Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cement creep'

The nanostructure, physical properties and mechanical performance of C-S-H, 1.4 nm tobermorite, jennite, and ettringite were studied. C-S-H of variable stoichiometries was examined as a model system in comparison with that produced in the hydration of Portland cement. The current Master’s thesis is comprised of four research papers designed to improve the current understanding of the nanostructure and engineering properties of C-S-H systems and modified C-S-H systems. Many of the controversial issues in cement science were identified and were addressed in a comprehensive research study, which examined the key features of the C-S-H systems at the nano-structure level. In Chapter 4, each paper presented new evidence for a number of mechanical aspects of C-S-H materials. Numerous advanced analytical tools were used in order to verify the observations made in each section. The major achievements of the current work are mentioned briefly as follows: 1. It was determined that microindentation is a useful method for determining the creep behavior of C-S-H of various stoichiometries, 1.4 tobermorite, jennite, and ettringite. 2. Microindentation parameters i.e. creep modulus, indentation modulus and indentation hardness are porosity dependent. 3. Microindentation creep measurements on C-S-H (C/S = 0.80 and 1.20) demonstrated that creep modulus, indentation modulus, and indentation hardness are all dependent on mass-loss from the 11%RH condition. 4. Evidence was presented that the nanostructural role of interlayer water in C-S-H has a significant influence on the creep process.

L’intérêt principal de la thèse est le comportement mécanique à long terme des enceintes de confinement des centrales nucléaires françaises. Les enceintes de confinements des centrales sont des structures en béton précontrainte biaxiale. Nous résumons donc le problème que nous nous adressons en deux points clés : la biaxialité du chargement et les déformations différées à long terme.Afin de caractériser les déformations différées sous chargement biaxial, nous nous concentrons dans un premier temps au coefficient du Poisson viscoélastique du béton. Dans ce but, nous commençons par examiner minutieusement la définition du coefficient de Poisson dans le cadre de la viscoélasticité linéaire isotrope non-vieillissente. Puis, en analysant les résultats expérimentaux de la littérature, nous obtenons le coefficient de Poisson viscoélastique du béton. Comme extension, nous amenons une analyse micromécanique et essayons d’éclaircir le mécanisme du fluage à long terme du gel de C-S-H.Dans un deuxième temps, nous visons à proposer un modèle poroviscoélastique sans supposer préalablement la décomposition classique des déformations différées. Nous commençons par identifier les tendances expérimentales majeures et phénomènes physiques que nous voulons capturer par le modèle. À partir des résultats expérimentaux du retrait endogène et du fluage propre de la littérature, nous analysons l’origine physique possible du retrait endogène à long terme. À la fin, dérivé de la théorie de la poromécanique, un modèle poroviscoélastique basé sur la physique est proposé. La prédiction du modèle est comparée avec les résultats expérimentaux de la littérature
The main interest of the thesis is the long-term mechanical behavior of the containment building of french nuclear power plants. The containment buildings of the power plants are biaxially prestressed concrete structures. Therefore, we summarize the problem of interest into two following key points: biaxiality of load and long-term delayed strain.In order to characterize the delayed strain under biaxial load, our study first concentrates on the viscoelastic Poisson's ratio of concrete. In this purpose, we start by scrutinizing the definition of Poisson's ratio in non-aging linear isotropic viscoelasticity. Then, from the analysis of experimental results from the literature, we can obtain the viscoelastic Poisson's ratio of concrete. As an extension, we use micromechanics to shed some light on the long-term creep mechanism of the C-S-H gel.In a second step, we aim at proposing a poroviscoelastic model without postulating a priori the classical decomposition of delayed strains. We start by identifying the major experimental tendencies and physical phenomena that we aim at capturing with the model. From experimental data of autogenous shrinkage and basic creep from the literature, we analyze the possible physical origin of long-term autogenous shrinkage. In the end, a physics-based poroviscoelastic model is proposed, derived from the poromechanics theory. The prediction of the model is compared with experimental results from literature

