Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 240-244). Also available on the Internet.

In this report a relationship is established between the variables of compaction temperature, compaction effort, mixture gradation and, density, air void content and stability of asphalt mixtures. The Marshall method of mix design was used, and Vibratory Kneading Compactor was utilized for compaction. Results include Marshall Stability and density-air void analysis for 4 and 6-inch specimens. It was found that the densities generally increased with increase of compaction temperatures and compaction efforts. From selected sets of 6-inch specimens, 4-inch cores were obtained. Density and stability studies were carried out on these cores and the results obtained were found to have the same trends. The air void content and voids in the mineral aggregates decreased with the increase of compaction effort. Stability increased with the increase in density. All the results found, indicate strong effects of compaction temperature and compactive effort on the amount of air voids, VMA, density, and stability of the mixes used.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, August, 1996. / Title from PDF t.p.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

M.Tech. / There is a general lack of understanding of the laboratory compaction test based on the vibrating hammer method. The impact method of testing soil in the laboratory is conservatively used by engineers for design and construction control purposes even when the specified mode of compaction on site is vibratory. Furthermore, the effects of vibratory compaction are not fully understood, and hence this mode of compaction in the field has not always been effectively utilized. The objective of this research project was to determine whether the vibrating hammer method could be used in the laboratory for design and control purposes, through an investigation of its operating characteristics, and a comparison of its effectiveness against that of the impact method, following a study of the compaction properties of a range of different soils used in road and embankment construction. The results of the study showed that the vibrating hammer can be used in place of impact in the laboratory for non-cohesive soils and gravels. In one instance, vibratory compaction produced maximum dry densities for a decomposed granite which were almost 5 % higher than that for impact compaction. Cohesive soils reached maximum compaction at moisture contents which were 7 % wetter under the vibratory mode as opposed to those for impact, but at lower densities. This showed that field densities under vibratory compaction would be difficult to achieve when the laboratory control method was based on impact. The research showed that electrical power input to the vibrating hammer must be carefully regulated in order to maintain specified standards which are based on a fixed frequency. Further study based on operation at different frequencies would be required to determine whether the vibrating hammer would be suitable for cohesive soils having natural frequencies lower than the current standard specified.

Thesis. 1976. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Nutrition and Food Science. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Science. / Bibliography: leaves 121-127. / M.S.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Compaction is one of the key processes in the construction of road pavement layers. Not only is it significant in ensuring the structural integrity of the material in the road layers, but it also has an influence on the engineering properties and performance of the soil material. A poorly compacted material is characterised by low density, high porosity and below standard shear strength. This, as a result causes rutting, moisture susceptibility, potholing, corrugations and passability problems on the road. Therefore, it is vitally important that field compaction is done correctly. For this reason, laboratory compaction methods have been developed to simulate the field compaction process in the laboratory. The Mod AASHTO test has long been used as the laboratory compaction method of choice by virtue of its simplicity and the lack of bulky equipment required. However, previous studies have established that the Modified AASHTO method does not adequately simulate field compaction criteria especially for cohesionless materials. Two reasons have been advanced; The Mod AASHTO compaction method does not adequately simulate the compaction done in the field when the granular mix is laid; The compaction method may cause disintegration of the material. Alternative tests have been considered and much research has focused upon the use of a modified demolition hammer (vibratory hammer) for laboratory compaction of granular materials. This study undertook to evaluate the influence of test factors pertinent to the vibratory hammer compaction method. The influence of these test factors on compaction time and obtainable material density was assessed with the objective of developing a compaction method for granular materials. Vibratory hammer compaction tests were conducted on G3 hornfels, G4 hornfels and G7 sandstone material types and to a