ABSTRACTThis research aims to perform a comparison of the mechanical response and the fatigue behaviour of two Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) mixtures subjected to bending loads: a regular UHPC and a high-thixotropy UHPC. The same materials were used in both mixtures and the only difference was the proportions of water and additive. Rheological tests were performed to validate the thixotropy of mixtures in fresh-state. Additionally, image analysis was applied to get fibre distribution and orientation from beam-cut slices. Thus, the Image pixel complete colour structure (RGB) was analysed to avoid greyscale transformations because of its loss of information. Finally, three-point bending tests were conducted over pre-cracked beams to establish a fatigue equation for the mixtures. Experimental results showed that high-thixotropy UHPC has mechanical properties comparable to regular UHPC.KEYWORDS: UHPCflexural fatiguerheologythixotropy AcknowledgmentsThe research was developed by the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Cementos Argos S.A, that contributed with laboratory resources and time of professors and researchers. Also the authors of this work acknowledge and thank the support of the Civil Engineering Laboratory of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and all technical staff, where the tests were carried out.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was funded by Fondo Nacional de Financiamiento para la Ciencia, la Tecnología y la Innovación Francisco José de Caldas de MinCiencias, Republic of Colombia: Project Code 120380863881 Id: 63881, Rehabilitación de pavimentos con sobrecarpetas de concretos de Ultra Alto desempeño reforzado con fibras de acero UHPFRC. This research was developed by Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, and Argos company which contributed with laboratory resources and time of professors and researchers.
This paper presents results about image analysis application for identification and classification of disintegration patterns upon weak rocks, clay-bearing rocks and Intermediate Geomaterials IGMs. The research was conducted in order to obtain a reliable method for field and laboratory because upon these materials, it is quite difficult to acquire unaltered samples due to the quick disintegration after the materials are exposed to environmental conditions. Thus, the application of image analysis and color changes produced by disintegration advance has shown reliable results to be used as an alternative method to replace the traditional human eye based classification charts. Several images were taken upon different disintegration states and environmental conditions and were correlated with changes in color channels, using colorimetric indices and statistical image descriptors. As a result, a disintegration classification method based on Image entropy and color changes was stated, the findings were validated and compared with results from traditional methods using both natural and artificial samples with controlled disintegration levels, in addition, Hyperspectral images, were used as well.
The performance difference between cold mix asphalt and hot mix asphalt, generally it is associated with the interaction of emulsion-aggregate system during the mixing stage. Currently, performance indexes for the asphalt emulsion-aggregate system in terms of surface charge and surface energy to understand the compatibility between the components are unknown. In this study, the interaction of asphalt emulsion-aggregate systems was evaluated in micro scale using the Zeta potential and surface free energy (SFE) techniques for three asphalt emulsions and three sedimentary aggregates. The results showed that the three aggregates presented negative Zeta potentials. Additionally, it was observed reductions of the aggregates Zeta potentials respect to the asphalt emulsions pH value. Residual asphalts and aggregates presented low and high SFE values, respectively. Finally, compatibility of the emulsion-aggregate system was supported by high values of Zeta potential and SFE.
The interaction in the emulsion-aggregate system is well known and influences the Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA) performance. However, the electrochemical interaction indexes for the emulsion-aggregate systems are still not well understood. Therefore, the present investigation focussed on evaluating the electrochemical interaction in the Asphalt Emulsion-Aggregate system (AEA-S) of Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA). Zeta Potential (ZP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Surface Free Energy (SFE) analysis were carried out in three slow-setting cationic asphalt emulsions and three common Colombian aggregates (alluvial and quarried) to determine the electrical potential and interaction in the emulsion-aggregate system. Zeta Potential analysis shows both dependence on the chemical compounds of the aggregates and variation in pH conditions. Moreover, Zeta Potential shows negative values for all three aggregates in the entire pH range variation and decreases with asphalt emulsions pH associated with SiO2/Al2O3 ratio. Through chemical identification and electrokinetic forces is feasible to conclude that high Zeta Potential (ZP) and Surface Free Energy (SFE) values improve the electrochemical ad of the asphalt emulsion-aggregate system (AEA-S), demonstrating that high polarity is an essential factor in Cold Mix Asphalts (CMA).
Se realizaron pruebas piloto con diversos equipos de teledetección para establecer la condición de varios aspectos en infraestructura y transporte en un sector urbano de origen informal. El uso de: imágenes satelitales, fotografías, videos, drones, radar de velocidad, y equipos de GPS para el reconocimiento de la condición del terreno y del tránsito; agiliza la obtención de información técnica para concluir la necesidad o no de estudios de mayor detalle, en pro de un proceso de potencial legalización urbanística.
The world is becoming so interconnected that sensors and measuring devices are becoming widely popular to retrieve data for personal uses giving users the real-time information they need to react in the right way at the right time, it's estimated that by 2020 there will be up to 50 billion IoT devices connected. Moreover, with the advent of Mobile devices, the usability of such information is as relatively simple as just notifying the user through his mobile device.
The zeta potential of soils is an electric potential in the double-layer interface and is a physical property exhibited by any particle related to electrochemical attractive forces. On the other hand, the chemical aging phenomenon is seen as the chief mechanism of the aging of sands due to the dissolution and precipitation of minerals, resulting in the development of the cementation of particles in granular mediums. The present investigation focuses on determining whether granular materials can generate cementation due to electrokinetic forces, and if the zeta potential could be related as a measure of the potential of chemical aging. X-ray fluorescence and diffraction tests were performed to characterize four representative fractions of one kind of sand, and zeta potential studies were carried out to determine the electrical potential on the mineral surfaces of each one. Zeta potential analysis showed both dependence on the mineralogical content and the variation in the pH of the colloidal solution fluid because the increase in OH- ion concentrations increases the thickness of the diffuse double layer and the electrokinetic forces of attraction. Moreover, the zeta potential showed an increase in the thickness of the diffuse double layer, due to the electrokinetic forces, which can be associated with the development of cohesive forces with a dependence on the mineralogy of sands.