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In this contribution, low-reactive circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) fly ashes (CFAs) have firstly been utilized as a source material for geopolymer synthesis. An alkali fusion process was employed to promote the dissolution of Si and Al species from the CFAs, and thus to enhance the reactivity of the ashes. A high-reactive metakaolin (MK) was also used to consume the excess alkali needed for the fusion. Reactivities of the CFAs and MK were examined by a series of dissolution tests in sodium hydroxide solutions. Geopolymer samples were prepared by alkali activation of the source materials using a sodium silicate solution as the activator. The synthesized products were characterized by mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractography (XRD), as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results of this study indicate that, via enhancing the reactivity by alkali fusion and balancing the Na/Al ratio by additional aluminosilicate source, low-reactive CFAs could also be recycled as an alternative source material for geopolymer production.

The objective of a cathodic protection system (CP) is to protect the buried metallic structure against corrosion caused by chemical reaction between the buried structure and the surrounding medium, such as soil. Due to rains and humidity variations, soil resistivity varies, and consequently, the current supplied by a d.c. supply changes. To resolve this problem in conventional systems, the d.c. voltage of the supply is adjusted manually from time to time to keep a constant d.c. current. An elaborate automatic control system using a microprocessor is proposed in this work. Two alternative techniques are discussed. The first technique, like the conventional system, depends on measuring the voltage between the buried structure and a copper-copper sulphate cell at the assigned test points. The microprocessor controlled system proposed keeps the maximum and minimum voltages at the assigned test points within the allowed limits by changing the d.c. supply voltage. The second technique depends on sensing the d.c. load current. If the current changes due to environment variations, the microprocessor system adjusts the d.c. supply voltage in such a way that the d.c. load current is kept constant, regardless of environmental variations.

Abstract A study undertaken at the University of Liverpool has investigated the potential for using construction and demolition waste (C&DW) as aggregate in the manufacture of a range of precast concrete products, i.e. building and paving blocks and pavement flags. Phase II, which is reported here, investigated concrete paving blocks. Recycled demolition aggregate can be used to replace newly quarried limestone aggregate, usually used in coarse (6 mm) and fine (4 mm-to-dust) gradings. The first objective, as was the case with concrete building blocks, was to replicate the process used by industry in fabricating concrete paving blocks in the laboratory. The compaction technique used involved vibration and pressure at the same time, i.e. a vibro-compaction technique. An electric hammer used previously for building blocks was not sufficient for adequate compaction of paving blocks. Adequate compaction could only be achieved by using the electric hammer while the specimens were on a vibrating table. The experimental work involved two main series of tests, i.e. paving blocks made with concrete- and masonry-derived aggregate. Variables that were investigated were level of replacement of (a) coarse aggregate only, (b) fine aggregate only, and (c) both coarse and fine aggregate. Investigation of mechanical properties, i.e. compressive and tensile splitting strength, of paving blocks made with recycled demolition aggregate determined levels of replacement which produced similar mechanical properties to paving blocks made with newly quarried aggregates. This had to be achieved without an increase in the cement content. The results from this research programme indicate that recycled demolition aggregate can be used for this new higher value market and therefore may encourage demolition contractors to develop crushing and screening facilities for this.

An industrial treatment was performed by the Sasil plant of Brusnengo (Biella, Northern Italy), which is part of the Gruppo Minerali S.p.A. (Novara, Northern Italy), to consider the reclamation of bentonite bonded moulding sands obtained from the Teksid Italia S.p.A. cast iron foundry plant in Crescentino (Vercelli, Northern Italy). An evaluation of the fine particles produced by the wet-mechanical regeneration treatment was made with the purpose of proposing their recycling as binding agents in moulding operations in the cast iron foundry and for the production of tiles in the ceramic industry. The pre-mixed product sold by bentonite suppliers (35% coal dust and 65% bentonite, 0.15 [UNKNOWN]/kg) could be made from the recovered fine fraction below 0.025 mm with the addition of active clay and coal dust, thus obtaining a product that will have physico-chemical properties similar to those of calcic bentonite. The improvements due to the addition of the fine particles to the usually employed clay for tile production were also underlined from the results of several baking tests. The recovery and recycling of sands and fine particles obtained from the reclamation of bentonite moulding sands will lead to a saving of raw materials and landfill space, with economic and environmental advantages.

