Reduction in environmental noise by a novel nanocomposite,containing cellulose,polyvinyl acetate,and aluminum oxide nanoparticles

The aim was to evaluate sound adsorption coefficient, sound transmission loss, mechanical properties, and physical characteristics of a novel nanocomposite, containing cellulose fiber (CF), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and aluminum oxide nanoparticles (AO NPs). To prepare CF/PVA/AO NP nanocomposites, 100 g CF and 200 g PVA were hardly mixed, and then, AO NP at different contents was added, including 1–4%. The sound absorption coefficient and transmission loss were measured by acoustic tube at four frequencies, including 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. In the next step, density and water absorption were measured. Also, Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and strain to failure were recorded by extensometer. This study showed that the increase in AO NPs led to increase in sound adsorption coefficient, water adsorption, tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and fracture strain. Moreover, the increase in AO NPs led to decrease in sound transmission loss and density. The authors propose that CF/PVA/AO NPs (4%) nanocomposite is suitable to reduce noise from environment at frequency of 250–2000 Hz.     

Variation of mechanical properties of granite after high-temperature treatment

Variations in the mechanical properties (compressive strength, elastic modulus, tensile strength, and fracture toughness) of granite were analyzed as functions of temperature. It was found that above 200 °C, tensile strength and fracture toughness tended to decrease with temperature, while variations in the compressive strength and elastic modulus demonstrated decreasing trends when the heating temperature exceeded 400 °C. The temperature ranges of room temperature—200 and above 600 °C—corresponded to an undamaged state and strongly/completely damaged state, respectively. It is suggested that 400 °C might be a critical threshold of thermal damage to granite. Based on results of statistical tests, a sharp decrease in mechanical properties can be recognized, accompanied by a drastic growth in peaking strain and acoustic emission rate. This phenomenon may be associated with the α/β phase transition of quartz.     

The potential for using the sycamore (Platus orientalis) leaves in manufacturing particleboard

Developing value-added products from any underutilized non-woody or woody material could play a critical role in economical development as well as forest resource management of any country. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of using the sycamore leaves in production of particleboard. Variable factors were as board density (0.6 and 0.7 g/cm³), press time (4 and 6 min), and press temperature (140 and 160 °C). Some chemical properties of the sycamore leaves (cellulose, holocellulose, lignin and ash contents, alcohol–benzene solubility, 1 % sodium hydroxide solubility, hot- and cold-water solubility), mechanical (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond strength) and physical properties (thickness swelling and water absorption) of the resulting particleboards were determined. Overall results showed that the mechanical properties of all the panels exceed the minimum requirements of European Norm for furniture manufacturing. The mechanical properties of particleboard were improved significantly as board density increased from 0.6 to 0.7 g/cm³ and press time increased from 4 to 6 min. However, the effect of press temperature was not significant (P < 0.05). Conclusively, sycamore leaves, an underutilized waste, can be an alternative raw material for particleboard industry and resulting value-added panels owing to their high mechanical properties and interesting design esthetics could be used for furniture and interior decoration.     

Prediction of Engineering Properties of Basalt Rock in Jordan Using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test

Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock derived from Lava and spread over different localities in Jordan. It can be used in industrial applications, and as construction materials. Before using basalt, it is essential to determine its dry density, porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, and Brazilian tensile strength. The testing procedure and sample preparation used to determine the engineering properties are time-consuming and need expertise. Hence, the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test, a quick and non-destructive evaluation method, was used to determine the engineering properties. Empirical relationships for determination of dry density, porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, and tangent modulus of elasticity were deduced. Good correlation coefficients (R²?=?0.832–0.929) were obtained between UPV and dry density, porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. These correlations were limited to intact basalt with UPV?≥?4000 m/s.     

Water effects on rock strength and stiffness degradation

Reduction in strength and stiffness in rocks attributed to an increase in water content has been extensively researched on a large variety of rock types over the past decades. Due to the considerable variations of texture and lithology, the extent of water-weakening effect is highly varied among different rock types, spanning from nearly negligible in quartzite to 90 % of uniaxial compressive strength reduction in shale. Readers, however, often face difficulties in comparing the data published in different sources due to the discrepancy of experimental procedures of obtaining the water saturation state and how the raw laboratory data is interpreted. In view of this, the present paper first reviews the terminologies commonly used to quantify the amount of water stored in rocks. The second part of the paper reviews the water-weakening effects on rock strengths, particularly focusing on uniaxial compressive strength and modulus, as well as tensile strength, under quasi-static loading and dynamic loading. The correlation relationships established among various parameters, including porosity, density and fabric of rocks, and external factors such as strain rate, surface tension and dielectric constant of the saturating liquid, absorption percentage and suction pressure, are reviewed and presented toward the end of the paper.     

