• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.549-565
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• 2022

Severe acid rains can be a major source for geotechnical and environmental problems in any soil depending on the acid type and concentration. Hence, this study investigates the individual severe effects of sulfuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids on the geotechnical properties of real field soil through a series of experimental laboratory tests. The laboratory program consists of experimental tests such as consistency, compaction, unconfined compression, pH determination, electrical conductivity, total dissolved salts, total suspended solids, gypsum and carbonates contents. The experimental tests have been performed on the untreated soil and individual acid treated soil for acid concentrations range of 0% to 20% by weight. In addition, a unique hyperbolic mathematical model has been used to predict significant geotechnical characteristics for acid treated soil. The plastic and liquid limits and optimum moisture content have been increased under the effect of all the used acids whereas the maximum dry density and unconfined stress-strain behavior have been decreased with increasing the acid concentrations. Moreover, the used hyperbolic mathematical model has predicted all the geotechnical characteristics very well with a very high coefficient of determination (R²) value and lowest root mean square error (RMSE) estimate.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.215-225
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• 2022

Thermal comfort and energy conservation are critical issues in the building sector. Energy consumption in the building sector should be reduced whilst enhancing the thermal comfort of occupants. Concrete is the most widely used construction material in buildings. Its thermal conductivity (k-value) has a direct effect on thermal comfort perception. This study aims to find the optimum value of replacing the normal aggregate with lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) under high strengths and low thermal conductivity, density and water absorption. The k-value of the LECA concrete and its physical and mechanical properties have varying correlations. Results indicate that the oven-dry density, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and k-value of concrete decrease when normal coarse aggregates are replaced with LECA. However, water absorption (initial and final) increases. Thermal conductivity and the physical and mechanical properties have a strong correlation. The statistical optimisation of the experimental data shows that the 39% replacement of normal coarse aggregate by LECA is the optimum value for maximising the compressive and splitting tensile strengths whilst maintaining the k-value, density and water absorption at a minimum.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.223-235
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• 2022

Bearing capacity of shallow foundations is often determined for either dry or saturated soils. In some occasions, foundations may be subjected to external loading which is inclined and/or eccentric. In this study, the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations resting on partially saturated coarse-grained cohesionless and fine-grained cohesive soils subjected to a wide range of combined vertical (V) - horizontal (H) - moment (M) loadings is rigorously evaluated using the well-established limit equilibrium method. The unified effective stress approach as well as the suction stress concept is effectively adopted so as to simulate the behaviour of the underlying unsaturated soil medium. In order to obtain the bearing capacity, four equilibrium equations are solved by adopting Coulomb failure mechanism and Bishop effective stress concept and also considering a linear variation of the induced matric suction beneath the foundation. The general failure loci of the shallow foundations resting on unsaturated soils at different hydraulic conditions are presented in V - H - M spaces. The results indicate that the matric suction has a marked influence on the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. In addition, the effect of induced suction on the ultimate bearing capacity of obliquely-loaded foundations is more pronounced than that of the eccentrically-loaded footings.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제8권6호
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• pp.859-872
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• 2015

Pebble matrix filtration (PMF) is a water treatment technology that can remove suspended solids in highly turbid surface water during heavy storms. PMF typically uses sand and natural pebbles as filter media. Hand-made clay pebbles (balls) can be used as alternatives to natural pebbles in PMF treatment plants, where natural pebbles are not readily available. Since the high turbidity is a seasonal problem that occurs during heavy rains, the use of newly developed composite clay balls instead of pure clay balls have the advantage of removing other pollutants such as natural organic matter (NOM) during other times. Only the strength properties of composite clay balls are described here as the pollutant removal is beyond the scope of this paper. These new composite clay balls must be able to withstand dead and live loads under dry and saturated conditions in a filter assembly. Absence of a standard ball preparation process and expected strength properties of composite clay balls were the main reasons behind the present study. Five different raw materials from industry wastes: Red Mud (RM), Water Treatment Alum Sludge (S), Shredded Paper (SP), Saw Dust (SD), and Sugar Mulch (SM) were added to common clay brick mix (BM) in different proportions. In an effort to minimize costs, in this study clay balls were fired to $1100^{\circ}C$ at a local brick factory together with their bricks. A comprehensive experimental program was performed to evaluate crushing strength of composite hand-made clay balls, using uniaxial compression test to establish the best material combination on the basis of strength properties for designing sustainable filter media for water treatment plants. Performance at both construction and operating stages were considered by analyzing both strength properties under fully dry conditions and strength degradation after saturation in a water bath. The BM-75% as the main component produced optimum combination in terms of workability and strength. With the material combination of BM-75% and additives-25%, the use of Red Mud and water treatment sludge as additives produced the highest and lowest strength of composite clay balls, with a failure load of 5.4 kN and 1.4 kN respectively. However, this lower value of 1.4 kN is much higher than the effective load on each clay ball of 0.04 kN in a typical filter assembly (safety factor of 35), therefore, can still be used as a suitable filter material for enhanced pollutant removal.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.247-255
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• 2018

