scholarly journals Optimization of MgO-GGBS Cementitious Systems Using Thermo-Chemical Approaches

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9378
Author(s):  
Blessing Adeleke ◽  
John Kinuthia ◽  
Jonathan Oti

The current study investigated the development of a sustainable thermo-chemical approach to effectively optimize MgO-waste activated GGBS formulations, using four types of magnesium oxide (MgO) waste materials with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) to develop binary cementitious systems (MgO-GGBS). This stems from the expected complexity of cementitious binder optimization outcomes into a simpler analytic form, enhancing the rapid delivery of optimization results and contributing to the global awareness of sustainable approaches and use of industrial wastes. Three levels of Portland cement by weight (90, 80, and 70 wt.%) was replaced with MgO wastes including an industrial by-product (GGBS) to develop an experimental regime. Investigation was carried out by employing an experiment-based optimisation technique (thermo-chemical approach), which involved the design of an experimental regime and application of experimental tests (pH measurements, thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analysis—TG/DTG and isothermal calorimetry), establishment of design variable/parameters, measurement of the design performance of the identified design parameters, and review of the relationship between the independent (control) and dependent variables (MgO wastes and their compositions). The experimental test results successfully optimised the binder compositions, established the best performing binder system (MG1), and provided an in-depth insight into the thermal stability and hydration kinetics of the investigated binder systems.

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1430
Author(s):  
Aleksandr Viatkin ◽  
Riccardo Mandrioli ◽  
Manel Hammami ◽  
Mattia Ricco ◽  
Gabriele Grandi

This paper presents a comprehensive study of peak-to-peak and root-mean-square (RMS) values of AC current ripples with balanced and unbalanced fundamental currents in a generic case of three-phase four-leg converters with uncoupled AC interface inductors present in all three phases and in neutral. The AC current ripple characteristics were determined for both phase and neutral currents, considering the sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (SPWM) method. The derived expressions are simple, effective, and ready for accurate AC current ripple calculations in three- or four-leg converters. This is particularly handy in the converter design process, since there is no need for heavy numerical simulations to determine an optimal set of design parameters, such as switching frequency and line inductances, based on the grid code or load restrictions in terms of AC current ripple. Particular attention has been paid to the performance comparison between the conventional three-phase three-leg converter and its four-leg counterpart, with distinct line inductance values in the neutral wire. In addition to that, a design example was performed to demonstrate the power of the derived equations. Numerical simulations and extensive experimental tests were thoroughly verified the analytical developments.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohuslav Slánský ◽  
Vit Šmilauer ◽  
Jiří Hlavatý ◽  
Richard Dvořák

A jointed plain concrete pavement represents a reliable, historically proven technical solution for highly loaded roads, highways, airports and other industrial surfaces. Excellent resistance to permanent deformations (rutting) and also durability and maintenance costs play key roles in assessing the economic benefits, rehabilitation plans, traffic closures, consumption and recycling of materials. In the history of concrete pavement construction, slow-to-normal hardening Portland cement was used in Czechoslovakia during the 1970s-1980s. The pavements are being replaced after 40-50 years of service, mostly due to vertical slab displacements due to missing dowel bars. However, pavements built after 1996 used rapid hardening cements, resulting in long-term surface cracking and decreased durability. In order to build durable concrete pavements, slower hardening slag-blended binders were designed and tested in the restrained ring shrinkage test and in isothermal calorimetry. Corresponding concretes were tested mainly for the compressive/tensile strength evolution and deicing salt-frost scaling to meet current specifications. The pilot project was executed on a 14 km highway, where a unique temperature-strain monitoring system was installed to provide long-term data from the concrete pavement. A thermo-mechanical coupled model served for data validation, showing a beneficial role of slower hydration kinetics. Continuous monitoring interim results at 24 months have revealed small curling induced by drying and the overall small differential shrinkage of the slab.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajan Choudhary ◽  
Dibyatonu Chattopadhyay ◽  
Abhinay Kumar ◽  
Ashok Julaganti

