The use of asbestos fibres in construction products has been banned in European countries for about two decades due to its effect on human health. At present, many developing countries use asbestos cement board as one of the most important construction products for roofing, cladding and partition walls. The Hatschek process is the most commonly used method to produce asbestos Fibre Cement Board (FCB). There are two major problems for the asbestos FCB manufacturers in replacing their products with non-asbestos FCB. The first one is finding materials and fibres that are available and competitive in price compared to asbestos fibres, and the second is providing inexpensive machines and equipment to produce non-asbestos FCB. In this research, an effort has been made to solve these two major problems. After the initial laboratory investigations on several natural and synthetic fibres some of the fibres with potential use in FCB were chosen for the further investigations. A slurry vacuum dewatering process was then designed and made for the laboratory use. The performance of material selections and mix designs selected from the laboratory studies were subsequently verified with factory Hatschek process in a factory site trial. Many specimens with natural and synthetic fibres incorporating silica fume and limestone powder were made and tested in the laboratory. Silica fume and limestone powder were used for enhancing flexural strength and suppression of alkalinity to reduce breakdown of the cellulose fibres. The results of mechanical, physical and II durability tests were analysed. The microstructure of the fibres and composites was also studied by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). At some stages, mix design optimization was carried out to gain the highest flexural strength. The most suitable mixes were chosen for the factory site trials. A number of full-scale non-asbestos trial boards were made successfully in an asbestos FCB factory and tested in accordance with the current national and international standards. The results indicated that the trial boards fulfilled the requirements of the relevant standards. Based on the outcome of this research, a combination of acrylic fibres and waste cardboard in a mix incorporating silica fume and limestone powder in addition to Portland cement can be used to replace asbestos fibres. Although broadly compatible with the asbestos cement production process, this formulation change will necessitate some changes to the existing production lines in asbestos cement factories to produce non-asbestos FCB.

Cement penetrability is a key factor in multifilament cement composites. However, the modes of action and the concepts vary because of brittle and ductile fibers. In the case of brittle fibers such as glass, high penetrability of cement products in between the bundle filaments can lead to brittle composite behavior, and therefore addition in ductility is required. In order to have efficient bundle action and high bonding, fillers can be introduced in between the glass filaments, keeping the telescopic mode of failure but at the same time improving the bond and stress transfer within the filaments of the bundle, even at late ages, resulting in a ductile and high strength composite. On the other hand, ductile fibers such as polypropylene (PP), which also developing low bonding with the cement matrix, result in ductile cement composite but with relatively low strength. Therefore, in this case good penetrability of the cement in between the filaments of the bundle is essential in order to maximize the reinforcing efficiency of the bundle by improving bond. The penetrability of the matrix into a fabric structure and especially in between the bundle filaments made up the fabric is a result of fiber- matrix compatibility, which depends on: level of opening and spaces between the filaments, bundle surface properties including wetting and chemical affinity to the cement matrix, matrix viscosity, processing of the composite, and the nature of the fabric junctions and the resulting tightening effects of the bundle, i.e., influenced by the fabric structure itself.

Hybrid systems with two or more fiber materials were used to combine the benefits of each fiber into a single composite product. Strength and toughness optimization of hybrid thin sheet composites has been studied extensively using combination of different fiber types with low and high modulus of elasticity. Hybrid reinforcement is more significant when the reinforcing structure is in fabric geometry. Fabric structure provides full control on the exact location of each yarn and its orientation in the composite during production, thus maximizes the reinforcing efficiency. A high-strength, high-modulus fiber primarily tends to increase the composite strength with nominal improvements in toughness. A low-modulus fiber expected to mainly improve toughness and ductility. Combination of two or more types of fiber can produce a composite that is both strong and tough as compared to a mono fiber composite. The purpose of the current work was to study hybrid warp knitted fabrics as reinforcement for cementbased composite, having AR (Alkali Resistance) glass and Polypropylene (PP) as the reinforcing yarns. The examined ratios between the two different yarns were 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100:0 (glass: PP, by percentage). It was found that in the hybrid system, the fracture mechanism is a superposition of the mono systems, and the tensile behavior is a combination between the two materials.