Soil stabilization can make the soils becoming more stable by using an admixture to the soil. Lime stabilization enhances the engineering properties of soil, which includes reducing soil plasticity, increasing optimum moisture content, decreasing maximum dry density and improving soil compaction. Silica fume is utilized as a pozzolanic material in the application of soil stabilization. Silica fume was once considered non-environmental friendly. In this paper, the materials required are kaolin grade S300, lime and silica fume. The focus of the study is on the determination of the physical properties of the soils tested and the consolidation of kaolin mixed with 6% silica fume and different percentages (3%, 5%, 7% and 9%) of lime. Consolidation test is carried out on the kaolin and the mixtures of soil-lime-silica fume to investigate the effect of lime stabilization with silica fume additives on the consolidation of the mixtures. Based on the results obtained, all soil samples are indicated as soils with medium plasticity. For mixtures with 0% to 9% of lime with 6% SF, the decrease in the maximum dry density is about 15.9% and the increase in the optimum moisture content is about 23.5%. Decreases in the coefficient of permeability of the mixtures occur if compared to the coefficient of permeability of kaolin soft clay itself reduce the compression index (Cc) more than L-SF soil mix due to pozzolanic reaction between lime and silica fume and the optimum percent of lime-silica fume was found to be (5%+6%) mix. The average coefficient of volume compressibility decreases with increasing the stabilizer content due to pozzolanic reaction happening within the soil which results in changes in the soil matrix. Lime content +6% silica fume mix can reduce the coefficient of consolidation from at 3%L+6%SF, thereafter there is an increase from 9%L+6%SF mix. The optimal percentage of lime silica fume combination is attained at 5.0% lime and 6.0% silica fume in order to improve the shear strength of kaolin soft clay. Microstructural development took place in the stabilized soil due to increase in lime content of tertiary clay stabilized with 7% lime and 4% silica fume together.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.56-64
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• 2009

본 연구의 목적은 콩기름을 오존 산화 처리하여 기능기를 도입하고 이를 바탕으로 친환경 목재 접착제를 개발하는 것이다. 시판용 콩기름을 시간당 약 7.13 g의 오존을 발생시켜 15분, 30분, 60분, 120분간 오존산화 처리한 후 FT-IR, $^1H$-NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, GC/MS 측정하여 구조변화를 분석하였다. 기기분석 결과 오존산화처리에 의하여 콩기름의 불포화 이중결합이 개열되어 카르복실기 또는 알데하이드기가 생성됨을 확인하였다. 오존산화콩기름 변성 pMDI 접착제의 접착력은 오존처리 정도와 pMDI의 혼합비율에 따라 달라지며, KS F 3101 보통합판기준 내수 접착강도를 안정적으로 만족 시키는 조건은 오존산화 처리시간 30분~60분, pMDI와 1:1로 혼합한 경우이며, 준내수 접착강도를 만족시키는 범위는 오존산화 처리시간 30분~60분, pMDI의 혼합비 0.5이상, 상태접착강도를 만족시키는 범위는 오존산화 처리시간 15분~60분, pMDI의 혼합비 0.25 이상임을 알 수 있었다. 위의 실험결과를 종합하여 볼 때, 오존산화 처리한 식용유는 오존처리시간 및 pMDI의 혼합비율을 조절하면 상태접착력 뿐만 아니라 내수접착력이 요구되는 목질복합재료 제조용 접착제 제조가 가능함을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제22권12호
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• pp.717-721
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• 2012

Manganese dioxide ($MnO_2$) is one of the most important cathode materials used in both aqueous and non-aqueous batteries. The $MnO_2$ polymorph that is used for lithium primary batteries is synthesized either by electrolytic (EMD-$MnO_2$) or chemical methods (CMD-$MnO_2$). Commonly, electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) is used as a cathode mixture material for dry-cell batteries, such as a alkaline batteries, zinc-carbon batteries, rechargeable alkaline batteries, etc. The characteristics of lithium/manganese-dioxide primary cells fabricated with EMD-$MnO_2$ powders as cathode were compared as a function of the parameters of a manufacturing process. The flexible primary cells were prepared with EMD-$MnO_2$, active carbon, and poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder (10 wt.%) coated on an Al foil substrate. A cathode sheet with micro-porous showed a higher discharge capacity than a cathode sheet compacted by a press process. As the amount of EMD-$MnO_2$ increased, the electrical conductivity decreased and the electrical capacity increased. The cell subjected to heat-treatment at $200^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr showed a high discharge capacity. The flexible primary cell made using the optimum conditions showed a capacity and an average voltage of 220 mAh/g and 2.8 V, respectively, at $437.5{\mu}A$.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.367-375
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• 2020

