Compressive strength and microstructural analysis of unfired clay masonry bricks

This paper reports on the compressive strength and microstructure of unfired clay masonry bricks. Blended binders comprising of lime-activated Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) and Portland Cement (PC)-activated GGBS were used to stabilise Lower Oxford Clay (LOC) for unfired masonry brick production. The compressive strength of the stabilised bricks incorporating lime–GGBS–LOC was higher than that of PC–GGBS–LOC. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with a Solid-state Backscattered Detector (SBD) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was employed to obtain a view of the microstructure and to conduct an analysis on the morphology and composition of the dried unfired clay brick samples, after 28 days of moist curing. The analytical results together with the physical observations have shown the formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) gel and additional pozzolanic (C-S-H) gel. The quantification of the compound content of the unfired bricks showed the presence of Calcite (CaCO₃), Quartz (SiO₂), Alumina (Al₂O₃) and Wollastonite (CaSiO₈) crystals. Traces of other crystals were also detected.     

Suppression of swelling associated with ettringite formation in lime stabilized sulphate bearing clay soils by partial substitution of lime with ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS)

Ettringite related swelling in lime-stabilized sulphate bearing clay soil systems has only been reported within the last decade although similar expansive behaviour has been reported in concrete over many years. The use of ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS), an industrial by-product, is well established as a binder in many cement applications where it provides enhanced durability and high resistance to sulphate attack. This paper reports on efforts to extend the use of GGBS to highway and other foundation layers by determining the beneficial effect of the suppression of swelling of lime-stabilized clay soils, particularly in the presence of gypsum. The paper describes the results of laboratory tests on lime-stabilized kaolinite containing different levels of added gypsum and on lime-stabilized gypsum (selenite) bearing Kimmeridge Clay to which, in both cases, the lime has progressively been substituted with GGBS. The tests determine the linear expansion behaviour of compacted cylinders, during moist curing in a humid environment at 30°C and during subsequent soaking in de-ionized water. The results illustrate that substitution of lime with GGBS produces significant reduction in linear expansion of lime-stabilized clay soils particularly those containing gypsum.     

Effect of Cement Type on the Mechanical Behavior of a Gravely Sand

The behavior of a cemented gravely sand was studied using triaxial compression tests. Gypsum, Portland cement and lime were used as the cementing agents in sample preparation. The samples with different cement types were compared in equal cement contents. Three cement contents of 1.5%, 3.0% and 4.5% were selected for sample preparation. Drained and undrained triaxial compression tests were conducted in a range of confining pressures from 25 kPa to 500 kPa. Failure modes, shear strength, stress–strain behavior, volume and pore pressure changes were considered. The gypsum cement induced the highest brittleness in soil among three cement types while the Portland cement was found to be the most ductile cementing agent. In lower cement contents and lower confining pressures the soil cemented with Portland cement showed the highest shear strength. However, in the same range of cement content, the soil cemented with gypsum showed highest shear strength for highest tested confining stress. For higher cement contents the shear strength of soil cemented with Portland cement is higher than that for the two other cement types for the range of confining pressures tested in the present study. The samples cemented with lime had the least peak and ultimate shear strength and the highest pore pressure generation in undrained tests. Contrary to the soil cemented with lime, the brittleness of soil cemented with gypsum and Portland cement reduces in undrained condition. Finally it was found that the effect of cement type on the shear strength of cemented soils is more profound in drained condition compared to undrained state.     

The Market Gate of Miletus: damages, material characteristics and the development of a compatible mortar for restoration