This work deals with the use of inorganic nanofibers in refractory castables. The thesis describes some of the results of previously conducted research on nanofibers. Also description of nanofibres, production and distribution. The experimental part is focused on studying the interaction of Al2O3 and SiO2 nanofibres with aluminate cement. The main subject of investigation is a dispersion of nanofibers using a surfactant and ultrasonication.

Submitted by Adriely Bruce (adriely_bruce@hotmail.com) on 2016-12-02T15:04:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Umberto Gonçalves Ribeiro.pdf: 1838148 bytes, checksum: 44593f32a0d11bbb810a81789ae2bb7d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2016-12-02T19:27:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Umberto Gonçalves Ribeiro.pdf: 1838148 bytes, checksum: 44593f32a0d11bbb810a81789ae2bb7d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2016-12-02T19:28:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Umberto Gonçalves Ribeiro.pdf: 1838148 bytes, checksum: 44593f32a0d11bbb810a81789ae2bb7d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-02T19:28:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Umberto Gonçalves Ribeiro.pdf: 1838148 bytes, checksum: 44593f32a0d11bbb810a81789ae2bb7d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-09 / New paradigms in civil constructions require application of new technologies in alternative materials, less degrading and potential reuse of raw materials. This study aimed to evaluate and study the performance of unconventional materials existing in Porto Velho, in the Amazon region, looking for new applications in building materials. During the stages of collection and analysis of raw materials we tried to keep the focus on sustainability, through non-environmental degradation and low power consumption. So he undertook to carry out a dedicated work to resource reuse of actions and materials. Since it is still very present generation of residual matter in the wood processing industries, sought to make use of these resources and, in addition to removing environmental improper disposal of material, suggested an environmentally proper disposal, to the extent that no increases the degradation or power consumption. The suggested application was the material designed for thermal and acoustic insulation, more precisely, producing cementitious panels with addition of waste wood, masonry coating. In the study of compatibility between raw materials participants had to be included in the binder composition of a low content of Ca (OH)2 (slaked lime) and Amazon metakaolin. Thus, specimens were produced in the form of panels, which were tested thermally and acoustically in order to obtain data for assessing the potential for their use. In addition, the classic mechanical strength tests were performed (axial compression and tension in flexion) and physical composite ratings in the hardened state, in order to subsidize diagnoses on the rates achieved in other trials. The results demonstrated the applicability in construction, with an improvement in density reduced by 19% compared to conventional materials and temperature reduction by 32.3%, while the composite sound absorption was observed in 49%. / Os novos paradigmas em construções civis requerem aplicação de novas tecnologias em materiais alternativos, menos degradantes e com potencial reuso das matérias primas. Este trabalho buscou avaliar e estudar o desempenho de materiais não convencionais existentes em Porto Velho, na região Amazônica, procurando novas aplicações em materiais de construção. Durante as fases de coleta e análises das matérias primas procurou-se manter o foco na sustentabilidade, através da não degradação ambiental e no baixo consumo de energia. Assim, empenhou-se em realizar um trabalho dedicado às ações de reaproveitamento de recursos e materiais. Como ainda é muito presente a geração de matéria residual nas indústrias de beneficiamento de madeiras, procurou-se lançar mão desses recursos e, além de retirar do meio ambiente um material de descarte inadequado, foi sugerido uma destinação ecologicamente correta, na medida em que não aumenta a degradação nem o consumo de energia. A aplicação sugerida foi a de um material destinado ao isolamento térmico e acústico, mais precisamente, a produção de painéis cimentícios com adição de resíduos de madeiras, para revestimento de alvenarias. No estudo da compatibilização entre as matérias primas participantes foi necessário incluir na composição do aglomerante um teor baixo de Ca(OH)2 (cal hidratada) e metacaulinita Amazônica. Assim, foram produzidos corpos de prova em forma de painéis, os quais foram testados térmica e acusticamente, com a finalidade de se obter dados para avaliação do potencial de sua utilização. Adicionalmente, foram realizados os ensaios clássicos de resistência mecânica (compressão axial e tração na flexão) e avaliações físicas do compósito em estado endurecido, com a finalidade de subsidiar diagnósticos sobre os índices alcançados nos demais ensaios. Os resultados demonstraram a aplicabilidade na construção civil, com melhoria em massa específica reduzida em 19% em relação ao material convencional e redução da temperatura entre faces para 29,81%, enquanto a absorção sonora do compósito foi verificada em 49%.