DUT-1合成模型冰的弯曲强度和弹性模量实验分析

依据渤海海冰物理和力学特征值和国内水池实验室能力,以1:10～1:30比尺要求,发展了DUT-1合成模型冰.文中简介该模型冰的理想参数、成分和制备过程.就其弯曲强度和弹性模量进行系统的实验分析.通过500多次弯曲实验,获得该模型冰在不同加载速度下的破坏方式,各向同性证据和弯曲强度为35～65kPa和弹性模量平均53MPa的结果.并且得到弯曲强度和弹性模量在实测湿密度范围内呈递增关系,浸水模型冰性能稳定时间超过4h,弹性模量与弯曲强度之比82%超过2000.     

基于湿度应力场理论的硬石膏岩膨胀试验研究

传统的湿度应力场理论处理硬石膏围岩膨胀问题时,未反映膨胀特性与湿度状态之间的时变关系。以该理论为基础,设计硬石膏岩膨胀试验：不同初始湿度下的膨胀,不同浸水时间的膨胀,以及膨胀后的抗拉强度测试。试验发现：随初始湿度的增加,硬石膏岩膨胀持续的时间增长,最大膨胀应变和应力增大,终止时的吸水率和结晶水率增加,而自由水率近于0;相同初始湿度下,随浸水时间增加,其吸水率先快速后缓慢增加,结晶水率逐渐增大到接近于吸水率,自由水率逐渐减小到接近于0;随吸水率的增加,其最大轴向膨胀应变、最大侧向膨胀应力和抗拉强度都呈增大趋势。根据试验结果,建立了湿度状态时变系列方程以及含时间效应的膨胀本构模型。     

Indirect tensile test assessments for rock materials using 3-D disc-type specimens

Indirect test methods are usually the preferred approach for determining the tensile strength of brittle and quasi-brittle materials such as ceramics, rocks, and concrete. In this paper, the tensile strength of a rock material (Iranian Harsin marble) was obtained indirectly by means of two disc type samples. The test samples were the well-known Brazilian disc and semi-disc specimen under three-point bend loading. Since the existing formula for determining the indirect tensile strength is based on 2-D stress assumption which ignores the effects of specimen thickness, a general 3-D tensile strength formulation was derived for each sample by employing finite element analysis. A series of tensile strength tests were conducted on Harsin white marble using disc and semi-disc specimens with different thicknesses in parallel to finite element analysis. The test results using 3-D formulation showed that the tensile strength of the tested marble depends on the thickness/diameter ratio of the specimen and generally decreases from 11.5 to 7 MPa on increasing the thickness of test samples. The average values of tensile strength were about 8.8 MPa for the Brazilian disc specimen and 9.8 MPa for the semi-disc specimen. The good agreement existing between the results of the two specimens suggests that the semi-disc specimen can also be used for determining the rock tensile strength in addition to using the conventional Brazilian test.     

Applicability of fiber reinforced self-compacting concrete for tunnel lining

Nowadays, self-compacting concrete is used in reinforced concrete structure with heavy bars. This type of concrete is widely accepted throughout the world; therefore, it can be used as an attractive solution for inner lining of tunnels. Regarding the effect of fibers in improving the concrete properties the effect of using polypropylene fiber on the behavior of arch specimens are investigated in laboratory. Therefore, specimens with dimensions of 1 m diameter, 0.5 m width, and 10 cm thickness with various reinforcing bars in arch forms were prepared and their flexural strength was investigated. The results show high ability of self-compacting concrete for the inner coverage of tunnels and its increasing strength is due to use of fibers. In addition, the results indicate that by adding fibers in the amount of 0.1 % of cement weight and reinforcing bars of size number 10, the required flexural strength would be obtained.     

A geoenvironmental application of burned wastewater sludge ash in soil stabilization

This paper studied the use of burned sludge ash as a soil stabilizing agent. The sludge ash was obtained from a public wastewater treatment plant, and it was burned at 550 °C. Different percentages of burned sludge ash were mixed with three different types of clayey soil. A laboratory study consisting of Atterberg’s limits test, unconfined compressive strength test, standard proctor density test, and swelling pressure test were carried out on samples treated with burned sludge at different percentages by dry weight of the clayey soils. The results show that the addition of 7.5 % of the burned sludge ash by the dry weight of the soil will increase the unconfined compressive strength and maximum dry density and also decrease the swelling pressure and the swell potential of the soil. The addition of percentage higher than 7.5 % by dry weight of the soil decreases both the maximum dry density and the unconfined compressive strength; as a result it showed less effectiveness in stabilizing the soil. The conclusion of this research revealed that the burned sludge ash can be used as a promising material for soil stabilization.     