Today, the use of special technologies in the admixture of concrete has made tremendous progress, but the problem that has always existed in the construction of concrete members is the brittleness and lack of loading bearing after cracking, which leads to reduced strength and energy absorption. One of the best ways to fix this is to reinforce the concrete with steel fibers. Steel fibers also control cracks due to dry shrinkage, reduce structural crack width, and improve impact resistance. In this study, recycled steel fibers from worn tires have been used in the manufacture of concrete samples, the secondary benefits of which are the reduction of environmental pollution. One of the disadvantages of steel fiber reinforced concrete is the corrosion of steel fibers and their deterioration in harsh environments such as coastal areas. Corrosion caused by chlorine ions in metal fibers causes deterioration and early decommissioning of structures in corrosive environments. In this study, the effect of the dosage of steel fibers (dosages of 15, 30, and 45 kg of fibers per cubic meter of concrete) and aspect ratio of fibers (aspect ratio of 25 and 50) on compressive and flexural strength of concrete samples are investigated. In the following, the effect of fiber corrosion on the results of the mechanical properties of concrete samples is examined. The results show that the increase in fiber causes a relative increase in compressive strength, and a significant increase in flexural strength, and corrosion of steel fibers without reducing workability reduces compressive strength and flexural strength by up to 6 to 11%, respectively.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.227-236
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• 2020

Expansive soils are renowned for their swelling-shrinkage property and these volumetric changes resultantly cause huge damage to civil infrastructures. Likewise, subgrades consisting of expansive soils instigate serviceability failures in pavements across various regions of Pakistan and worldwide. This study presents the use of polypropylene fibers to improve the engineering properties of a local swelling soil. The moisture-density relationship, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and elastic modulus (E₅₀), California bearing ratio (CBR) and one-dimensional consolidation behavior of the soil treated with 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% fibers have been investigated in this study. It is found that the maximum dry density of reinforced soil slightly decreased by 2.8% due to replacement of heavier soil particles by light-weight fibers and the optimum moisture content remained almost unaffected due to non-absorbent nature of the fibers. A significant improvement has been observed in UCS (an increase of 279%), E₅₀ (an increase of 113.6%) and CBR value (an increase of 94.4% under unsoaked and an increase of 55.6% under soaked conditions) of the soil reinforced with 0.4% fibers, thereby providing a better quality subgrade for the construction of pavements on such soils. Free swell and swell pressure of the soil also significantly reduced (94.4% and 87.9%, respectively) with the addition of 0.8% fibers and eventually converting the medium swelling soil to a low swelling class. Similarly, the compression and rebound indices also reduced by 69.9% and 88%, respectively with fiber inclusion of 0.8%. From the experimental evaluations, it emerges that polypropylene fiber has great potential as a low cost and sustainable stabilizing material for widespread swelling soils.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.143-152
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• 2020

In this research, soil samples of the Kerman sedimentary basin, Iran, were investigated through laboratory tests such as petrography (Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)), physical and mechanical characteristics tests. The soil in this area is dominantly CL. The petrography results showed that the dominant clay mineral is Illite. This soil has made some problems in the earth dams due to the low shear strength. In this study, a set of samples were prepared by adding different amounts of lime. Next, the petrography and strength tests at the optimum moisture content were performed. The results of SEM analysis showed substantial changes in the soil structure after the addition of lime. The primary structure was porous and granular that was changed to a uniform and solid after the lime was added. According to XRD results, dominant mineral in none stabilized soil and stabilized soil are Illite and calcite, respectively. The pozzolanic reaction resulted in the reduction of clay minerals in the stabilized samples and calcite was known as the soil hardener material that led to an increase in soil strength. An increase in the hydrated lime leads to a decrease in their maximum dry unit weight and an increase in their optimum moisture content. Furthermore, increasing the hydrated lime content enhanced the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and soil's optimum moisture. An increase in the strength is significantly affected by the curing time and hydrated lime contents, as the maximum compressive strength is achieved at 7% hydrated lime. Moreover, the maximum increase in the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) achieved in clay soils mixed with 8% hydrated lime.