Disposed waste materials remained from demolished buildings have been an environmental problem especially for developing countries. Recycled Cement Concrete (RCC) is one of the abundant components of waste materials that include quality aggregates. Use of RCC in asphalt concrete pavements is economically a feasible option as it not only helps in recycling waste materials but also preserves natural resources by fulfilling the demand for quality aggregate in pavement constructions. However, due to variability in RCC characteristics, a detailed evaluation of its effect on asphalt concrete performance is required. In this study, effect of RCC content on rutting potential of asphalt concrete is investigated using laboratory prepared specimens. Rutting susceptibility of the specimens is determined using repeated creep tests performed in the uniaxial stress mode. Because of the aspect ratio requirements for the repeated creep test, the standard Marshall mix design procedures were modified based on the energy concept by changing the compactor device and the applied design number of blows. The modified specimens were tested to determine a number of parameters that can describe the rutting behavior of the tested mixes. The findings indicate that slope constant and flow number give relatively stronger relationships with rutting behavior as compared to the other rutting parameters. While increasing the RCC content yields improved rutting performance for coarse graded specimens, it dramatically reduces the performance for fine graded specimens.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006.
Kurtis, Kimberly E., Committee Co-Chair ; Kahn, Lawrence F., Committee Co-Chair ; Lai, James S., Committee Member ; Gokhale, Arun M., Committee Member ; Castrodale, Reid W., Committee Member. Vita.

The thesis provides new research related to the mechanisms of creep and shrinkage of hardened Portland cement paste. The emphasis is put on the role of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) microstructure and calcium hydroxide the most important phases in hydrated Portland cement paste. Specially designed specimens were used for creep and shrinkage measurements. These were well hydrated and very thin in order to avoid the occurrence of moisture gradients during the drying process. Length change of specimens following organic solvent exchange was used as a microstructural probe. Length change data of compacted CH powder, pre-conditioned from 11% to 85% relative humidity, are presented in order to support inferences on the role of CH in cement paste. Similar measurements were conducted on Portland cement and tri-calcium silicate pastes. It is suggested that the length change on removal of water may be related to surface energy changes not always specific to the C-S-H phase alone. Mass change measurements versus time during exchange were carried out to support the interpretation of the length change behavior. The re-saturation of Portland cement paste systems with synthetic pore solution after several drying pre-treatments was adopted to facilitate electrical measurements in order to investigate the shrinkage, creep, and creep recovery behavior. The state of the water in each pre-treated specimen was characterized using the DTGA methods. The coupling of a.c. impedance spectroscopy (ACIS) and creep and shrinkage measurements established ACIS as an effective method for evaluating pore structure modification as well as the nature of changes to the pore network of cement paste during creep and shrinkage experiments. Cement paste specimens from which all evaporable water was completely removed were found to creep a significant amount contrary to the hypothesis that they should not creep at all. The compacted calcium hydroxide specimens were found to creep with a creep coefficient less than one. This suggested that calcium hydroxide makes a contribution to the overall deformation of cement paste systems.

