A New Perspective of Multiple Roller Compaction of Microcrystalline Cellulose for Overcoming Re-Compression Drawbacks in Tableting Processing

In this paper, new scientific insights in relation to the re-compaction of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC; Avicel®® PH-101) under specific compaction conditions are reported. MCC was subjected to multiple compaction cycles (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) under high compaction pressures, up to 20,000 kPa, using a roller compactor of 100 kg/h capacity. Initially, granules from the 1st and 2nd compaction cycles produced tablets with lower crushing strength compared to those made from the original non-compacted MCC. Tablet weakness was found to be correlated to the generation of a higher intra-granular pore size (diameter) and hence higher tablet porosity compared to that of the original MCC particles. Using Kawakita and Heckel compression analyses, it is suggested that such behavior is attributed to the formation of harder granules of re-compressed powder with a larger diameter than non-compacted MCC particles. Moreover, these granules resulted in a reduction in powder bed volume after the powders were subjected to the 1st and 2nd compaction cycles. Surprisingly, granules resulting from the 3rd compaction cycle produced tablets displaying a higher crushing force than non-compacted MCC. Results from compression analysis indicated a reduction in both the intra-granular pore size (diameter) and in tablet porosity of Avicel PH-101-3rd compaction cycle compared to that of the original non-compacted MCC. It is concluded that intense compression causes shedding of one or more layer from MCC fibers exposing new surfaces with strong binding ability. The foregoing results infer that intensified roller compaction can be employed to improve MCC powder compactibility without any deleterious effects on compact strength.

New Methods to Resisting Punching Shear Stress in Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs

Punching shear failure is a major problem encountered in the design of reinforced concrete flat slabs. The utilization of shear reinforcement via shear studs or other means has become a choice for improving the punching shear capacity. In this study, a new alternative of reinforcement modalities were tested and demonstrated the effect of self-compact concrete on the punching shear capacity, beside that compared between the difference codes to identify the suitable one for determining the position of critical section of punching shear. Nevertheless, in this investigation, the proposed reinforcement system is examined for interior columns only. An experimental work consisting of six specimens: five of them were cast with normal reinforced concrete and one was cast with self-compact strength concrete. The obtained results indicate that the proposed shear reinforcement system has a positive effect in the enhancement of the punching shear capacity of interior slab–column connection of self-compact strength concrete.

Resisting punching shear stress in reinforced concrete slabs

Punching shear failure is a major problem encountered in the design of reinforced concrete flat slabs. The utilization of shear reinforcement via shear studs or other means has become a choice for improving the punching shear capacity. In this study, a new alternative of reinforcement modalities were tested and demonstrated the effect of self-compact concrete on the punching shear capacity, beside that compared between the difference codes to identify the suitable one for determining the position of critical section of punching shear. Nevertheless, in this investigation, the proposed reinforcement system is examined for interior columns only. An experimental work consisting of six specimens: five of them were cast with normal reinforced concrete and one was cast with self-compact strength concrete. The obtained results indicate that the proposed shear reinforcement system has a positive effect in the enhancement of the punching shear capacity of interior slab–column connection of self-compact strength concrete.

Mechanical Properties and Wear Behavior of Polypropylene/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

Polypropylene(PP)/carbon nanotube(CNTs) nanocomposites with different CNTs fraction were prepared by the melting blend method. The effects of CNTs content on the wear properties and mechanical properties were mainly investigated. The results show that the friction coefficient of the nanocomposites decreased as the concentration of CNTs is increased. With increasing CNTs content, tensile strength, ultimate strain, compact strength and Young’s modules increase firstly and then decrease. For the composite with an effective CNTs content of 3 wt, its tensile strength, ultimate strain, compact strength and Young's modules were improved by 72, 44.4,88 and 37 %, respectively, as compared to PP.