For a fast developing economy like India, expansion, rehabilitation, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure is crucial and require huge quantities of high quality natural aggregates. Meanwhile, vast amounts of industrial wastes accumulating in the country pose problems related to safe and sustainable disposal. The present study investigated possible utilisation of marble dust, a waste from stone industry, and fly ash, a waste from thermal power stations, as filler materials in open-graded friction course mixes. Open-graded friction course mixes incorporating fly ash, marble dust, and two sources of stone dust as filler fractions were designed and evaluated for mix design properties including draindown, abrasion loss, air void content, and permeability. Morphology of each filler was characterised through scanning electron microscopy. Physicochemical properties of fillers were examined through Rigden voids, German filler test, methylene blue, and hydrometer analysis. Analysis of variance using Fisher multiple comparison procedure was performed to evaluate the effect of filler type on design properties of open-graded friction course mixes. Regression analysis using forward selection technique was performed to identify significant filler characteristics influencing open-graded friction course properties. Results showed that filler type affected open-graded friction course design parameters significantly. Open-graded friction course mixes with marble dust showed promising performance with lowest draindown, and highest durability, air voids, and permeability. Regression analysis identified Rigden void content of filler materials as a major filler characteristic affecting the mix design parameters of open-graded friction course mixes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ala'aldeen T. Al-Halhouli

This work surveys recent advances of experimental and analytical development progress of the on-disk viscous micro-pumps: spiral channel, single disk, and double disk micropumps. These micropumps have attractive advantages for handling particle-laden fluids which make them key components in laboratory-on-a-chip applications. This study builds upon existing reviews and reports on the on-disk viscous micropump concept and analytical and experimental tests. It also presents a general analytical solution that estimates for the combined effect of operational and geometrical design parameters on the flow performance of on-disk viscous micropumps. This model enables microfluidic systems designers and developers to predict flow rates and pressures according to certain geometrical or operational conditions. Quantitative comparison and verifications are provided in tabular and graphical forms.


Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuhua Liu ◽  
Qiaoling Li ◽  
Xinyi Zhao

The hydration heat evolution curves of composite cementitious materials containing copper tailing powder (CT) and graphene oxide (GO) with different contents are measured and analyzed in this paper. The hydration rate and total hydration heat of the composite cementitious materials decrease with the increase of CT dosage, but improve with the increase of CT fineness and GO dosage. The hydration process of the cementitious systems undergoes three periods, namely nucleation and crystal growth (NG), phase boundary reaction (I), and diffusion (D), which can be simulated well using the Krstulovic–Dabic model. The hydration rates of the three controlling processes of the composite cementitious system decrease with the increase of CT content, but improve slightly with the increase of CT fineness. GO enhances the controlling effect of the NG process of the cementitious systems with or without CT, thus promotes the early hydration as a whole.


Author(s):  
Irene Simonetti ◽  
Lorenzo Cappietti

Abstract The importance of properly modelling the effects of air compressibility in the selection of the optimal design parameters for an Oscillating Water Column wave energy converter is investigated. For this purpose, a wide dataset of capture width ratios, obtained from both experimental tests and Computational Fluid Dynamic simulations, is used to formulate an empirical model able to predict the performance of the device as a function of its basic design parameters (chamber width and draught, turbine damping) and of the wave conditions (wave period, wave height). A multiple non-linear regression approach is used to determine the model numerical coefficients. The data used to formulate the model include the effects of air compressibility. The impact of considering such effects on the selection of the optimal geometry of the device is evaluated and discussed by means of the model application for the optimization of a device to be installed in a site located in the Mediterranean Sea (in front of the coast of Tuscany, Italy).


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5194
Author(s):  
Gerlinde Lefever ◽  
Dimitrios G. Aggelis ◽  
Nele De Belie ◽  
Marc Raes ◽  
Tom Hauffman ◽  
...  

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are known to mitigate the development of autogenous shrinkage in cementitious mixtures with a low water-to-cement ratio. Moreover, the addition of SAPs promotes the self-healing ability of cracks. A drawback of using SAPs lies in the formation of macropores when the polymers release their absorbed water, leading to a reduction of the mechanical properties. Therefore, a supplementary material was introduced together with SAPs, being nanosilica, in order to obtain an identical compressive strength with respect to the reference material without additives. The exact cause of the similar compressive behaviour lies in the modification of the hydration process and subsequent microstructural development by both SAPs and nanosilica. Within the present study, the effect of SAPs and nanosilica on the hydration progress and the hardened properties is assessed. By means of isothermal calorimetry, the hydration kinetics were monitored. Subsequently, the quantity of hydration products formed was determined by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, revealing an increased amount of hydrates for both SAP and nanosilica blends. An assessment of the pore size distribution was made using mercury intrusion porosimetry and demonstrated the increased porosity for SAP mixtures. A correlation between microstructure and the compressive strength displayed its influence on the mechanical behaviour.


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