For usual concrete structure built in several phases, concrete deformations are restrained during the hardening process. When shrinkage is restrained, tensile stresses are induced and a cracking risk occurs. Modelling the evolution of an early age set of parameters on concrete is necessary to predict the early age behaviour of concrete structures. The difficulty lies in the fact that the modelling of concrete properties must be based on experimental data at early age and this data must be obtained automatically because the hardening process of the concrete takes place rapidly during the first hours and also the first days. The thesis deals with experimental and numerical study of the early age properties of cement based materials and more specifically the development of the autogenous deformation, the coefficient of thermal expansion, the E-modulus and the basic creep in compression and tension. For this purpose, a comprehensive work was carried out at ULB and Ifsttar involving the development of a new approach with new test procedures and the design of new testing devices to generate experimental data since the setting of the material. The methodology is based on two repeated testing methods. For the characterization of the viscoelastic behaviour of a concrete since setting, a permanent loading coupled to a test with repeated minute-long loadings is needed. Whereas, the autogenous strain, the coefficient of thermal expansion and the setting are characterized with repeated thermal variations on a concrete sample. The new approach was defined on an ordinary concrete and then extended to the study of the following parameters: the water-cement ratio, the restrained effect of aggregate on the cement paste in the development of concrete properties at early age, the substitution of cement by mineral addition and the difference of behaviour in tension and in compression. Based on these experimental results, new models were developed for the characterization of the early age properties of cement based materials since setting time. An adapted version of the Model Code 2010 for modelling of basic creep is also proposed.
Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Lors de la construction de structure réalisée en plusieurs phases de bétonnage, les déformations du béton sont restreintes durant son durcissement. Quand le retrait est restreint, des contraintes de traction sont induites dans le matériau et un risque de fissuration est présent. Il est alors nécessaire de modéliser l’évolution des propriétés au jeune âge afin de prédire le comportement de la structure durant le jeune âge du béton. La difficulté réside dans le fait que la modélisation des propriétés du béton doit être basée sur des données expérimentales au jeune âge et que ces données doivent être obtenues automatiquement car le durcissement du béton se produit rapidement pendant les premières heures et les premiers jours. La thèse porte sur l’étude expérimentale et numérique des propriétés au jeune âge des matériaux à base de ciment et plus particulièrement sur le développement des déformations endogènes, le coefficient de dilatation thermique, le module d’élasticité et le fluage propre en compression et en traction. A cet effet, un travail complet a été réalisé à l'ULB et à l’Ifsttar impliquant le développement d'une nouvelle approche avec de nouvelles procédures d'essai et la conception de nouveaux dispositifs d'essai pour générer des données expérimentales depuis la prise du matériau. La méthodologie est basée sur deux méthodes d'essai répété. Pour la caractérisation du comportement viscoélastique d'un béton depuis sa prise, un essai de chargement permanent couplé à un essai avec des chargements répétés de plusieurs minutes est nécessaire. Les déformations endogènes, le coefficient de dilatation thermique et la prise sont caractérisés avec des variations thermiques répétées sur un échantillon de béton. Cette nouvelle approche a été définie sur un béton ordinaire et ensuite étendue sur l’étude de 4 paramètres pertinents : le rapport eau-ciment, l'effet de restriction de l'agrégat sur la pâte de ciment dans le développement des propriétés du béton au jeune âge, la substitution du ciment par des additions minérales et la différence de comportement en traction et en compression. Sur la base de ces résultats expérimentaux, de nouveaux modèles ont été développés pour la caractérisation des propriétés au jeune âge de matériaux cimentaires depuis le temps de prise. Une version adaptée de la modélisation du fluage propre dans le Code modèle 2010 est également proposée
For usual concrete structure built in several phases, concrete deformations are restrained during the hardening process. When shrinkage is restrained, tensile stresses are induced and a cracking risk occurs. Modelling the evolution of an early age set of parameters on concrete is necessary to predict the early age behaviour of concrete structures. The difficulty lies in the fact that the modelling of concrete properties must be based on experimental data at early age and this data must be obtained automatically because the hardening process of the concrete takes place rapidly during the first hours and also the first days. The thesis deals with experimental and numerical study of the early age properties of cement based materials and more specifically the development of the autogenous deformation, the coefficient of thermal expansion, the E-modulus and the basic creep in compression and tension. For this purpose, a comprehensive work was carried out at ULB and Ifsttar involving the development of a new approach with new test procedures and the design of new testing devices to generate experimental data since the setting of the material. The methodology is based on two repeated testing methods. For the characterization of the viscoelastic behaviour of a concrete since setting, a permanent loading coupled to a test with repeated minute-long loadings is needed. Whereas, the autogenous strain, the coefficient of thermal expansion and the setting are characterized with repeated thermal variations on a concrete sample. The new approach was defined on an ordinary concrete and then extended to the study of the following parameters: the water-cement ratio, the restrained effect of aggregate on the cement paste in the development of concrete properties at early age, the substitution of cement by mineral addition and the difference of behaviour in tension and in compression. Based on these experimental results, new models were developed for the characterization of the early age properties of cement based materials since setting time. An adapted version of the Model Code 2010 for the modelling of basic creep is also proposed

