• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.163-177
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• 2023

Complex and intricate preparation techniques, the imperative for utmost precision and sensitivity in instrumentation, premature sample failure, and fragile specimens collectively contribute to the arduous task of measuring the fracture toughness of concrete in the laboratory. The objective of this research is to introduce and refine an equation based on the gene expression programming (GEP) method to calculate the fracture toughness of reinforced concrete, thereby minimizing the need for costly and time-consuming laboratory experiments. To accomplish this, various types of reinforced concrete, each incorporating distinct ratios of fibers and additives, were subjected to diverse loading angles relative to the initial crack (α) in order to ascertain the effective fracture toughness (Keff) of 660 samples utilizing the central straight notched Brazilian disc (CSNBD) test. Within the datasets, six pivotal input factors influencing the Keff of concrete, namely sample type (ST), diameter (D), thickness (t), length (L), force (F), and α, were taken into account. The ST and α parameters represent crucial inputs in the model presented in this study, marking the first instance that their influence has been examined via the CSNBD test. Of the 660 datasets, 460 were utilized for training purposes, while 100 each were allotted for testing and validation of the model. The GEP model was fine-tuned based on the training datasets, and its efficacy was evaluated using the separate test and validation datasets. In subsequent stages, the GEP model was optimized, yielding the most robust models. Ultimately, an equation was derived by averaging the most exemplary models, providing a means to predict the Keff parameter. This averaged equation exhibited exceptional proficiency in predicting the Keff of concrete. The significance of this work lies in the possibility of obtaining the Keff parameter without investing copious amounts of time and resources into the CSNBD test, simply by inputting the relevant parameters into the equation derived for diverse samples of reinforced concrete subject to varied loading angles.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.3 s.93
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• pp.397-404
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• 2006

This paper investigates experimentally the effect of combined addition of expansive additive and shrinkage reducing agent(SRA) on setting time, compressive strength and drying shrinkage of concrete. An increase of EA and SRA content leads to a reduction in flowability, which causes the increase of superplasticizer dosage, while air content increases. For setting time, in spite of increased superplasticizer dosage, with the increase of EA and SRA, setting time shortens. This is due to the presence of alkali ion by SRA and the faster formation of ettringite. At dosage of 5.0% of EA, concrete has the highest compressive strength and above that dosage, compressive strength decreased. On the contrary, the increase of SRA dosage results in a decrease in compressive strength. Combined addition of EA of 5.0% and SRA of 1.0% shows a comparable strength with control concrete. For drying shrinkage, as expected, the increase of EA and SRA dosage leads to reduction of drying shrinkage markedly. Moreover, combined addition of EA and SRA has better drying shrinkage reduction effect than individual use of EA and SRA by as much as $5{\sim}16%$. Optimal combination of EA and SRA is fixed at 5.0% of EA and 0.5% of SRA based on the consideration of the effect of EA and SRA on fresh state, compressive strength and shrinkage of concrete.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 2023

In this paper, a ferrosilicon by-product was evaluated to confirm the feasibility of recycling it as supplementary cementitious material of ordinary Portland cement in concrete. Three different levels of replacement ratio (10 %, 20 % and 30 % of total binder) were applied to find which is the most beneficial to be used as a binder. Ferrosilicon concrete was initially assessed at setting time and compressive strength. Durability was evaluated by the resistance to chloride penetration test(RCPT) and alkali-silica reaction(ASR) with a comparison to silica fume concrete due to their similarity in chemical composition. The porosimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis along with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy give information on the microstructural characteristics of the ferrosilicon concrete. It was found that 10 % ferrosilicon concrete has higher strength while 20 %, 30 % have lower strength than OPC concrete. However, chemical resistance to chloride attack is higher when replacement is increased. Compared to silica fume, the durability of ferrosilicon might be less efficient however, it is obviously beneficial than OPC. High SiO₂ content in ferrosilicon results in producing more C-S-H gel which could make denser pore structure. Most of the risk of alkali silica reaction to silicate binders through length change tests was less than 0.2 %, and both mortar using ferrosilicon and silica fume showed better resistance to alkali silica reaction as the substitution rate increased.Reuse of industrial waste rather than producing highly refined additives might reduce environmental load during manufacture and save costs.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

This paper describes laboratory tests carried out to evaluate the influence of class F fly ash (FA) on fracture toughness of plain concretes, specified at the third model fracture. Composites with the additives of: 0%, 20% and 30% siliceous FA were analysed. Fracture toughness tests were performed on axial torsional machine MTS 809 Axial/Torsional Test System, using the cylindrical specimens with dimensions of 150/300 mm, having an initial circumferential notch made in the half-height of cylinders. The studies examined effect of FA additive on the critical stress intensity factor $K_{IIIc}$. In order to determine the fracture toughness $K_{IIIc}$ a special device was manufactured.The analysis of the results revealed that a 20% FA additive causes increase in $K_{IIIc}$, while a 30% FA additive causes decrease in fracture toughness. Furthermore, it was observed that the results obtained during fracture toughness tests are convergent with the values of the compression strength tests.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-37
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• 2015

Ongoing efforts for improved fracture toughness of engineered cementitious materials address the inherent brittleness of the binding matrix at several different levels of the material's geometric scale through the addition of various types of reinforcing fibers. Crack control is required for crack widths that cover the entire range of the grain size spectrum of the material, and this dictates the requirement of hybrid mixes combining fibers of different size (nano, micro, macro). Use of Carbon Nano-Tubes (CNT) and Carbon Nano-Fibers (CNFs) as additives is meant to extend the crack-control function down to the nanoscale where cracking is believed to initiate. In this paper the implications of enhanced toughness thus attained at the material nanostructure are explored, with reference to the global smeared constitutive properties of the material, through consistent interpretation of the reported experimental evidence regarding the behavior of engineered cementitious products to direct and indirect tension.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2016

