Initial Swelling Mechanism of Expansive Clays: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Expansive soils are widely found in many parts of the world. Highly active smectite clay mineral Montmorillonite is the major constituent in these clays and can expand or contract up to 15 times of their original volume. Constrained swelling exert large amount of stress causing damage to structures, pavements etc. These clays are also used as barrier materials, Nano-materials in polymer clay Nano composites and drug delivery systems. Several factors influence the swelling potential such as water content, density, voids, electrolyte content and cation exchange capacity. However, molecular scale mechanisms that control swelling behavior in these clays need to be understood. Objectives of this research are to provide an insight into mechanisms that result in swelling of these clays. Molecular modeling is used to build and study solvation of Na-Montmorillonite system. Trajectories of water molecules are captured and the evolutions of interaction energies with swelling are calculated

Efflorescence and leaching behaviour of fly ash-slag based alkali-activated materials

The Abstract is currently unavailable, due to the thesis being under Embargo

Phase changes under efflorescence in alkali activated materials with mixed activators

Efflorescence in alkali-activated materials is a strong function of precursor and activator composition, which dictates their engineering properties and durability. In this study, the efflorescence of naturally cured NaOH/Na2SiO3 alkali-activated fly ash and alkali-activated fly ash-slag blended binder mixes was assessed with alkali concentration of 9 wt% Na2O, and 10 to 30 wt% of slag, and compared with binder mixes with 9 wt% Na2O, and 10 to 30 wt% of slag along with 2 wt% Na2CO3. The effects of efflorescence were assessed using visual and leaching inspections, and the compressive and split tensile strengths were determined post activation. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to quantify free alkalis in the leachate, and X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and thermo-gravimetric analysis were performed to analyse the phase changes in binder pastes after efflorescence. The increased slag content facilitated the formation of C-A-S-H gel and enhanced both chemical and mechanical properties of binder pastes. Furthermore, the inclusion of slag content also led to the reduction of the open porosity and efflorescence formation. Subsequent exposure of binder specimens to efflorescence conditions aided the formation of carbonate products, degradation of N-A-S-H and N-(C)-A-S-H gel, and a decrease in split tensile strength in the binder paste specimens

Effect of aggregate gradation on the mechanical strengths and permeability properties of porous concrete

Abstract Porous concrete (PC) is a very popular construction material in developed countries and is now finding application in India in parking lots. In this investigation, an effort was made to study the various performances of PC in the laboratory. Different gradations of coarse aggregates namely 4.75–10 mm, 10–12.5 mm, and 12.5–16 mm are considered to characterize PC adopting conventional compaction by tamping rod, additional 5 and 10 compactions by proctor hammer. The effect of varying compaction and the coarse aggregate gradation is studied on axial compressive, flexural tensile, and splitting tensile strengths of PC. In addition, a simple method is proposed to determine the permeability of all PC mixes. The work was extended to know the influence of low-grade fly ash and GGBS as supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) on the strengths and permeability of PC. Though the strength of PC in the presence of SCMs has decreased, the permeability and the estimated porosity of all mixes decreased compared to the 100% cement counterpart. A wide range of PCs were developed to suit several combinations of mechanical strength, density, and permeability depending on the type of application leading to a sustainable solution. The simple test method proposed to determine the permeability of the PC gives satisfactory results

Mechanical property and microstructure development in alkali activated fly ash slag blends due to efflorescence

Efflorescence of alkali activated materials (AAMs) is caused by alkali leaching and precipitation of carbonated salts, which occurs concurrently with leaching and natural carbonation. Efflorescence is specifically driven by precursor and activator variability in AAMs vis-a-vis phase changes, microstructure, and mechanical properties are not well understood. To that end, this study analyses the effects of long-term (90 days) efflorescence on AAMs with eight varied calcium and activator contents and correlated with compressive and splitting tensile strengths. Microstructural features including N-A-S-H/C, N-A-S-H gel change are analysed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). AAMs with 9 wt% Na2O and Ca/(Si + Al) ratio of 0.0 to 0.25 exhibit enhanced efflorescence and dealumination of Al[IV] in N-A-S-H/C,N-A-S-H gels, higher mobility of Na+ ions, and natural carbonation. AAMs with 5 wt% Na2O and Ca/(Si + Al) ratio of 0.0 to 0.25 exhibit lower efflorescence and higher stability, in contrast. Under efflorescence, the binder with 5 wt% Na2O and Ca/(Si + Al) ratio of 0.25 exhibited dealumination and carbonation, and the binders with 5 wt% Na2O and Ca/(Si + Al) of 0.0 to 0.10 showed less dealumination and higher concentration of Al[IV] in aluminosilicate gel, indicative of greater phase stability. This study highlights the criticality of calcium and activator doses in controlling the stability of phase composition and mechanical property, which is essential for the industrial application of AAMs