I detta examensarbete har en utredning gjorts med syftet att undersöka lämpligheten att genomföra en djupstabilisering med multicementpelare (MC-pelare) i ett område med högt ställda sättningskrav. Detta genom att numeriskt simulera hur djupstabiliserad lera kan bete sig vid belastning med avseende på långtidsdeformationer. Vidare utvärderas hur väl olika materialmodeller kan simulera sättningar med hänsyn till kryp samt huruvida krypsättningar bör beaktas vid denna typ av dimensionering. Simuleringarna är genomförda enligt de geotekniska förutsättningarna och den planerade byggnationen på Galoppfältet i Täby Park. Som en grund för beräkningarna genomfördes en litteraturstudie där bland annat valet att simulera pelarna med Mohr-Coulomb (MoC), Soft Soil Creep (SSC) och Concrete Model (CM) i Plaxis 2D motiveras. Pelarna simulerades med en axissymmetrisk 2D-modell och i samtliga beräkningar simulerades leran med kryp medan pelarna simulerades både med och utan krypsättningar. En kalibrering mot tidigare forskning på området samt sättningsberäkningar av lera på Galoppfältet genomfördes för att säkerställa den valda modellens lämplighet. Därefter simulerades pelare med olika geometriska förutsättningar och varierande uppfyllnadshöjd. En sensitivitetsanalys gjordes även för att åskådliggöra vilka av de osäkra parametrarna som ger stor påverkan på resultatet. Simuleringarna visade att det antagligen är lämpligt att djupförstärka leran med multicementpelare för att uppnå låga sättningar över tid. För en pelardiameter på 800 mm och ett centrumavstånd på 1200 mm uppnåddes följande sättningar med de olika uppfyllnadshöjderna samt de olikamaterial modellerna. Av de testade pelarna ansågs denna geometri mest lämplig för de givna förutsättningarna på Galoppfältet. Detta baseras på den totala sättningen och att vissa pelare gick till brott i simuleringarna för övriga geometrier med större centrumavstånd och mindre pelardiameter. Beräkningarna där pelarna simulerades med SSC- och CM med kryp visade på stor variation sinsemellan. Resultaten med SSC anses felaktigt låga på grund av bristfälliga materialdata och visas därför inte i sammanfattningen. Resultaten med CM utan kryp och MoC utan kryp anses mest trovärdiga om än dock potentiellt för låga eftersom krypsättningar i pelarna inte är inkluderade. Vidare anses CM överlag vara en lämplig modell för att simulera sättningar med kryp i djupförstärkt lera förutsatt att ett tillräckligt underlag för val av materialparametrar finns att tillgå. SSC kan potentiellt vara lämplig enligt resultat från sensitivitetsanalysen förutsatt att materialparametrar kan undersökas för de lokala förutsättningarna. Dock förordas CM för fortsatta studier med krypsättningar i djupförstärkt lera. MoC anses som en god modell om kryp försummas. Med hänsyn till detta anser författarna att kryptester på multicementpelare bör övervägas för att skapa bättre förutsättningar för dimensionering av djupförstärkt lera med krypsättningar. Något som kan ge underlag för dimensionering med högre precision och potentiellt ekonomisk vinning.
This master thesis investigates the suitability of using multicement, a mixture of cement and cement kiln dust (CKD), for deep cement mixing (DCM) as soil improvement in an area with high requirements regarding the maximum allowed settlements. This was done by numerical modelling of long-term settlement behaviour for a DCM improved soil. Furthermore, the usability of different material models when considering creep behaviour are studied. The report also investigates whether creep behaviour should be considered or not in this type of simulation. The simulations are done according to the geotechnical conditions and the planned design for an old gallop track in Täby Park, Sweden. A literature review is done as a basis for the simulations performed in Plaxis 2D with an axis symmetric 2D-model. The use of Mohr-Coulomb (MoC), Soft SoilCreep (SSC) and Concrete Model (CM) for the columns are motivated. Creep settlements are included in the clay for all simulations while the columns are simulated both with and without creep settlements. To ensure the suitability of the model, a calibration is done by replication of a research study as well as replication of settlement calculations of the unimproved clay on Galoppfältet. Thereafter different geometric options for the columns and varying fill depths are simulated. Lastly a sensitivity analysis is conducted to display how much the uncertain material properties affect the result. Using multicement columns (MC columns) for DCM seems to be a good method for stabilizing the soil in Galoppfältet to achieve small settlements over time. For columns with a diameter of 800 mm and a center distance of 1200 mm the following settlements were calculated with the different material models for different fill heights. This geometry was considered most suitable for the conditions at Galoppfältet.  The two material models which account for creep in the columns show significantly different levels of total settlement. Due to lack of material data the results from simulations with SSC is deemed incorrect and thus not shown in the abstract. Thereby the results from MoC and CM without creep are deemed most credible even though they may be slightly low since they do not consider creep settlements in the columns. Furthermore, the Concrete Model is considered a good model to simulate settlements including creep in improved clay given that the material properties are carefully selected based on testing of the material. Soft Soil Creep may potentially be suitable for columns according to the calibration given that the different material parameters are investigated for the local conditions. However, CMare favoured. Mohr-Coulomb is deemed as a good model if creep settlements are neglected. With regards to this, the authors believe that creep tests of multicement columns should be considered to create improved preconditions for dimensioning of DCM columns with creep. This to improve the accuracy of design and potentially create cost reductions.

