Recycled brick aggregates in one-part alkali-activated materials: Impact on 3D printing performance and material properties

Data availability: Data will be made available on request.This study investigates the printability of one-part brick powder-based alkali-activated materials (AAMs) containing end-of-life brick particles as aggregate. The novel formulation showcases promise for 3D printing of small to medium-sized building blocks, reminiscent of a Lego-type system, capitalising on the rapid setting time inherent to one-part AAMs. The effect of replacing up to 50% by weight of natural aggregate with brick aggregate on the fresh properties of brick powder-based alkali-activated materials, including slump measurements, flowability, setting time, open time and green strength were investigated. In addition, the flexural and compressive strength of the 3D printed mixtures were determined and compared to those of cast specimens. The buildability and microstructure were also examined. The results showed that incorporating high porous and rough brick aggregate to replace natural aggregate is beneficial in improving the mixtures’ slump, which is essential for retaining the shape of the printed layers. However, it decreased the flowability, setting time and open time when incorporating up to 50% brick aggregate. The green, flexural and compressive strengths were increased with increasing brick aggregate content up to 50% due to enhancing interlock between the binder and brick aggregate, and the better compaction because of the absorption properties of brick aggregate. The mechanical results revealed the better performance of 3D printed specimens than the cast specimens. Moreover, the incorporation of brick aggregate enhanced the buildability of the mixtures showcasing their potential in advancing 3D printing capabilities.This work was funded as part of the DigiMat project, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement ID: 101029471. This research was funded in part by the National Center for Research and Development (NCBR), Poland within Project no. ERA-MIN3/140/Recycl3D/2022 (ERA-NET Cofund ERA-MIN3 (Joint Call 2021)). The funding provided by FCT - the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, is acknowledged: references UIDB/04625/2020 (CERIS research centre) and ERA-MIN3/0001/2021 (ERA-NET Cofund ERA-MIN3)

Comparison of the measurement of the range of motion by using an own mobile application and traditional goniometer

Najbardziej powszechnym urządzeniem stosowanym do pomiarów kątów zakresów ruchów ciała jest goniometr. Celem pracy było porównanie pomiarów zakresu ruchu w stawach za pomocą klasycznego goniometru i autorskiej teleinformatycznej aplikacji na smartfon − Goniometr v.1.0. Badaniom poddanych zostało 50 osób w przedziale wiekowym od 16 do 32 lat (średnia 25,8±4,5). Wykonano pomiary zakresu ruchu w stawie ramiennym przy użyciu goniometru tradycyjnego oraz aplikacji mobilnej. Średni zakres zgięcia stawu ramiennego mierzony goniometrem tradycyjnym wynosił 175,06°±3,38°, natomiast za pomocą aplikacji Goniometr v.1.0 177,82°±1,77°. Średni zakres wyprostu stawu ramiennego mierzonego goniometrem wynosił 46,86°±4,95°. Natomiast w przypadku aplikacji Goniometr v.1.0 − 44,36°±1,78°. Wyniki pomiarów za pomocą tradycyjnego goniometru charakteryzowały się wyższym odchyleniem standardowym niż wyniki pomiarów przy użyciu aplikacji Goniometr v.1.0.The most popular device used to measure the range of motion is a goniometer. The aim of this study was to compare the results of the measurements performed by means of classical goniometer and own mobile application for the smartphone − Goniometr v.1.0. 50 volunteers aged 16−32 years (mean age 25.8 ± 4.5) were enrolled in to the study. The range of motion in the shoulder joint was measured. The mean range of flexion of the shoulder measured by the goniometer was to 175.06°±3.38°, whereas in the case of mobile applications it was 177.82°±1.77°. The average range of extension of the shoulder measured by goniometer was 46.86°±4.95° and by Goniometer v.1.0 application it was 44.36°±1.78°. The results of measurements using a conventional goniometer were characterized by a higher standard deviation than results obtained by a mobile application Goniometer v.1.0

CyAnimator: Simple Animations of Cytoscape Networks.

CyAnimator (http://apps.cytoscape.org/apps/cyanimator) is a Cytoscape app that provides a tool for simple animations of Cytoscape networks. The tool allows you to take a series of snapshots (CyAnimator calls them frames) of Cytoscape networks. For example

CyAnimator: Simple Animations of Cytoscape Networks.

CyAnimator (http://apps.cytoscape.org/apps/cyanimator) is a Cytoscape app that provides a tool for simple animations of Cytoscape networks. The tool allows you to take a series of snapshots (CyAnimator calls them frames) of Cytoscape networks. For example

A systematic experimental study on biochar-cementitious composites: Towards carbon sequestration

Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.The utilisation of biochar, the carbon negative product of pyrolysis, reduces the carbon footprint of the cementitious composites as it possesses the potential to replace the consumption of Portland cement. In a systematic investigation, biochar was used as a partial cement replacement for up to 20 wt% in both cement pastes and mortars. A comprehensive experimental framework was conducted to evaluate the impact of biochar replacement on the performance of (i) cement paste in terms of hydration kinetics, rheology, strength development, porosity, and (ii) mortars in terms of mechanical, thermal, and transport properties. In addition, the durability of developed mortars, including freezing and thawing resistance, thermal resistance, acid (corrosion) resistance, flammability, and smoke production, were examined. The results revealed that lower replacement rates of cement with biochar (up to 5 wt%) do not substantially change the performance of cementitious composites. However, incorporating biochar in higher dosages (i.e., 20 wt%) influenced the hydration process, reduced flexural and compressive strengths by 49% and 29%, respectively, and increased the water absorption coefficient by 60% compared to control specimens. The same cement mortar demonstrated the most promising freeze-thaw (i.e., 98% relative residual compressive strength), acid resistance as well as considerably lower thermal conductivity. In addition, regardless of biochar content, mortars did not exhibit flammability. Therefore, this study demonstrated that despite specific technical issues, biochar can be successfully incorporated into high dosage to cementitious composite as an alternative binder with minimum environmental impacts to improve durability and insulating performance of mortars.Funding: This research was funded in part by the National Science Centre, Poland within Project No. 2020/39/D/ST8/00975 (SONATA-16)

Development of 3D printed heavyweight concrete (3DPHWC) containing magnetite aggregate

Data availability: Data will be made available on request.The main objective of this study is to develop 3D printed heavyweight concrete (3DPHWC) to produce elements with a dry density of up to 3500 kg/m3 by replacing natural aggregate (SA) with magnetite aggregate (MA) up to 100%. A comprehensive systematic study was conducted to thoroughly assess mixtures' mechanical properties, physical proficiency, fresh properties, and printing qualities. The inclusion of MA exhibited the desired fresh properties required for 3D printing and promising physical and mechanical properties. Evaluation of the mechanical properties of designed 3DPHWC indicates that replacing SA with MA increases both cast and printed samples' strengths. The 3D printed M100 sample achieved higher 28 days flexural and compressive strengths by 18 % and 20 %, respectively, compared to printed control mix (M0). Micro-CT study correspondingly demonstrated improvements in the composites' porosity, pore size, and pore morphologies. The linear attenuation coefficients (LACs) and half-value layer (HVLs) for slow neutron and gamma-ray were measured to assess radiation shielding characteristics. A significant performance improvement was obtained for slow neutrons by introducing the magnetite aggregate. Unlike slow neutrons, no significant difference was observed between cast and printed samples against γ-rays. Moreover, the effect of porosity on the shielding performance was discussed.This research was funded in whole by the National Science Centre, Poland within Project No. 2020/39/D/ST8/00975 (SONATA-16). This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (Ministry of Science and ICT Grant no. NRF-2021R1A4A3030924)