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Go to Editorial ManagerA series of unconfined compression and direct shear tests were carried out to investigate the compressive strength and shear strength parameters of clay soil reinforced with different contents and lengths of wheat straw and palm frond fibers and by adding different percentages of furnace slag. The bearing capacity and settlement characteristics of the rectangular footing based on a clay soil layer reinforced with wheat straw fibers, palm fronds and furnace slag at different thicknesses were also studied by conducting model footing tests. The results indicated that the compressive strength and shear strength parameters improved significantly when adding 0.5% of natural fibers and 20% of furnace slag. The maximum compressive strength of soil samples reinforced with wheat straw fiber MT1 and palm frond fiber MT2 was 365 and 407 kPa, respectively. Compared to the unreinforced sample, samples reinforced with natural fibers and furnace slag significantly improve the shear strength parameters c and ϕ . The cohesion of soil sample reinforced with wheat straw and palm frond fibers increased by 8% and 43% respectively, while the internal friction angles improved by 19% and 40% respectively. The sample treated with furnace slag MT3 showed improved significantly in cohesion by 76% and less effect in internal friction angle. Compared to unreinforced soil samples, the cohesion of soil samples reinforced with wheat straw and palm fibers and treated with furnace slag MT4 and MT5 increased by 77% and 92% respectively, and less effect in internal friction angle. Moreover, the bearing capacity and settlement characteristics of the rectangular footing improved significantly with the increase in the thickness of the top layer reinforced with natural fibers and treated with furnace slag. The ultimate bearing capacity of layer reinforced with wheat straw fibers MT1 increases to 193.2, 220.15 and 247.5 kPa at thicknesses of 0.5 B, 1.0 B, and 1.5 B respectively, while the settlement decreased by 10.4%, 15% and 20.48% respectively at same thicknesses.
This work deals with the effect of using Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) as a partial replacement of coarse aggregate in Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC), on the structural behavior (flexure and shear) of reinforced concrete one-way slabs. To the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of limited studies concerning the behavior of recycled aggregate concrete one-way slabs subjected to line loading with significant replacement of conventional aggregates by recycled concrete aggregate (up to 75 %). Three replacement ratios were considered: 25 %, 50 %, and 75 %. The mixes (with natural stone coarse aggregate, NCA) have an averaged compressive strength of ($F_{cu} = 42 \text{ MPa}$) at the age of 28 days with a tolerance of ($\pm 1.5 \text{ MPa}$). While, the mixes (with RCA) have an averaged compressive strength of ($38.5, 36.5, \text{ and } 34 \text{ MPa}$) for the three replacement ratios respectively, at the age of 28 days with a tolerance of ($\pm 2 \text{ MPa}$). All the slabs were cast with length of ($1600 \text{ mm}$), width of ($600 \text{ mm}$), while the thickness was variable. For this purpose, sixteen reinforced concrete one-way slabs were cast and divided into five groups (G1 to G5). Different parameters that affect the behavior of one-way slabs were studied and include type of failure, replacement ratios of NCA by RCA, amount of main reinforcement, thickness and locations of line loadings along the span. Hardened concrete specimens results show that the **compressive strength** $F_{cu}$, **tensile strength** $F_t$, **modulus of rupture** $F_r$, and **modulus of elasticity** $E$ were decreased as the RCA replacement increased. The experimental results of slabs show that the **ultimate capacity** of slabs decreased as the RCA replacement increased, the **deflection** and **strain** increase as the RCA replacement increases and the **crack width** increases as the RCA replacement increases. From the results of ultimate capacity, cracking load and moment, deflections, crack width and pattern and concrete surface strains, it can be concluded that the recycled concrete aggregate can be used as a partial replacement of natural coarse aggregate to produce self-compacting concrete mixes. Also, the behavior of one way slabs cast with SCC containing RCA is acceptable.
