Effectiveness of sealers in counteracting alkali-silica reaction in plain and air-entrained laboratory concretes exposed to wetting and drying, freezing and thawing, and salt water

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-André Bérubé ◽  
Dominique Chouinard ◽  
Michel Pigeon ◽  
Jean Frenette ◽  
Luc Boisvert ◽  
...  

Low- and high-alkali, plain and air-entrained large concrete cylinders, 255 mm in diameter by 310 mm in length, were made with a highly alkali–silica reactive limestone. After curing, a number of cylinders were sealed with silane, oligosiloxane, polysiloxane, linseed oil, or epoxy, with others subjected to 179 freezing and thawing cycles in humid air (one cycle per day). All cylinders were then subjected to 14-day exposure cycles, including in the most severe case periods of humid storage in air, drying, wetting in salt water, and freezing and thawing cycles. All low-alkali specimens did not either expand or develop surface cracking, even those with a deficient air void system and exposed to freezing and thawing cycles. All unsealed high-alkali cylinders subjected early to a series of freezing and thawing cycles did not significantly expand during these cycles, but presented high expansion afterwards. Wetting and drying significantly reduced alkali–silica reaction (ASR) expansion compared with constant humid storage; however, it promoted map-cracking. Regardless of the air content, freezing and thawing increased greatly the concrete expansion in the presence of ASR, even after ASR was almost complete; freezing and thawing also greatly promoted surface cracking. On the other hand, all cylinders early sealed with silane, oligosilixane, or polysiloxane did not either significantly expand or show map-cracking, whatever the exposure conditions and the air content; these cylinders progressively lost mass with time. On the other hand, the epoxy resin was not effective. The linseed oil prevented map-cracking while significantly reducing expansion, however not sufficiently. After one or 1.5 years, some expanding cylinders were sealed with silane, oligosiloxane, or polysiloxane; they started to loose mass and contracted immediately after being sealed, whatever the exposure conditions. The results obtained thus indicate that a good sealer may greatly improve the aesthetic appearance (e.g., map-cracking) and stop expansion of ASR-affected concrete elements of 255 mm or less in thickness, made with a water-to-cement ratio in the range of 0.50, and exposed to wetting and drying, freezing and thawing, and salt water.Key words: air entrained, alkali–silica reaction, concrete, cracking, expansion, freezing and thawing, sealer, silane, siloxane, wetting and drying.

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-André Bérubé ◽  
Dominique Chouinard ◽  
Michel Pigeon ◽  
Jean Frenette ◽  
Michel Rivest ◽  
...  

This study follows another experimental study where different types of sealers were applied on plain and air-entrained large concrete cylinders made with high-alkali contents and highly alkali–silica reactive limestone aggregates. The main objective was to determine the effectiveness of these sealers in counteracting concrete expansion and surface deterioration due to alkali–silica reaction under various exposure conditions. This study indicated that all three sealers tested, the silane-, oligosiloxane-, and polysiloxane-based sealers, could stop concrete expansion due to ASR and even produced contraction, even for concrete cylinders subjected to wetting and drying, freezing and thawing, and sodium chloride solutions. In 1991, the same silane, oligosiloxane, and polysiloxane were applied on sections of median barriers showing various degrees of deterioration due to ASR. These sections were subjected to wetting and drying, freezing and thawing, and, during winter, to deicing salt. The silane was also applied on other sections of the same barriers in 1994. Observations and measurements over 10 years indicate that the aesthetic appearance of these median barriers, particularly those sealed with the silane, was greatly improved, while internal humidity was significantly reduced, and concrete expansion as well, when not arrested. The period of time during which the above three sealers were capable to stop ASR expansion varies with the sealer used and the degree of concrete deterioration at the time of sealing. For instance, the silane, which was the best among all products tested, caused concrete contraction for at least 6 years in median barriers that were severely affected by ASR, and likely for more than 10 years in moderately affected barriers. The overall results confirm the conclusions obtained previously in the laboratory: a good sealer such as the silane tested may greatly improve the aesthetic appearance and stop the expansion of non-massive ASR-affected concrete members, at least up to about 300 mm in thickness, and subjected to wetting and drying, freezing and thawing, and salt water. However, the poor result obtained in the field with another silane-based sealer indicates that a sealer cannot be selected based on its composition only.Key words: alkali–silica reaction, concrete; cracking, expansion, internal humidity, median barrier, sealer, silane, siloxane.