The indoor exhibit of the Market Gate of Miletus is unique for an archaeological monument. The reconstruction of the gate was done in such a way that most marble fragments were removed leaving cored marble columns 3–4 cm in thickness. These cored columns were mounted on a steel construction and filled with different mortars or filled with specially shaped blocks of brick combined with mortar. All the missing marble elements were replaced by copies made of a Portland cement based concrete, which is compositionally similar to the original building materials. During the Second World War the monument was heavily damaged by aerial bombardment. For 2 years the Market Gate of Miletus was exposed to weathering, because a brick wall protecting the gate was also destroyed. The deterioration phenomena observed are microcracks, macroscopic fractures, flaking, sugaring, greying, salt efflorescence, calcitic-sinter layers and iron oxide formation etc. The rapid deterioration seems to be due to indoor atmospheric effects, and also by a combination of incompatible materials (e.g. marble, steel, mortar, concrete, bricks etc.). Compatible building materials like mortars or stone replacing materials have to be developed for the planned restoration. The requirements for restoration mortars are chemical-mineralogical and physical-mechanical compatibilities with the existing building materials. In detail this means that the mortar should ensure good bonding properties, adapted strength development and not stain the marble when in direct contact. The favoured mortar was developed with a hydraulic binder based on iron-free white cement and pozzolana based on activated clay. A special limestone and quartz sand mixture was used as an aggregate. The cement was adjusted using chemical additives. Specially designed tests were applied extensively to prove whether the developed mortar is suitable for the restoration of this precious monument.     

Acidic Rocks as Aggregates in Concrete: Engineering Properties,Microstructures and Petrologic Characteristics

In this research, the possibility of replacing different portions of the normally used aggregate by acidic rocks was investigated. These rock types outcrop at the northern part of Eastern Desert, southwest Ras Gharib area where large quantities of good quality acidic rocks are available their. Portland cement concrete is a composite material made up of the hydrated cement matrix, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate. The scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis system (EDX) has been applied to investigate several aspects of Portland cement concrete microstructure. The topics investigated so far include the influence of aggregate composition on the development of the cement paste-aggregate interface and the formation of calcium silicate hydrate CSH/calcium silicate aluminate CSA formation. The silicate gel coated the aggregates in the concrete paste and crystallized into well defined needle like shape, cotton shape as well as euhedral to subhedral crystals of silicate/alumiante and ettringite minerals with free lime librated from the hydrolysis process. The free lime can react again with the aggregates leading to the formation of cementing materials which increase strength and durability of the concrete paste by increasing the interfacial bonds between the used aggregates.     

Geotechnical properties of stabilised Indian red earth

Locally available soils amended with sufficient bentonite are generally used for construction of liners for water and waste retention facilities. The amount of bentonite required to keep the hydraulic conductivity low varies with the nature of the local soil. Many studies have shown that bentonite content higher than 20% by weight is not usually required. This is also the case with Indian red earth containing predominantly quartz and kaolinite minerals. Incorporating bentonite, though keeps the hydraulic conductivity of soil low, increases the swelling and shrinkage potential; increases the loss of strength due to reduction in cohesion. This paper aims to improve the geotechnical properties of red earth and bentonite mixture with lime or cement. The studies reveal that the geotechnical properties of red earth with 20% by weight bentonite stabilised with 1% by weight of lime or cement are greatly enhanced, particularly after curing for 28 days. it has been shown that the early gain in strength is better with cement whereas its long-term strength gain is better with lime.     

Influence of grain size gradation of sand impurities on strength behaviour of cement-treated clay

In nature, soils are often composed of varying amounts of clay, silt and sand. Variation of the percentage of these compositions can affect the final strength of the soils when stabilised with cement. In this study, focus was placed on clayey soils with different gradation of sand impurities up to 40% in mass. An extensive study of such clayey soils treated with cement was investigated. For the results, it is noted that water:cement ratio was a major influence of strength development of cement-treated clayey soils. In contrast, the soil:cement ratio was found to have minor effects on the strength development. The presence of sand impurities has a significant reduction on the strength development of the cement-treated clayey soil mixture due to more free water available for hydration. The use of free-water:cement ratio is adopted which was shown to be capable of adjusting for such change in amount of free water and water holding capacity of the clay which is determined with Atterberg’s liquid limit tests. The effects of gradation (fine, coarse and well-graded) of the sand impurities were found to affect strength development minimally, owing to similarities in their liquid limits when mixed with clay. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-treated clayey soils produced a more rapid gain in strength but lower final strength at 28 days of curing as compared with Portland blast furnace cement (PBFC). This is found to be persistent for different gradation of sand impurities. A linear correlation can be established based on the log of the unconfined compressive strengths developed at different curing age, with slopes of these linear trends found to be similar for PBFC and OPC-treated clayey soil specimens. Finally, a strength prediction model comprising of these findings is developed. The parameters adopted in this model coincide with values proposed by past studies, thereby validating the robustness of the model. The practical benefits from this study offer a quality control scheme to forecast long-term performance of cement-treated clayey soils as well as optimise cement dosage in cement stabilisation to produce a more cost-effective and less environmental-invasive usage of the technology in geotechnical applications.

