Combined Effect of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Steel Fibre and Glass Fibre Mesh on Novel Two-Stage Expanded Clay Aggregate Concrete against Impact Loading

The use of expanded clay aggregate (ECA) for developing lightweight concrete results in strength-reduction properties. However, the ECA-based concrete strength properties can be improved by adding steel fibre (SF), glass fibre mesh (GFM) and multi-walled nano-carbon tubes (MWCNT). The combined effect of MWCNT, GFM, SF and ECA-based concrete and its strength properties is still unexplored. It is worth drawing a logical conclusion concerning the impact on the strength of concrete by incorporating the materials mentioned above. Two-stage expanded clay aggregate fibrous concrete (TECAFC) is a new concrete type and an emerging research area in material engineering. The casting method of TECAFC includes the two essential phases as follows. First, ECA and fibres are filled into the empty cylindrical mould to develop a natural skeleton. Second, the grout comprising cement, sand and MWCNT, are injected into the developed skeleton to fill voids. In this research, eight mixtures were prepared with 0.1 and 0.2% of MWCNT, 2.5% dosage of SF and three different layers of GFM inserted between the two layers of concrete. These eight mixtures were divided into two series of three mixtures each, in addition to two reference mixtures that include no SF or GFM. The first series of mixtures was comprised of 0.1% of MWCNT and 2.5% of SF and one, two and three layers of GFM insertion. The second series was the same as the first series and the dosage of MWCNT was taken as 0.2%. All cylindrical specimens were tested under drop mass impact as per the suggestions made by the ACI Committee 544. The test results showed that incorporating steel fibres and GFM improved the cracking and failure impact resistance by more than 270 and 1100%, respectively, and increased the impact ductility index by more than 220%, significantly contributing to steel fibres.

Mechanical Properties of High Calcium Flyash- GGBFS Geopolymer Paste, Mortar and the Effect of Glass Fibre Mesh on the Strength of Geopolymer Mortar Tile

In this paper, a combination of high-calcium fly ash (HCFA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) was used along with a combination of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate(Na2SiO3 ) as alkaline activators (AAs) to produce geopolymer paste and mortar. The alkaline activator ratio (AAR) was maintained at 1.5 apart from their molarity at 10 for the study. A rational method, namely minimum voids approach was used for the mix design. A commercially available glass fibre mesh was used as reinforcement in the geopolymer mortar produced above, to assess its potential for use as a flooring tile. The influence of W/S (water-to-solids) ratio and the influence of various fine aggregates, namely, river sand (R), manufactured sand (M) and construction demolition waste (D) on the various geopolymer system (GP) and on the strength characteristics, are highlighted. A maximum transverse strength (TS) of 6.25 N/mm2 could be attained by the geopolymer tile, using three layers of glass fibre mesh and GP mortar developed. The study indicates that a combination of FA and GGBFS helps us to attain substantial strength under ambient temperature in geopolymer mortar

Zinc sulfide nanoparticle-decorated fibre mesh to enable localized H2S-amplified chemotherapy

ZnS nanoparticle-decorated silica fibres, with hierarchical microstructure, were synthesized and implanted to enable sufficient on-site drug dosage and intracellular H2S for localized synergistic tumour therapy.

Impact resistance of external thermal insulation systems

In the paper the results of an experimental program intended to determine factors influencing the impact resistance of the External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) were presented. For the research the systems based on polystyrene have been chosen. The insulation material was faced with a rendering consisting of base coat reinforced with standard or armored glass fibre mesh and silicone or silicone-silicate binders as finishing coats. The influence of various renderings components was evaluated with respect to resistance to hard body impact and resistance to hail. The test results were discussed in the context of the possible impact level on ETICS in use.

Numerical and experimental study of steel wire mesh and basalt fibre mesh strengthened structural insulated panel against projectile impact

Extreme wind events caused damages and losses around the world every year. Windborne debris impact might create opening on building envelop, which would lead to the increase in internal pressure and result in roof being lift up and wall collapse. Some standards including Australia Wind Loading Code (AS/NZS 1170:2:2011, 2011) put forward design criteria to protect structures against windborne debris impacts. Structural insulated panel with Oriented Strand Board skin and expanded polystyrene core has been increasingly used in the building industry. Its capacity was found insufficient to resist the windborne debris impact in cyclonic areas defined in the Australian Wind Loading Code. Therefore, such panels need be strengthened for their applications in construction in cyclonic areas. In this study, impact resistance capacities of seven structural insulated panels strengthened with steel wire mesh and basalt fibre mesh were experimentally and numerically investigated. The impact resistance capacities were identified by comparing the damage mode, residual velocity and unpenetrated length of projectile after impact. Experimental results clearly demonstrated the enhancement of the impact resistance capacities of panels strengthened with steel wire mesh and basalt fibre mesh. Finite element model was developed in LS-DYNA to simulate the dynamic response of the structural insulated panels under windborne debris impact. The accuracy of the numerical model was validated with the testing data.