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement has been the most common choice for total hip replacement fixation for the last twenty five years. However, in recent years, it has fallen from favour with stem loosening and subsequent failure being attributed to fracture of the bone cement and bone necrosis. An alternative bone cement, polyethylmethacrylate (PEMA) is a more ductile material and is not as susceptible to brittle fracture. In addition, with a lower exotherm and monomer release rate the cement proves less damaging to the surrounding bone. Unfortunately, this material is inclined to creep, causing subsidence in the medullary canal. In an attempt to increase the creep resistance of the cement, hydroxyapatite particles can be added. The aim of this work was to undertake a thorough examination of the creep behaviour of a PEMA based bone cement, including the effects of curing regime, hydroxyapatite reinforcement, surrounding environment and ageing. Specimens were subjected to tensile creep tests at a number of temperatures, stresses and prior ageing times. Additionally, tests were performed to establish the effects on the creep properties of hydroxyapatite reinforcement. Ageing was found to increase the creep resistance with time, and therefore must play a vital role in the prediction of creep. This effect, as well as the effects of temperature and applied stress appeared relatively unchanged irrespective of testing environment. However, water based environments produced the lowest creep resistance in the PEMA cement and were therefore chosen as the worse case scenario. Hydroxyapatite reinforcement acted to increase the creep resistance, with creep compliance values for 25% reinforced samples being half that of unfilled cement at 1 million seconds. Predictions of the creep behaviour were made employing the effective time theory and time temperature superposition as well as those based on mathematical models. Both methods gave close matching predictions up to two decades beyond the testing times. At creep times up to three years the predictions show that if this material is to be used for joint replacements, hydroxyapatite reinforcement is not just beneficial but essential.

La modélisation numérique du comportement des matériaux cimentaires sous l’action des sollicitations complexes constitue un point de vue alternatif pour identifier et évaluer les mécanismes internes qui ne peuvent être étudiés directement à travers les essais expérimentaux. A cet effet, le développement des outils de modélisation permettant la prise en compte des interactions entre la microstructure hétérogène de la pâte de ciment et le comportement macroscopique des matériaux cimentaires est fortement apprécié. Une telle approche numérique donne une meilleure description des processus physiques et évite la calibration répétitive des paramètres lorsque la microstructure change.Ce travail de thèse a pour objet de mettre au point une approche de modélisation de l’endommagement des matériaux cimentaires compte tenu des mécanismes physiques qui se produisent à l’échelle microscopique. Dans l’approche proposée, les principes de la construction d’une microstructure virtuelle de la pâte de ciment sont présentés et les paramètres micromécaniques des phases cimentaires sont identifiés. La capacité prédictive de l’approche est testée en comparant les résultats numériques aux résultats des essais expérimentaux réalisés dans ce travail et aux résultats tirés de la littérature. L’application de cette approche est ensuite illustrée à travers des simulations de la pâte de ciment sous fluage et cycles de gel-dégel. Cette approche ouvre la voie à une multitude d’applications, comme l’étude de l’effet du retrait, du fluage, des cycles de gel-dégel, de la fissuration thermique, de l’auto-cicatrisation et de la carbonatation sur les propriétés thermomécaniques des matériaux cimentaires
Numerical modelling of the constitutivebehaviour of cementitious materials exposed to aggressive environment offers an alternative point of view for the identification and assessment of internal mechanisms which cannot be explicitly explored using standard experimental techniques. In this regard, the development of advanced modelling tools that take into account the interactions between the heterogeneous microstructure of cement paste and the macroscopic behaviour cementitious materials is highly valued. Such modelling approaches give a much better description of the physical processes and avoid recurrent parameter calibration when dealing with a different microstructure.The work presented in this PhD thesis proposes a numerical modelling approach of damage in cement based materials taking heed of the physical mechanics that can only be characterized at the microscopic level. In the proposed approach, the principles of constructing a virtual microstructure of cement paste are laid out and the micromechanical parameters of cement phases are identified. The predictive capacity of the micromechanical approach is put to the test by a comparison of numerical results with experimental data determined in the present study and found in the literature. Finally, the power of the approach is illustrated through simulations of creep and freeze-thaw behaviour at the microscopic scale of cement paste.This approach paves the way for a multitude of applications, such as the study of the effect of shrinkage, creep, freeze-thaw cycles, thermal cracking, self-healing and carbonation on the thermomechanical properties of cement-based materials

A l’heure actuelle où la préservation de notre environnement est primordiale, les constructions en béton font intervenir de plus en plus des ciments comprenant des ajouts minéraux, tels que le laitier, les cendres volantes… En effet, la production des ciments composés permet de réduire le dégagement des gaz à effets de serre et de réutiliser des déchets industriels. Les bétons formulés à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau (CEM III) sont également largement utilisés suite à leur bonne résistance aux réactions alcali-silices, à la diffusion des chlorures et aux attaques sulfatiques… Cependant, certains ouvrages construits avec ce type matériau ont présenté au jeune âge des problèmes de fissuration liés à la restriction de leurs déformations différées, telles que le retrait endogène, thermique et de dessiccation. Suite à cette observation, des essais préliminaires ont été réalisés au laboratoire du service BATir de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles. Ils ont mis en avant plusieurs caractéristiques du comportement de ces matériaux :

1. Lors du suivi du retrait restreint à l’aide de l’essai à l’anneau en condition de dessiccation, le béton formulé à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau a fissuré bien avant le béton formulé à base de ciment Portland.

