• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.113-121
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• 2013

Recently, it has been studied for the application of nano-materials in the concrete. Applied a small amount of nano-materials can achieve the goal of high strength, high performance and high durability. The small addition of nano clay improves strength, thermal stability, and durability of concrete because of the excellent dispersion. The present study has investigated the effectiveness, when varying with the contents of nano clay, influencing the pull-out behavior of macro synthetic fibers in nano materials cement mortar. Pullout tests conducted in accordance with the Japan Concrete Institute (JCI) SF-8 standard for fiber-reinforced concrete test methods were used to evaluate the pullout performance of the different nano clay. Nano clay was added to the 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 % of cement weight. The experimental results demonstrated that the addition of nano clay led to improve the pull-out properties as of the load-displacement curve in the precracked and debonded zone. Also, the compressive strength, flexural strength and pullout performance and of Mix No. 1 and No. 2 increased up to the point when nano clay used increased by 2 and 3 % contents, respectively, but decreased when the exceeded 3 and 4 %, respectively. It was proved by verifying increase of the scratching phenomenon in macro synthetic fiber surface through the microstructure analysis on the surface of macro synthetic fiber.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.3051-3057
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• 2021

The concrete is considered as an important radiation shielding material employed widely in nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, laboratory hot cells and other different radiation sources. The present research is dedicated to the shielding properties study of the ordinary concrete reinforced with different weight fractions of lead oxide micro/nano particles. Lead oxide particles were fabricated by chemical synthesis method and their properties including the average size, morphological structure, functional groups and thermal properties were characterized by XRD, FESEM-EDS, FTIR and TGA analysis. The gamma ray mass attenuation coefficient of concrete composites has been calculated and measured by means of the Monte Carlo simulation and experimental methods. The simulation process was based on the use of MCNP Monte Carlo code where the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) has been calculated as a function of different particle sizes and filler weight fractions. The simulation results showed that the employment of the lead oxide filler particles enhances the mass attenuation coefficient of the ordinary concrete, drastically. On the other hand, there are approximately no differences between micro and nano sized particles. The mass attenuation coefficient was increased by increasing the weight fraction of nanoparticles. However, a semi-saturation effect was observed at concentrations more than 10 wt%. The experimental process was based on the fabrication of concrete slabs filled by different weight fractions of nano lead oxide particles. The mass attenuation coefficients of these slabs were determined at different gamma ray energies using ²²Na, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co sources and NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. The experimental results showed that the HVL parameter of the ordinary concrete reinforced with 5 wt% of nano PbO particles was reduced by 64% at 511 keV and 48% at 1332 keV. Reasonable agreement was obtained between simulation and experimental results and showed that the employment of nano PbO particles is more efficient at low gamma energies up to 1Mev. The proposed concrete is less toxic and could be prepared in block form instead of toxic lead blocks.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-58
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• 2021

Experimental investigation has been conducted to study the effect of using Micro/Nano Silica in presence of steel fibers on improving the static response of reinforced concrete beams. Twenty-one mixtures were prepared with micro silica (MS), Nano silica (NS) and steel fibers (SFs) at different percentages. Cement was replaced by 10% and 15% of Micro silica and 1%, 2% and 3% of Nano silica in the presence of steel fibers at different volume fractions 0%, 1%, and 2%. 258 concrete samples, (126 cubes, 63 cylinders, 63 prisms, and six R.C beams), were investigated experimentally in two stages. The first stage was to investigate the mechanical properties of the prepared mixtures. The second stage was to study the static behavior of R.C beams, using the designed concrete mixtures, under a four-point flexural test. The results showed that replacing cement by (10% MS and 1% NS) produces the optimum mix with a significant improvement in the mechanical properties and the response of R.C beams under static loads. In addition, incorporating steel fibers at different volume fractions have a considerable effect on the flexural toughness of concrete mixes.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2019

In this paper, buckling analyses of composite concrete plate reinforced by piezoelectric nanoparticles is studied. The Halphin-Tsai model is used for obtaining the effective material properties of nano composite concrete plate. The nano composite concrete plate is modeled by Third order shear deformation theory (TSDT). The elastic medium is simulated by Winkler model. Employing nonlinear strains-displacements, stress-strain, the energy equations of concrete plate are obtained and using Hamilton's principal, the governing equations are derived. The governing equations are solved based on Navier method. The effect of piezoelectric nanoparticles volume percent, geometrical parameters of concrete plate and elastic foundation on the buckling load are investigated. Results showed that with increasing Piezoelectric nanoparticles volume percent, the buckling load increases.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.369-383
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• 2021

This article deals with the frequency analysis of viscoelastic sandwich disk with graphene nano-platelets (GPLs) reinforced viscoelastic concrete (GPLRVC) face sheets and honeycomb core. The honeycomb core is made of aluminum due to its low weight and high stiffness. The rule of the mixture and modified Halpin-Tsai model are engaged to provide the effective material constant of the concrete. By employing Hamilton's principle, the governing equations of the structure are derived and solved with the aid of the Generalize Differential Quadrature Method (GDQM). In this paper, viscoelastic properties are modeled according to Kelvin-Voigt viscoelasticity. The deflection as the function of time can be solved by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta numerical method. Afterward, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of the outer to inner radius ratio, hexagonal core angle, thickness to length ratio of the concrete, the weight fraction of GPLs into concrete, and the thickness of honeycomb core to inner radius ratio on the frequency of the viscoelastic sandwich disk with honeycomb core and FG-GPLRVC face sheet.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.495-511
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• 2023