Glass wool is a material that has been used as a heat insulator in various fields including construction industry. Since it is a nonflammable material, it does not generate toxic gases on fire, and thus public agencies recommend using glass wool as a heat insulator instead of other organic materials. However, repeated drying and wetting cycles can deteriorate thermal property of glass wool due to the shrinkage and reduction in pore size. For this reason, it needs to be replaced periodically, and waste materials are generated. This research aims to utilize waste glass wool as additives for increasing mechanical properties of concrete. According to the experimental results, it was found that glass wool has weak pozzolanic activity, and beneficial effect on both compressive and flexural strength. The optimum amount found in this experimental work was 0.5% volumetric addition to the concrete.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2018

Accelerators are used to speed up the construction by accelerating the setting time which helps in early removal of formwork thus leading to faster construction rate. Admixtures are used in mortar and concrete during or after mixing to improve certain properties of material which cannot be achieved in conventional cement mortar and concrete. The various industrial by products make nuisance and are hazardous to ecosystem as well. These wastes can be used in the construction industries to reduce the consumption of cement/aggregates, cost; and save the energy and environment by utilising waste and eliminate their disposal problem as well. The effect of calcium nitrate and triethanolamine (TEA) as accelerators and marble powder (MP) as waste material on the various properties of cement paste and mortar has been studied in the present work. The replacement ratio of MP was 0-10% @ 2.5% by weight of cement. The addition of calcium nitrate was 0% and 1%; and variation of addition of TEA was 0-0.1@ 0.025% and 0.1-1.0@ 0.1% by weight of cement. On the basis of setting time, some mix proportions were selected and further investigated. Setting time and soundness of cement paste; compressive strength and microstructure of mortar mix of selected mix proportions were studied experimentally at 3, 7 and 28 days aging. Results showed that use of MP, calcium nitrate, TEA and their combination reduced setting time of cement paste for all the mixes. Addition of calcium nitrate increased the compressive strength at all curing ages while MP and TEA decreased the compressive strength. The mechanism of additives was discussed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of the specimens.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.207-220
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• 2020

Clay soils have a big potential to become contaminated with the oil derivatives because they cover a vast area of the earth. The oil derivatives diffusion in the soil lead to soil contamination and changes the physical and mechanical properties of the soil specially clay soils. Soil stabilization by using new material is very important for geotechnical engineers in order to improve the engineering properties of the soil. The main subjects of this research are a- to investigate the effect of the cement and epoxy resin mixtures on the stabilization and on the mechanical parameters as well as the microstructural properties of clay soils contaminated with gasoline and kerosene, b- study on the phenomenon of clay concrete development. Practical engineering indexes such as Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), elastic modulus, toughness, elastic and plastic strains are all obtained during the course of experiments and are used to determine the optimum amount of additives (cement and epoxy resin) to reach a practical stabilization method. Microstructural tests were also conducted on the specimens to study the changes in the nature and texture of the soil. Results obtained indicated that by adding epoxy resin to the contaminated soil specimens, the strength and deformational properties are increased from 100 to 1500 times as that of original soils. Further, the UCS of some stabilized specimens reached 40 MPa which exceeded the strength of normal concrete. It is interesting to note that, in contrast to the normal concrete, the strength and deformational properties of such stabilized specimens (including UCS, toughness and strain at failure) are simultaneously increased which further indicate on suitability and applicability of the current stabilization method. It was also observed that increasing cement additive to the soil has negligible effect on the contaminated soils stabilized by epoxy resin. In addition, the epoxy resin showed a very good and satisfactory workability for the weakest and the most sensitive soils contaminated with oil derivatives.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.135-150
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• 2024

Nano-silica's growing use in construction, known for enhancing strength and durability by reducing porosity, drives this research's significance, especially considering Ecuador's reliance on cement in construction. A comprehensive comparative study on mortars made with General Use cement and aggregates from Pifo and San Antonio quarries has been studied. It explores the impact of incorporating nano-silica in varying proportions (0.75%, 1.00%, 1.25%) on mortar properties, contrasting them with conventional and prefabricated mortars. laboratory Testing is conducted according to standards to assess both fresh and hardened state properties, and microscopic analysis reveals the optimal nano-silica proportion's effects on mortar characteristics. Results shows that Incorporating 0.75% nano-silica resulted in a 61% increase in compressive strength at 7 days and. For a nanosilica content of 1.25%, a 14% increase in compressive strength was observed at 28 days in relation to the conventional mortar and the permeability of the mortar decreased by 30% when adding 0.75% nanosilica. It discusses economic viability and provides insights through SEM and EDS analyses. Overall, it underscores nano-silica's potential to enhance mortar properties and its relevance in creating more efficient and durable construction materials.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.273-287
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• 2006

This study investigates the failure mechanism and load-carrying capacity of a single-shell lining which has no disturbance in transfer of shear force, with respect to a conventional double-shell lining which has separation between layers of shotcrete lining and secondary concrete lining by water-proof membrane. In order to evaluate the capacity, a 2-D numerical investigation is preliminarily carried out and then real-scale loading tests with tunnel lining section specimens are performed on the condition given by the numerical investigation. In the test, a concentrated load is applied for considering a released ground load or rock wedge load. Through this study, it appears that the single-shell lining takes the load-bearing capacity 20% higher than in case of the double-shell lining. In addition, a possibility of a composite single-shell shotcrete layer composed by multiple bonded layers partly involving different contents of high-capacity additives is shown thereby leading to use of less amount of the high-capacity additives on the condition of taking a similar load-bearing capacity.