2021 ◽  
Vol 904 ◽  
pp. 250-254
Author(s):  
Shuang Chen ◽  
Jui Chin Chen ◽  
Chi Hui Tsou ◽  
Peng Cheng Yang ◽  
Chun Fen Jia ◽  
...  

In this study, PVA/CS composite hydrogels were prepared by means of freezing and thawing cycles of agricultural wastes, corn straw (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The mechanical properties of the composite hydrogels were analyzed by universal tensile device. The effects of CS on tensile strength and elongation at break of PVA/CS composite hydrogels were analyzed. On the other hand, PVA and PVA/CS composite hydrogels were also freeze-dried to investigate the mechanical properties of all hydrogels after drying.


2003 ◽  
Vol 49 (166) ◽  
pp. 391-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurine Montagnat ◽  
Erland M. Schulson

AbstractAs a complement to earlier measurements on the friction of both granular fresh-water ice and S2 columnar salt-water ice, new experiments were performed on the friction of S2 columnar fresh-water ice sliding against itself at low velocities (5 × 10−7 to 5 × 10−1 m s−1) and at −10°C, using the same double-shear device as was used earlier. The results showed that under a given set of experimental conditions the kinetic coefficient of friction of S2 fresh-water ice compares favorably with that of the other two variants.The experiments also revealed friction-induced surface cracks and recrystallized grains.These deformation features are explained, respectively, in terms of fracture mechanics and an earlier model of dynamic recrystallization in ice.


Author(s):  
Genadijs Sahmenko ◽  
Sandis Aispurs ◽  
Aleksandrs Korjakins

Traditionally, sculptural and decorative elements of building facades are created from mortar mixes based on lime, gypsum or Portland cement. Generally these materials have porous and permeable structure, which determines their accelerated degradation, especially in the aggressive environment of modern cities. High performance cement composites (HPCC) have been considered for production and restoration of sculptural elements in historical buildings. For this purpose, fine-graded, multi-component and highly workable mixes were elaborated. Mix compositions were modified with micro-fillers, plasticizing and stabilizing admixtures, as well as fibers to improve material ductility and control shrinkage cracking. Basic mechanical properties and durability (such as water absorption, frost resistance) were determined and two types of HPCC were compared (>50 MPa: HPCC and >120 MPa: UHPCC). It has been confirmed that cement composite mixes are characterized by self-consolidating effect, high compressive strength, extremely high resistance versus freezing and thawing cycles and low water absorption. Surface quality was evaluated and initial water absorption (tube tests) were performed for laboratory samples and real sculptural elements after 5 years of exploitation. The results confirmed good potential for using HPCC for creating more attractive and durable architectural shapes and façade elements compared to elements made using traditional cement and lime mortar.


CORROSION ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 59t-68t ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. SCHWERDTFEGER ◽  
RAUL J. MANUELE

Abstract Three steel specimens were continuously exposed in the laboratory for almost 5 years in city water to which was added 3 percent by weight of sodium chloride. Two of these specimens were under continuous cathodic protection, one by current from a zinc anode, and the other by current from a rectifier through a carbon anode. The third specimen was left to corrode freely. As a result of the cathodic protection, carbonates and silicates formed protective coatings which eventually reduced the current density required for protection from about 5 to 0.02 ma/sq ft. A coated specimen, after being without protective current for 32 days (including 12 days out of the salt water), required only 0.3 ma/sq ft for initial protection. The instantaneous corrosion rates on the coated specimens (scratched and unscratched) while without protective currents were measured by changes-in-slope (breaks) in polarization curves. The currents at which breaks occurred in the cathodic curves were found to be related to ΔV/ΔI values from the curves, which values in turn bore a relation to the corrosion rates as measured by weight loss.