     

污水浸泡对水泥土强度和电阻率特性影响的试验研究

为了揭示污水对水泥土的影响规律,并尝试采用电阻率法作为描述强度和污染特征的手段,把粉质黏土和两种水泥（普通硅酸盐水泥、矿渣硅酸盐水泥）制作的水泥土试块分别浸泡在3种液体（自来水、生活污水、造纸厂污水）中模拟环境侵蚀。首先对比分析了污水对土体液塑限的影响,其次研究了龄期、水泥类型、污水类型等对水泥土抗压强度和电阻率的影响,考察了电阻率和抗压强度的关系。结果表明：污染后土样的液限、塑限均增大,塑性指数减小;水泥土抗压强度和电阻率均随龄期增加而增长;污水均降低了水泥土的抗压强度和电阻率,但是矿渣硅酸盐水泥土的抗压强度和电阻率均高于普通硅酸盐水泥土,说明在污水环境中,矿渣水泥对水泥土有一定的抗劣化能力;在不同的龄期、水泥类型、污水类型下,水泥土电阻率均与抗压强度呈现出一致的变化规律,二者线性相关。     

The benefits of modern method of construction based on wood in the context of sustainability

The construction industry is a major consumer of material and energy resources. Global developments in construction give sustainability a crucial role in overall healthy functioning of society as well as the whole environment. Modern methods of construction represent a response to the sustainability trend, since they bring faster construction and better environmental, energy and economic parameters. The aim of this article is to analyse and evaluate the benefits of modern methods of construction in the form of prefabricated panel wood construction (PWC). With the aid of a case study, certain environmental and economic parameters of PWC on the one hand and traditional masonry construction from ceramic bricks on the other hand will be studied and compared. The environmental evaluation of building material composition was conducted by means of the ‘Cradle to Gate’ model within the LCA method. The parameters in question will be studied in terms of embodied energy, global warming potential and acidification potential. The economic parameters to be analysed include construction time, construction costs and particularly the environmental burden caused by transport of materials to the building site. The submitted experimental study and its results should help break barriers sustained by traditional technologies and point towards healthier and more environmentally friendly alternatives in construction processes.     

Non‐metallurgical Slags in the Masonry of Obřany Castle in the Czech Republic: Evidence for the Local Production of Hydraulic Lime in the 14th Century?

Two types of compositionally heterogeneous slags have been found in the wall masonry of the Gothic Castle ruin Obřany. The bright phase is composed of quartz, tridymite, cristobalite, and porous glass, while the dark one also contains feldspars, hercynite, magnetite, clinopyroxenes, and a suite of accessory phases. The bright slags have a similar chemical composition as the mortar from the castle masonry or local sandstones, based on rare earth elements (REE) and other trace element abundances. In contrast, the dark slags are characterized by elevated contents of Al₂O₃ (15.4–18.6 wt.%) and Fe₂O₃^tot (4.1–10.0 wt.%), and consequently resemble the local clay. The investigated slags are not related to iron metallurgy in terms of their composition and texture. They probably originated in a medieval lime kiln through heat sintering of the inner lining during the burning process under relatively high temperatures (1080–1500°C). Simultaneously, the finding of relics of clinker‐like material together with products of its hydration in the hydraulic mortar from the wall masonry infers the production of hydraulic lime or Roman cement during the construction of the castle in the 14^th century. The Obřany Castle appears to represent one of the first applications of hydraulic binders in Moravia.     