2. Le retrait total en condition libre du béton formulé à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau est nettement supérieur à celui du béton formulé à base de ciment Portland. Cette différence de comportement est principalement due à l’accroissement rapide et plus élevé du retrait endogène des bétons formulés à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau.

Au vu de ces résultats expérimentaux, il a semblé intéressant de déterminer quel était l’impact de la déformation endogène des bétons formulés à base de ciments au laitier de haut-fourneau (CEM III) sur leur sensibilité à la fissuration. Afin de répondre à cette question, les déformations différées (retrait endogène, fluage propre en compression et en traction) au jeune âge de trois compositions de béton avec différentes teneurs en laitier (0, 42 et 71%) ont été étudiées expérimentalement en conditions libre et restreinte. Cependant, le suivi du retrait endogène libre et restreint a nécessité le développement de plusieurs dispositifs expérimentaux limitant au maximum les artefacts de mesure, tels que la TSTM (Temperature Stress Testing Machine). De plus, l’interprétation de ces résultats expérimentaux a également nécessité une caractérisation du comportement de ces matériaux à l’échelle macro- et microscopique.

Finalement, cette étude a montré que malgré une déformation endogène plus élevée, les bétons formulés à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau fissurent après le béton formulé à base de ciment Portland. Ce comportement est dû à :

-l’impact du laitier sur la réaction d’hydratation du matériau cimentaire ;

-la présence d’une expansion de la matrice cimentaire des bétons formulés à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau au jeune âge qui retarde l’apparition des contraintes de traction au sein du matériau ;

-la plus grande capacité de ces matériaux cimentaires à relaxer les contraintes de traction/

Today, the use of concretes with mineral additions (fly ash, slag) for civil engineering structures is spreading worldwide. Indeed, the production of blended cements is more respectful of the environment than the production of Portland cement, because it allows reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using industrial wastes. Slag cement concretes are also largely used for their good resistance to alkali-silica reactions, sulphate attacks and chloride diffusion. However, some of constructions built with slag cement concretes have exhibited cracking at early age due to their restrained deformations, such as thermal, autogenous and drying shrinkage. Following these observations, a preliminary experimental study was realized in the laboratory of BATir Department at ULB. It revealed several characteristics of the behaviour of slag cement concretes:

1. The study of restrained deformations under drying conditions by means of ring tests showed that the slag cement concretes seem more prone to crack than the Portland cement concretes;

2. The total free shrinkage for slag cement concrete is clearly larger than for Portland cement concrete. This difference of behaviour is mainly due to the fast and large increase in the autogenous deformation of the slag cement concrete.

Following these experimental results, the effect of the autogenous deformation on the cracking sensibility of slag cement concretes seemed interesting to investigate. Their deformations (autogenous deformation, compressive and tensile basic creep) have been studied at early age for three concretes characterized by different slag contents (0, 42 and 71%) under free and restrained conditions. For monitoring free and restrained autogenous deformations, several test rigs aimed at limiting artefacts were designed, like the TSTM (Temperature Stress Testing Machine). Moreover, the behaviour of these concretes was also characterized by a study at a macro- and microstructure scale.

Finally, this study shows that the slag cement concretes under sealed and fully restrained conditions crack later than the Portland cement concrete, despite the fact that they are characterized by the largest autogenous deformation. This behaviour is due to:

- the slag effect on the hydration reaction of cementitious material;

- the cement matrix expansion of the slag cement concretes at early age which delays the occurrence of tensile stresses inside the material;

- the largest capacity of this concrete to relax tensile stresses.

Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur
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Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2001.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 80 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-80).