Stability assessment of marble statuaries of the Schlossbrücke (Berlin, Germany) based on rock strength measurements and ultrasonic wave velocities

The degree of weathering in natural stones on buildings and sculptures has been determined for many years in numerous cases by means of ultrasonic measurements. Conclusions concerning the strength of the rock and the type of weathering can thus be drawn. This relationship has not been established for all rock types. Most of the progress utilizing this method has been made in the analysis of marbles, where an increasing degree of weathering shows lower ultrasonic velocities. In the present study, four Carrara marble samples showing similar rock fabrics, but with respect to weathering exhibit considerable differences are investigated. Porosity varies between 0.2 vol. % and ca. 2.4 vol. %, whereby with increasing porosity the pore radii changes as well. Parallel to this the ultrasonic velocities change in dry samples from about 5.5 to 1.6 km/s, respectively. Model calculations reveal that the velocity reduction is caused by cracks with an extremely small aspect ratio of about 0.005 or even less. After a specific loss of strength, however, solution processes can become active, which modify the microcracks and generate an opposite trend. In the process a strong porosity increase correlates to a relatively small velocity reduction. With the presence of water the V _p porosity weathering relationship experiences a considerable modification. Parallel to the reduction of the ultrasonic velocities, it was determined that the mechanical strength (compressive strength, flexural strength, etc.) as well as the static Young’s modulus is reduced almost equally by a progressive advancement of the weathering front. In one case study dealing with tensile strengths, it was clearly documented how tensile cracks develop and propagate in dependence of the rock fabric. The rock mechanical and ultrasonic velocity data were used for stability assessments applied to the marble statuaries from the Schlossbrücke in Berlin. Stability assessments of the sculpture group 4 reveal that some critical parts must be replaced due to safety reasons.     

Effect of animal borings on geotechnical properties of coralline limestone in NW Jeddah City, Red Sea Coast, Saudi Arabia

The coralline limestone covers large areas in the western and northern parts of Jeddah City. This coralline limestone is composed mainly of shelly limestone with pencil-sized animal borings. These borings increase the primary porosity and make the rock weak enough to have low-bearing capacity. The dry density (γ _dry) values of the study coralline limestone ranges from 1.54 to 2.09 g/cm³. The total porosity varies from 12.34 to 28.42 %. The absorption percentage fluctuates between 6.49 and 17.75 %. More than 95 % of the tested rock core samples have compressive strength less than 15 MPa. The compressive strength commonly decreased with the increase of animal borings. The obtained results cause the study coralline limestone weak enough to support heavy structures.     

Effect of strain rate on strength properties of low-calcium fly-ash-based geopolymer mortar under dry condition

This paper presents the mechanical and elastic properties of inorganic polymer mortar under varying strain rates. The study includes a determination of the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio at 0.001, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.05 mm/s strain rate. A total of 21 cylindrical specimens having 100 mm length and 50 mm diameter were investigated, and all tests were carried out pursuant to the relevant Australian Standards. Although some variability between the mixes was observed, the results show that, in most cases, the engineering properties of geopolymer mortar compare favourably to those predicted by the relevant Australian Standards for concrete mixtures. It was found that the change in the strain rate causes different behaviour related to the percentage of the ultimate load. The ultimate strength, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the geopolymer mortar depend on the strain rate. It was also found that as the strain rate increases, mechanical and elastic properties of geopolymer mortar substantially increase in logarithmic manner.     

Effect of Strain Rate on the Strength Characteristics of Soil–Lime Mixture

The effects of rate of strain on strength and deformation characteristics of soil–lime were investigated. Five strain rates (0.1, 0.8, 2.0, 4.0 and 7.0 %/min), five lime contents (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 %) by dry soil weight and three cell pressures (100, 200 and 340 kN/m²) were carried. Triaxial tests, under unconsolidated condition, were used to study the effect of strain rate on strength and initial modulus of elasticity of soil and soil–lime mixture after two curing periods 7 and 21 days, respectively. A total of 405 triaxial specimens have been tested, where 225 specimens have been tested with first curing period (7 days). The testing program includes nine specimens for each strain rate, and each lime content was carried out, including natural soil with zero lime content. Another set of triaxial tests with a total of 180 specimens for the second curing period (21 days) was prepared at optimum moisture content, and the corresponding maximum dry density was also tested. The effects of strain rate and curing period on each of stress–strain behavior, type of failure, deviator stress at failure, cohesion and angle of internal friction and initial modulus of elasticity were studied thoroughly for the natural soil as well as soil–lime mixtures. For natural soil, the test results showed that the undrained shear strength, the initial modulus of elasticity and the cohesion increase significantly as the strain rate increase, while for soil–lime mixture at different curing periods, the undrained shear strength, initial modulus of elasticity and the cohesion increases to a maximum and then decreases as the strain rate and lime content increase. Also, the same variables and angle of internal friction increase with increasing curing period.     

