• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제13권 2호
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• pp.123-132
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• 2022

This paper aims to adapt Multilinear regression (MLR) to predict the strength and toughness of SIFCON containing various pozzolanic materials. Slurry Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete (SIFCON) is one of the most common terms used in concrete manufacturing, known for its benefits such as high ductility, toughness and high ultimate strength. Assessment of compressive strength (CS.), flexural strength (F.S.), splitting tensile strength (STS), dynamic elasticity modulus (DME) and impact energy (I.E.) using the experimental approach is too costly. It is time-consuming, and a slight error can lead to a repeat of the test and, to solve this, alternative methods are used to predict the strength and toughness properties of SIFCON. In the present study, the experimentally investigated SIFCON data about various mix proportions are used to predict the strength and toughness properties using regression analysis-multilinear regression (MLR) models. The input parameters used in regression models are cement, fibre, fly ash, Metakaolin, fine aggregate, blast furnace slag, bottom ash, water-cement ratio, and the strength and toughness properties of SIFCON at 28 days is the output parameter. The models are developed and validated using data obtained from the experimental investigation. The investigations were done on 36 SIFCON mixes, and specimens were cast and tested after 28 days of curing. The MLR model yields correlation between predicted and actual values of the compressive strength (C.S.), flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity and impact energy. R-squared values for the relationship between observed and predicted compressive strength are 0.9548, flexural strength 0.9058, split tensile strength 0.9047, dynamic modulus of elasticity 0.8611 for impact energy 0.8366. This examination shows that the MLR model can predict the strength and toughness properties of SIFCON.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.435-442
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• 2017

In recent years, the use of supplementary cementing materials, especially in addition to concrete, has been the subject of many researches. Rice husk ash (RHA) is one of these materials that in this research, is added to the roller compacted concrete as one of the pozzolanic materials. This paper evaluates how different contents of RHA added to the roller compacted concrete pavement specimens, can influence on the strength and permeability. The results are compared to the control samples and determined optimal level of RHA replacement. As it was expected, RHA as supplementary cementitious materials, improved mechanical properties of roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP). Also, the application of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in predicting the permeability and compressive strength is investigated. The obtained results shows that the predicted value by this model is in good agreement with the experimental, which shows the proposed ANFIS model is a useful, reliable, fast and cheap tool to predict the permeability and compressive strength. A mean relative error percentage (MRE %) less than 1.1% is obtained for the proposed ANFIS model. Also, the test results and performed modeling show that the optimal value for obtaining the maximum compressive strength and minimum permeability is offered by substituting 9% and 18% of the cement by RHA, respectively.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제5권6호
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• pp.639-658
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• 2017

Very limited studies have been accomplished concerning the historical structures around Harran area. Collected mortar samples from the historic structures in the area were tested to explore their mechanical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Mortar samples from three different points of each historical structure were taken and specified in accordance with the related standards taking into consideration their mechanical, chemical and mineralogical properties. By means of SEM-EDX the presence of organic fibres and calcite, quartz, plagioclase and muscovite minerals has been examined. Additionally, by means of XRF analysis, oxide ($SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, and $Fe_2O_3$) percentages of mortar ingredients have been specified, also. According to the test results obtained, it was confirmed that the mortars had densities ranging between $1.51-2.10g/cm^3$, porosity values ranging between 8.89-35.38% and compressive strengths ranging between 5.02-5.90 MPa. Specimen HU, which has the highest durability and lowest water absorption and porosity, was the mortar taken from the most intact building in the mosque complex. This result is most likely due to the very little fine aggregate content of HU. In contrast, HUC mortars with a small amount of fine particles and brick contents yielded slightly lower compressive strengths. The interesting point of this study is the mineralogical analysis results and especially the presence of ettringite in these historic mortars linked to the use of pozzolanic materials. Survival of these historic structures in Harran Area through centuries of use and, also, having been subjected to many earthquakes can probably be explained by these properties of the mortars.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.449-459
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• 2018

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world. Producing economical and durable concrete is possible by employing pozzolanic materials. The aim of this study is to underline the possibility of the utilization of natural zeolite in producing concrete and investigate its effects basically on the strength and durability of concrete. In the production of concrete mixes, Portland cement was replaced by the natural zeolite at ratios of 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. Concretes were produced with total binder contents of $300kg/m^3$ and $400kg/m^3$, but with a constant water to cement ratio of 0.60. In addition to compressive and flexural strength measurements, freeze-thaw and high temperature resistance measurements, rapid chloride permeability, and capillary water absorption tests were performed on the concrete mixes. Compared to the rest mixes, concrete mixes containing 10% zeolite yielded in with the highest compressive and flexural strengths. The rapid chloride permeability and the capillary measurements were decreased as the natural zeolite replacement was increased. Freeze-thaw resistance also improved significantly as the replacement ratio of zeolite was increased. Under the effect of elevated temperature, natural zeolite incorporated concretes with lower binder content yielded higher compressive strength. However, the compressive strengths of concretes with higher binder content after elevated temperature effect were found to be lower than the reference concrete.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.173-186
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• 2015

The rapid urbanization in Pakistan is creating a shortage of sustainable construction sites with good soil conditions. Attempts have been made to use rice husk ash (RHA) in concrete industry of Pakistan, however, limited literature is available on its potential to improve local soils. This paper presents an experimental study on engineering properties of low and high plastic cohesive soils blended with 0-20% RHA by dry weight of soil. The decrease in plasticity index and shrinkage ratio indicates a reduction in swell potential of RHA treated cohesive soils which is beneficial for problems related to placing pavements and footings on such soils. It is also observed that the increased formation of pozzolanic products within the pore spaces of soil from physicochemical changes transforms RHA treated soils to a compact mass which decreases both total settlement and rate of settlement. A notable increase in friction angle with increase in RHA up to 16% was also observed in direct shear tests. It is concluded that RHA treatment is a cost-effective and sustainable alternate to deal with problematic local cohesive soils in agro-based developing countries like Pakistan.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.307-314
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• 2021

