Cemented paste backfill (CPB) technology is widely used in the mining industry as an effective means of tailings disposal. CPB is a mixture of tailings, binder, water, and additional admixtures when required. It is prepared in a mixing plant on the ground surface and then transported into the mine cavities through pipelines either by gravity and/or using pumps. To ensure efficiency during transportation and avoid pipe clogging (which can cause unnecessary delays and loss of productivity), fresh CPB must have sufficient flowability. To achieve that, high-range water reducing admixtures, also known as superplasticizers, are usually added to the CPB during mixing. These admixtures are widely used in the construction industry due to their ability to improve flowability without undermining other important engineering properties. However, their influence on the rheology, mechanical strength and environmental performance (reactivity and permeability) of CPB is not fully understood. Thus, experimental studies were conducted to investigate the effects of superplasticizers on the performance properties of cemented paste backfill at different curing temperatures. Yield stress and viscosity of fresh CPB cured for 0, 1, 2, and 4 hours were measured using a vane shear device and a Brookfield Viscometer respectively. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of samples cured for 1, 3, 7, and 28 days was determined in accordance with ASTM - C39. Superplasticizer contents were varied as 0%, 0.125%, and 0.25% of the total weight of the CPB. Preparations and curing of the specimens were performed at controlled conditions of 2, 20, and 35 °C to investigate the effect of ambient or curing temperatures. To have a better understanding of the environmental performance of CPB containing superplasticizer, reactivity, and hydraulic conductivity up to 90 days of curing were also investigated. The reactivity was measured using oxygen consumption test while hydraulic conductivity was measured using flexible wall permeability test. Microstructural analyses (thermogravimetric analyses, X-Ray diffraction, and mercury intrusion porosimetry) and monitoring tests (pH, zeta potential, electrical conductivity, and matric suction) were carried out to understand the principles behind the changes of the observed properties. The obtained results show that superplasticizer dosage and temperature variation have significant effects on the rheology, strength development, hydraulic conductivity and reactivity of the CPB. The polycarboxylic ether-based superplasticizer significantly reduces the yield stress and viscosity by creating strong electrostatic repulsion between the solid particles in the CPB and by steric hinderance. The CPB containing the superplasticizer remains fluid for longer period (as compared with the CPB without superplasticizer) due to the retardation of binder hydration. However, high curing temperature induces faster cement hydration, which thickens the fresh CPB. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the CPB containing superplasticizer was observed to be lower in the early age (up to 7 days), which is also attributed to retardation of the binder hydration. At later ages, the superplasticizer improves the mechanical strength as the binder hydration accelerates and the solid particles self-consolidate. Coupled THMC processes in the CPB showed the role played by the changes in electrical conductivity, volumetric water content, matric suction, and temperature on the development of mechanical strength of the CPB containing superplasticizer. Similarly, addition of the superplasticizer in the CPB decreases both the hydraulic conductivity and reactivity of CPB, thus improving its environmental performance. The improvement is largely attributed to enhanced binder hydration and self-consolidation which decrease the porosity of the CPB. Increasing the curing temperature was found to magnify the improvement of the CPB properties by inducing faster binder hydration. The findings from this study will undoubtedly inform the design of CPB structure with better mechanical stability and environmental performance.

Natural soils in work-sites are sometimes detrimental to the construction of engineering projects. Problematic soils such as soft and expansive soils are a real source of concern to the long-term stability of structures if care is not taken. Expansive soils could generate immense distress due to their volume change in response to a slight change in their water content. On the other hand, soft soils are characterised by their low shear strength and poor workability. In earthwork, replacing these soils is sometimes economically and sustainably unjustifiable in particular if they can be stabilised to improve their behaviour. Several techniques have evolved to enable construction on problematic soils such as reinforcement using fibre and planar layers and piled reinforced embankments. Chemical treatment using, e.g. lime and/or cement is an alternative method to seize the volume change of swelling clays. The use of lime as a binding agent is becoming a popular method due to its abundant availability and cost-effectiveness. When mixed with swelling clays, lime enhances the mechanical properties, workability and reduces sensitivity to absorption and release of water. There is a consensus in the literature about the primary mechanisms, namely cation exchange, flocculation and pozzolanic reaction, which cause the changes in the soil characteristics after adding lime in the presence of water. The dispute is about whether these mechanisms occur in a sequential or synchronous manner. More precisely, the controversy concerns the formation of cementitious compounds in the pozzolanic reaction, whether it starts directly or after the cation exchange and flocculation are completed. The current study aims to monitor the signs of the formation of such compounds using a geotechnical approach. In this context, the effect of delayed compaction, lime content, mineralogy composition, curing time and environmental temperature on the properties of lime-treated clays were investigated. The compaction, swelling and permeability, and unconfind compression strength tests were chosen to evaluate such effect. In general, the results of the geotechnical approach have been characterised by their scattering. The sources of this dispersion are numerous and include sampling methods, pulverisation degree, mixing times and delay of compaction process, a pre-test temperature and humidity, differences in dry unit weight values, and testing methods. Therefore, in the current study, several precautions have been set to reduce the scattering in the results of such tests so that they can be used efficiently to monitor the evolution in the properties that are directly related to the formation and development of cementitious compounds. Four clays with different mineralogy compositions, covering a wide range of liquid limits, were chosen. The mechanical and hydraulic behaviour of such clays that had been treated by various concentrations of lime up to 25% at two ambient temperatures of 20 and 40oC were monitored for various curing times. The results indicated that the timing of the onset of changes in mechanical and hydraulic properties that are related to the formation of cementitious compounds depends on the mineralogy composition of treated clay and ambient temperature. Moreover, at a given temperature, the continuity of such changes in the characteristics of a given lime-treated clay depends on the lime availability.