Populations of Dicranoloma billardierei (Brid) Par., D. dicarpum (Nees.) Par., D. menziesii (Tayl.) Par. and D. platycaulon (C. Muell) Dix, from two pockets of cool temperate rainforest within the Yarra Ranges National Park (Cement Creek and Myrtle Loop), were sampled for a period of two years to establish their reproductive biology. The population dynamics within quadrats of D. billardierei, D. menziesii and D. platycaulon at Cement Creek also was investigated over a two year period, through the seasonal recording of shoot loss and/or gain, The four species of Dicranoloma were dioicous and sexually dimorphic, with dwarf males epiphytic on the female plants. Antheridia were initiated before archegonia and required ca, 6 months to reach maturity, compared with 1 to 2 months for archegonia. More archegonia than antheridia occurred per inflorescence and were more variable Fertilization occurred during winter in D. billardierei and summer/ autumn in D. menziesii and D. platycaulon. The duration of the sporophyte cycle of D. menziesii was 12 months, shorter than that of D. billardierei and D. platycaulon which lasted for a period of 18 months to 2 years. In the latter two species an overlap of sporophyte generations occurred. This was particularly pronounced in D. billardierei as sporophytes remained in the swollen venter maturation stage for a period of 6 months. The duration of the sporophyte cycle could not be ascertained as few fruiting stems of D. dicarpum were found. All four species of Dicranoloma regenerated from fragments cultured in the laboratory, and only two of the species showed evidence of production of asexual propagules in the field. Dicranoloma dicarpum was found to produce gemmae, an observation which had not been recorded before, and most of the leaves on stems of D. platycaulon had detached subulas. Shoot loss was minimal in all four species, and when it did occur, (eg D. billardierei) it was attributed to disturbance by animals. Within quadrats there was an increase in shoot density which resulted from the development of innovation(s) and/or side branches rather than from the recruitment of new plants from spores or the regeneration of asexual propagules. The four species of Dicranoloma investigated were robust, perennial mosses and formed an important component of the bryophytes found within the study area. Dicranoloma menziesii was the predominant species establishing on a variety of substrata, particularly as an epiphyte on Nothofagus cunninghamii The other species were more selective in their choice of substratum. Dicranoloma platycaulon was found exclusively on the trunks of myrtle beech and D. billardierei on fallen logs and exposed roots. Dicranoloma dicarpum which was not common, grew as an epiphyte on myrtle beech and on rocks.

Estimating the delayed strains in concrete, namely creep and shrinkage is very important to asses the condition of the structure. Time dependent deformations in concrete, both creep and shrinkage, play a critical role in prestressed concrete structures, such as bridge girders, nuclear containment vessels, etc. These strains result in lossess, through release of prestress, and thereby influence the safety of these structures. Recognizing the role of free and bound moisture movement is the primary ingredient responsible for the development of both creep and shrinkage stains as well as the degradation of concrete under high temperature, the present study has also examined the effects of high temperature on concrete degradation, experimentally and also analytically in the same modelling framework. Fire in concretes deteriorates mechanical properties of the material and lead to col-lapse under loads. Two types of spalling occur in concrete when exposed to high temperature, namely explosive and thermal spalling. Explosive spalling occurs once the hydrostatic stress (developed due to pore pressure) exceeds the tensile strength of the concrete. Where as thermal spalling of concrete happens due to degradation of material properties (elastic modulus, compressive and tensile strength) when exposed to high temperature due to decomposition of chemical bonds that release the bound water. The present study comprises of an experimental and analytical program to assess the levels of creep and shrinkage in different concrete under various loads and environmental conditions. Deformations due to high temperature in di erent concretes forms another component of the present study. Total six concrete mixes has been studied to investigate and asses the extent of creep and shrinkage taking place in the concretes under different environmental conditions, load level and age at loading. In total six mixes, three that are self compacted concrete mixes (35MPa, 55MPa and SCC70MPa), a high volume y ash concrete mix ( 45 MPa) and two normal concrete mixes (35 MPa and 45 MPa) have been considered in this study. To study the high temperature effects, the same mixes considered in the creep and shrinkage study and in addition a heavy density concrete mix (25 MPa) is used. A normal concrete having a 28 day uniaxial compressive strength of 45 MPa after proper curing, referred to as M45 concrete, was one of the six mixes. Likewise a heavy density concrete designated as H25, corresponding to a 28 day uniaxial compressive strength of 25 MPa was another mix that was studied and was made using iron ore aggregate and iron ore sand. A concrete having high volume y ash replacing cement designated as F45 offered a 28 day strength of 45MPa. Three self-compacting concretes with uniaxial compressive strengths of 35, 55 and 70 MPa were designated as SCC35 SCC55 and SCC70, respectively is studied for creep, shrinkage and high temperature effects. F45 concrete shows lower creep strain when compared to normal M45 concrete, under similar casting, curing and testing condtions. This is due to increase in stiffness of y ash based concretes with time. Where as in shrinkage it is observed that a little higher strain takes place in F45 at initial ages than in M45 concrete mix for the same conditions. But in the later age, F45 concrete shows a decreasing rate of shrinkage strain. This is because, water to cement ratio of y ash concrete is higher than the M45 concrete. The SCC35 concrete shows higher creep and shrinkage than M35 concrete even though both the concretes have the same water cement ratio. This difference comes from the aggregate cement ratio (a/c). The lower the aggregate cement ratio, the higher the creep and shrinkage. M35 concrete has a higher aggregate cement ratio than the SCC35. Concretes exposed to higher temperature and lower humidity shows higher creep and shrinkage due to its higher rate of drying. An analytical model has been developed to simulate the drying phenomena in concrete based on poromechanics. The hydration effects of blended cements is considered while developing the model. This models prediction of degree of hydration, temperature and relative humidity is used to model creep and shrinkage in concrete. To model creep and shrinkage, micro prestress solidi cation theory is implemented and validated with the present experimental results. The model is able to predict the drying phenomena of concrete realistically. Further, a benchmark problem reported in the literature is solved through this model and validated through a comparison with the experimental results (beam detection due to creep and shrinkage). Under high temperature tests, H25 concrete shows better resistance for all the ranges of temperatures. This may be because of the hematite aggregate having a high melting point and strong interfacial transition zone (ITZ) properties between aggregate and cement mortar. The SCC70 shows poor performance against explosive spalling at both the ages (28 and 365 days) due to its lower permeability when exposed to high temperature. The intensity of explosive spalling is higher in SCC70 concrete tested at 28 days than at 365 days of age. This is because of variation in moisture content. SCC70 concrete failed due to explosive spalling at temperature of 398oC when tested at 28 days and failed at 575oC when tested at 365 days. This indicates the amount of moisture content in the concrete plays an important role while causing explosive spalling. F45 concrete shows a poor resistance against temperature beyond 500oC in its residual properties. SCC55 contains cement and y ash and shows higher residual properties when compared to normal vibrated M45 mix under similar high temperature conditions. Two geopolymers pastes prepared with y ash and metakaolin as a complete cement replacement were studied for passive re protection capability. The study shows MF70 mix (containing 70% y ash and 30% metakaolin) gives better resistance against heating than MF50 mix (50% each of metakaolin and y ash). Hence y ash geopolmer is a choice of material for passive re protection. An analytical model has been developed based on poromechanics to simulate high temperature e ects in concrete. Two type of spalling is considered while modelling the high temperature e ects of concrete, namely explosive and thermal spalling. Explosive spalling is estimated based on the hydro static stress (Biotech efficient times the pore pressure). If the hydrostatic stress increases beyond the tensile strength of concrete then explosive spalling occurs. Where as the thermal spalling is estimated based on the stresses developed due to applied mechanical and thermal loading. To validate this model, two benchmark problems from the literature have been solved and validated with the reported results. This model is able to predict pore pressure and temperatures gradients accurately, and this in turn helps to predict explosive and thermal spalling realistically in concrete under elevated temperature conditions.

