Microtruss cellular materials have large internal surface areas and small cross-sectional strut dimensions, permitting surface modification to substantially enhance their mechanical performance. For instance, a ~400% increase in compressive strength with virtually no weight penalty can be induced by a hard anodized Al2O3 ceramic coating of only ~50 µm thickness. The present study seeks the optimal architecture of these composites by exploring three research challenges: architecture and degree of forming are interdependent due to stretch-forming, architecture and the material properties are interdependent due to work-hardening, and ceramic structural coatings add design complexity. Theoretical predictions and architectural optimizations demonstrated a potential weight reduction of ~3% to ~60% through the increase of internal truss angle for both annealed and work-hardened microtruss cores. While further validation is needed, experimental evidence in this study suggested the collapse in ceramic-aluminum microtruss composites could be considered as a mixture of composite strut global buckling and oxide local shell buckling mechanisms.

This thesis presents the results of an investigation of factors which influence the geotechnical properties of frozen mine backfill (FMB). FMB has extensive application potential for mining in permafrost areas. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of hardened backfill is often used to evaluate mine backfill stability. However, the deformation behaviour and stiffness of the FMB are also key design properties of interest. In this thesis, uniaxial compressive tests were conducted on FTB and FCPB samples. Information about the geotechnical properties of FMB is obtained. The effects of FMB mix components and vertical compression pressure on the geotechnical properties of FMB are discussed and summarized. An optimum total water content of 25%-35% is found in which the strength and the modulus of elasticity of the FTB are 1.4-3.2 MPa and 35-58 MPa, respectively. It is observed that a small amount (3-6%) of cement can significantly change the geotechnical properties of FTB.

Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is new technology gaining popularity in the recent years due to its low cost, rapid construction, and using opportunity of by-products. RCC is widely used in the world. However, the use of RCC has been restricted to construction of few cofferdams, and limited to local use in dam construction up to date. In this thesis, two types of cement, two types of natural pozzolan, aggregates with varying gradations, and a type of water reducing chemical admixture were used. Prior to carrying out the tests, the chemical and physical properties of materials were determined. Additionally, steam curing was applied to the test specimens in order to get long term compressive strength at early ages. Differences between steam cured specimens and normal cured specimens have been discussed in the discussion part. In the study, the results indicate that usage of water reducing chemical admixture improves compressive strength of RCC. Moreover, it is revealed that usage of fine material is essential to obtain desired results since the amount of cementitious materials is considerably low in RCC. Steam curing is known as its property of providing long term compressive strength at early ages. It was observed that application of steam curing in CEM I type cement used RCC mixtures generated expected results. However, in CEM IV type cement used RCC mixtures compressive strength results did not behave in the same manner.

The aim of this thesis is to twofold, in order to demonstrate the variabilities that can be faced within the compressive strength of blended cements, one blended cement namely CEM IV / B (P-V) 32.5N is selected and the 28-day compressive strength is obtained by 16 different laboratories following TS EN 196-1 standard. Later, to show the variabilities that could be faced by different standards, three different cement types were selected and their compressive strengths are determined following two procedures first with TS EN 196-1, later with similar procedure described in ASTM. The strength of cement is determined by TS EN 196-1 in Turkey that is the same for all types of cements. However, American cement producers use different standards for testing the strength of Portland cement and blended cements. The main difference is the amount of water utilized in producing the cement mortar. It was observed that for Portland and Portland composite cements / there is not any significant difference in between the compressive strength results of cement mortars prepared by both methods. However, for pozzolanic cements, there is much deviance in the compressive strength results of cement mortars prepared by TS EN 196-1.

This thesis describes improvements on newly-discovered high-strength pozzolan-based materials fabricated via a low-cost chemical reaction that takes place between 90 and 115 ℃ for 3 to 24 hours. The reported results focus on pozzolan constituents acquired from Coal Combustion Products (CCPs) such as cenospheres, fly ash C and F, as well as bottom ash. The thesis reports on various types of these materials with specific gravity ranging from 0.5 to 1.6; compressive strength ranging from 300 to 3600 psi, and compressive modulus ranging from 50 to 240 ksi. In addition to their good mechanical properties under compression that are attractive for the building and construction industries, the materials further exhibit great potential for applications as energy absorption cores in sandwich construction that could extend their value in other industries including the automotive and aerospace industries. For example, the load-displacement curve exhibits a short elastic zone followed by a long load-plateau; while the materials crush through a controlled vertical cracking process. Additionally, an attempt was made to further decrease the manufacturing cost of the material by investigating incorporation of chemicals that accelerates dehydration of the mixture. One such successful chemical reported in this thesis is aluminum phosphate; while it is not conclusive how the chemical improves any major property.