1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-112
Author(s):  
T. Rezansoff ◽  
D. Stott

The influence of CaCl2 or a chloride-based accelerating admixture on the freeze–thaw resistance of concrete was evaluated. Three air entrained mix designs were investigated using ASTM C666-84, Standard Test Method for Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and Thawing. All mix designs were similar, using cement contents of 340–357 kg/m3 of concrete, except for the addition of either 2% calcium chloride or 2% High Early Pozzolith, while no accelerating admixture was added to the control mix. The entire test program was repeated four times with water-to-cement ratio of 0.46 and three times with the ratio of 0.43. For the Pozzolith-accelerated concrete, half the samples were coated with boiled linseed oil in all seven series. For the control (unaccelerated) concrete, half the samples were coated with boiled linseed oil in one series for each water-to-cement ratio. Performance was monitored using the dynamic modulus of elasticity as obtained from transverse resonant frequency measurements. Weight loss of the specimens was also measured. Only the control samples (no accelerators) showed sufficient durability to satisfy the standard of maintaining at least 60% of the original dynamic modulus after 300 cycles of alternate freezing and thawing. Sealing with linseed oil showed inconsistent improvement in the durability in the various test series when defined in terms of the dynamic modulus; however, weight losses were the lowest of all categories and surface scaling was minimal. Key words: concrete, durability, freeze–thaw testing, calcium chloride, admixtures, sealants, air void system.


2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (7) ◽  
pp. 1161-1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Novales Flamarique

This study examines the spectral sensitivity and cone topography of the sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka throughout its life history with special emphasis on ultraviolet sensitivity. Electrophysiological recordings from the optic nerve show that ultraviolet sensitivity is greatly diminished at the smolt stage but reappears in adult fish weighing about 201 g. Concomitantly, light microscopy observations of the retina show that ultraviolet cones disappear from the dorsal and temporal retina at the smolt stage but reappear at the adult stage. These changes occur for sockeye salmon raised in fresh water or salt water after smoltification. In contrast to this ultraviolet cycle, the other cone mechanisms (short-, middle- and long-wavelength-sensitive) and the rod mechanism remain present throughout ontogeny. The natural appearance and disappearance of ultraviolet cones in salmonid retinas follows surges in blood thyroxine at critical developmental periods. Their presence coincides with times of prominent feeding on zooplankton and/or small fish that may be more visible under ultraviolet light. It is proposed that the primary function of ultraviolet cones in salmonids is to improve prey contrast.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1850
Author(s):  
Jinjun Guo ◽  
Ting Guo ◽  
Shiwei Zhang ◽  
Yan Lu

The freezing and thawing of construction concrete is becoming an increasingly important structural challenge. In this study, a shrinkage-compensating concrete based on a double expansive admixture was developed and its frost resistance was assessed through rapid freezing and thawing cycling. The frost resistance of the concrete was derived through the measurement and calculation of the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME) and the mass loss rate (MLR), and the freezing- and thawing-cycle microstructures and products of concretes with different expansive agents were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was shown that changes in the properties of the concrete under freezing and thawing could be divided into three stages: slow-damage stage, fast-damage stage, and stable stage. Compared to concrete without an expansive agent, a single-expansive-agent concrete demonstrated excellent frost resistance during the slow-damage stage, but the frost resistance rapidly decreased during the fast-damage age. After 150 cycles (the stable-damage stage), the concrete with a U-type expansive agent (UEA): MgO expansive agent (MEA) mix proportion of 2:1 had the best frost resistance, with RDME and MLR values 17.35% higher and 25.1% lower respectively, than that of an expansive-agent-free concrete. These test results provide a basis for the study of frost resistance in large-scale hydraulic concrete structures.


1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Viklander

A fine-grained nonplastic till was compacted in the laboratory in three types of rigid wall permeameters, having a volume of 0.4, 1.5, and 25 dm3, respectively, and, was thereafter exposed to a maximum of 18 freezing and thawing cycles. The permeabilities in the vertical direction of saturated samples were measured in unfrozen soil as well as in thawed soil. The results show that the permeabilities changed after freezing and thawing. The magnitude of the changes in this study were in the range 0.02-10 times after freeze/thaw compared with the unfrozen soil. Soil exhibited volume changes subsequent to freeze/thaw. The volume typically decreased for an initially loose soil and increased for a dense soil. Independent of whether the initial soil structure was loose or dense, a constant "residual" void ratio, eres, was obtained after 1-3 cycles. For the soil investigated, the residual void ratio ranged from 0.31 to 0.40.Key words: till, fine-grained, non plastic, permeability, freeze/thaw, residual void ratio.


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