lesser extent, reclaimed asphalt (RA). Densities obtained were referenced to Mod AASHTO compaction density. Findings of the study showed that, the mass of the tamping foot has a significant influence on the obtainable compaction density. Other factors such as, moisture content, frequency and frame rigidity were also found to affect compaction with the vibratory hammer. In addition, it is shown that the surcharge load does not significantly influence the obtainable compaction density but does contribute to the confinement of the material and restricts the upward bounce of the hammer. On the basis of the results and findings, a compaction method was proposed, incorporating test parameters and factors that would provide ideal results for a set compaction time. Repeatability tests showed that, the developed vibratory hammer compaction method was effective in compacting graded crushed stone material types (i.e. G3 and G4) and probably RA. The test was not as effective on the G7 material. Further studies on this material (G7) are required. In addition to the previous testing regime, a comparative assessment of the developed vibratory hammer compaction method in relation to the vibratory table method was done. The results show that the vibratory hammer is capable of producing specimens of densities comparable to those of the vibratory table. A sieve analysis undertaken before and after compaction showed that compaction with the developed vibratory hammer compaction method does not result in any significant material disintegration. Based on the results of this study, a specification for the determination of maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of granular material using the vibratory hammer is recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kompaksie is een van die belangrikste prosesse in die konstruksie van die padplaveisel. Dit is nie net waardevol vir die versekering van strukturele integriteit van die materiaal, maar dit het ook 'n invloed op die ingenieurseienskappe en vermoë van die grond materiaal. 'n Swak gekompakteerde materiaal word gekenmerk deur 'n laë digtheid, hoë porositeit, on onvoldoende skuifweerstand. Die kenmerke maak die material vatbaar vir vogen. Lei tot spoorvorming, slaggate, golwe en deurgangs probleme op die pad. Dit is dus uiters noodsaaklik dat veld kompaksie korrek gedoen word. Om hierdie rede, is kompaksie metodes in die laboratorium ontwikkel om sodaend veldkompaksie te simuleer. Die “Mod AASHTO” laboratorium kompaksie toets is die gekose laboratorium kompaksie metode op grond van sy eenvoudigheid en gebruik van minimale toerusting. Vorige studies het egter bevestig dat die “Mod AASHTO”-metode nie veldkompaksie akkuraat kan simuleer nie, veral vir kohesielose materiaal. As gevolg van twee hoofredes; Die Mod AASHTO kompaksiemetode is nie ‘n realistiese en vergelykende simmulering van kompaksie soos dit in die veld gedoen word nie; Die kompaksie metode mag verbrokkeling van die materiaal veroorsaak. Alternatiewe toetse was oorweeg en baie navorsing het gefokus op die gebruik van 'n aangepaste vibrerende hamer. Hierdie studie het onderneem om verskeie relevante toetsfaktore van die vibrerende hamer en hul invloed op die kompaksie en verkrygbare digtheid te bestudeer. Die invloed van hierdie toetsfaktore op kompaksietyd en verkrygbare materiaal digtheid was geassesseer met die doel om 'n kompaksiemetode vir granulêre materiaal te ontwikkel. Vibrerende hammer kompaksietoetse was uitgevoer op G3 hornfels, G4 hornfels en G7 sandsteen materiaal en tot 'n mindere mate herwinde asfalt. Digthede verkry was verwys na die Mod AASHTO kompaksie digtheid. Resultate van die studie het getoon dat die gewig van die stamp voet ‘n merkwaardige invloed het op die verkrygbare kompaksie digtheid. Ander faktore soos voginhoud, frekwensie en raam styfheid het ook getoon om kompaksiedigtheid te beïnvloed met die vibrerende hammer. Benewens was ook getoon dat die toeslaglading geen beduidende invloed het op die verkrygbare kompaksie digtheid nie, maar wel bydrae tot die inperking van die materiaal en verhoed die vertikale terugslag van die hammer. Gebaseer op die resultate en bevindinge was ‘n kompaksiemetode voorgestel wat toets parameters integreer met toetsfaktore en tot volg ideale resultate vir ‘n gegewe kompaksietyd voorsien. Herhaalde kalibrasie toetse het getoon dat die ontwikkelde kompaksiemetode effektief is in die kompaktering van gegradeerde gebreekte klip materiaaltipes (G3 en G4) en moontlik herwanne asfalt. Die toets was nie so doeltreffend op die G7 materiaal nie. Verdere studies op hierdie materiaal (G7) is dus nodig. Addisioneel tot die vorige toets, is bevind dat ‘n vergelykende assesering van die ontwikkelde vibrerende hammer kompaksiemetode in verhouding tot die vibrerende tafel. Die resultate wys dat die vibrerende hammer die vermoë het om toetsmonsters met digthede vergelykbaar met die vibrerende tafel te produseer. Sifanalise voor en na kompaksie het getoon dat verdigting met die ontwikkelde vibrerende hamer kompaksie metode nie lei tot die disintegrasie van die materiaal nie. Gebasseer op die resultate van dié studie was ‘n spesifikasie vir die bepaling van maksimum droé digtheid en optimale voginhoud van granulêre material aangeraai.

