• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2018

The objective of the paper is to investigate the effect of mix designing factors on the workability and rheological parameters of self compacting concrete in order to facilitate the difficulties of quality control of high sensitivity of SCC. Mix proportions of SCC were prepared with various conditions of coarse, and fine aggregate, and unit water content, and the SCC mixtures were tested on workability, rheological properties to provide basic data for quantitative evaluation. Test results indicated that the yield stress of SCC decreased with increasing the coarse aggregate volume ratio, and increased with increasing the amount of VMA. However, unit water content, fine aggregate type, and air content didn't affect the yield stress value. The plastic viscosity according to the mixing factors showed a similar tendency to the yield stress. In addition, there was no correlation between yield stress and workability (flow, T50, V-lot). However, there was closely correlation among plastic viscosity and T50 and V-lot. Especially, T50 and V-lot time decreased with decreasing plastic viscosity.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.211-218
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• 2018

This study examined the reliability and revision necessity of concrete standard specifications based on the comparisons with test data obtained by using domestic artificial lightweight aggregates and the contents specified in different foreign specifications including ACI 211.2, ACI 213, ACI 301, JASS 5 and CEB-FIP. To achieve the continuous particle distribution of domestic fine lightweight aggregates, the partial addition of natural sand with the maximum size of 2.5mm was required. To control the segregation and excessive bleeding in the fresh lightweight concrete, the current limitations on the water-to-binder ratio and unit water content need to be modified using lower values. In particular, a rational mixture proportion approach of lightweight concrete needs to be established for the targeted requirements of initial slump, 28-day compressive strength, air content and dry unit weight. Ultimately, significant revision of the concrete standard specifications is required considering the characteristics of domestic artificial lightweight aggregates.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to determine the possibilities of blending carbon black, which is known for its permeability as well as its strong heat and fire resistance, into concrete, in a manner that reinforces its strengths mentioned above. Experiments show that in non-solidified, fresh-mixed concrete, the addition of carbon black effectively reduced slump level and air content due to its absorptiveness and minute particle size. It also showed good results in terms of coagulation time, penetration resistance and bleeding level. In solid concrete, it showed better strength than plain concrete. Due to the pozzolanic reaction, its strength became more pronounced over time. At approximately 850 degrees Celsius, the heat and fire resistance level increased in parallel to the level of chemical substitution (by carbon black). Drying shrinkage level appeared to be optimal, and environmental assessment test results related to CO, CO2 and formaldehyde also scored better than plain concrete. In summary, with the appropriate use of AE water-reducing agents, carbon black can prove to be a strong candidate as an ingredient for industry-grade concrete.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1683-1686
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• 2018

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common reason for seeking physical therapy (PT) care. Recent studies suggest that axial loading can have a positive impact on the intervertebral disc by improving its tensile strength. Further, whole body vibration (WBV) appears to improve spinal muscle relaxation. Therefore, this case study describes the use of axial loading using a mini-trampoline in a female with chronic LBP. This case report is a single subject design. This patient is a 29-year-old female with a six-month history of low back pain following a motor vehicle accident. MRI found herniated discs at L4 and L5, clinical tests were positive for pain in the L4 and L5 dermatome and myotome the slump test was positive for neural tension, and LBP was constant at 4-6/10 over the past four months. She received axial loading exercises using a mini-trampoline and performed six sessions that were, scheduled twice a week for three weeks. Her Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score improved from 40% at the time of her first visit to 22% at her final visit. Pain measure on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) after the first treatment was 7/10, and her pain after the final treatment was 0/10. These changes in the pain scores are clinically significant and exceed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). This patient had a significant improvement in her pain using the NPRS and the ODI. This case study suggests that axial loading may be an effective treatment for some individuals with discogenic chronic low back pain.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.801-814
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• 2016

An alternative type of building system with masonry units is extensively used nowadays to reduce the emission of CO2 and embodied energy. Long-term performance of such structures has become essential for sustaining the building technology. This study aims to assess the strength and durability properties of concrete prepared with unprocessed bagasse ash (BA) and silica fume (SF). A mix proportion of 1:3:3 was used to cast concrete cubes of size $100mm{\times}100mm{\times}100mm$ with various replacement levels of cement and tested. The cubes were cast with zero slump normally adopted in the manufacturing of hollow blocks. The cubes were exposed to acid attack, alkaline attack and sulphate attack to evaluate their durability. The mass loss and damages to concrete for all cases of exposures were determined at 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively. Then, the residual compressive strength for all cases was determined at the end of 90 days of durability test. The results showed that there was slight difference in mass loss before and after exposure to chemical attack in all the cases. Though the appearance was slightly different than the normal concrete the residual weight was not affected. The compressive strength of 10% bagasse ash (BA) as a replacement for cement, with 10% SF as admixture resulted in better strength than the normal concrete. Hence concrete with 10% replacement with BA along with 10% SF as admixture was considered to be durable. Besides solid concrete cubes, hollow blocks using the same concrete were casted and tested simultaneously to explore the possibility of production of masonry units.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.143-150
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to propose how to determine the setting time related to the determination of the surface finish working time of the concrete using a Durometer, which is used as a rubber hardness meter. Two different types of Durometer were used to measure the setting time of the concrete. High flowing concrete with 40% of water to binder ratio was fabricated maintaining $600{\pm}100mm$ of slump flow. The test results indicated that the application of the Durometer resulted in a high correlation with the penetration resistance tester in both mortar and concrete. When measuring the setting time of the concrete, with properly used with Durometer, evaluation of the setting time of the concrete can be available. Therefore, it is thought that the measurement of the final set of the durometer C type can be useful to decide the limit time of the finishing operation and the time of the rejuvenation of the curing process by measuring the finishing set at 40 HD in the case of the initial set and 10 HD in the case of D type.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.241-252
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• 2021

