Alkali Activated Materials


Book Description

This is a State of the Art Report resulting from the work of RILEM Technical Committee 224-AAM in the period 2007-2013. The Report summarises research to date in the area of alkali-activated binders and concretes, with a particular focus on the following areas: binder design and characterisation, durability testing, commercialisation, standardisation, and providing a historical context for this rapidly-growing research field.




Cement and Concrete Chemistry


Book Description

This monograph describes cement clinker formation. It covers multicomponent systems, clinker phase structures and their reactions with water, hydrate composition and structure, as well as their physical properties. The mineral additions to cement are described as are their influence on cement-paste properties. Special cements are also discussed. The microstructure of concrete is then presented, and special emphasis is given to the role of the interfacial transition zone, and the corrosion processes in the light of cement-phase composition, mineral additions and w/c ratio. The admixtures' role in modern concrete technology is described with an emphasis on superplasticizer chemistry and its cement-paste rheological modification mechanism. Cement with atypical properties, such as calcium aluminate, white, low energy and expansive cements are characterized. The last part of the book is devoted to special types of concrete such as self compacting and to reactive powders.




Durability of Concrete and Cement Composites


Book Description

Whilst most structures made using concrete and cement-based composites have not shown signs of premature degradation, there have been notable exceptions. In addition, there is increasing pressure for new structures to remain in serviceable condition for long periods with only minimal maintenance before being recycled. All these factors have highlighted the issues of what affects the durability of these materials in different circumstances and how material properties can be measured and improved. Durability of concrete and cement composites summarises key research on these important topics.After an introductory chapter, the book reviews the pore structure and chemistry of cement-based materials, providing the foundation for understanding the particular aspects of degradation which are discussed in the following chapters. These include dimensional stability and cracking processes, chemical and microbiological degradation of concrete, corrosion of reinforcing and prestressing steels, deterioration associated with certain aggregates, effects of frost and problems involving fibre-reinforced and polymer-cement composites.With its distinguished international team of contributors, Durability of concrete and cement composites is a standard reference for all those concerned with improving the service life of structures using these materials. - Analyses a range of materials such as reinforced steel in concrete, pre-stressed concrete and cement composites - Discusses key degradation phenomena such as cracking processes and the impact of cold weather conditions - A standard reference for those concerned with improving the service life of structures using concrete and cement based composites




Corrosion of Steel in Concrete Structures


Book Description

Essential reading for researchers, practitioners, and engineers, this book covers not only all the important aspects in the field of corrosion of steel reinforced concrete but also discusses new topics and future trends. Theoretical concepts of corrosion of steel in concrete structures, the variety of reinforcing materials and concrete, including stainless steel and galvanized steel, measurements and evaluations, such as electrochemical techniques and acoustic emission, protection and maintenance methods, and modelling, latest developments, and future trends in the field are discussed. - Comprehensive coverage of the corrosion of steel bars in concrete, investigating the range of reinforcing materials, and types of concrete - Introduces the latest measuring methods, data collection, and advanced modeling techniques - Second edition covers a range of new, emerging topics such as the concept of chloride threshold value, concrete permeability and chloride diffusion, the role of steel microstructure, and innovations in corrosion detection devices




Lea's Chemistry of Cement and Concrete


Book Description

Lea's Chemistry of Cement and Concrete deals with the chemical and physical properties of cements and concretes and their relation to the practical problems that arise in manufacture and use. As such it is addressed not only to the chemist and those concerned with the science and technology of silicate materials, but also to those interested in the use of concrete in building and civil engineering construction. Much attention is given to the suitability of materials, to the conditions under which concrete can excel and those where it may deteriorate and to the precautionary or remedial measures that can be adopted. First published in 1935, this is the fourth edition and the first to appear since the death of Sir Frederick Lea, the original author. Over the life of the first three editions, this book has become the authority on its subject. The fourth edition is edited by Professor Peter C. Hewlett, Director of the British Board of Agrement and visiting Industrial Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee. Professor Hewlett has brought together a distinguished body of international contributors to produce an edition which is a worthy successor to the previous editions.




