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- CCS (7)
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Towards an industrial laser doping process for the selective emitter using phosphoric acid as dopant
(2011)
Different laser supported approaches have already been realized, proving the great potential of laserdoped selective emitters (LDSE). However, it is challenging to establish a low-cost process by using pulsed laser tools. So far a single-step process only leads to satisfying results utilizing cw-lasers. In this paper we have examined a two-step process to produce laser-doped selective emitters on multicrystalline textured standard silicon photovoltaic wafers (90-Ω/sq-Emitter, SiN-antireflection coating (ARC)). The precise ARC removal by near-infrared fs-laser pulses (30 fs, 800 nm), and the doping of uncoated silicon wafers by ns-laser pulses (8 ns, 532 nm) were systematically investigated. In the fs-experiment, optimum conditions for ARC removal were identified. In the nsexperiments under suitable conditions (melting regime), the phosphorous concentration underneath the wafer surface was significantly increased and the sheet resistance was reduced by nearly a factor of two. Moreover, electrical measurements on fired metallization fingers deposited on the laser processed wafers showed low contact resistances. Hence, wafer conditioning with combined fs-laser- and ns-laser-processes are expected to be a promising technology for producing selective emitters.
The selective emitter is a well-known technology for producing highly doped areas under the metallization grid to improve the solar cell performance. In this work, the influence of laser irradiation on phosphoric acid coated multicrystalline silicon PV-wafers on the wafer surface structure, the phosphorous depth distribution and the electrical contact resistance within the laser treated area as well as the electrical series resistance of laserprocessed solar cells was evaluated. Different laser processing settings were tested including pulsed and continuous wave (cw) laser sources (515 nm, 532 nm, 1064 nm wavelength). Complementary numerical simulations using the finite element method (FEM) were conducted to explain the impact of the laser parameters on the melting behavior (melt duration and geometry). It was found that the melt duration is a key parameter for a successful laser Doping process. Our simulations at a laser wavelengths of 515 nm reveal that low-repetition rate (<500 kHz) laser pulses of 300 ns duration generate a melt duration of ~0.35 µs, whereas upon scanning cw-laser radiation at 532 nm prolongates the melt duration by at least one order of magnitude. Experimentally, the widely used ns-laser pulses did not lead to satisfying laser irradiation results. In contrast, cw-laser radiation and scan velocities of less than 2 m/s led to suitable laser doping featuring low electrical resistances in the laser treated areas.
Use of higher-alloyed metallic materials and duplex steels for transport tanks of dangerous goods
(2011)
Compatibility evaluations of selected metallic materials under the influence of dangerous goods are published in the BAM-List - Requirements for Tanks for the Transport of Dangerous Goods” as basis for substance-related prototype approvals for tank Containers designed for the carriage of dangerous goods.
There is a request of the tank manufacturing industry and transportation Companies to incorporate additional materials into the BAM-List, especially corrosion-resistant materials because of the large number of corrosive dangerous goods. One solution to solve corrosion Problems is to line the tank with a polymer, an alternative solution is the application of high-alloyed stainless steels and nickel-based alloys as there are 1.4529 (XINiCrMoCu 25-20-7, alloy 926), 1.4562 (X1NiCrMoCu32-28-7, alloy 31) and 2.4605 (NiCr23Mo16AI, alloy 59).
There is an interest to use cost-efficient steels with high strength values and concomitant adequate corrosion resistance such as duplex steel 1.4362 (X2CrNiN23-4).
This steel grade was originally developed as a substitute for the austenitic grades 1.4404 (X2CrNiMo17-12-2) and 1.4571 (X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2). Due to the lower content of the alloy elements nickel and molybdenum this duplex steel is a cost-efficient alternative to molybdenum containing austenite.
Due to the limited number of corrosion test results with welded test samples of these high-alloyed materials and the duplex steel under the influence of corrosive dangerous goods a comprehensive test Programme was performed with these materials in Cooperation with ThyssenKrupp VDM and Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH. It can be concluded from the test results that the superaustenitic steels 1.4529 and 1.4562 as well as the nickel-based alloy 2.4605 are a really good alternative as tank materials for the transport of dangerous goods in comparison to the lining of the tanks. The nickel-based alloy 2.4605 shows the best resistance and is suitable as material for tanks transporting all tested corrosive substances. One exception is the temperature limit during the transport of hydrochloric acid.