Evolution of concrete is continuously taking place to meet the ever-growing demands of the construction industry. Self compacting concrete (SCC) has emerged as a result of this demand to overcome the scarcity of labour. SCC is widely replacing normal vibrated concrete (NVC) these days owing to its advantages such as homogeneity of the mix, filling ability even in heavily congested reinforcement, smooth finish, reduction in construction time etc. The ingredients used for SCC is the same as that of the NVC. But the proportioning of ingredients to achieve self compactability alters the microstructure of SCC which in turn affects the mechanical and fracture properties. Moreover, the mineral admixtures such as fly ash and silica fume when used for improving the workability of SCC help in the development of the microstructural skeleton. In this study, three SCC mixes SCC1- made with only cement, SCC2 - with fly ash in addition to cement and SCC3 - with fly ash and silica fume in addition to cement for achieving normal, medium and high strength SCC respectively are cast. The microstructural changes in SCC with and without mineral admixtures over a period of time are studied using different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The modification of mechanical properties at microstructural level brings difference in the behavior at macro level. Hence in this study, the mechanical properties at microstructural are obtained by using microindentation test and are scaled up to the macro level to predict the influence of micromechanical properties on macro response. The fracture properties of SCC is considered to be the interest of this study and is carried out with the help of advanced techniques such as acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC). From the various studies carried out, it is inferred that the mixes with mineral admixtures behave in a more brittle manner when compared to mix having no mineral admixture. It is also observed that class ‘F’ fly ash hydrates at a slow pace and the strength gain is observed after 28 days and even beyond 90 days. Hence, it is concluded that it is appropriate to consider the strength at 90 days instead of 28 days for a SCC mix with class ‘F’ fly ash. Silica fume on the other hand is observed to result in a more rapid gain in strength and this can partially offset the delay in strength gain due to fly ash.

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) was first developed in Japan about two decades ago. Since then, it has been offered as a solution to various challenges inherently associated with traditional concrete construction; i.e. quality and speed of construction, impact of unskilled labour force and noise pollution etc. SCC flows into a uniform level under its own weight and fills in all recesses and corners of the formwork even in highly congested reinforcement areas. In recent years the interest in using SCC in structural members has increased manifold; therefore many researchers have started investigating its characteristics. Nevertheless, before this special concrete is widely accepted and globally used in structures, its structural performance under different conditions should be investigated. This research focuses on investigating the behaviour of high strength self-compacting concrete (HSSCC) in reinforced concrete (RC) structures through a systematic approach in order to bridge part of an existing gap in the available literature. The dissertation is comprised of four main stages; namely, mix design development and mechanical properties of HSSCC, bond performance of deformed bars in HSSCC, experimental investigation on interior RC beam-column joints (BCJs) cast with HSSCC under reversed cyclic excitations, and finally finite element (FE) modelling and analysis of interior BCJs. First, a HSSCC mix proportion yielding compressive strength greater than 100 MPa was developed in the laboratory using locally available materials in New Zealand. Two benchmark concrete mixes of conventionally-vibrated high-strength concrete (CVHSC) and normal-strength conventionally vibrated concrete (CVC) were also designed for comparison purposes. Material characteristics (such as compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths as well as modulus of elasticity, shrinkage and microstructural properties) of all mixes were evaluated. It was found that, once the lower quality of material in normal strength concrete is offset by achieving a denser mix in high-strength concrete, mechanical properties of HSSCC are equivalent to or higher than those in CVHSC. Given that the performance of RC structures (and in specific BCJs) is highly dependent on bond between reinforcement and concrete, understanding the bond behaviour in HSSCC was an imperative link between the first and third phases of this research. Therefore, the second phase focused on scrutinizing bond properties of deformed bars in HSSCC using monotonic pull-out and innovative cyclic beam tests. Processing of the pull-out results revealed that a shorter development length may be utilized in HSSCC. In addition, the grade (or ductility) of reinforcing steel was found to substantially influence the post-yield bond performance. Important modifications to the bond model used in the CEB-FIP model code and Maekawa’s bond-slip-strain relationship were suggested from the results of this phase. An innovative cyclic beam specimen and test setup were also designed such that a more realistic bond performance could be observed in the laboratory tests compared