Effects of mellowing sulfate-bearing clay soil stabilized with wastepaper sludge ash for road construction

The main objective of this research was to investigate the effect of mellowing on the swelling properties of stabilized Lower Oxford Clay (LOC), a sulfate-bearing clay soil that has caused concern in the past due to expansion upon stabilization. Two stabilizers were used, quicklime and a more sustainable stabilizer — wastepaper sludge ash (WSA), an industrial by-product used on its own and in combination with either quicklime (CaO) or ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS). Quicklime was used on its own as a control. Compacted cylinders of LOC stabilized with the various stabilizers were made either mellowed (compacted 3 days after mixing with stabilizer) or unmellowed (compacted immediately after mixing with stabilizer). The linear expansion of the stabilized cylinders during moist curing and subsequent soaking was monitored for a total of 100 days. The results obtained showed that the linear expansion of unmellowed stabilized LOC was significantly reduced, and thus in terms of swelling potential, mellowing was not beneficial in the LOC system investigated. The results observed also suggest that there are technological, economic as well as environmental advantages of utilizing WSA and similar industrial by-products, in the stabilization of sulfate-bearing and other clay soils, as an alternative to the traditional stabilizers of lime and/or Portland Cement.     

改性膨胀土路堤填筑含水量优化试验研究

在控制含水量的前提下,对分别掺入不同量石灰、不同量水泥改性膨胀土试件进行强度和膨胀量试验,得到不同含 水量及不同石灰(水泥)掺量对改性膨胀土强度和膨胀性的影响,通过对实验所得数据的分析,找出含水量和掺石灰(水泥)剂 量的最佳融合点,并据此对膨胀土路堤填料的改性施工提出了一些有益的建议。     

Geotechnical characterisation of lateritic soils from south-western Nigeria as materials for cost-effective and energy-efficient building bricks

Lateritic soils which have been described as highly weathered tropical or subtropical residual soils were studied with an attempt to establish its suitability or otherwise as sustainable material in building bricks and housing development that will meet the present challenge of sustaining the environment without costing too much and maintaining a high standard of strength, durability and aesthetics. Index properties of the tested lateritic soils revealed them as mostly well graded, comprising both cohesive (silt and clay) and cohesionless (sand and gravel) soil fraction. The geotechnical analyses on the studied lateritic soil revealed a strong compressive strength with a relatively sound dry density which could guarantee a good durability in resulting bricks made from these soil materials. Further test on the strength and durability of the compressed earth bricks (CEBs) made from these lateritic soils revealed a brick with compressive strength ranging between 6.33 and 15.57 MPa which is considered to be of good strength coupled with its sound durability strength established over a period of more than one year under a complete cycle of weather and seasonal conditions. In conclusion, lateritic soils from the study area were found to be suitable as materials for bricks (CEB) with good compressive and durability strength which qualifies them as sustainable and cost-effective materials for low-cost housing development.     

城市河道淤泥特性及改良试验初探

以南京内秦淮河疏浚淤泥为例,通过土工试验、XRD和X射线荧光光谱试验等方法,研究了城市河道淤泥的物理性质、矿物成分、化学成分等特性。试验结果显示:秦淮河淤泥粘粒含量低、有机质含量极高,矿物成分主要有石英和少量粘土矿物等。为了实现淤泥的资源化处理,运用水泥、石灰无机固化材料对淤泥进行固化改良试验及改性土无侧限抗压强度试验,结果表明随着水泥掺量增加,水泥固化土由塑性破坏向脆性破坏过渡,破坏应变在1.8%~2.2%,而石灰固化土均表现为脆性破坏,且破坏应变小于水泥土,为1%左右。水泥固化土28d强度为670kPa,固化效果优于石灰,但略低于处理一般软土的固化土强度。研究结果对处置城市河道淤泥有一定参考价值。     

Influence of groundnut shell ash on strength and durability properties of clay

Groundnut shell ash, cement and their combinations are used as soil stabilizers in various percentages to improve the strength of locally available highly compressible clay soil. The effect of stabilizer in improving the strength of the soil is evaluated through change in consistency limits, compaction characteristics, undrained cohesion and modulus of elasticity. The durability characteristics of stabilised soil were studied based on the improvement of undrained shear strength for various days of curing by increasing the percentage of cement. Stabilised soil showed satisfactory improvement in strength and consistent durability characters. Groundnut shell ash and cement increased the optimum moisture content. There was a slight decrease in the dry density and modulus of elasticity of soil. These can be used as a viable economic alternative in construction of roads and for stabilising soil acting as bearing medium. The use of groundnut shell ash, an agricultural waste, helps in waste management and promotes sustainable development of local construction industry.     