Temporal and spatial evaluation of environmental noise in urban area: a case study in Iran

Environmental noise pollution is a disrupting factor in the urban areas which can lead to adverse health effects, behavior and quality of life. Present study was carried out in Tabriz (Iran) and aimed to achieve a real condition of noise pollution. Thirty-five measurement stations were selected, and noise levels were recorded. The equivalent noise level in (A) frequency weighting network, route-mean-square sound pressure level, minimum sound pressure level, maximum sound pressure level and noise pollution level were computed as applicable indices. Temporal and spatial variability of these noise indices were plotted by Arc GIS. Public awareness about the noise pollution was assessed through interview. Mixed model and pairwise comparisons were used for comparison of noise indices based on stations and times. It was found that noise levels were significantly different and higher than permissible levels at most stations, especially at heavily travelled crossroads and squares. Mean equivalent noise level for morning, noon, afternoon and night was 71.35 ± 7.49, 71.63 ± 4.90, 70.67 ± 4.52 and 68.74 ± 5.22 dB(A), respectively. The noise indices of all stations and measurement times had significant difference (p value = 0.028 and 0.019, respectively). It was observed that in normal traffic, the highest sound levels are produced by buses, trucks and motorbikes due to low-technology engines. Using the horn was the first reflex of the most drivers. A main part of the noise pollution problem of the studied city can be attributed to driving culture and non-compliance with traffic laws.     

Predicting mechanical properties and ultimate shear strength of gypsum,limestone and sandstone rocks using Vipulanandan models

ABSTRACT

In this study, over 1000 data from the literature was used to characterize and compare the density, strengths, modulus, fracture toughness, porosity and the ultimate shear strengths of the gypsum, limestone and sandstone rocks. The compressive modulus and Mode-1 fracture toughness of the gypsum rock, limestone rock and sandstone rocks varied from 0.7 GPa to 70 GPa, and from 0.03 MPa.m^0.5 to 2.6 MPa.m^0.5  respectively. Vipulanandan correlation model was effective in relating the modulus of elasticity, fracture toughness with the relevant strengths of the rocks. A new nonlinear Vipulanandan failure criterion was developed to quantify the tensile strength, pure shear (cohesion) strength and to predict the maximum shear strength limit with applied normal stress on the gypsum, limestone and sandstone rocks. The Vipulanandan failure model predicts the maximum shear strength limit was, as the Mohr-Coulomb failure model does not have a limit on the maximum shear strength. With the Vipulanandan failure model based on the available data, the maximum shear strengths predicted for the gypsum, limestone and sandstone rocks were 64 MPa, 114 MPa and 410 MPa respectively.     

Experimental investigation on tensile strength and its loading rate effect of sandstone after high temperature treatment

High temperature damage of rock is a critical problem that must be well known for underground coal gasification, underground storage of nuclear waste, repairment of underground buildings after fire disaster. In order to study the influences of loading rate and high temperature on the tensile strength of sandstone, Brazilian splitting tests were conducted on sandstone disk samples treated with five different temperature levels between 25 and 800 °C at six different loading rates between 0.01 and 10 mm/min. Test results showed that tensile strength of disk samples increases gradually and reaches to the maximum at the temperature level of 400 °C, then drop sharply. The tensile strength of sandstone samples is characterized by obvious rate effect and it increases continuously with the increase of loading rate, meeting a Logarithmic Function. The lower limit tensile strength of sandstone ignoring the influence of rate effect was calculated, and it is helpful for providing some basis for the design of rock engineering.     