Baigiamajame magistro darbe nagrinėjamos porceliano ir olivino užpildų įtakos kaitrai atsparaus betono savybėms problemos, jo gaminimas, tyrimas ir įdiegimas pramonėje. Išnagrinėti pagrindiniai užpildai, rišamosios medžiagos bei priedai, kuriuos naudojant buvo gaminamas kaitrai atsparus betonas. Šio darbo pagrindinis tikslas - sukurti plūkiamąjį, SiO2 mikrodulkėmis modifikuotą, kaitrai atsparų betoną, susidedantį iš aliuminatinio cemento, porceliano, olivino bei plastiklio, kuris būtų naudojamas šiluminių agregatų išklojų įrengimui, taip pat suirusių išklojų remontui. / In the master thesis are examined the problems of the influence of fillers from porcelain and olivine on the properties of fireproof concrete, its production, study and introduction in the industry; are examined basic fillers, binding agents and compounding material, on basis of which the fireproof concrete was made. The basic purpose of this work is to create packed fireproof concrete, modified by micro-specks of SiO2, which consists of the aluminates cement, porcelain, olivine and plastic, which would be used for the pavement of heat engine units, and also for repairing of the worn pavement.

This thesis presents the results of an investigation of factors which influence the geotechnical properties of frozen mine backfill (FMB). FMB has extensive application potential for mining in permafrost areas. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of hardened backfill is often used to evaluate mine backfill stability. However, the deformation behaviour and stiffness of the FMB are also key design properties of interest. In this thesis, uniaxial compressive tests were conducted on FTB and FCPB samples. Information about the geotechnical properties of FMB is obtained. The effects of FMB mix components and vertical compression pressure on the geotechnical properties of FMB are discussed and summarized. An optimum total water content of 25%-35% is found in which the strength and the modulus of elasticity of the FTB are 1.4-3.2 MPa and 35-58 MPa, respectively. It is observed that a small amount (3-6%) of cement can significantly change the geotechnical properties of FTB.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Brazilian civil construction showed in the last few years a large increase in technology, thus increasing the competitiveness in the labor market. In order to remain in compliance with the standard requirements, builders need to improve, both in workmanship as in materials used questions. The masonry had an important growth in the last few years, thus increasing the need to develop studies and constantly improve the National Standards. The compressive strength is the most important factor in structural masonry, than a study and deep knowledge of the subject is necessary for designers can accomplish the projects in the best possible manner. For the use of ceramic block, NBR 15812-1 recommends that the efficiency factor walls/prism that must be used is 0,70, but there is no standardized value for the efficiency factor prism/block, leaving only to designer the choice of this value. For the project to be well specified, with the components selected as best as possible, the efficiency factor prism block have decisive role, as thought the designer calculate the prism designer strength, he must specify the mean compressive strength of mortar as the characteristic compressive strength of blocks and, if necessary, grout. With the aid of the Building Construction Material Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria, which provided its tests results of the years 2007 to 2014, a study was conducted to calculate the efficiency factor of prism/block in different strength ranges of the blocks. Following this study, analyzes were made to try to predict behavior of efficiency factor due to the compressive strength of the block and be able to get a usual value for the conditions of the tested components. Only ceramic hollow blocks with no grout were approached in this study because they were in a large amount, providing greater reliability to the results. / A Construção Civil no Brasil apresentou nos últimos anos um grande aumento na área tecnológica, aumentando com isso a competitividade no mercado de trabalho. Para poderem se manter atuais e cumprindo com os requisitos de normas, as empresas da área da construção necessitam se aprimorar, tanto no quesito mão de obra como no quesito dos materiais utilizados. O método construtivo de alvenaria estrutural obteve um crescimento muito importante nos últimos anos, aumentando assim a necessidade de se desenvolver estudos e melhorar cada vez mais as normas que regem tal método. A resistência à compressão é o fator mais importante na alvenaria estrutural, logo um estudo e conhecimento aprofundado do tema se faz necessário para os projetistas poderem conseguir realizar os projetos da melhor maneira possível. Para a utilização de blocos cerâmicos, a NBR 15812-1 preconiza que o fator de eficiência parede/prisma que se deve utilizar é de 0,70, porém, não existe um valor normatizado para o fator de eficiência prisma/bloco, deixando apenas para o projetista a escolha desse valor. Para o projeto ser bem especificado, com os componentes escolhidos da maneira mais condizente com o cenário, o fator de eficiência prisma/bloco têm função determinante, visto que apesar de o projetista calcular a resistência de projeto do prisma, ele precisa especificar a resistência à compressão média da argamassa como a resistência característica à compressão de blocos e, quando necessário, grautes. Com a ajuda do Laboratório de Materiais de Construção Civil da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, que disponibilizou os seus ensaios dos anos de 2007 até 2014, foi realizado um estudo para se calcular o fator de eficiência/prisma bloco em diferentes faixas de resistência dos blocos. Após este estudo, foram feitas análises para tentar prever o comportamento do fator de eficiência frente à resistência à compressão dos blocos e poder se chegar em um valor usual para as condições dos componentes ensaiados. Apenas blocos cerâmicos de parede vazada e não grauteados foram abordados no estudo pois eram em uma quantidade maior, fornecendo uma maior confiabilidade aos resultados obtidos.

