Search the repository

A+ | A- | | SLO | ENG

Keywords: aluminum alloy, hot rolling, simulations, metallography, mechanical properties
Published in DiRROS: 01.02.2024; Views: 143; Downloads: 77
Full text (5,46 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Alkali-activated materials (AAM) have gained recognition as a promising alternative to technical ceramic and building materials owing to the lower energy demands for production and the potential to use slag as a precursor. In the present study, five sets of slag-based AAM pastes were prepared with different particle sizes (fractions d < 63, 63 < d < 90, and 90 < d < 125 μm in different mass ratios) under the same curing regime and using a fixed precursor to activator (water) mass ratio. Precursors and the hardened AAM are evaluated using BET, XRD, XRF, SEM, FTIR, reactivity of precursors by leaching, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Chemical analysis indicated only marginal differences among the different-sized fractions of input materials, whereas the BET surface area and reactivity among the precursors differed significantly-smaller particles had the largest surface area, and thus, higher reactivity. The mineralogical differences between the precursors and hardened AAM were negligible. The results revealed that compressive strength was significantly influenced by particle size, i.e., a threefold increase in strength when the particle size was halved. Microstructural evaluation using MIP confirmed that the porosity was the lowest in AAM with the smallest particle size. The low porosity and high reactivity of the fine fractions led to the highest compressive strength, confirming that manipulation of particle size can significantly influence the mechanical properties.
Keywords: alkalijsko aktivirani materiali, žlindra iz obločne peči, mehanska aktivacija, mehanske lastnosti, poroznost, alkali-activated materials (AAM), electric arc furnace steel slag, mechanical activation, mechanical properties, porosity
Published in DiRROS: 22.11.2023; Views: 256; Downloads: 132
Full text (2,26 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The demand for construction timber is continuously increasing, due to its favourable characteristics. However, the adequate protection of wood is key to its successful use, as it is flammable and susceptible to biodegradation. Given that thermal modification enhances the durability of wood, and mineralisation with CaCO3 considerably improves its fire properties, it is worth considering the combined effects of the two methods. European beech (Fagus sylvatica) was selected to determine the effects of a) thermal modification, b) mineralisation through the in-situ formation of CaCO3, and c) a combination of the two procedures, on resistance to decay fungi, reaction to fire and the mechanical properties of the wood. Microscopic analysis and comparisons of the samples before and after exposure to fungi were also conducted. Mineralised wood generally had a slightly alkaline pH value and higher equilibrium moisture content, while thermal modification lowered the equilibrium moisture content. The present study demonstrated the combined effect of thermal modification and mineralisation: the best response to fire as well as resistance to fungi was achieved when the two treatments were combined. Results from the Brinell hardness and three-point bending tests indicate that both modification procedures can slightly impair the mechanical properties of the wood.
Keywords: wood, protection, durability, mechanical properties
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2023; Views: 329; Downloads: 249
Full text (3,26 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: In light of the forthcoming second generation Eurocodes (EC), the results of conducted systematic in-plane cyclic and compressive tests on three-leaf stone masonry walls are discussed following new requirements and provisions. The new proposal for EC8-3 for existing buildings is based on partial factors safety approach, though it considers different uncertainties in defining input parameters for effective seismic performance-based assessment. Prior to its application, massive calibration effort will be needed since there is no standardized method for shear testing of masonry walls. In this paper, the performance limit states damage, resistance, and displacement capacities from conducted test results were evaluated and assessed through comparison with analytical solutions and imposed limit values, as stated in existing codes. The test results provide a much higher deformation capacity than the limits provided in both existing and new proposal of EC8-3 as well as those in the ASCE code provisions. The reason for this lies in the soft, "ductile" mortar for which the presumed resistance according to code provisions should be significantly higher when considering good quality ashlar three-leaf stone masonry.
Keywords: historical masonry, multi-leaf stone masonry, mechanical properties, compression tests, in-plane shear tests, failure mechanisms, drift limits, boundary conditions
Published in DiRROS: 19.05.2023; Views: 315; Downloads: 162
Full text (4,47 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: This paper presents an experimental investigation of the compressive behavior of highstrength self-compacting concrete exposed to temperatures up to 600 C. Ten different concrete compositions were tested, in which part of the cement (by weight) was replaced by three different mineral additives (5–15% metakaolin, 20–40% fly ash and 5–15% limestone). The stress–strain curves, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and strain at peak stress were evaluated from uniaxial compression tests. Scanning electron microscope micrographs were also taken to evaluate the damage caused by the high temperatures. A sharp decrease in mechanical properties and an increase in peak strain were observed already after 200 C for all mixes tested. The different mineral additives used in this study affected the variations of residual compressive strength by 24% and peak strain by 38%, while the variations of residual modulus elasticity were 14%. Comparing the obtained results with the recommendations for compressive strength given in regulatory code EN 1992-1-2 for high strength concrete, it can be concluded that the strength loss observed in EN 1992-1-2 at temperatures up to 400 C is too conservative. The Popovics model for the relationship between stress and strain provided a good approximation for the experimentally determined stress–strain curves at different temperatures.
Keywords: self-compacting concrete, mineral additives, high temperatures, residual mechanical properties, open access
Published in DiRROS: 28.04.2023; Views: 361; Downloads: 174
Full text (10,67 MB)
This document has many files! More...