Coal Combustion Products (CCPs)


Book Description

Coal Combustion Products (CCPs): Their Nature, Utilization and Beneficiation is a valuable resource for engineers and scientists from the coal, cement, concrete, and construction industries seeking an in-depth guide to the characteristics, utilization, beneficiation, and environmental impacts of coal combustion by-products. Researchers in universities working in this area will also find much to expand their knowledge. The book provides a detailed overview of the different waste materials produced during power generation from coal, exploring their nature, beneficiation techniques, applications, and environmental impacts. Strong focus is placed on coal fly ash, bottom ash, and flue gas desulfurization materials, and their employment in cement, concrete, gypsum products, aggregates, road construction, geotechnics, and agriculture, among other products and industries. Part 1 focuses on the nature of coal ashes, with chapters on their origin, generation, and storage, both in ponds and landfill. The coal combustion by-products produced as a result of clean coal technologies are the focus of the final chapter in the section. The next group of chapters in Part 2 considers the utilization of different waste materials, including the key products coal fly ash, bottom ash, and flue gas desulfurization materials. This is followed by a contribution reviewing the latest research into innovative and advanced uses for coal ash. After an introduction to ash quality problems and quality monitoring, Part 3 concentrates on the essential area of by-product beneficiation techniques, in other words how to maximize the quality of materials for the end user. Topics covered include separation methods, thermal processing, and chemical passivation. The final section of the book addresses environmental issues, including the use of coal combustion by-products in green construction materials and the essential health and safety considerations associated with their use.




Science and Technology of Concrete Admixtures


Book Description

Science and Technology of Concrete Admixtures presents admixtures from both a theoretical and practical point-of-view. The authors emphasize key concepts that can be used to better understand the working mechanisms of these products by presenting a concise overview on the fundamental behavior of Portland cement and hydraulic binders as well as their chemical admixtures, also discussing recent effects in concrete in terms of rheology, mechanics, durability, and sustainability, but never forgetting the fundamental role played by the water/binder ratio and proper curing in concrete technology. Part One presents basic knowledge on Portland cement and concrete, while Part Two deals with the chemical and physical background needed to better understand what admixtures are chemically, and through which mechanism they modify the properties of the fresh and hardened concrete. Subsequent sections present discussions on admixtures technology and two particular types of concrete, self-consolidating and ultra-high strength concretes, with final remarks on their future. - Combines the knowledge of two leading authors to present both the scientific and technology of admixtures - Explains what admixtures are from a chemical point-of-view and illustrates by which mechanisms they modify the properties of fresh and hardened concrete - Presents a fundamental, practical, and innovative reference book on the topic - Contains three detailed appendices that can be used to learn how to use admixtures more efficiently







Compressive Strength of Concrete


Book Description

Concrete made using mineral cements, the raw materials which on earth are practically endless, is known as one of the oldest building materials and during the last decades of the twentieth century has become a dominant building material for general use. At the same time, the requirements of the quality of concrete and its performance properties, in particular compressive strength, durability, economical efficiency, and low negative impact of its manufacture on the environment have not yet been completely met. Bearing these requirements in mind, researchers and engineers worldwide are working on how to satisfy these requirements. This book has been written by researchers and experts in the field and provides the state of the art on recent progress achieved on the properties of concrete, including concrete in which industrial by-products are utilized. The book is dedicated to graduate students, researchers, and practicing engineers in related fields.




Concrete Permeability and Durability Performance


Book Description

Durability and service life design of concrete constructions have considerable socio-economic and environmental consequences, in which the permeability of concrete to aggressive intruders plays a vital role. Concrete Permeability and Durability Performance provides deep insight into the permeability of concrete, moving from theory to practice, and presents over 20 real cases, such as Tokyo’s Museum of Western Art, Port of Miami Tunnel and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao sea-link, including field tests in the Antarctic and Atacama Desert. It stresses the importance of site testing for a realistic durability assessment and details the "Torrent Method" for non-destructive measurement of air-permeability. It also delivers answers for some vexing questions: Should the coefficient of permeability be expressed in m2 or m/s? How to get a "mean" pore radius of concrete from gas-permeability tests? Why should permeability preferably be measured on site? How can service life of reinforced concrete structures be predicted by site testing of gas-permeability and cover thickness? Practitioners will find stimulating examples on how to predict the coming service life of new structures and the remaining life of existing structures, based on site testing of air-permeability and cover thickness. Researchers will value theoretical principles, testing methods, as well as how test results reflect the influence of concrete mix composition and processing.