Activated hwangtoh (ACT) is a natural resource abundant in South Korea, approximately 15.0% of soil. It is an efficient mineral admixture that has activated pozzolanic properties through high-temperature heating and rapid cooling. The purpose of this study is to improve a curb mixture that can reduce NOx outside and investigate durability performance. To this end, mortar curb specimens were manufactured by replacing OPC with ACT. The ACT substitution ratios of 0.0, 10.0, and 25.0% were considered, and mechanical and durability tests on the curb specimens were conducted at 28 and 91 days of age. Steam curing was carried out for three days for the production of curbs, which was very effective to strength development at early ages. The reduction in strength at early ages could be compensated through this process, and no significant performance degradation was evaluated in the tests on chloride attack, carbonation, and freezing and thawing. The mortar curb with an ACT of 10.0~25.0% replacement ratio exhibited clear NOx reduction through photocatalytic (TiO2) treatment. This is due to the increase in physical absorption through surface absorption and the photocatalyst-containing TiO2 coating. In this study, the reasonable range of the ACT replacement ratio for NOx reduction was quantitatively evaluated through a comprehensive analysis of each test.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.21-28
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• 2021

The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is a system, which is utilized for solving complicated problems by using nonlinear equations. This study aims to investigate compressive strength, rebound hammer number (RN), and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) of sustainable concrete containing various amounts of fly ash, silica fume, and blast furnace slag (BFS). In this study, the artificial neural network technique connects a nonlinear phenomenon and the intrinsic properties of sustainable concrete, which establishes relationships between them in a model. To this end, a total of 645 data sets were collected for the concrete mixtures from previously published papers at different curing times and test ages at 3, 7, 28, 90, 180 days to propose a model of nine inputs and three outputs. The ANN model's statistical parameter R2 is 0.99 of the training, validation, and test steps, which showed that the proposed model provided good prediction of compressive strength, RN, and UPV of sustainable concrete with the addition of cement.

• Advances in environmental research
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.285-294
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• 2020

Growth of any country rest in the consumption of industrial wastes for its infrastructure amenities. Countries like India positively desires a vital utilization of industrial waste resembling paper sludge in the construction industry to make various building materials. Also, it is the duty of all civil engineers or researchers to attach them in mounting new materials from the waste dumped as land fillings. In every construction project, about 70% of cost accounts for the procurement of materials. If this, can be minimized consequently the cost of construction will certainly be condensed. Research has established that the waste paper sludge can be reused in the construction field for a probable scope. The construction diligences munch through a massive quantity of non-renewable resources. On the additional dispense, more waste paper board sludge ends up in landfills or dumpsites than those recycled. Consequently, waste paper sludge for use as a construction material composes a step towards sustainable development. Keeping this in mind an endeavor has been made to utilize paper board sludge acquired from the paper board industry and used with several pozzolanic and cementitious materials for a specific purpose. The addition of paper sludge has been varied from 0% to 20% by weight of cement. The tests done with the samples expose that four samples showed significant outcomes with remarkable strength and durability properties which guide to move for the next phase of research for producing lightweight tiles.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.291-305
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• 2022

The present investigation deals with the production of the innovative lightweight fly ash angular aggregates (FAA) first time in India using local class 'F' fly ash, its characterization, and exploring the potential for its utilization as alternative coarse aggregates in structural concrete applications. Two types of aggregates are manufactured using two different kinds of binders. The manufacturing process involves mixing fly ash, binder, and water, followed by the briquetting process, sintering and crushing them into suitable size aggregates. Tests are conducted on fly ash angular aggregates to measure their physical properties such as crushing value, impact value, specific gravity, water absorption, bulk density, and percentage of voids. Study shows that the physical parameters are significantly enhanced as compared to commercially available fly ash pellets (FAP). The developed FAA are used in concrete vis-à-vis conventional granite aggregates and FAP to determine their compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths. Although being lightweight, the strength parameters for concrete containing FAA are well compared with conventional concrete. This might be due to the high pozzolanic reaction between fly ash angular aggregates and cement paste. Also, RCC beams are cast and the load-deflection behaviour and ultimate load carrying capacity signify that FAA can be suitably used for RCC construction. Hence, the utilization of fly ash as angular aggregates can reduce the dead load of the structure and at the same time serves as a solution for fly ash disposal and mineral depletion problem.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.161-168
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of recycled aggregates powder (RP) contents on recycled aggregates (RA) using fly-ash (FA) mortar in a condition of zero cement targeting earth filling materials, and the results can be summarized as follows. First, there was a tendency that as RP contents increased, W/B and air contents increased also. In the case of compressive strength, the strength was hardly developed at the early age, which was prior to 14 days; however, with the starting point of 14 days of age, strength of around 1.5~2.0 MPa was developed when it arrived at 28 days. At a curing temperature of $20^{\circ}C$, the more RP contents increased, the more the compressive strength increased in comparison with FA 100% at all levels except RP 100 %, showing the highest compressive strength at RP 25 %. At a curing temperature of $35^{\circ}C$, the temperature-dependence appeared to be large, as the RP contents were decreased compared to the curing temperature of $20^{\circ}C$. In addition, based on SEM analysis, this study was able to confirm that a pozzolanic reaction formed by an alkali stimulus of RA with the lapse of certain days even in 100 percent FA, causing the densification of tissues, and with RP 25%, hydrate was created the most densely by the hydration of unhydrated cement particles and pozzolanic reaction of FA.