Advanced Materials Research Vol. 935

Abstract: This paper reports the experimental works performed to improve the properties of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) by using different acid molarities at low concentration as agent for surface treatment. The effects of using RCA after treatment on the improvement in the strength of concrete were evaluated and compared. The findings reveal that this treatment can enhance the physical and mechanical properties of RCA. Moreover, treated RCA particles can significantly promote surface contact between the new cement paste and the aggregate, thereby improving the strength of concrete.

Abstract: Locally produced metakaolin (MK) as the cement replacing material and PVA fibres has been used. The effect on workability and on the mechanical properties of concrete has been investigated. Total fifteen (15) mixes of concrete have been examined using MK 5 to 10% and PVA fibres of aspect ratio 45, 60, 90 and 120 with 1% volume fraction. Three (03) mixes without PVA fibre have been used as control mixes. For each mix, test for slump, cube compressive strength and splitting tensile strength has been performed. It has been found that MK and PVA fibres causes decrease in slump but use of MK and PVA fibres together improves the workability. The use of MK and PVA fibres has advantageous in increasing compressive strength and splitting tensile strength.

Abstract: Agricultural and industrial by-products are commonly used in concrete production as cement replacement materials (CRMs) or as admixtures to enhance both fresh and hardened properties of concrete as well as to save the environment from the negative effects caused by their disposal. This paper presents some findings on the effect of Microwave Incinerated Rice Husk Ash (MIRHA) on workability and compressive strength of concrete. It was obtained that the inclusion of MIRHA as partial replacement of cement could significantly improve the compressive strength of hardened concrete while reducing the workability of fresh concrete.

Abstract: The present paper highlights the adoption of carbon neutral building blocks in various structural elements of building to reduce GHG emissions. The Soil-Cement Fly Ash (SCF) blocks developed can be used in masonry, lintels and slab panels to reduce energy to a greater extent. While the energy content of the block developed is zero (carbon neutral), the energy content of the masonry wall can be reduced from 100% for a conventional masonry to 8% for energy efficient masonry wall. With the use of the blocks in the floor/roof as filler material, the energy content can be reduced from 100% for a conventional slab to 59% for SCF block panel. As the blocks are true and square, there is no need of plastering and on an average the overall reduction in energy achieved would be 74%. The reduction in GHG emissions with energy efficient construction using carbon neutral block (SCF block) is 68% compared to conventional construction. The research work presented in this paper envisages high potential for carbon neutral block in reducing GHG emissions besides making the house cost effective to the extent of 40%.

Abstract: Endogenous materials open a learning window toward contemporary architects to use ancient wisdom to develop a more sustainable architecture. Regarding to aim of this research, this paper is to analyze interaction of adoption of ancient materials and a more efficient architectural space. The result of paper shows that the usage of natural materials in rock cu architecture of Kandovan can be considered as a way to a more energy efficient architecture which presents interaction of energy efficient materials and sustainable architecture.

Abstract: This study presents the lessons from the vernaculars Architecture of sukur kingdom with a focus on the use of building materials as a sustainable means for solving problems facing present-day architecture in issue of sustainability; in particular the critical housing situation in the developing countries. Through a case study of the ancient vernacular Architecture of sukur the result shows that stakeholders in the construction industry could reflect on how this building materials and the techniques in operation in their region by translating it in a modern way to address those striking design problems through solving them from the masters builders.

Abstract: The commonly used viscous dampers for cable’s vibration mitigation have some unfavorable factors, such as the damping effect is not obvious for super long stay cable, the limitation of installation position, coupling vibration, etc. The cable-tuned mass damper system vibration model is put forward to solve this problem. The optimal cable-tuned mass damper system modal damping ratio and optimum design parameters, including cable vibration order, TMD’s stiffness, TMD’s mass, and TMD’s damping, were obtained by the method of complex models. The results can provide important reference for the design of TMD for stay cable.

Abstract: The risk of steel sheet pile cofferdam construction is very high, and the collapse often results in heavy casualties. This paper discusses the calculation model of single wall steel sheet pile cofferdam system in detail during construction. Take for instance the R38# pier construction process of Haihe Bridge, the construction monitoring system of the steel sheet pile cofferdam is established to get the deformation and stress ofsteel sheet pile and supporting system. Comparative analysis between measurable results and 3D FEM results is done, and both are basically consistent.

Abstract: Structural defects and heavy traffic make the hollow slab bridge serious diseases, such as “Single Beam Bearing”. Transverse prestressed tendons (TPTS for short) is an effective methods to solve this problem. A detailed test study of hollow slab bridge modeled by plexiglass with TPTS is done in this article. The analysis parameters include the TPTS’ layout and the value of prestress. The test results show that TPTS can effectively even the transverse load distribution, and improve the integrity of bridges.

Abstract: The objective of this research work was to study the thermal efficiency of intumescent fire retardant coating (IFRC) designed to protect structural steel in event of fire. IFRC has been effectively developed by using ammonium polyphosphate (APP), expandable graphite (EG), melamine (MEL), boric acid (BA), titanium oxide (TiO₂), and bisphenol A BE-188 with polyamide amine H-2310 as curing agent. Six formulations were developed using different weight percentage (wt. %) of TiO₂ and samples were tested for char expansion in furnace at 500°C for 2 h. Bunsen burner test was used to investigate the thermal performance of coating and its performance was compared by using thermal margin value. FESEM was used for char morphology. Char composition was analyzed by XRD and FTIR. Results showed that the coating with 4 wt. % of TiO₂ provides better thermal insulation to the steel substrate.