The superaustenit 1.4562 is a resistant material with a wide ränge of application. Exceptions for use are: ammonium bifluoride, brine, 34 % calcium Chloride solution, hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid, 90 % 2-chloropropionic acid, nitrating acid with nitric acid content > 50 % and molten monochloroacetic acid. The alloy is limited suitable for allyl Chloride, aluminum Chloride, copper (II) -Chloride and ferric Chloride. The superaustenit 1.4529 showed the lowest resistance compared to the other two materials. This steel is not resistant in hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid, sodium Chlorite and sodium hypochlorite. The application is limited in the concentration ränge of aqueous Solutions of aluminum Chloride, copper (II) Chloride and ferric Chloride. Due to the reduced alloying content of the duplex steel 1.4362 (X2CrNiN23-4) compared to the austenitic CrNiMo-steels, a lower resistance especially in acidic media like formic, acetic or sulfuric acid was observed. Within the more than 7.000 substances contained in the BAM-List there is a large amount of dangerous goods such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, esters, and inorganic alkaline substances which have a large transport volume and do not corrode the duplex steel 1.4362 (X2CrNiN23-4).
The test results are included in the actual 11th edition of the BAM-List and therefore available for the costumer.
Rubbers are often used for seal applications due to their special material properties and easy use. In many applications the material is exposed to low temperatures during Operation. Therefore it is important to know the material behavior at low temperatures to determine the temperature ränge that allows a Safe Operation of the seal, e.g. in storage and transport Containers for radioactive materials.
The seal function of an elastomer is limited in temperature by the rubber-glass transition during which the material properties change from rubber-like to stiff and glass-like. For a given application this correlation is not trivial and therefore needs an in-depth investigation under consideration of the physical properties and the
application conditions.
In this work different analytical methods are used to characterize the material behavior at low temperature in the ränge of the glass-rubber-transition and are compared with the quality of Operation of a component which is here defined by the detected leakage rate.
We present the status of our work on a tube shaped 3D deformation sensor based on continuously distributed fiber optic sensing. A sensor tube of very large diameter is used to ensure high sensitivity while the transportability and applicability are still comfortable due to our application strategy. The setup is designed to use different measurement techniques in the applied optical fibers including Brillouin based measurements and interferometric optical frequency domain measurements using an OBR 4400 from Luna Technologies.
Structural performances of earthen building materials. A comparison between different typologies
(2011)
Traditional construction techniques utilizing earthen materials are often seen as inferior compared to modern ways of building. Structural earthen elements are perceived as vulnerable towards environmental influences (moisture, frost) and in particular towards the load scenarios during earthquakes. In comparison to the recent advances in research on stone and brick masonry, knowledge on the structural performance of earthen building construction is limited and scattered. Consequently the confidence in the performance of these earthen buildings constructed in the traditional techniques during earthquakes is fairly low. The research presented here aims to make a comparison of mechanical behavior between different earth masonry material typologies, consisting of earth block masonry, rammed earth and cob. The paper has been developed in the framework of a larger research program called NIKER. BAM and other seventeen research partners from the Mediterrean area are jointly involved to develop and validate innovative materials and technologies for the systemic improvement of the seismic behavior of Cultural Heritage assets
Experimental investigation of the laser-plume interaction during high power fiber laser welding
(2011)
The effect of the well-known plasma absorption and refraction in CO2-laser metal welding plumes is in case of high power solid state laser welding negligibly small. By contrast, the diffraction effects of shorter wavelength laser radiation are considerable. According
to the results of preliminary studies, the fine condensed metal particles in the welding plume can lead to essential worsening of the laser beam quality.
This work is devoted to the investigation of the lasermatter interaction during up to 20 kW ytterbium fiber laser welding of thick mild steel plates. The plume attenuation of a probe 1.3 µm wavelength diode laser beam as well as of continuous radiation in 250-600 nm
wavelength range was measured during welding with and without Ar shielding gas supply. The measured results allow it to calculate average size and concentration of fine condensed metal particles in
different plume areas using the multi-wavelength method and the Mie scattering theory. The plume temperature, which determines the condensation conditions, was measured by means of Fe I atom
spectral line emission registration.
The obtained results can be also of interest for remote metal treatment with high-power fiber or disc lasers.