Orientador: Mônica Pinto Barbosa / Banca: Cassio Roberto Macedo Maia / Banca: Oswaldo Cascudo Matos / Resumo: O concreto auto-adensável (CAA) é um material que representa um dos maiores avanços na tecnologia do concreto das últimas décadas. O desenvolvimento do CAA propiciou eficiência e melhora nas condições de trabalho em canteiro de obras e na indústria de pré-moldados. Do ponto de vista reológico, o CAA é uma mistura fluida que proporciona diferenças de comportamento quando comparado ao concreto convencional. Neste contexto, a proposta desta pesquisa foi estudar, num primeiro plano, as características reológicas nas fases de pasta, argamassa e concreto do CAA no estado fresco e seu comportamento no estado endurecido. Para isso, optouse por empregar a metodologia de Repette e Melo (2005), que considera a resistência à compressão como ponto de partida para a composição do traço do CAA e que estuda os aspectos reológicos envolvidos nas diferentes fases de sua dosagem. Os materiais empregados para estudo de dosagem foram o fíler basáltico como adição, areia média, brita 19 mm, aditivo superplastificante e dois tipos de cimento. Foram elaborados dois concretos, com cimentos distintos, ambos com mesma classe de resistência igual a 40 MPa. Num segundo plano, foi realizado um estudo da avaliação da resistência à compressão desses concretos quando submetidos à cura térmica a vapor, variando-se as temperaturas de cura (entre 65oC e 80oC), assim como o patamar isotérmico de cura em 4 h,6 h e 8 h para cada temperatura. A avaliação das propriedades mecânicas dos concretos foi realizada empregando o Método da Maturidade. No emprego da maturidade foram utilizados as funções de Nurse e Saul e a proposta por Freiesleben-Hansen e Pedersen (FHP). As análises comparativas foram realizadas em função do tipo de cimento empregado, temperatura de cura e tempo de patamar isotérmico / Abstract: The self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a material that represents one of the greatest advances in concrete technology in recent decades. The development of SCC has resulted in improved efficiency and working conditions at the construction site and the precast industry. Rheological point of view, the SCC is a fluid mix that provides behavior differences when compared to conventional concrete. In this context, the proposal of this research was to study, in the foreground, the rheological phases of paste, mortar and concrete of SCC in the fresh state and its behavior in the hardened state. For this, we chose to employ the methodology Repette e Melo (2005), which considers the compressive strength as a starting point for the composition of the trace of SCC and studying the rheological aspects involved in the different stages of their dosage. The materials used to study the dosage was basalt fillers such as addition, medium sand, gravel 19 mm, superplasticizer additive and two types of cement. We prepared two concretes with different cements, both with the same strength class of 40 MPa. In the background, a study assessing the compressive strength of concrete when subjected to steam curing, varying the curing temperatures (between 65oC and 80oC) as well as the level of isothermal cure at 4 h, 6 h and 8 h for each temperature. The evaluation of mechanical properties of concrete was carried out using the Maturity Method. Employment of maturity was used to Nurse e Saul function, as well as function proposed by Freiesleben-Hansen and Pedersen (FHP). Comparative analysis were performed according to the type of cement used, curing temperature and isothermal plateau / Mestre