Influence of Liquid Limit and Slaking on Cement Stabilized Clayey Admixtures

Clayey soils, especially clayey soils with high or very high liquid limits (> 60%) often present difficulties in construction operations because they usually contain expansive clay minerals. However, the engineering properties of clay soils can be enhanced by the addition of either cement or lime, thereby producing an improved construction material. In this research, slake durability was related to the liquid limit and unconfined compressive strength of clayey admixtures. Three of the most important components in clay soils, namely, kaolinite, montmorillonite and quartz, were combined to make the clayey admixtures. A slaking value of 45% is suggested as identifying satisfactory stabilization. For clayey admixtures with liquid limit between 40% and 60%, this could be achieved with the addition of between 4% and 12% cement. Clayey admixtures with liquid limits over 60% could only achieve this with large uneconomical amounts of cement (> 12%).     

矿渣胶凝材料固化软土的力学性状及机制

利用矿渣胶凝材料固化软土,既可利用工业废渣,又能减少水泥的用量。以矿渣胶凝材料固化黏土、砂土二种软土。发现矿渣胶凝材料加固软土的效果远好于水泥、石灰,其9 %掺量的固化土28 d的无侧限强度达到2.0 MPa以上,普遍高于15 %掺量的水泥固化土,且其28 d固化土的软化系数普遍高于90 %以上,固化黏土后CBR值远高于同掺量的石灰固化土。X衍射结构分析表明,矿渣胶凝材料水化时产生的高强难溶的矿物晶体是其固化软土效果好的主要原因。因此,矿渣胶凝材料是一种性能优异的软土加固材料。     

改良土静强度试验及结果分析

本文研究了粉粘土及粘土在加入不同配比的石灰、水泥、粉煤灰时的静三轴强度的变化规律 ,通过分析比较 ,得出了不同掺合料的掺合比与强度的关系 ,为设计、施工及养护提供可靠的依据 ,以满足高速铁路基床底层及基床以下路堤填料的技术要求.     

普硅水泥和矿渣水泥加固滨海软土效果对比分析

采用室内无侧限抗压强度试验,证明了矿渣硅酸盐水泥和普通硅酸盐水泥在加固滨海软土的效果方面存在较大的差异。通过X射线衍射分析,对两种水泥加固软土效果差异的内在机制和原因进行了探讨。结果显示,水泥土的强度与水泥水化产物的生成量之间存在一致性,矿渣水泥加固土可生成更多的水化产物,并能够限制软土中可溶盐对水泥土的影响。     

固化铅污染土的干湿循环耐久性试验研究

在商用高岭土、膨润土与商业黄砂混合物中加入硝酸铅溶液,添加水泥和石灰两种固化剂,采用室内压实制样方法获得固化的铅污染土试样。进行干、湿循环试验,测试固化体的质量损失和无侧限抗压强度等参数随干、湿循环次数的变化规律,评价固化铅污染土的干、湿耐久性。测试结果表明,本试验8种配比的试样都满足干、湿循环的要求;黏土矿物为膨润土的试样干、湿循环耐久性比黏土矿物为高岭土的试样要差;水泥固化土的干、湿循环耐久性要略优于石灰固化土;加入 8 000 mg/kg的铅可略增大土体的抗干、湿循环耐久性。水泥和石灰固化/稳定化重金属污染土时,土体中含水率是保证加固效果的关键参数之一。土体中含水率应能满足固化剂充分水化、水解、火山灰和碳酸化反应之需要。