Rapid Thermal Analysis Technique for Aggregates in Portland Cement Concrete


Book Description

Durability of course aggregate has a major impact on the durability of Portland cement concrete. Over the past years, there has been an increasing interest in developing and improving test techniques that provide a faster accurate durability assessment which ultimately leads to a better prediction of pavement performance. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a relatively rapid technique that has shown good potential for use in the analysis of carbonate aggregates. In this work, thermogravimetric technique was used to analyze 31 limestone and two dolomite aggregates, The specimens were heated to temperatures above 1000 C (1832 F) using two rates of temperature increase. The weight loss and the change in weight loss as a function of temperature were recorded. The data was acquired by a data acquisition system and later transferred to a microcomputer for analysis.




Handbook of Thermal Analysis of Construction Materials


Book Description

This comprehensive book containing essential information on the applicability of thermal analysis techniques to evaluate inorganic and organic materials in construction technology should serve as a useful reference for the scientist, engineer, construction technologist, architect, manufacturer, and user of construction materials, standard-writing bodies, and analytical chemists. The material scientists at the National Research Council of Canada have established one of the best thermal analysis laboratories in the world. Various types of thermal analysis techniques have been applied successfully to the investigation of inorganic and organic construction materials. These studies have provided important information on the characterization of raw as well as finished materials, quality control, quantitative estimation, interrelationships between physical, chemical, mechanical, and durability characteristics. Information on the application of thermal analysis to construction materials is dispersed in literature and hence the IRC scientists embarked on producing a handbook, the first of its kind, incorporating the latest knowledge available in this field of activity. Almost all important construction materials have been included.







Investigation of Testing Methods to Determine Long-term Durability of Wisconsin Aggregates


Book Description

Approximately 10 to 11 million tons of aggregates are utilized in transportation infrastructure projects in Wisconsin annually. The quality of aggregates has a tremendous influence on the performance and durability of roadways and bridges. In this Phase II research study, detailed statistical analyses were performed on over 1,000 sets of historical aggregate test results and the experimental results from the Phase I study. Test results from other states were analyzed as well. Aggregate tests were performed on 12 known marginal or poor Wisconsin aggregates to specifically address test performance of such aggregates. Selected aggregates were scanned using X-ray computed tomography to assess the effects of freeze-thaw and sodium sulfate exposure on the internal void system. The results of multi-parameter logistic regression analyses show that the pass/fail outcomes of the Micro-Deval test can be predicted when LA abrasion, absorption, and sodium sulfate soundness test results are known. The unconfined freeze-thaw test outcomes cannot be predicted from results of other tests (not correlated). Therefore, the unconfined freeze-thaw test should be part of any test protocol as it measures an aggregate characteristic that cannot be obtained from other tests. The percentiles associated with any proposed acceptance threshold limits for various aggregate tests should be determined using the statistical data provided.




Investigation of Rapid Thermal Analysis Procedures for Prediction of the Service Life of PCCP Carbonate Coarse Aggregate


Book Description

The major objective of this research project is to utilize thermal analysis techniques in conjunction with x-ray analysis methods to identify and explain chemical reactions that promote aggregate related deterioration in portland cement concrete. The first year of this project has been spent obtaining and analyzing limestone and dolomite samples that exhibit a wide range of field service performance. Most of the samples chosen for the study also had laboratory durability test information (ASTM C 666, method B) that was readily available. Preliminary test results indicate that a strong relationship exists between the average crystallite size of the limestone (calcite) specimens and their apparent decomposition temperatures as measured by thermogravimetric analysis. Also, premature weight loss in the thermogravimetric analysis tests appeared to be related to the apparent decomposition temperature of the various calcite test specimens.







Handbook of Analytical Techniques in Concrete Science and Technology


Book Description

Measuring the long-term durability of new types of concrete and concrete technologies is crucial to their acceptance in the marketplace. This long-needed handbook of analytical techniques provides a complete reference to the cutting-edge procedures used to test today's innovative materials. Ranging from chemical and thermal analysis, to IR and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, to Scanning Electron Microscopy, x-ray diffraction, computer modeling and more, the book provides first-hand explanations of modern methodsùcontributed by 24 leading scientists, many of whom actually developed or refined the techniques. The book includes many analytic techniques, applied to a wide range of organic, inorganic and composite materials and additives.Perfect for practitioners, students, and professional standards writers, the handbook is highly useful for scrutinizing materials in a variety of environments. It takes into account the many factors that affect the qualities of concreteùtemperature, pore and pore-size distribution, surface area, and exposureùgathering diverse evaluation methods into one convenient resource.




Testing of Concrete in Structures, Third Edition


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the techniques involved in testing concrete in structures. The non-specialist civil engineer involved in assessment, repair or maintanance of concrete structures will find this a thorough update of the second edition, with an expansion of those areas where recent developments have made significant advances, for example in integrity assessment.




Technical Report


Book Description




Concrete Petrography


Book Description

This classic reference has established the value of petrography as a powerful method for the investigation of concrete as a material. It provides an authoritative and well-illustrated review of concrete composition and textures, including the causes of defects, deterioration, and failure that can be identified using a petrological microscope. This new edition is entirely revised and updated and also greatly extended to take account of new scientific developments and significant improvements in instrumentation and to reflect current laboratory working practices, as well as to reflect new understanding of the performance of concrete and related materials. Now in full color throughout, Concrete Petrography, Second Edition provides case study examples, with appropriate explanatory discussions and practical advice on selecting, handling and preparing specimens. It assists and guides the engineer, the trainee and the experienced petrographer in understanding the scientific evidence that is basic to petrographic analysis and so will lead to more accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of problems in structural concrete. This book includes: Contributions in specialist areas by internationally recognized experts Explanation of computer techniques as an aid to petrography Full coverage of inspection, sampling, and specimen preparation New sections covering recent technological development of equipment Guidance on observation of cement and concrete mineralogy and microfabrics Discussion and illustrative examples of deterioration and failure mechanisms New work and guidance on the determination of water/cement ratio New color illustrations and micrographs throughout Thorough updating of standards, other authoritative publications, and references A fully revised, extended, and updated glossary of optical and other properties