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ASTM C1585 is commonly used to determine the absorption and rate of absorption of water in unsaturated hydraulic cement concretes. ASTM C1585 preconditions the samples for a total of 18 days. Unfortunately however, the range of relative humidities that can
In the drive to produce more sustainable concretes, considerable emphasis has been placed on replacing cement in concrete mixtures with more sustainable materials, both from a raw materials cost and a CO2 footprint perspective. High volume fly ash
Joseph T. Hodges, David A. Long, Daniel K. Havey, S. S. Yu, M Okumura, Charles E. Miller
Frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down spectroscopy (FS-CRDS) was employed to measure over 100 transitions in the R-branch of the b1Σg+←X3Σg-(0,0) band for the rare O2 isotopologues. The use of 17O- and 18O-enriched mixtures allowed for line positions to be
Elemental X-ray μ-analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) backscattered electron imaging (BEI) are combined to develop quantitative phase maps for portland cement, fly ash, and slag. The process is facilitated with visual textural analysis of the
Engineered nanoparticles, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanofibers (CNFs) are increasingly being used as fire retardants and performance additives in polymeric materials. However, because of their small size and ability to interact with biological
Joseph T. Hodges, A. Cygan, Piotr Maslowski, Katarzyna E. Bielska, S. Wojtewicz, J. Domyslawska, Hisashi Abe, R.S. Trawinski, R. Ciurylo
We describe a high sensitivity and high spectral resolution laser absorption spectrometer based upon the frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down spectroscopy (FS-CRDS) technique. We used the Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) method to lock the probe laser to the high
The ability to characterize the reactivity of fly ashes is an essential part of making use of this aluminosilicate-rich waste product in geopolymer binders. Most fly ash reactivity investigations only consider the bulk reactivity of the ash because of
Jeffrey M. Davis, Dale E. Newbury, Nicholas W. Ritchie, Edward P. Vicenzi, Dale P. Bentz, Albert J. Fahey
X-ray elemental mapping and x-ray spectrum imaging are powerful microanalytical tools. However, their scope is limited spatially by the raster area of a scanning electron microscope or microprobe. Limited sampling size becomes a significant issue when
The connectivity of the porosity in cement-based materials has an impact on material durability, the interpretation of experimental measurements such as chemical shrinkage, and the timing of curing operations. While several techniques have been used to
Scarification and overlay (SO) procedures are often performed on concrete bridge decks to minimize the corrosion of reinforcing steel due to chloride ingress. Given the need to develop guidelines for the initial timing of SO treatments, the objectives of
The flow table is a standardized test that is widely used to qualify a mortar to be tested for compressive strength and air content. It is also the only standard test to quantify a mortar workability property. Therefore, the calibration of this device is
The development of computer models for cement hydration and microstructure development that has accelerated in the past 25 years has created a need for a set of critical experimental observations that can be used in evaluating the model predictions. During
The mechanical ASTM sieve analysis and roundness measurement methods are traditionally used for characterization of the glass beads utilized in traffic markings. In recent years, computerized optical testing is gaining more attention. In this study, the
Yeon S. Kim, Rick D. Davis, Jaime C. Grunlan, Amanda A. Cain
For the first time, Layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies made with carbon nanofiber (CNFs) are shown to improve the fire performance of polyurethane foam. The (359 ± 36) nm thick four bilayer coating of polyethyleneimine/CNF (cationic layer) and poly(acrylic
Xiaohong Gu, Somia Awad, Hongmin Chen, James Lee, E. Abdel-Hady, Y Jean
The free volume properties in a system of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (20 nm) dispersed in waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) were measured using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Two glass-transition temperatures (Tg), lower Tg ~ 220 K and
Kar T. Tan, Christopher C. White, David J. Benatti, Deborah S. Jacobs, Donald L. Hunston
Indoor accelerated and outdoor field weathering of styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer have been studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In the indoor accelerated experiments, specimens are exposed to ultraviolet-visible
Jeffrey W. Bullard, Barbara Lothenbach, Paul E. Stutzman, Kenneth A. Snyder
Equilibrium thermodynamic calculations, coupled to a kinetic model for the dissolution rates of clinker phases, have been used in recent years to predict the time-dependent phase assemblage in hydrating cement pastes. We couple this approach to a 3D
Christopher C. White, Kar T. Tan, Emmett P. O'Brien, Donald L. Hunston, R. S. Williams
The paper describes the development, implementation and testing of two thermally driven outdoor exposure instruments. These devices are unique in their ability to impose thermally driven strain while monitoring the resulting stress and displacement for
Christopher C. White, Kar T. Tan, Donald L. Hunston
Sustainability calculations are based on assumptions about the energy required to produce, transport place in-service items. A critical component of these calculations is the expected service life of the material, component or system. Estimates of the
The American Concrete Institute in 2010 defined internal curing as supplying water throughout a freshly placed cementitious mixture using reservoirs, via pre-wetted lightweight aggregates, that readily release water as needed for hydration or to replace
Dale P. Bentz, Chiara F. Ferraris, James J. Filliben
One major objective of the sustainable construction movement is to decrease the energy and carbon dioxide footprints of concrete. Since the production of portland cement is a major contributor in both of these areas, concretes with increasing quantities of
The flow table is a standardized test that is widely used to qualify a mortar to be tested for compressive strength and air content. It is also the only standard test to quantify a mortar workability property. Therefore, the calibration of this device is
Dale P. Bentz, Casimir Bognacki, Kyle Riding, Victor Villarreal
In the past 50 years, portland cements have become progressively finer, in order to meet increasing demands for fast-track construction, etc. While finer cements produce higher early-age strengths, they also increase early-age heat release which can
Dale P. Bentz, Max A. Peltz, Alejandro Duran-Herrera, P Valdez, Cesar Juarez
As sustainability moves to the forefront of construction, the utilization of high volume fly ash concrete mixtures to reduce CO2 emissions and cement consumption per unit volume of concrete placed is receiving renewed interest. Concrete mixtures in which
Alejandro Duran-Herrera, Cesar Juarez, P Valdez, Dale P. Bentz
This article presents results of an experimental research work oriented to develop practical tools for the regional concrete industry, as well as to illustrate the potential benefits of the synergistic effect of an ASTM C 618 Class F fly ash (FA) produced