碩士
國立中興大學
水土保持學系所
107
Using triaxial tests, before the failure of specimens, the deviator stress was fixed and the cyclic mean stress was applied to study the influence of creep on cemented sand. Compared with the natural geological materials with anisotropy, cemented sand is a synthetic material with homogeneous and uniform advantages, so the error caused by the test is small. Due to the material composition, cemented sand has the property of being weakened by water, so the pore water pressure is not added during the test. It has been found through experiments that the creep test with the cyclic mean stress has a shorter duration than the conventional creep test with only fixed deviator stress, and the volumetric strain of the two creep test is similar. Therefore, in order to shorten the time of observing the material''s creep behavior, a creep test method with a fixed deviator stress and cyclic mean stress is selected for research. The test results show that the axial strain accumulation, the axial strain rate, and the strength after creep of cemented sand, both are positively correlated with the creep initial mean stress, under the same creep time and creep initial stress ratio. The test results also show that the axial strain accumulation and the axial strain rate of cemented sand are positively correlated with the creep initial stress ratio, and the strength after creep of cemented sand is negatively correlated with the creep initial stress ratio, under the same creep time and creep initial mean stress. Under the same creep initial stress ratio, cemented sand with the same amplitude and period for triaxial creep test. According to the test results, the number of cycles to failure, the axial strain accumulation and the axial strain rate in the creep second stage of cemented sand are positively correlated with the creep initial mean stress. In this study, cemented sand was used to conduct the creep test. After testing, it was found that the volumetric strain case of the cyclic mean stress creep test is similar to the conventional creep test with only fixed deviator stress and is relatively short. Therefore, the cyclic creep test may be used to replace the traditional creep test to shorten the time for studying the material''s creep behavior. Although the creep behavior discussed in this study is not quite comprehensive due to the limitations of measuring instruments., it may be a possibility to replace the traditional creep test with a cyclic creep test. In addition, it is also observed that the creep initial stress ratio, and the creep initial mean stress both have an effect on the creep behavior of the cemented sand.