An experimental program was conducted to investigate the fresh properties, mechanical properties and durability characteristics of the self-compacting mortars (SCM) produced with pumice powder and Artificial Lightweight Fine Aggregate (aLWFA). aLWFA was produced by using fly ash. A total of 16 different mixtures were designed with a constant water-binder ratio of 0.37, in which natural sands were partially replaced with aLWFA and pumice powder at different volume fractions of 5%, 10% and 15%. The artificial lightweight aggregates used in this study were manufactured through cold bonding pelletisation of 90% of class-F fly ash and 10% of Portland cement in a tilted pan with an ambient temperature and moisture content. Flowability tests were conducted on the fresh mortar mixtures beforehand, to determine the self-compacting characteristics on the basis of EFNARC. To determine the conformity of the fresh mortar characteristics with the standards, mini-slump and mini-V-funnel tests were carried out. Hardened state tests were conducted after 7, 28 and 56 days to determine the flexural strength and axial compressive strength respectively. Durability, sorptivity, permeability and density tests were conducted at the end of 28 days of curing time. The test results showed that the pumice powder replacement improved both the fresh state and the hardened state characteristics of the mortar and the optimum mixture ratio was determined as 15%, considering other studies in the literature. In the aLWFA mixtures used, the mechanical and durability characteristics of the modified compositions were very close to the control mixture. It is concluded in this study that mixtures with pumice powder replacement eliminated the negative effects of the aLWFA in the mortars and made a positive contribution.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.25-34
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• 2022

Recently, as a study to air cooled slag, which is an industrial by-product, research is being proceed to use it as a material for concrete. In this study, the workability, air content, compressive strength, CO₂ emission and economic feasibility of concrete were analyzed when air cooled slag, an industrial by-product, was applied as aggregate for rural road pavement concrete. As a result of the analysis, both the slump and air contents test results of concrete using the air cooled slag aggregate satisfied the target values, and the compressive strength was increased when the air cooled slag aggregate was used compared to when the natural aggregate was applied. On the other hand, the largest amount of CO₂ emission by raw material was found in aggregate. The carbon emission of rural road pavement concrete using air cooled slag aggregate increased when the Korean LCI DB was applied compared to when natural and crushed aggregates were applied, and the emission decreased when the German LCI DB was applied. This results are due to differences in the viewpoints of industrial by-products. However, considering the recycling of waste from the environmental aspect, it is necessary to simultaneously review the CO₂ emission and recycling aspects in the future. Also, the application of air cooled slag aggregate had the effect of improving the economic efficiency of rural road pavement concrete about 18.75%.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.433-450
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• 2022

The conventional disposal methods of waste tires are harmful to the environment. Moreover, the recycling/reuse of waste tires in domestic and industrial applications is limited due to parent product's quality control and environmental concerns. Additionally, the recycling industry often prefers powdered rubber particles (<0.60 mm). However, the processing of waste tires yields both powdered and coarser (>0.60 mm) size fractions. Reprocessing of coarser rubber requires higher energy increasing the product cost. Therefore, the waste tire rubber (WTR) less favored by the recycling industry is encouraged for use in construction products as one of the environment-friendly disposal methods. In this study, WTR fiber >0.60 mm size fraction is collected from the industry and sorted into 0.60-1.18, 1.18-2.36-, and 2.36-4.75-mm sizes. The effects of different fiber size fractions are studied by incorporating it as fine aggregates at 10%, 20%, and 30% in the self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC). The experimental investigations are carried out by performing fresh and hardened state tests. As the fresh state tests, the slump-flow, T500, V-funnel, and L-box are performed. As the hardened state tests, the scanning electron microscope, compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength tests are conducted. Also, the water absorption, porosity, and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests are performed to measure durability. Furthermore, SCRC's energy absorption capacity is evaluated using the falling weight impact test. The statistical significance of content and size fraction of WTR fiber on SCRC is evaluated using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). As the general conclusion, implementation of various size fraction WTR fiber as fine aggregate showed potential for producing concrete for construction applications. Thus, use of WTR fiber in concrete is suggested for safe, and feasible waste tire disposal.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.355-368
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• 2022

This paper investigates the impact of length and volume fractions (VFs) of banana fibres (BFs) on the mechanical and physical properties of concrete. The mechanical properties were compressive strength, splitting tensile, flexural strength, and bond stress, while the physical properties were unit weight and absorption. The slump test was used to determine workability. The concrete's behaviour with BFs was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Experimental work of concrete mixtures with BFs of various lengths (12 mm, 25 mm, and 35 mm) and VFs (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) were carried out. The samples did not indicate any agglomeration of fibres or heterogeneity during mixing. The addition of BFs to concrete with VFs of up to 1.50% for all fibre lengths have a significant impact on mechanical properties, also the longer fibres performed better than shorter ones at all volume fractions of BFs. The mix10, which contain BFs with VFs 1.5% and length 35 mm, demonstrated the highest mechanical properties. The compressive strength, splitting tensile, flexural strength, and bond stress of the mix10 were 37.71 MPa, 4.27 Mpa, 6.12 MPa, and 6.75 MPa, an increase of 7.37%, 20.96%, 24.13%, and 11.2% over the reference concrete, which was 35.12 MPa, 3.53 MPa, 4.93 MPa, and 6.07 MP, respectively. The absorption is increased for all lengths by increasing the VFs up to 1.5%. Longer fibres have lower absorption, while shorter fibres have higher absorption. The mix8 had the highest absorption of 4.52%, compared to 3.12% for the control mix. Furthermore, the microstructure of concrete was improved through improved bonding between the fibres and the matrix, which resulted in improved mechanical properties of the composite.