2 research outputs found
An Experimental Collective Intelligence Research Tool
The Collective Intelligence Research Tool (CIRT) is an experimental software and hardware research tool. It provides an inexpensive and efficient alternative research implementation that demonstrates simulations of the collective behaviour of self-organized systems, primarily social insects. The software focuses on 2D simulations of the woodchip-collecting behaviour of termites and 3D simulations of the building behaviour of wasps. The hardware simulation employs a Boe-Bot robot, which has the potential of simulating simple movements of a social insect, by extending its functionality through adding sensors and integrating a control chip
Pore structure and oil flow through hardened cement paste, mortar and concrete
Increased oil exploration necessitates building of conc~ete
structures for its production and storage. The effects of crude oil on
concrete properties are not well known and little data is available in the
published works.
This investigation covers HCP, mortar and concrete. First,
it studies the effects of cracking and direction of casting on the flow of
water or oil of different constitutions through concrete storage tanks.
Secondly, it studies the relationships between the pore structure and permeability
of HCP, mortar and concrete as influenced by w/c ratio, hydration
and aggregate content. OPC was used for the tests.
Experimental results show that, in concrete specimens, the flow
of water through cracks is generally greater than the flow of crude oil
through the same type of cracks. Sorptivity can predict reasonably accurately
the flow of liquids and is useful in characterizing the flow of various oil
types th:r:( ,ugh HCP, mortar and concrete. No specific oil property appears
to control the oil flow through cement composites. Concrete tanks should
be lined when used for storing diesel and parafin. Crude oil flow through
concrete tank wall was found to be 1.06 - 1.81 times flow through the tank
floor.
Increasing the w/c ratio, increases the total porosity, pore
surface area and threshold radius but decreases the density and does not
effect the hydraulic radius. Increasing the age of HCP (w/c = 0.7) from
7 days to 6 months decreases the total porosity, pore surface area, threshold
radius and hydraulic radius by 12%, 19%, 71% and 9% respectively, but
increases the density by 13%. Adding sand to HcP, reduces the total pore
volume and the pore surface area but increases the density. Wax deposits
.. from the crude oils blocked all pore radii <650A, which is called the
"critical pore radius" (Pcr). Saturation in crude oil appears to alter the internal structure of the cement composites. Dry curing increased
most pore parameters but decreased the strength of the mortars.
Permeability of mortar and concrete increases with w/c ratio,
applied pressure, aggregate volume concentration and drying temperature
but decreases with the test period and hydration. permeability was found
to relate reasonably accurately to pore structure using Kozeny's theory provided the pore parameters are for pores of radii >650A