Compressive and Tensile Behavior of Polymer Treated Sulfate Contaminated CL Soil

In this study, the compressive and tensile behavior of polymer treated sulfate contaminated CL soil was investigated. Based on the information in the literature, a field soil was contaminated with up to 4 % (40,000 ppm) of calcium sulfate in this study. In addition to characterizing the behavior of sulfate contaminated CL soil, the effect of treating the soil with a polymer solution was investigated and the performance was compared to 6 % lime treated soil. In treating the soil, acrylamide polymer solution (15 g of polymer dissolved in 85 g of water) content was varied up to 15 % (by dry soil weight). Addition of 4 % calcium sulfate to the soil decreased the compressive and tensile strengths of the compacted soils by 22 and 33 % respectively with the formation of calcium silicate sulfate [ternesite Ca₅(SiO₄)₂SO₄)], magnesium silicate sulfate (Mg₅(SiO₄)₂SO₄) and calcium-magnesium silicate (merwinite Ca₃Mg(SiO₄)₂). With the polymer treatment the strength properties of sulfate contaminated CL soil was substantially improved. Polymer treated sulfate soils had higher compressive and tensile strengths and enhanced compressive stress–strain relationships compared to the lime treated soils. Also polymer treated soils gained strength more rapidly than lime treated soil. With 10 % of polymer solution treatment, the maximum unconfined compressive and splitting tensile strengths for 4 % of calcium sulfate soil were 625 kPa (91 psi) and 131 kPa (19 psi) respectively in 1 day of curing. Similar improvement in the compressive modulus was observed with polymer treated sulfate contaminated CL soil. The variation of the compacted compressive strength and tensile strength with calcium sulfate concentrations for the treated soils were quantified and the parameters were related to calcium sulfate content in the soil and polymer content. Compressive stress–strain relationships of the sulfate soil, with and without lime and polymer treatment, have been quantified using two nonlinear constitutive models. The constitutive model parameters were sensitive to the calcium sulfate content and the type of treatment.     

Impacts of karst phenomena on engineering properties of limestone foundation bed,Ar Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Evaluation of mechanical and petrophysical properties of the karst limestone became essential to avoid future risks in the construction of new urban cities built on limestones. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of karsts phenomena on engineering properties of limestone foundation bed at Ar Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Three hundred core plugs were obtained by rotary drilling at depths ranging from the ground surface to 20 m collected from 24 boreholes in two sites: (1) karst limestone (KL) at Al Aziziyah district and (2) massive hard limestone (HL) at Hittin district in Ar Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Petrographic, SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses are used to identify the mineralogical composition and microstructures of limestone samples. The petrophysical properties included the ovendry density, P-wave, and porosity where the mechanical properties covered the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), point load strength index (PLI), and rock quality designation (RQD) for the karst and hard limestone samples. KL is characterized by 17.11% total porosity, 14.71% water absorption, 32.1 MPa UCS, 1.70 g/cm³ ovendry density (γ dry), 51% weathered RQD, 5.49 MPa medium shear strength, and low modulus of deformation of the plate loading test. HL showed 11.63% total porosity, 9.45% water absorption 43.1 MPa UCS, 2.50 g/cm³ ovendry density (γ dry), 78% hard to fresh rock affinity RQD, and 9.93 MPa high strength and high modulus of deformation of the plate loading test. For the water absorption (%), KL at Al Aziziyah district showed a range of 12.85–17.80% averaged 14.71%. HL at Hittin district varied between 7.04 and 11.29% with an average of 9.45%. KL proved to be dense with ovendry density (γ dry) averaged at 1.70 g/cm³ while HL showed very dense affinity of 2.50 g/cm³. KL clarified a UCS range from 22.5 to 40.1 MPa and an average of 32.1 MPa while HL showed a range from 35.4 t o 48.1 MPa with an average of 43.1 MPa. KL is moderately weathered with RQD average of 51% while HL showed a hard to fresh rock affinity of 78%. Point load test clarified a medium shear strength with 5.49 MPa for KL and high strength of 9.93 MPa for HL. Plate loading tests indicated low and high modulus of deformation for KL and HL, respectively. Results of petrographical analyses and XED of limestone samples showed that the strength parameters of samples mostly composed of micrite (mudstone/wackestone) and dolomite in hard limestone of Hittin district. In Al Aziziyah district (KL), the samples mostly consist of foraminifera and high amount of calcite as in karst limestone (wackestone/packstone). Rock mechanical tests with combination of fabric analyses have shown that strength parameters depend not only on the amount of karst but also on the amount of allochem. Major geomechanical differences between the two types of limestone provide the proper base for prioritizing areas to alleviate future risks and sustainable urban planning for decision makers. The karstic limestone, therefore, is considered as an acceptable foundation bed for light engineering structures. However, for heavy structures and buildings, improving the foundation bed strength by grouting, cement injection, and mat foundations is necessary to avoid future failure risks.     

钻井岩心三个力学参数的测试

介绍了钻井岩心机械特性的测试方法－－三轴应力试验，通过对两地区部分岩心的测试，得出了岩石泊松比，杨氏弹性模量和抗拉强度等岩石力学参数，数据分析表明，岩石泊松比和杨氏弹性模量都随围压增加而增大，并给出了经验关系式。