The goal of this study is to evaluate the mechanical characteristics and energy absorption capabilities of both closed-cell pure Aluminum foam and closed-cell A356 foam. A portion of the lightweight pure foam samples (17.12, 17.77 and 15.27 g) is produced through casting of raw material (99.9 % pure aluminum) using Titanium Hydride (TiH 2 ) as a foaming agent, which lead to (7.5, 7 and 8) Pores Per Inches (PPI); and samples of A356 foam (38.24, 38.18 and 35.88 g) is produced through casting of A356 alloyed material with same procedure which lead to (11, 10 and 12) PPI. In order to determine the maximum compressive strength, strength-to-weight ratio, energy absorption density, complementary energy, and energy absorption efficiency, a uniaxial compression test is conducted. The results indicate that compression of pure foam structure smashed in a ductile manner and shows a lamellar eutectic structure while A365 foams under compression are crashed with brittle character with complex phases distribution inside (polyhedral and globular morphologies), A noticeable enhancement is observed in the mechanical characteristics of the A356 foam. The maximum compressive strength and specific energy absorption of alloyed foam are increased by a factor nearly of 4 and 2 respectively for all tested samples. Also, the result shows a significant decreasing in compressive strength with increasing of PPI for both pure and alloyed foam. The notable enhancements in the properties of alloyed closed cell foam render these advanced materials a viable option for high-strength applications.
This study investigates the shear strength behavior of two-layer reinforced concrete beams consisting of two different types of concrete. One of the layers made of lightweight concrete (LWC) and the other was normal weight concrete (NWC). A total of 16 shear deficient reinforced concrete beams were fabricated and cast with NWC, LWC, and two-layer beam of both material with different configuration. All the beams were tested under four-point loading after 28 days. The variables of the experimental program include the ratio of thickness of the lightweight concrete layer to the overall depth of beam ( h LW / h ), and concrete compressive strength. Experimental results which include load-deflection response curves along with failure modes for NWC, LWC and two-layer beams. The results showed that all beams failed in a similar mode, due to diagonal tension shear crack. Based on the experimental results it can be also concluded that the shear load is governed by compressive strength of lower layer of the concrete when the shear span to overall depth ( a / h ) of the beams is 2.75 or more. While for the a / h 2.375 and 2.00 the two-layer beam has a significant reduction in the shear capacity compared to the NWC beams and increasing compared to LWC beam. The ratio of experimental shear stress divided by the root square of concrete compressive strength (vexp √f c ' ) , which demonstrates the diagonally cracked concrete's ability to transfer strain and shear was maintained for all configurations greater than 0.17, which is the minimal value recommended by ACI318-19.
The choice of aggregate type in producing reinforced concrete depends on the availability of the source sometimes and the intended concrete requirements like lightweight or normal aggregate concrete or high strength concrete. The punching shear resistance is being considered to be influenced by numbers of parameters including aggregate size and types. These parameters have not accounted in most of codes of design and have given a little attention by researchers. Most of available knowledge are based on outcomes from experimental works on beams. In this paper, the considerable slab tests without shear reinforcement are collected from literature in which aggregate types and sizes are given and they were failed in punching. The test results are compared to those calculated by ACI, EC2 and CSCT. The deficits of shear resistance are found clear where high compressive strength is combined with reinforcement ratio.
The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was prepared from PET flakes of empty local water drinking bottles and diagnosis by infrared spectroscopy (IR). The glass transition temperature, melting temperature T m and heat capacity were indicated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Part hundred ratios (phr , s) of (PET) were added to study its effect on concrete properties. Additives of (phr) impart performance such as increased cement dispersion, enabling drastically reduced water requirements. Enhance the mortar cubes performance; depend on the compatibility of cement with PET. Porosity of mortar cubes with cement, sand and added PET products were calculated. Maximum and minimum Compressive strength were calculated 58.76 MPa, and 24.0 MPa at phr 0.04 and 0.07 of PET with cement. And PET with cement and sand were calculated 16.5 MPa and 4 MPa at dosages 0.03 gm. and 0.08 gm. The relative dosages in calculating porosity percentages are (0.06, 0.1 and 0.3) gm.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was prepared from (PET) flakes and 25% of NaOH solution were added to in tri-neck flask, the reaction run for six hours at temperature (100-130) oC and the precipitate was reacted with ethylene glycol at temperature (130-160) oC. IR spectrophotometer was used for the diagnoses of (PET). Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is used to indicate glass transition temperature Tg, the melting temperature Tm and the heat absorbed. Part hundred ratios (phr,s) of (PET) rather than dosage of PET in gms. To concrete cubes were added to study its effect on concrete properties. Additives of (phr,s) impart performance such as increased cement dispersion, and enhance the performance of concrete which was appeared in maintaining a lengthening or slow the setting time that meets product and job needs. Maximum and minimum compressive strength is 43.7 MPa and 30.0 MPa at 0.3 gm. and 0.1 gm. respectively.
