Improvement of Arbolit Concrete Bio-Resistance with Additives by Nanomodificators

Arbolit concrete, as one of the types of light modern concretes, is a complex composite of a combination of different materials: a binder component, additives and cellulose aggregate. Wall blocks, panels, slabs, etc. are manufactured from arbolit concrete for the construction of low-rise residential, public, industrial and agricultural buildings. According to the properties, arbolit concrete is closest to the tree (organic aggregate is more than 85% of the volume). Arbolit concrete combines the best qualities of wood and concrete: environmental friendliness and durability of concrete, strength of wood and its vapor resistance. However, cellulosic aggregate has its own specific features that negatively affect the structure formation processes, in particular, the strength and durability of the composition “ organic aggregate - astringent "to moisture-variable effects. Selection of a binder for arbolit concrete is also a difficult task that requires a separate research. Basically, for the manufacture of products made of arbolit concrete portland cement is used, abroad - lime binder. The disadvantage of cement concrete on cement, lime and lime containing a binder is a relatively long period of gain of brand strength. A promising direction for solving this problem is the use of composite gypsum binder for the production of concrete. Based on the above, we can conclude that the design of low-density arbolitbeton formulations on a composite gypsum binder is an urgent task [1].

Moisture safety of the construction with VCL using Hygrobrid technology

The purpouse of this work is to introduce the new patented Hygrobrid technology for moisture variable control layers. The new variable membrane has directional permeability capabilities. The tecnology ensures better safety for every construction even when the moisture levels are high during construction phase and also when the structure is subjected to extreme moisture during use. The technology minimises moisture development within the structure and maximises moisture transport out of the structure. This work is presenting the performance difference between first, second and third generation moisture variable membranes based on the computer simulation.

Detection of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) infestation of Wheat Kernels Using Hyperspectral Reflectance

Hyperspectral reflectance data were used to detect internal infestations of Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga ceralella (Olivier), in wheat kernels. Kernel reflectance was measured with a spectroradiometer over a wavelength range of 350–2500 nm. Kernel samples were selected randomly and scanned every 7 d after infestation to determine the ability of the hyperspectral reflectance data to discriminate between infested and uninfested kernels. Immature stages of S. ceralella inside wheat kernels can be detected through changes in moisture, starch, and chitin content of the kernel. By using the spectrally-derived moisture variable (Log[1/R972nm]-Log[1/R1032nm]) and starch variable (Log[1/R982nm]-Log[1/R1014nm]), it was possible to discriminate between infested and uninfested wheat kernels with 100% classification accuracy based on 90% confidence intervals. Significant differences in the spectral reflectance between the infested and uninfested kernels were due to changes in moisture and starch content in wheat kernels. Three of the four chitin variables showed slight discrimination between the infested and uninfested wheat kernels based on 90% confidence intervals with 63.9%, 68.8%, 66.7%, and 41.6% classification accuracy of the three variables (Log[1/R1130nm]-Log[1/R1670nm]), (Log[1/R1139nm ]-Log[1/R1320nm]), (Log[1/R1202nm]-Log[1/R1300nm]), and (Log[1/R2046nm]-Log[1/R2302nm]), respectively. Spectral reflectance changes as a function of wheat kernel position relative to the spectroradiometer sensor did not differ significantly (P > 0.10).