to that in real RC structures. Deleterious impact of cyclic loading and buckling of reinforcement on bond performance were investigated using this testing protocol. The third phase of this research focused on the design, fabrication and testing of seven full-size BCJs. BCJs are one of the most critical parts in RC frame structures and their response substantially affects the overall behaviour of the structure. In seismically active regions like New Zealand, the criticality of BCJs is exacerbated with the complexities involved in seismic resistance. The already congested intersection of RC beam and column looks more like a solid steel connection after consideration of earthquake requirements, and placement of concrete becomes problematic in such areas. At the same time, in many of the high-rise structures, normal strength concrete does not meet the capacity requirements; this requires the usage of high-strength concrete. Therefore, once the seismic performance of HSSCC is guaranteed, it can possibly be a solution to both the capacity and compaction problems. Variables such as axial load, concrete type, steel grade, casting direction, and joint shear reinforcement were considered variable in the experimental investigations. It was found that HSSCC has similar seismic performance to that of CVHSC and it can also be incorporated in the joint area of CVC for an enhanced performance. Finally, DIANA (a nonlinear FE program) was used to simulate the experimental results obtained in the third phase of this research. All BCJs were successfully modelled using their relevant attributes (such as the mechanical properties of HSSCC, steel stress-strain response, test setup and loading protocol) and nonlinear FE analyses (FEA) were performed on each model. FE results were compared to those obtained in the laboratory which showed a reasonable agreement between the two. The capabilities of the FEA were scrutinized with respect to the hysteresis loops, energy dissipation, joint shear deformations, stress development in the concrete and steel, and drift components. Integrating the results of all stages of this research provided better understanding of the performance of HSSCC both at the material and structural levels. Not only were none of the seismically important features compromised by using HSSCC in BCJs, but also many other associated benefits were added to their performance. Therefore, HSSCC can be confidently implemented in design of RC structures even in seismically active regions of the world.

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a material which under its own self-weight flows to form and fill any shape, attains full compaction, without external energy input, to create a dense homogenous mass (based on Holton, 2003; The Concrete Society and BRE, 2005; Damtoft et al, 2008). It is, in respect to the history of concrete, a relatively new development, with its first UK application occurring in the late 1990s. Since then a significant amount of research has sought to understand its physical and structural properties, but there is a lack of a knowledge base on its practical application and performance in construction projects. Where it does exist, such research lacks robust and transparent data, particularly relating to the claimed attributes of the material (such as better surface finish, faster construction and lower overall costs). Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, this research investigates the construction practices employed when pouring SCC and presents new data on its practical applications. Interviews with a range of building contractors, ranging from multinationals to small UK businesses (SMEs), show that current perceptions of SCC limit its use to specific applications because practitioners see SCC as just another type of concrete . A critical examination of these attitudes led to the identification of three distinct scenarios for the use of SCC: 1. Reactive selection: in which a particular attribute of SCC provokes its use to solve a particular problem, often as a last minute substitution for conventional concrete the most common scenario. 2. Strategic change: in which the material is chosen on the basis of a balanced assessment of all its benefits and on the understanding that such benefits can only be attained if the contractor appreciates that there may be implications for the construction process a rarely experienced scenario. 3. Specification: in which there is complete acceptance of SCC as a method, not just as a material; a significant amount of early project involvement with knowledge holders, such as contractors and material suppliers, optimises the construction process. A rigorous work measurement study of live construction projects has made it possible to quantify the as-built costs of SCC for selected UK residential slab and multi-storey flat slab applications and compare this with the equivalent conventional concrete slab construction. On-site use of self-compacting concrete vi The results indicate that SCC can reduce construction times of structural topping layers of residential slabs by up to 73%, and has shown that SCC can also match, if not reduce, total as-built concrete placement costs in multi-storey applications. This new data will enable contractors, designers and specifiers to better understand the practical implications of using SCC for on-site applications, thereby leading to more potential instances of its early and planned specification, hence resulting in more of its full benefits being realised.