No description available.

No / The setting of Roman cement is so rapid as to make the use of retardation essential in most practical mortars. This work reports an approach to retardation of Roman cement mortars by means of a pre-hydration process in which pre-determined amounts of water (de-activation water) are added to the cement prior to subsequent mortar formation. It is shown that this process yields both monocarboaluminate and a carbonated AF(m) phase, the balance of which is modified by storage time; the belite phases are not affected. Increases in both de-activation water and pre-hydrated mix storage time yield a longer workable life and slightly lower strength of the mortar. An increase in de-activation water also yields an increase in shrinkage whilst an increase in storage time results in a reduction in shrinkage. Other parameters such as mixing protocol and re-mixing affect workable life without compromising the strength. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Yes / This paper focuses on monitoring the evolution of lime-clay reactions using geotechnical parameters as a function of lime content and environmental temperature. Lime contents of 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13% by dry weight of expansive clay powder were added to prepare lime-clay specimens. The specimens were prepared at the same dry unit weight of 12.16 kN/m3 and moisture content of 40% except for tests aimed at the determination of dry unit weight as a function of mellowing period. Prepared specimens were mellowed or cured at two different ambient temperatures of 20 °C and 40 °C. Results attained from Unconfined Compressive Strength and permeability tests were employed to assess the impact of lime content on the mechanical and hydraulic properties of lime treated expansive clays. The results revealed that at the beginning, the rate of strength gain is remarkably fast for a particular period of time which is dependent on lime content. Furthermore, the strength gain on specimens cured at 40 °C is 8 times higher than that observed on specimens cured at 20 °C which highlights significant effect for the environmental temperature on accelerating the chemical reactions. Reduced dry unit weight due to increased resistance to compactability is observable with increasing lime content and higher environmental temperature. Accelerated pozzolanic reaction at higher environmental temperature resulted in permeability coefficient of specimens mellowed for 24 h at 40 °C to be higher than those mellowed at 20 °C. The results also highlighted that the permeability coefficient would be relatively stable when expansive clays were treated with small amounts of lime e.g. 5%.

Yes / Developing a fast, cost-effective, eco-friendly solution to recycle large amounts of construction and demolition waste (CDW) generated from construction industry-related activities and natural disasters is crucial. The present investigation aims to offer a solution for repurposing CDW into building materials suitable for accelerated construction and housing in developing countries and disaster-prone areas. Feasibility of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) inclusion in geopolymer mortars constituted entirely from CDW (masonry elements) was investigated via an environmental impact-oriented approach by addressing the composition related key parameters. Mechanical performance was evaluated through compressive strength tests, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging with line mapping analyses were carried out to monitor the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) properties. To investigate the environmental impacts of the geopolymer mortars and highlight the advantages over Portland cement-based mortars, a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed. Findings revealed that roof tile (RT)-based geopolymer mortars mainly exhibited better strength performance due to their finer particle size. Mixtures activated with 15 M NaOH solution and cured at 105 °C achieved an average compressive strength above 55 MPa. RCA size was the most influential parameter on compressive strength, and a smaller maximum RCA size significantly increased the compressive strength. Microstructural analyses showed that the ITZ around smaller RCAs was relatively thinner, resulting in better compressive strength results. LCA proved that CDW-based geopolymer mortars provide the same compressive strength with around 60% less CO2 emissions and similar energy consumption compared to Portland cement-based mortars. / This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 894100. The authors also wish to acknowledge the support of the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) provided under project: 117M447

No description available.

Seismic-resistant steel eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) are designed so that that yielding during earthquake loading is restricted primarily to the ductile links. To achieve this behavior, all members other than the link are designed to be stronger than the link, i.e. to develop the capacity of the link. However, satisfying these capacity design requirements for the beam segment outside of the link can be difficult in the overall design process of an EBF. In some cases, it may be necessary to make significant changes to the configuration of the EBF in order to satisfy beam design requirements. If this discovery is made late in the design process, such changes can be costly. The overall goal of this research was to develop guidelines for preliminary design of EBFs that will result in configurations where the beam is likely to satisfy capacity design requirements. Simplified approximate equations were developed to predict the axial force and moment in the beam segment outside of the link when link ultimate strength is developed. These equations, although approximate, provided significant insight into variables that affect capacity design of the beam. These equations were then used to conduct an extensive series of parametric studies on a wide variety of EBF configurations. The results of these studies show that the most important variables affecting beam design are 1) the nondimensional link length, 2) the ratio of web area to total area for the wide flange section used for the beam and link, 3) the angle between the brace and the beam, and 4) the flexural stiffness of the brace relative to the beam. Recommendations are provided for selection of values for these variables in preliminary design. / text

