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Abstract: Recent research into the behaviour of soils has shown that it is in fact much more complex than can be described by the mechanics of saturated soils. Nowadays the trend of investigations has shifted towards the unsaturated state. Despite the significant progress that has been made so far, there are still a lot of unanswered questions related to the behaviour of unsaturated soils. For this reason, in the field of geotechnics some new concepts are developed, which include the study of soil suction. Most research into soil suction has involved clayey and silty material, whereas up until recently no data have been available about measurements in very stiff preconsolidated sandy silt. Very stiff preconsolidated sandy silt is typical of the Krško Basin, where it is planned that some very important geotechnical structures will be built, so that knowledge about the behaviour of such soils at increased or decreased water content is essential. Several different methods can be used for soil suction measurements. In the paper the results of measurements carried out on very stiff preconsolidated sandy silt in a Bishop - Wesley double-walled triaxial cell are presented and compared with the results of soil suction measurements performed by means of a potentiometer (WP4C). All the measurement results were evaluated taking into account already known results given in the literature, using the three most commonly used mathematical models. Until now a lot of papers dealing with suction measurements in normal Consolidated and preconsolidated clay have been published. Measurements on very stiff preconsolidated sandy silt, as presented in this paper were not supported before.
Keywords: peščeni melj, trdni melji, sukcija, Bishop - Wesley triaksialna celica, retencijska krivulja, potenciometer WP4C
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 293; Downloads: 140
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Abstract: This work focuses in monitoring the corrosion processes on copper in a slightly saline environment under oxic conditions, which simulated the first part of high-radioactive waste disposal in bentonite. Besides coupled multi-electrode arrays (CMEA), also electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were implemented. It was expected that this combination of methods would define the general corrosion rate, as well as the spatio-temporal evolution of anodic and cathodic processes. Anodic currents measured by CMEA showed that the corrosion rates decreased with time. Since maximum anodic activity switched between the electrodes, this situation was not individually valid for all the electrodes. At the end of exposure, different spectroscopic techniques were applied in order to identify the modes of corrosion and types of corrosion products. Uneven general corrosion without evident pits was indicated.
Keywords: copper, bentonite, saline groundwater, coupled multi electrode array, corrosion
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 367; Downloads: 211
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Abstract: A dredging process is essential for the development of harbours and ports, allowing the functional daily operation of the port. The management of dredged material represents a worldwide challenge, especially considering unwanted deposition of material. Because of their chemical, petrographic, mineralogical and homogeneity composition, marine sediments could represent an appropriate raw material for the brick industry, particularly for the production of clay blocks, roofing and ceramic tiles. In this study dredged material from Port of Koper was tested for such use, thus various analyses were carried out in order to determine if the dredged material is environmentally friendly and suitable for use in the brick industry. These included: chemical analysis, mineralogical analysis, particle size analysis, chloride content analysis and tests of firing in a gradient furnace. Furthermore, tests of mechanical properties, as well as tests of the frost-resistance of the samples were carried out. On the basis of the primary analyses and samples prepared in a laboratory, it was confirmed that marine sediments from the Port of Koper, without any additives are only conditionally suitable as a source material for producing brick products, because without additives they exhibit too much shrinkage on drying and firing, as well as high water absorption, this can be improved by the incorporation of suitable additives, for example, virgin clay or other suitable waste material. The approach described herewith can also be followed to assess sediments from other ports and rivers regarding its potential use in clay brick sector.
Keywords: dredge marine sediment, recycling, clay bricks, mechanical properties, chemical analysis
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 291; Downloads: 171
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Abstract: The photocatalytic properties of TiO2 are primarily determined by its crystallinity and crystalline phase ratios. To improve the photocatalytic properties of TiO2, greater control over the formation of crystalline and amorphous phases during synthesis is therefore required. In this study, we demonstrate how the addition of minute amounts of three organic compounds (isopropanol, acetone and acetic acid) during hydrothermal treatment affects the amorphous and crystalline phase ratios: the addition of isopropanol or acetone accelerates the phase transition from anatase and brookite to rutile, whereas the addition of acetic acid inhibits the transformation of anatase to rutile, increasing the content of amorphous phase compared to samples where no organic compound was added. We show that the combination of the organic compound added, along with the duration of the hydrothermal treatment, can be used to tailor the phase composition of TiO2, so as to obtain either: i) TiO2 with a high content of both rutile and amorphous phase, ii) TiO2 with a high rutile content and iii) TiO2 with different ratios of all four phases, when the duration of synthesis is short (2–4 h). The materials synthesized exhibited high photocatalytic activity (in most cases higher than P25), which is attributed to the beneficial phase composition and high specific surface area.
Keywords: sol-gel processes, X-ray methods, chemical properties, TiO2, photocatalysis
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 275; Downloads: 272
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Abstract: This study explores the challenges and methodologies involved in implementing bridge weigh-in-motion (B-WIM) system on a century-old steel riveted railway bridge. A unique aspect of this study, funded by the EU H2020 Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking, was the adaptation of B-WIM systems to the specific constraints of railway bridges since, traditionally, this technology is used to collect heavy gross vehicle loading data on road bridges. The paper details the experimental setup on an old steel-riveted railway bridge, including sensor placement and calibration processes. It highlights the complexities encountered, such as differences in bridge response due to passenger and other type of trains. It introduces the system calibration strategy using known axle loads from passenger locomotives. The study provides insights into the structural response of old steel bridges under traffic loads, contributing valuable data to the field of railway bridge monitoring and maintenance.
Keywords: bridge, B-WIM, bridge Weigh-in-Motion system, numerical model updating, bridge response measurements, railways
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 256; Downloads: 206
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