This master’s thesis studies the influence of dispersed reinforcement on the behaviour of cement composites at thermal loading. In the theoretical part of the research was performed knowledge of the behaviour of concrete at high temperatures. The paper describes the on-going happening in the individual components of concrete and benefits of using dispersed reinforcement. In the practical part were designed concrete mixtures with different types and quantities of fibers. The object of the research was to determine how different types and amounts of fibers affect the physical - mechanical properties of concrete and their suitability for use in high temperatures.

Hybrid systems with two or more fiber materials were used to combine the benefits of each fiber into a single composite product. Strength and toughness optimization of hybrid thin sheet composites has been studied extensively using combination of different fiber types with low and high modulus of elasticity. Hybrid reinforcement is more significant when the reinforcing structure is in fabric geometry. Fabric structure provides full control on the exact location of each yarn and its orientation in the composite during production, thus maximizes the reinforcing efficiency. A high-strength, high-modulus fiber primarily tends to increase the composite strength with nominal improvements in toughness. A low-modulus fiber expected to mainly improve toughness and ductility. Combination of two or more types of fiber can produce a composite that is both strong and tough as compared to a mono fiber composite. The purpose of the current work was to study hybrid warp knitted fabrics as reinforcement for cementbased composite, having AR (Alkali Resistance) glass and Polypropylene (PP) as the reinforcing yarns. The examined ratios between the two different yarns were 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100:0 (glass: PP, by percentage). It was found that in the hybrid system, the fracture mechanism is a superposition of the mono systems, and the tensile behavior is a combination between the two materials.

Cement penetrability is a key factor in multifilament cement composites. However, the modes of action and the concepts vary because of brittle and ductile fibers. In the case of brittle fibers such as glass, high penetrability of cement products in between the bundle filaments can lead to brittle composite behavior, and therefore addition in ductility is required. In order to have efficient bundle action and high bonding, fillers can be introduced in between the glass filaments, keeping the telescopic mode of failure but at the same time improving the bond and stress transfer within the filaments of the bundle, even at late ages, resulting in a ductile and high strength composite. On the other hand, ductile fibers such as polypropylene (PP), which also developing low bonding with the cement matrix, result in ductile cement composite but with relatively low strength. Therefore, in this case good penetrability of the cement in between the filaments of the bundle is essential in order to maximize the reinforcing efficiency of the bundle by improving bond. The penetrability of the matrix into a fabric structure and especially in between the bundle filaments made up the fabric is a result of fiber- matrix compatibility, which depends on: level of opening and spaces between the filaments, bundle surface properties including wetting and chemical affinity to the cement matrix, matrix viscosity, processing of the composite, and the nature of the fabric junctions and the resulting tightening effects of the bundle, i.e., influenced by the fabric structure itself.

The diploma thesis deals with the possibility of using the addition of nanoparticles to improve the properties of cement composites. The theoretical part summarizes the findings of research in this area with a focus on methods of dispersion of nanoparticles and their treatment for use in cement composites. The experimental part focuses on the comparison of methods of dispersion and plasma treatment of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoparticle solutions from the point of view of the agglomeration process. During this work, a method of systematic optical/visual monitoring of sedimentation/agglomeration was developed to complement sophisticated methods such as spectrophotometry (UV/Vis) and electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the effect of the addition of rGO on the properties of cement mortar, in the form of aqueous solutions prepared by the dispersion methods determined in the previous section, was investigated.

Master´s thesis deals with some problems associated with utilisation of lightweight concrete from the porous aggregates in the load – carrying structures. The thesis focuses on the possibilities of the increase of the cement composites toughness using dispersed reinforcement. Lightweight concretes were reinforced with a combination of different lengths of polypropylene fibers Forta Ferro. There were used polypropylene fibers of three lengths 19, 38, 54 mm. The thesis is divided into theoretical, experimental and static part.