Morphological Characterization of Brazilian Organ Clays Using AFM and SEM Studies

A combination of SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) techniques was used to characterise the morphology of Brazilian montmorillonites before and after intercalation of some organic compounds. AFM revealed that the layers are staked over above the others. The surface of the particles consisted of layers bounded with smooth flat basal planes and larger edges ending in some cascade-like steps 184 µm wide. Some micro and macro valleys (0.6 µm deep) are distributed throughout the whole area and irregularities on basal planes may be attributed to the crystallographic conditions of the genesis of these Brazilian montmorillonites. The mapping performed over 20 x 40 areas showed adhesion forces of 11 nN magnitude on bare clay mineral in the Na+ form and 40 nN for the calcium form. Forces between 10 and 6 nN were found after organic intercalation. In general, the intercalation caused significant changes in the surface properties of clay mineral. The combination of AFM and SEM studies provided evidence about the poorl crystallinity of the Brazilian montmorillonites.A combination of SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) techniques was used to characterise the morphology of Brazilian montmorillonites before and after intercalation of some organic compounds. AFM revealed that the layers are staked over above the others. The surface of the particles consisted of layers bounded with smooth flat basal planes and larger edges ending in some cascade-like steps 184 µm wide. Some micro and macro valleys (0.6 µm deep) are distributed throughout the whole area and irregularities on basal planes may be attributed to the crystallographic conditions of the genesis of these Brazilian montmorillonites. The mapping performed over 20 x 40 areas showed adhesion forces of 11 nN magnitude on bare clay mineral in the Na+ form and 40 nN for the calcium form. Forces between 10 and 6 nN were found after organic intercalation. In general, the intercalation caused significant changes in the surface properties of clay mineral. The combination of AFM and SEM studies provided evidence about the poorl crystallinity of the Brazilian montmorillonites

Evaluación del comportamiento mecánico de capas bituminosas ultra delgadas como una adecuada estrategia para la rehabilitación de pavimentos urbanos

Very Thin Asphalt Overlay (VTAO) has been introduced as an alternative to traditional thick overlays, seal coats, and micro-surfacings. Nonetheless, there are some challenges that still remain regarding the application of VTAOs (such as mixture type, cohesiveness, wear resistance, cracking and durability), particularly in heavy traffic urban areas. Therefore, this paper presents an extensive comparative evaluation of the mechanical performance, durability and safety issues (cohesiveness, adhesiveness, ageing, cracking, plastic deformation, permeability, macrotexture, skid and wear resistance, and fuel resistance) of a VTAO (20 mm thick) and a high performance BBTM 11B (35 mm thick), commonly used as an open-graded mixture for pavement overlays. The results demonstrated that VTAO is an appropriate material for urban pavements as it provides good durability and resistance to the propagation of defects. Nonetheless, further studies are required to improve its behavior under distresses related to plastic deformations and safety properties.Las capas bituminosas ultra delgadas para rehabilitación superficial de carreteras son una alternativa a las tradicionales capas asfálticas, riegos bituminosos y micro-aglomerados. No obstante, aún son numerosos los aspectos a estudiar para la generalización de su uso, particularmente en zonas urbanas con elevado tráfico. Así, este artículo recoge un análisis comparativo del comportamiento mecánico, durabilidad y factores de seguridad (evaluando parámetros como cohesividad, adhevisvidad, envejecimiento, fisuración, deformaciones, permeabilidad, macrotextura, y resistencia al deslizamiento, al desgaste y a los combustibles) entre una capa delgada de 20 mm de espesor, y una mezcla discontinua de altas prestaciones (BBTM-11B con 35 mm), comúnmente utilizada en capas de rodadura. Los resultados indican que puede ser una adecuada solución para pavimentos urbanos dada su durabilidad y resistencia a la propagación de fallos. No obstante, se requieren futuros estudios centrados en la mejora de parámetros de seguridad y de su resistencia a las deformaciones permanentes

Comparación del efecto de la concentración de polvo de neumático reciclado y polímeros en el comportamiento de ligantes para mezclas bituminosas

Crumb rubber modified binders are environmental-friendly alternatives to polymer modified bitumens in asphalt mixtures. This paper compares the performance of both types of binders with different modifier contents. Six binders were characterised by conventional tests and analysed using the UCL method. This method evaluates different properties of binders regarding their role in asphalt mixtures (cohesion, water and thermal sensitivity and resistance to ageing). Results showed that i) crumb rubber concentration has to be higher than that of SBS-polymers in order to obtain a similar performance to that of SBS-polymer modified bitumen; ii) crumb rubber modified binders are more stable than SBS-polymer modified binders in terms of modifier concentration; iii) crumb rubber modified binders exhibited less water sensitivity and similar thermal and ageing susceptibility to SBS-polymer modified binders; iv) linear relationships have been found between modifier concentration and the properties studied for both kind of binders.Los betunes modificados con polvo de neumático (PN) son alternativas ambientalmente sostenibles a los betunes modificados con polímeros. Este artículo compara el comportamiento de ambos tipos de betunes con varios contenidos de modificador. Para ello, se caracterizaron seis betunes mediante ensayos convencionales y método UCL. Este método evalúa propiedades de ligantes para su uso en mezclas bituminosas (cohesión, sensibilidad al agua, térmica y al envejecimiento). Los resultados muestran que i) la concentración de PN ha de ser más elevada que la de polímeros para obtener comportamiento semejante; ii) los betunes con PN son más estables ante cambios en la concentración de modificador que los betunes con polímeros; iii) los betunes con PN presentan menor sensibilidad al agua y equivalente susceptibilidad térmica y al envejecimiento que los betunes con polímeros; iv) se encontraron buenos ajustes lineales entre la concentración de modificadores y la evolución de las propiedades estudiadas

