• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.645-654
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• 2017

Continuing from previous studies of sustainable concrete containing environmentally friendly materials and existing modeling approach to predicting concrete properties, this study developed an estimation methodology to predicting the strength of sustainable concrete using an advanced case-based reasoning approach. It was conducted in two steps: (i) establishment of a case database and (ii) development of an advanced case-based reasoning model. Through the experimental studies, a total of 144 observations for concrete compressive strength and tensile strength were established to develop the estimation model. As a result, the prediction accuracy of the A-CBR model (i.e., 95.214% for compressive strength and 92.448% for tensile strength) performed superior to other conventional methodologies (e.g., basic case-based reasoning and artificial neural network models). The developed methodology provides an alternative approach in predicting concrete properties and could be further extended to the future research area in durability of sustainable concrete.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.27 no.1
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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.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 2014

The use of sustainable technologies such as supplementary cementitious materials, and/or recycled post-consumer environmental wastes is widely used in concrete industry in the last decade. This paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation of normal concrete containing sustainable technologies. Twenty one mixtures (21) were prepared with different combinations of silica fume, fly ash, olive's seed ash, and corncob ash (CCA). Fresh and hardened concrete properties were measured, as expected the inclusion of the sustainable technologies affected both fresh and hardened concrete properties. Based on the results obtained in this study and the analyses conducted, the following observations were drawn: replacing the cement by olive's seed ash or CCA has a significant effect on fresh concrete workability. Olive's seed ash increased the slump by more than 200 % compared to the control mixtures. The compressive strength of mixtures containing olive's seed ash showed by 45 and 75 % decrease compared to the control mixtures. The 28 days compressive strength of mixtures produced by CCA of 10 % replacement decreased by 41 % compared to the control mixture.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2020

The use of spliced reinforcing bars in sustainable concrete members to manage inadequate bars length is a common practical issue which is may be due to some limitations. The lap splicing means two bars overlapped in parallel with specified length called the splice length in order to provide the required bond between the two bars. The bond between sustainable concrete and spliced steel bars is another important issue. The normal strength sustainable concrete specimens of sizes 1700×150×150 mm with tension reinforcement lap spliced were selected according to testing device length limitations. These members were designed to fail in flexure in order to investigate the lap spliced tension bars effect. The selected lap spliced tension bars were of 10 mm size with smooth and deformed surfaces in order to investigate the surface nature accompanied with the splice nature. The sustainable concrete mechanical properties and mix workability were also studied. This study reveals that the effect of number of spliced bars on the response of beams reinforced with smooth bars is found to be more obvious than deformed one. Finite element modeling in three dimensions was carried out for the tested beams using ABAQUS software. A parametric study is carried out using finite elements on considering the following parameters, concrete compressive strength, load type and opening in cross section (hollow section) for weight reduction purposes.The laboratory and numerical results show good agreements in terms of ultimate load and deflection with an average difference of 10% and 15% in ultimate load and deflection respectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.4
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• pp.431-441
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• 2023

The aim of this paper is to present a new sustainable ternary and quaternary binder by partially replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with different percentages of supplementary cementitious materials. The motivation is to reduce our dependency on OPC to reduce CO₂ emission and carbon foot print. As the main substitute for the OPC, siliceous fly ash was used. Moreover, silica fume and nanosilica were also used. During examinations the main mechanical parameters of concrete composites, i.e., compressive strength (f_cm) and splitting tensile strength (f_ctm) were assed. The microstructure of these materials was also analysed. It was found that the concrete incorporating pozzolanic materials is characterized by a well-developed structure and has high values of mechanical parameters. The quaternary concrete containing: 80% OPC, 5% FA, 10% SF, and 5% nS have shown the best results in terms of good strength parameters as well as the most favourable microstructure, whereas the worst mechanical parameters with microstructure containing microcracks at phase interfaces were characterized by concrete with more content of FA additive in the concrete mix, i.e., 15%. Nevertheless, all concretes made on quaternary binders had better parameters than the reference one. It can be stated that sustainable concrete incorporating pozzolanic materials could be good substitute of ordinary concretes.

• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2013

Use of recycled aggregates in portland cement concrete (PCC) construction can offer benefits associated with both economy and sustainability. Testing performed to date indicates that recycled brick masonry aggregate (RBMA) can be used as a 100% replacement for conventional coarse aggregate in concrete that exhibits acceptable mechanical properties for use in structural and pavement elements, including satisfactory performance in some durability tests. Recycled brick masonry aggregate concrete (RBMAC) is currently not used in any type of construction in the United States. However, use of RBMAC could become a viable construction strategy as sustainable building practices become the norm. This paper explores the feasibility of use of RBMAC in several types of sustainable construction initiatives, based upon the findings of previous work with RBMAC that incorporates RBMA produced from construction and demolition waste from a case study site. A summary of material properties of RBMAC that will be useful to construction professionals are presented, along with a discussion of advantages and impediments to use. Several quality assurance and quality control techniques that could be incorporated into specifications are identified.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.337-351
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• 2016

This paper presents the properties of pervious concrete containing high-calcium fly ash. The water to binder ratios of 0.19, 0.22, and 0.25, designed void ratios of 15, 20, and 25%, and fly ash replacements of 10, 20, and 30% were used. The results showed that the use of fly ash as partial replacement of Portland cement enhanced the mixing of paste resulting in a uniform mix and reduced amount of superplasticizer used in the mixture. The compressive strength and flexural strength of pervious concrete were slightly reduced with an increase in fly ash replacement level, while the abrasion resistance increased due mainly to the pozzolanic and filler effects. The compressive strength and flexural strengths at 28 days were still higher than 85% of the control concrete. The aggregate size also had a significant effect on the strength of pervious concrete. The compressive strength and flexural strength of pervious concrete with large aggregate were higher than that with small aggregate.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2013

The use of sustainable technologies such as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and/or recycled materials is expected to positively affect the performance of concrete mixtures. However, it is imperative to qualify and implement such mixtures in practice, if the required specifications of their intended application are met. This paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) containing sustainable technologies. Twelve mixes were prepared with different combinations of fly ash, slag, and recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). Fresh and hardened concrete properties were measured, as expected the inclusion of the sustainable technologies affected both fresh and hardened concrete properties. Analysis of the experimental data indicated that inclusion of RAP not only reduces the ultimate strength, but it also affected the compressive strength development rate. The addition of RAP to mixes showed a consistent effect, with a drop in strength after 3, 14, and 28 days as the RAP content increased from 0 to 50 %. However, most of the mixes satisfied SCC fresh properties requirements, including mixes with up to 50 % RAP. Moreover, several mixes satisfied compressive strength requirement for pavements and bridges, those mixes included relatively high percentages of SCMs and RAP.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.187-202
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• 2015

The present study addresses about the development of sustainable concrete utilizing recycled coarse aggregates manufactured form waste concrete and colloidal Nano-Silica. Experimental investigations are carried out to determine compressive and tensile strength of concrete mixes designed with recycled coarse aggregates and different percentages of Nano-Silica. Moreover, water absorption, density and volume voids of concrete mixes are also examined to ascertain the influence of Nano-Silica on behavior of recycled aggregate concrete. The outcomes of the research depict that properties of concrete mixes are significantly affected with the introduction of recycled coarse aggregates in place of the natural coarse aggregates. However, the study reveals that the depletion of behavior of recycled aggregate concrete could be restored with the incorporation of little amount (3%) of Nano-Silica.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.473-498
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• 2020

This paper presents a careful theoretical investigation into interfacial stresses in reinforced concrete foundation beam repairing with composite plate. The essential issue in the analysis of reinforced structures with composite materials is to understand the individual behaviour of each material and its interaction with the remaining ones. The present model is based on equilibrium and deformations compatibility requirements in and all parts of the repaired RC foundation beam, i.e., the reinforced concrete foundation beam, the composite plate and the adhesive layer. The theoretical predictions are compared with other existing solutions, By comparisons between the existing solutions and the present new solution enable a clear appreciation of the effects of various parameters such as the geometric characteristics and mechanical properties of the components of the repaired beam, as well as the geotechnical stresses of the soil are considered. This research is helpful for the understanding on mechanical behaviour of the interface and design of the composite-concrete hybrid structures.