In this research, the impact of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on the fracture energy of self-compacting concrete was thoroughly examined. Enhancing the fracture energy is very important to increase the crack propagation resistance. The study focused on evaluating the self-compacting properties of the concrete through various tests, including J-ring, V-funnel, slump flow, and T50 tests. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the concrete, such as compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, and fracture parameters were investigated on hardened specimens after 28 days. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of micro-silica and nano-silica not only decreased the rheological aspects of self-compacting concrete but also significantly enhanced its mechanical properties, particularly the compressive strength. On the other hand, the inclusion of polypropylene fibers had a positive impact on fracture parameters, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the specimens. Utilizing the response surface method, the relationship between micro-silica, nano-silica, and fibers was established. The optimal combination for achieving the highest compressive strength was found to be 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.1% fibers. Furthermore, for obtaining the best mixture with superior tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and fracture energy, the ideal proportion was determined as 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.15% fibers. Compared to the control mixture, the aforementioned parameters showed significant improvements of 26.3%, 30.3%, 34.3%, and 34.3%, respectively. In order to accurately model the tensile cracking of concrete, the authors used softening curves derived from an inverse algorithm proposed by them. This method allowed for a precise and detailed analysis of the concrete under tensile stress. This study explores the effects of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on self-compacting concrete and shows their influences on the fracture energy and various mechanical properties of the concrete. The results offer valuable insights for optimizing the concrete mix to achieve desired strength and performance characteristics.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2017

Time-dependent buckling of embedded straight concrete columns armed with Silicon dioxide($SiO_2$) nano-particles exposed to fire is investigated in the present study for the fire time. The column is simulated mathematically with Timoshenko beam model. The governing mass conservation equations to describe heat and moisture transport in concrete containing free water, water vapor, and dry air in conjunction with the conversion of energy are considered. The characteristics of the equivalent composite are determined using Mori-Tanaka approach. The foundation around the column is simulated with spring and shear layer. Employing nonlinear strains-displacements, energy methods and Hamilton's principal, the governing equations are derived. Differential quadrature method (DQM) is used in order to obtain the critical buckling load and critical buckling time of structure. The influences of volume percent of $SiO_2nano-particles$, geometrical parameters, elastic foundation and concrete porosity are investigated on the time-dependent buckling behaviours of structure. Numerical results indicate that reinforcing the concrete column with $SiO_2nano-particles$, the structure becomes stiffer and the critical buckling load and time increase.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.677-687
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• 2017

The nonlinear buckling response of nano composite anti-symmetric functionally graded polymeric microplate reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) rested on orthotropic elastomeric foundation with temperature dependent properties is investigated. For the carbon-nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) microplate, a uniform distribution (UD) and four types of functionally graded (FG) distribution are considered. Based on orthotropic Mindlin plate theory, von Karman geometric nonlinearity and Hamilton's principle, the governing equations are derived. Generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) is employed to calculate the non-linear buckling response of the plate. Effects of FG distribution type, elastomeric foundation, aspect ratio (thickness to width ratio), boundary condition, orientation of foundation orthotropy and temperature are considered. The results are validated. It is found that the critical buckling load without elastic medium is significantly lower than considering Winkler and Pasternak medium.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.5
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• pp.685-697
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• 2022

Nanotechnology has become one of the interesting technique used in material science and engineering. However, it is low used in civil engineering structures. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the static behavior of concrete plates reinforced with silica-nanoparticles. Due to agglomeration effect of silica-nanoparticles in concrete, Voigt's model is used for obtaining the equivalent nano-composite properties. Furthermore, the plate is simulated mathematically with higher order shear deformation theory. For a large use of this study, the concrete plate is assumed resting on a Pasternak elastic foundation, including a shear layer, and Winkler spring interconnected with a Kerr foundation. Using the principle of virtual work, the equilibrium equations are derived and by the mean of Hamilton's principle the energy equations are obtained. Finally, based on Navier's technique, closed-form solutions of simply supported plates have been obtained. Numerical results are presented considering the effect of different parameters such as volume percent of SiO₂ nanoparticles, mechanical loads, geometrical parameters, soil medium, on the static behavior of the plate. The most findings of this work indicate that the use of an optimum amount of SiO₂ nanoparticles on concretes increases better mechanical behavior. In addition, the elastic foundation has a significant impact on the bending of concrete slabs.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.111-126
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• 2024

During the clinkering stages of cement production, the chemical composition of fine raw materials such as limestone and clay, which include iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), significantly influences the quality of the final product. Specifically, the chemical interaction of Fe₂O₃ with CaO, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ during clinkerisation plays a key role in determining the chemical reactivity and overall quality of the final cement, shaping the properties of the concrete produced. As an extension, this study aims to investigate the physical effects of incorporating nanosized Fe₂O₃ particles as fillers in concrete matrices, and their impact on concrete structures, namely slabs. To accurately model the reinforced concrete (RC) slabs, a refined trigonometric shear deformation theory (RTSDT) is used. Additionally, the stochastic Eshelby's homogenization approach is employed to determine the thermoelastic properties of nano-Fe₂O₃ infused concrete slabs. To ensure comprehensive coverage in the study, the RC slabs undergo various mechanical loads and are exposed to temperature fields to assess their thermo-mechanical performance. Furthermore, the slabs are assumed to rest on a three-parameter viscoelastic foundation, comprising the Winkler elastic springs, Pasternak shear layer and a damping parameter. The equilibrium governing equations of the system are derived using the principle of virtual work and subsequently solved using Navier's technique. The findings indicate that while ferric oxide nanoparticles enhance the mechanical properties of concrete against mechanical loading, they have less favorable effects on its performance against thermal exposure. However, the viscoelastic foundation contributes to mitigating these effects, improving the concrete's overall performance in both scenarios. These results highlight the trade-offs between mechanical and thermal performance when using Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in concrete and underscore the importance of optimizing nanoparticle content and loading conditions to improve the structural performance of concrete structures.