Šiame baigiamajame magistro darbe nagrinėjama gruntbetonio savybių priklausomybė nuo grunto sudėties. Atlikta porų injekcijos ir srautinės injekcijos teorijos apžvalga, išdėstytos šių metodų atlikimo sekos, panaudojimo sritys bei aptartos srautinėmis injekcijomis suformuotų gruntbetoninių kolonų fizikinės savybės. Baigiamojo magistro darbo teorinėje dalyje pateikiama pagrindų stiprinimo injekcijomis apžvalga. Aptariami jų ypatumai, technologijos bei medžiagos, pateikiami kokybės kontrolės metodai, nagrinėjamos dažniausiai kylančios problemos ir jų sprendimo būdai. Eksperimentinėje dalyje nagrinėjama, kokį poveikį priemaišos daro gruntbetonio savybėms. Buvo atliekami laboratoriniai tyrimai, nagrinėjama grunbetonio savybių priklausomybė nuo grunto sudėties. Aprašomi gauti rezultatai, atliekama jų analizė, suformuluojamos išvados. Darbą sudaro 6 dalys: įvadas, literatūros apžvalga, eksperimentiniai tyrimai, išvados, literatūros sąrašas ir priedai. Darbo apimtis – 118 p. teksto be priedų, 35 p. priedų, 78 paveikslėliai, 39 lentelės, 44 bibliografiniai šaltiniai. / This master thesis examines soilerete properties dependence on the composition of the soil. Carried out in pairs at the injection stream and an overview of the theory of the injection set forth in the execution sequence of these methods, fields, and discussed the use of injection-formed soilrets thanks to the physical properties of columns. Master's thesis in theoretical basis for the strengthening of the Review of the injection. Discuss their features, technology and materials, the quality control methods, addresses the most common problems and their solutions. The experimental section deals with the impact of the pollution for soileret properties. Was carried out laboratory tests analyzed in the analysis, formulation of conclusions. The work consists of seven parts: introduction, literature review, experimental studies, conclusions, references, published articles and accessories. Thesis consist of: 118 p. text without appendixes, 35 p.appendixes, 78 pictures, 39 tables, 44 bibliographical entries.

El concreto permeable es un concreto especial, el cual permite el paso del agua a través de su estructura gracias al alto porcentaje de vacíos que posee a diferencia del concreto tradicional. Esta cualidad del concreto permeable permite acabar con la falta de permeabilidad en las estructuras tradicionales de concreto evitando las fallas estructurales debido al encharcamiento y escurrimiento del agua. En esta investigación se realizó el diseño de mezcla del concreto permeable con una resistencia de 210 kg/cm2, aplicando el método ACI 522.R para poder aplicarlo como una alternativa de carpeta de rodadura en pavimentos. Para ello se realizaron diferentes diseños de mezcla en laboratorio hasta encontrar el diseño óptimo para obtener una resistencia a la compresión de 210 kg/cm2, el diseño de mezcla elegido contaba con las siguientes características: relación agua/cemento de 0.38, porcentaje de vacíos de 13%, 1.5% de aditivo Superplastificante y 7% de arena. Para validar la investigación se realizó la construcción de un prototipo con el diseño elaborado en laboratorio con un área de 2.00 m2 (1.00m x 2.00m). Al concreto en estado fresco se le analizaron sus características de consistencia, densidad y contenido de vacíos; en el estado endurecido se realizaron los ensayos de compresión, permeabilidad y flexión, además de aplicarle una prueba de carga. Los resultados indicaron que el diseño de mezcla usado en el prototipo con resistencia a la compresión de 261.58 kg/cm2 y permeabilidad de 0.01744 m/s puede usarse como alternativa de superficie de rodadura para un pavimento. / Pervious concrete is a special type of concrete which allows the passage of water through its structure due to its high percentage of voids unlike traditional concrete. This quality of pervious concrete allows to end the lack of permeability in traditional concrete structures thus preventing structural failures due to flooding and water runoff. This research will seek to find a mix design for pervious concrete to apply it as an alternative road surface for pavements. To verify the above, different mix designs were performed in laboratory to find the design that give us a compressive strength of 210 kg/cm2, the chosen design had the following features: water - cement ratio of 0.38, 13% air content, 1.5% additive superplasticizer and 7% of sand. To validate the research, a prototype was built with the chosen mix design, this prototype had an area of 2 m2 (1m x 2m). The fresh concrete was analyzed for its consistency, density, and void percentage; the hardened concrete was analyzed for its compressive strength, permeability and flexural strength, finally the prototype was load tested. The results indicated that the mix design used in the prototype with compressive strength of 261.58 kg/cm2 and a permeability of 0.01744 m/s can be used as an alternative rolling surface for pavements. / Tesis