while BI Dry's values were well below the measured values. The interviews revealed that the construction industry has many questions about dehydration in concrete. On the other hand, there are difficulties in determining what is the basis for the problems. If there is a change from the portland cement to the fly ash cement, or the handling of the concrete at an early stage after the casting affects. However, if the moisture issue is taken up early in the construction process, it is possible to save both time and money. The construction industry needs to be educated how the process of desiccation works to increase understanding of the problem.

A utilização do concreto auto-adensável (CAA) vem aumentando consideravelmente, no Brasil e no mundo. Com isso, há mais interesse em estudos práticos e teóricos a respeito do material, porém a maioria realizada está centrada em propriedades mecânicas da mistura no estado endurecido. Poucos estudos estão voltados para uma das áreas de maior lacuna: a dosagem. Os métodos de dosagem existentes para o CAA ou são experimentais, baseados na experiência do executor, ou são dependentes de tabelas determinadas a partir de materiais de difícil reprodução em outros locais. Com o intuito de ajudar a resolver este problema, foi proposto um método de dosagem experimental para CAA nesta tese. Este método visa a dosagem de CAA através de ensaios simples que determinem a composição dos agregados, de forma que o empacotamento granular apresente a menor quantidade de vazios possível, a fim de se minimizar o consumo de pasta na mistura. O método utiliza conceitos novos e já consagrados de outros métodos, como o IPT/EPUSP (Helene e Terzian, 1992), o proposto por Tutikian (2004), o de O´Reilly (1992) e o Modelo de Empacotamento Compressivo (CPM) (De Larrard, 1999). Para a comprovação da eficácia deste método, foram dosadas seis famílias de CAA, sendo três com areia fina e outras três com cinza volante, formando pares dosados por diferentes métodos. Entre as seis famílias, duas utilizaram o método de Tutikian (2004) e quatro o método proposto, porém primeiramente com uma faixa de agregado graúdo e após com duas granulometrias de brita, proporcionando famílias com o esqueleto granular mais compacto. Por fim, foi realizada uma família de concreto convencional (CCV). Os CAA dosados através deste novo método são de obtenção mais simples e menos trabalhosa, dependendo menos da experiência do executor, e os resultados mostraram que estes podem ser mais econômicos e com as propriedades no estado endurecido similares ou até vantajosas em relação às dos CCV e a dos outros CAA, principalmente o com duas granulometrias de agregado graúdo. / The utilization of self compacting concrete (SCC) has been increasing considerably throughout Brazil and the world. Hence, there has been more interest in theoretical and practical studies regarding the issue; however, the majority of such studies have been focused on the mechanical properties of the mixture in the hardened state. Very few studies have been focused on the subject of the dosage. The existing methods of dosage for SCC are either experimental, based on the experience of the executor, or are dependent on customized charts based on local materials which are very difficult to reproduce. With the intention to aid in the solution of this problem, an experimental dosage method was proposed in this thesis. This method aims at the dosage of SCC through simple tests that determine the composition of the aggregates, so that the packing density presents the least amount of voids, in order to minimize the consumption of binder in the mixture. The method uses new concepts and some concepts already determined from other methods, such as the IPT/EPUSP (Helene e Terzian, 1992), the one proposed by Tutikian (2004), the O´Reilly (1992) and the Compressive Packing Model (CPM) (De Larrard, 1999). In order to substantiate the efficienty of this method, six families of SCC were carried out, three of those with fine sand and the remaining three with fly ash, forming three pairs dosed by different methods. Amongst the six families, two used the Tutikian method (2004) and the other four families used the proposed method, which were divided into two subgroups; two with one class of gravel and the remaining subgroup utilizing two classes of gravel, supplying each family with a more compact granular skeleton. As a control group, a test family of conventional concrete (CCV) was produced. The SCC designed through this new method is simpler to obtain and requires less labor, depending less on the experience of the executor. The results present themselves as more economical and with the properties in the hardened state quite similar or even enhanced in relation to the ones of the CCV and the other SCC, specially with two classes of gravel.

O objetivo deste trabalho é o estudo da cinza leve do carvão mineral da região de Criciúma (SC) para a sua utilização como fonte de matéria-prima na fabricação de placas cerâmicas para revestimento. Na cinza foram realizadas as seguintes análises: química, mineralógica, granulométrica, de área superficial específica e dilatométrica. Partindo destes resultados, foram definidas formulações do material em estudo com matérias-primas tradicionais. As formulações foram otimizadas com o desígnio de atender quesitos técnicos que viabilizassem o seu processamento e a obtenção de propriedades tecnológicas dos produtos cerâmicos após queima. Com teores de cinza variando entre 20 e 80% em peso, as formulações foram conformadas por prensagem uniaxial simples, secadas e queimadas a 11500C. Todas as formulações contendo até 60% em peso de cinza apresentaram atributos suficientes para o seu processamento e atingiram propriedades tecnológicas para serem aplicadas na fabricação de placas cerâmicas para revestimento, atendendo a norma NBR 13818 (ABNT, 1997) nos diversos grupos de absorção (prensado). Os resultados obtidos indicam que a cinza de carvão mineral incorporada à matériasprimas tradicionais para a obtenção de massas cerâmicas apresenta grande potencial em uma utilização como matéria-prima de placas cerâmicas para revestimento. / The objective of this work is the study of the fly ash of the mineral coa/ from the region of Criciúma (SC) for its use as raw material source in the manufacture of ceramic files. Fly ash was analyzed by the following tests: chemical, mineralogical, grain size distribution, specific superficial area and dilatometric. In according with these results were defined batches containing the f/y ash and traditional raw materiais. The batches had been optimized with the design to suit technical queries feasibly their processing and obtaining technological properties of the ceramic products after it burned. With fly ash quantity varying between 20 and 80% in weight, the batches had been conformed by uniaxial pressing, drying and they were burned at 1150°C. AI/ the batches containing up to 60% in weight of fly ash had presented enough attributes for their processing and they had reached technological properties for use in the manufacture of ceramic files, in according of standard N8R 13818 (A8NT, 1997) from groups of absorption (pressed) 8/b, 811a, 81/b and 8111. The results indicate that the incorporated fly ash added on the batches have great potential for use as raw material on cera mie files.