Abstract Rammed earth is a traditional construction technology that has proven to be sustainable. This paper explores further improvement of its multifunctional performance by increasing the strength, reducing moisture permeation and increasing the thermal resistance. Surface application of microbial cementation was found to increase the strength by 25%. The water permeability and erosion of the blocks also reduced by 24% and 62% respectively, due to surface application of microbial cementation. The thermal test showed that addition of crumb rubber resulted in a temperature difference of around 30 °C even after 6 h. However, the addition of crumb rubber also reduced the strength. This research demonstrates that significant improvement of overall performance of rammed earth materials can be achieved through various treatments. However, the overall performance requirements are specific to the engineering application and synergistic and antagonistic interactions must be considered to obtain an optimal performance.

Bangladesh faces a tremendous energy shortage during the dry season. Agriculture is a very important part of Bangladesh and during the dry season this sector gets severe impact for the outage of electricity. To overcome this problem, many solar irrigation systems are already being implemented but most of the systems are using off-grid system. This paper presents the proposed design of an automated real-time irrigation feedback system in which the content, temperature, and humidity of soil moisture are measured automatically using moisture sensors and provide the extra energy to grid through net metering system. The cost analysis of the proposed irrigation model is being estimated using HOMER simulation tools. This proposed model would help the farmers to get water at a cheaper cost for irrigation, and also benefited the owner to gain revenue by selling electricity to grid during the off period of irrigation.

After ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, geopolymer concrete (GPC) is the most advanced form of concrete. GPC has many advantages including improved strength and durability properties. High early age strength and ambient curing of GPC helps to reduce the construction time. Factors such as binder materials, alkali-activated solution, and curing methods control GPC’s strength properties. Moreover, when industrial byproducts such as fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) are added to GPC, this leads to advantages such as reduced carbon dioxide emission, ability to reuse of waste materials, thus saving valuable lands from getting converted into dump yards, cost reduction, and so on. Moreover, the energy required for the extraction of raw materials is also reduced. In this paper, GPC’s strength and durability characteristics, its mix design procedure, its effect of fibers on mechanical properties, and its structural performance are comprehensively reviewed. Moreover, the development of high-strength GPC using fly ash with sodium hydroxide as an alkaline solution under oven curing condition is highlighted. To develop GPC from different binder materials, trial and error methods are proposed. Rangan’s mix design procedure is used for fly ash-based GPC. Moreover, the inclusion of fibers, it was found, improves the ductile nature of GPC. Suggestions and scope for future GPC-related research are also included.

Abstract The rapid industrial development and global population growth of the past century have resulted in an exponential increase of resource consumption and thus caused elevated CO2 emissions that, in turn, are held responsible for global warming and associated environmental problems that require urgent solutions. Specifically, increase of cement production causes CO2 pollution and generates a significant amount of concrete waste. Waste concrete, the major component of construction waste, can be efficiently recycled and is mainly used as a roadbed or backfill material. However, as no further resource recycling is expected for waste concrete, more efficient and productive recycling systems are sought after. Herein, waste concrete powder is used to produce added-value inorganic building materials, namely recycled cement and solidification. The characteristics of recycled cement (manufactured through calcination) are evaluated in terms of free lime content, mineral composition, density, color, flow test and strength, and the performance of recycled cement is found to be identical to that of ordinary Portland cement. X-ray diffraction and compressive strength analyses of the solidification manufactured through hydrothermal synthesis show that blocks of the desired strengths can be produced by adjusting the degree of consolidation and curing conditions. Based on these results, this study proposes a concrete waste recycling system to reduce the amount of construction waste and prevent resource depletion.

Abstract The Portland cement manufacturing process is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of natural resources. The partial substitution of cement by industrial waste such as fly ash, silica fume, slag, stone waste etc. not only contributes to sustainable development, but also enhances the durability of concrete. Among the different wastes investigated in the past, the effect of marble slurry on durability of concrete has not been studied. Cutting, grinding and polishing manoeuvres in marble processing plants generate a large amount of slurry, which adversely affects the environment and humans. The present study examines the feasibility of using marble slurry in concrete production, as partial replacement of Portland cement. Six concrete mixes, containing marble slurry (up to 25%) in place of Portland cement were prepared and evaluated for strength, permeability, porosity, morphology, resistance to chloride migration, carbonation and corrosion. Optimal replacement level of Portland cement by marble slurry was found at 10%.