O cimento Portland, em seus diferentes tipos e classes, é o principal constituinte dos concretos e das argamassas, e é aplicado em todas as tipologias de obras de construção civil. Caso as propriedades do mesmo sofram variações, em função de diversos fatores, esta variabilidade influenciará nas propriedades do concreto, pelo fato do cimento Portland ser seu principal constituinte. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho visa analisar a variabilidade de diferentes tipos e marcas de cimentos produzidos no Brasil através do cálculo da média, do coeficiente de variação, da resistência característica à compressão, bem como determinar os coeficientes de crescimento de resistência à compressão entre as idades preconizadas, conforme as especificações normativas de cada cimento. Os dados para o estudo pertencem ao registro de ensaios efetuados pelo Laboratório de Materiais de Construção Civil da Fundação de Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, compreendidos entre o período de 1992 a 2012. Este banco de dados permitiu a realização das análises considerando duas faixas de tempo relacionadas a dois distintos momentos da economia brasileira, entre 1992 a 2003, referente ao pequeno crescimento do país e da indústria cimenteira, e entre 2004 a 2012, relacionado à retomada do crescimento do Brasil e consequente aumento do consumo de cimento. Da mesma forma, foi possível, separar os fabricantes de cimento que possuem o selo de qualidade segundo os padrões da Associação Brasileira de Cimento Portland (ABCP) – “Com Selo” – dos que não possuem – “Sem Selo”. Dentre as principais conclusões, pode-se ressaltar que quando analisado de forma geral, por tipo de cimento, os índices de consistência médios variam de 165mm para o CP I S a 186 mm para o CP V ARI RS, com coeficientes de variação entre 7,77% para o CP II Z 32 a 13,70% para o CP IV 32 RS; as superfícies específicas Blaine médias variam de 3480 cm²/g para o CP I S a 5170 cm²/g para o CP V ARI RS, com coeficientes de variação entre 6,21% para o CP I S 32 a 12,2% para o CP IV 32 RS; as resistências mínimas especificadas em norma foram respeitadas para todas as idades, tomando as resistências médias à compressão; em contraposição, somente os cimentos CP II Z 32 e CP II Z 32 RS atingiram as resistências características à compressão mínimas em relação à norma para todas as idades. / The Portland cement, in its different types and classes, is the main component of concrete and mortar and is applied in all types of civil construction works. If its properties suffer changes, depending on various factors, this variability will influence the properties of the concrete, because the Portland cement being its main constituent. Accordingly, this study aims to analyze the variability of different types and marks of cement produced in Brazil by calculating the mean, coefficient of variation, characteristic compression strength, and determining the coefficients of the development of compressive strength among the recommended ages, according to the normative specifications of each cement. The database for the study belong to the record of tests conducted by the Laboratory for Civil Construction Materials of Foundation of Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul state , ranging from the period 1992-2012. This database allowed the analyzes considering two time slots related to two distinct moments of the Brazilian economy, between 1992 and 2003, concerning the small development of the country and cement industry, and between 2004 and 2012, related to the resumption of development in Brazil and consequently an increase in cement consumption. Similarly, was possible to separate the cement manufacturers who have the seal of quality standards in the ABCP (Brazilian Association of Cement Portland) – “With Seal” - of those without the seal – “Without Seal”. Among the main conclusions, can be noted that when analyzed in general, by type of cement, the rate of medium consistency ranging from 165mm to 186mm for the CP I S to CP V ARI RS, with coefficients of variation ranging from 7.77% to 13.70% for the CP II Z 32 to CP IV 32 RS; averages Blaine specific areas ranging from 3480cm²/g to 5170cm²/g for the CP I S to CP V ARI RS, with coefficients of variation ranging from 6.21% to 12.2% for the CP I S 32 to CP IV 32 RS; the minimum resistance specified in the standard have been respected for all ages, taking the average compressive strength; in contrast, only CP II Z 32 and CP II Z 32 RS cements reached the resistance characteristics to the minimum compression relative to the standard for all ages.