The trend of using natural fibers in geotechnical engineering has become of great interest to improve weak soils due to some of its advantages such as local availability, environmental friendliness, and lower cost. In this study, a set of unconfined compression strength and direct shear tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of Al-Nasiriya clayey soil reinforced with natural fibers. Three different types of natural fibers were investigated as sustainable ones, including wheat straw fiber and palm frond fiber, as well as imperata cylindrica fiber. The effects of various fiber contents (0.25 %, 0.5 %, 0.75 %, and 1 %) and lengths (20 mm, 30 mm, and 40 mm) were experimentally evaluated. The results indicated that the compressive strength increased significantly with the increase of fiber content and length up to an optimum value and then decreased. The optimum fiber content and length were 0.5 % and 30 mm, respectively. Compared to the unreinforced soil, the compressive strength values at the optimum content and length increased by 102 %, 126 %, and 66 % for samples reinforced with wheat straw, palm fronds, and imperata cylindrica fibers, respectively. The shear properties improved due to soil reinforcement with natural fibers. Compared to the unreinforced soil, the internal friction angle of the samples reinforced with wheat straw, palm fronds, and imperata cylindrica fibers increased by 17.7 %, 42 %, and 9 %, respectively. Forever, the cohesion and shear strength are also improved due to inclusion of natural fibers.
This study concems with the improvement of soils in Basrah area. Two types of soil have been selected; the first from Garmatt Ali place and the second type from Abu Al-Khasseeb place. Natural (palm) fibers are used in stabilization of these soils. These fibers were added by different percentages (0, 1, 2, and 3%) by weight of dry soil so as to improve soil properties. The selected soil are subjected to different tests such as liquid and plastic limit, specific gravity, unconfined compressive strength, compaction test. It was found that the addition of fibers to the soil affects compaction characteristics by decreasing maximum dry density and increasing optimum moisture content for both types of soils. The unconfined compressive strength increased with more addition of fibers The affect of fibers content on swelling, the swelling percent reduced especially during first days of the test.
Chemical additives were used in this research to improve the properties of the road subgrade layer. Cement, lime, and ferric chloride were used. Laboratory tests such as unconfined compressive strength, consistency limits, and wheel truck test were conducted. The results showed that adding these chemicals to the soil increases the ability of the soil to work, its resistance, and its durability. The optimum percentage of chemical additives that is suitable for the addition to the soil of Al-Nasiriya city were 9 %, 10 %, and 2 % corresponding to cement, lime, and ferric chloride, respectively. According to the unconfined compressive strength test and with increase curing period, which gave good results in improving the strength of the soil. As for the consistency limits, all additives reduced the liquid limit and plasticity index and increased the plastic limit, according to the wheel track test, at 10,000 passes the Rutting depth was 32 mm for natural soil, also the depths were (14, 19, and 17 mm) with chemical additives, respectively.
Mathematical programming techniques have been used to minimize the cost of reinforced concrete T-beam floor. The floor system consists of one way continuous slab and simply supported T-beams. The study presents a formulation based on elastic analysis followed by the ultimate strength method of design with the consideration of serviceability constraints as per ACI Code. The formulation of optimization problem has been made by utilizing the interior penalty function method as an optimization method with the purpose of minimizing the objective function representing the cost of one-meter length of the floor system. The cost includes cost of concrete, reinforcement, and formwork. The design variables considered in this study are the dimensions and the amounts of reinforcement for the slab and beams, in addition to the spacing of the beams. Many examples are solved to show the effect of these design variables on the optimum solution of the floor system. The effect on the optimum design of the compressive strength of concrete, yield strength of steel, concrete cost ratios, and formwork cost ratios has also been studied.