Impact Resisting Concrete

Different percentages of polymers have been added to concrete, to evaluate its  impact resistance. Mixes have been made for plain concrete with crushed stone, also plain concrete mixes with round gravel, Concrete mixes with (0.2, 0.85, 1.5 and 2.0) % of Melment to 100 Kg of binder, Concrete mixes with (0.2, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.5) liter of Glenium to 100 Kg of cement and concrete mixes with three sheets of polystyrene and concrete mixes made using polystyrene sheets with 0.85% by weight of Melment. Concrete with polystyrene sheets and Melment gives average compressive strength of 59.3Mpa, tensile strength of 5.8 Mpa and impact strength when the first crack appears was 1486 blows at 28 days. Using 0.85 % of Melment per 100Kg of binder enhance the concrete resistance to Impact. Using 0.5 Liter of Glenium per 100Kg of cement shows good performance of concrete to Impact. Using three layers of Polystyrene sheets with 0.85% of Melment gives high compressive strength and improve the Impact capacity of concrete. Polystyrene sheets increases the adhesive forces between materials in the mix and superplasticizers increases the workability so as to produce self compacting concrete. Keywords: Polystyrene, Melment, Glenium, Impact Strength. Self Compacting Concrete

Geological and Engineering Properties of Granite Rocks from Aqaba Area

Abstract Jordanian granitic rocks (JG) are highly distributed and available in huge quantities in south Jordan, Aqaba area. Granite in south Jordan (JG) is belonging to Aqaba granite complex. This study has been carried out to investigate geological and engineering properties of JG from Aqaba vicinity, south Jordan, in addition to identify and classify the different granitic rocks. 27 random samples of JG were collected from different quarries in three locations from the study area to investigate their characterization. Engineering properties of JG were tested and investigated using ultra sonic velocity test, abrasion test, flexural strength, specific gravity test, and compressive strength test. Engineering tests results show that JG has metal disk abrasion less than 21 mm, flexural strength of 16.9 Mpa, average dry specific gravity of 2.69 and very low absorption while the compressive strength results range between 60 to 90 Mpa. The results show that the engineering characterization of JG is complying with local and international specifications and standards used for classifying the decorative and building granite stones

Rehabilitation of Al-Shawbak Castle Using El-Lajjun Bituminous Limestone Ash Mortars and Plasters

Abstract Al-Shawbak castle mortars and plasters were characterized through physical, mechanical and chemical analysis. The studied masonry and plaster mortars have shown intensive weathering and erosion features, low compressive strength, and high absorption and disintegration behavior when soaked in water. Limy ash has been prepared from the El-Lajjun bituminous limestone by direct combustion at 950 0 C in an attempt to rehabilitate Al-Shawbak castle. The ash has been mixed with sand and water to prepare self cementitious mortar material that gain strength at normal ambient temperature. The laboratory tests have been selected with respect to construction needs in various remedial works in archeological sites to replace weathered and eroded masonry and plaster mortars. The limy ash mortar has similar color, chemical and mineralogical composition similar to the tested ancient mortar and plaster samples. The mortar has a higher compressive strength and resistively to disintegration under saturation conditions. The ash mortars could be used to rehabilitate various damaged archeological parts of AL-Shawbak Castle