Understanding the influence of filler type and asphalt binder content on the moisture and fatigue resistance of asphalt mortars

An adequate moisture resistance is a key element to guarantee the durability of asphalt materials. This paper identifies the influence of filler typology and bitumen content on the mechanical response of asphalt mortars before and after water action. Two fillers were evaluated: Portland cement and Calcium carbonate, along with different contents of a penetration bitumen (B35/50). Stiffness, ductility, and fatigue were evaluated through a new protocol for asphalt mortar samples using a 3-point-bending test on DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer). The use of Portland cement presents higher stiffness, lower ductility, and improved fatigue and water resistance compared to Calcium carbonate. It is also possible to optimize bitumen content based on fatigue results. Content beyond the optimal reduce variations after water action but compromise fatigue resistance. Lower content leads to a poorer performance in both terms. This methodology enables asphalt mortar characterisation as a tool to optimise the design of asphalt materials.La influencia del tipo de polvo mineral y contenido de ligante bituminoso en la resistencia a la humedad y fatiga de morteros bituminosos. La resistencia al agua es clave para garantizar la durabilidad de los materiales asfálticos. Este estudio identifica la influencia del polvo mineral y contenido de betún en la respuesta mecánica de morteros bituminosos antes y después de la humedad. Se evaluaron dos tipos de filler: cemento Portland y carbonato cálcico (filler calizo), junto con distintos contenidos de betún (B35/50). Rigidez, ductilidad y fatiga fueron evaluados mediante un nuevo ensayo de fatiga a tres puntos para morteros empleando DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer). El cemento presenta más rigidez, menos ductilidad y mayor resistencia al agua y fatiga que el filler calizo. Los resultados de fatiga permiten además optimizar el contenido de betún. Contenidos por encima del óptimo reducen variaciones tras la humedad pero comprometen la resistencia a fatiga. Contenidos menores conllevan un peor comportamiento en ambos términos. Esta metodología permite usar la caracterización de morteros bituminosos para optimizar el diseño de materiales asfálticos

Teaching-life Histories: An Analysis of Initial and Continuing Training for Twenty-first century Teachers

This research analyses the teaching practice of retired teachers with the objective of inquiring into the initial and continuing training that twenty-first century teachers need. To this end, a semistructured interview was conducted with an incidental, nonprobabilistic sample of 325 participants and performed quantitative analysis of the data with SPSS 23. The descriptive parameters were produced using frequency analysis. Contingency tables were produced to verify if sex or year of birth explained perceptions of the training required of to be a good teacher. The results revealed significant differences between those born before 1948 and those born after that year

The Effects of Atmospheric Dispersion on High-Resolution Solar Spectroscopy

We investigate the effects of atmospheric dispersion on observations of the Sun at the ever-higher spatial resolutions afforded by increased apertures and improved techniques. The problems induced by atmospheric refraction are particularly significant for solar physics because the Sun is often best observed at low elevations, and the effect of the image displacement is not merely a loss of efficiency, but the mixing of information originating from different points on the solar surface. We calculate the magnitude of the atmospheric dispersion for the Sun during the year and examine the problems produced by this dispersion in both spectrographic and filter observations. We describe an observing technique for scanning spectrograph observations that minimizes the effects of the atmospheric dispersion while maintaining a regular scanning geometry. Such an approach could be useful for the new class of high-resolution solar spectrographs, such as SPINOR, POLIS, TRIPPEL, and ViSP

High Resolution Observations using Adaptive Optics: Achievements and Future Needs

Over the last few years, several interesting observations were obtained with the help of solar Adaptive Optics (AO). In this paper, few observations made using the solar AO are enlightened and briefly discussed. A list of disadvantages with the current AO system are presented. With telescopes larger than 1.5m are expected during the next decade, there is a need to develop the existing AO technologies for large aperture telescopes. Some aspects of this development are highlighted. Finally, the recent AO developments in India are also presented

Supersonic Evershed flow outside Sunspots

We report on the discovery of mostly horizontal field channels just outside sunspot penumbrae (in the so-called `moat' region) that are seen to sustain supersonic flows (line-of-sight component of 6 km s{-1}). The spectral signature of these supersonic flows corresponds to circular polarization profiles with an additional, satellite, third lobe of the same sign as the parent sunspot' Stokes V blue lobe, for both downflows and upflows. This is consistent with an outward directed flow that we interpret as the continuation of the magnetized Evershed flow outside sunspots at supersonic speeds. In Stokes Q and U, a clear signature of a transverse field connecting the two flow streams is observed. Such an easily detectable spectral signature should allow for a clear identification of these horizontal field channels in other spectropolarimetric sunspot data. For the spot analyzed in this paper, a total of 5 channels with this spectral signature have been unambiguously found