In connection with the use of chemically unstable gases (especially acetylene and ethylene oxide) accidents keep on happening - amongst them also quite serious ones. These gases are known to be chemically unstable. A chemically unstable sas is a flammable gas that is able to react exolosivelv even in the absence of air or oxveen. The investigation of accidents showed that the Chemical instability of flammable gases played an important role in the severity of accidents. Therefore, this hazardous property was included in the global harmonizatiön of the Classification of Chemicals. The Classification of chemically unstable flammable gases and mixtures is an amendment to Chapter 2.2 “Flammable gases” of the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), because most chemically unstable gases are flammable as well. The proposal to add them to the GHS originated from the experts of an informal working group of the UN Sub-Committee of Expert on the GHS (UNSCEGHS) headed by BAM, Germany. The UNSCEGHS has decided to include it in the Fourth Revised Edition of the GHS. The respective method for determining whether a gas is chemically unstable or not, is included in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. This paper presents some experimental investigations of these gases, the test methods, examples of new classifications and results from CHEMSAFE
Cementitious materials, in particular concrete, are durable materials if prepared appropriately and the Service life of concrete structures is now often required to last 120 years or more. Concrete durability depends strongly on intrinsic (e.g. composition, porosity) and exterior factors (e.g. moisture condition and composition, frost cycles, load pattem). Deleterious actions leading to concrete degradation are often created by the environment. Extemal sulfate attack is one of the more spectacular damage scenarios for concrete structures caused by the ingress of sulfate ions into the pore System of the material and successive formation of expanding phases. Though in recent years well studied there are still many questions remaining conceming the mechanisms of sulfate attack. In particular over the last ten years, with the increased utilization of blended cements, new questions arose concerning the sulfate resistance of those binder Systems. In the presented study therefore a method was developed to analyze the changes of the phase composition within the micro structure due to sulfate attack. The analytical method was based on pX-Ray diffraction (pXRD) using Synchrotron radiation in Debye-Scherrer (transmission) geometry. The spatial resolution of the method is ca. 10 pm and allows the characterization of phase transformations in the wake of damaging processes in more detail compared to other techniques. Furthermore, the experimental setup provides the possibility for analyzing the phase assemblage of a given sample without destroying the micro structure. This is possible because the specimens for phase analysis consists of thick sections, which can be used for further microscopic analysis of the micro structure and micro chemistry (e.g. by SEM-EDX). Samples containing supplementary cementitious materials were measured in comparison and to reconstruct the influence of the degradation process in detail. Additionally, reaction ffonts within the samples were localized by micro x-ray fluorescence analysis (MXRF).
A three-dimensional laminar steady
state numerical model was used to investigate
the influence of an alternating current (ac)
magnetic field during high power laser beam
keyhole welding of 20 mm thick nonferromagnetic
aluminum. COMSOL
Multiphysics was used to calculate the threedimensional
heat transfer, fluid dynamics and
electromagnetic field equations. Most
important physical effects of the process were
taken into account: Thermo-capillary
(Marangoni) convection at the upper and lower
weld pool boundaries, natural convection due
to gravity and latent heat of solid-liquid phase
transition. It is shown that the gravity drop-out
associated with welding of thick plates due to
the hydrostatic pressure can be prevented by
the application of an ac magnetic field. The
application of an oscillating magnetic field of
70 mT was investigated to allow for singlepass
laser beam welding of thick aluminum
plates. The flow pattern in the molten zone and
the temperature distributions are significantly
changed.
The inelastic torsional response of an asymmetric-plan hospital building is studied. The response of the structure in the time domain as recorded by highly sensitive sensor network, integrated by a data acquisition system. The identification was performed using techniques of modal extraction in the frequency domain (frequency Domain decomposition). A calibration process was applied in order to identify a reliable structural model to be used for the seismic vulnerability assessment of the hospital building. In particular, a nonlinear static procedure accounting for mass distribution, higher modes contribution and mode-shapes correlation was proposed for the estimation of the seismic response of irregular buildings. Finally, the influence of lateral force distribution, node control during pushover and accidental eccentricity is investigated.
The paper addresses two case studies of structural monitoring and seismic assessment of medieval masonry Towers in Italy: the bell tower of Aversa and the bell tower of Capua. These monuments in the Campania region were monitored by means of full-scale environmental vibration testing. Measured responses were then used for modal identification. The procedure is based on a typical finite element model updating technique based on vibration test results. Parameters optimization is carried out by minimizing a weighted error criterion relative to the building’s modal properties. A satisfactory improvement on modal parameters is thus obtained, resulting in a close Agreement between the modal properties observed in dynamic tests and those calculated from numerical model. Seismic assessment is carried out with nonlinear static analysis of the tower under multimodal distributions of lateral loads.
Nonlinear analysis indicates the potential collapse mechanisms and evidences dangerous structural weakness which may play a role in the seismic vulnerability of the towers.
Whenever the preservation of original substance obtains priority in a restoration task, reprofiling techniques using repair mortars are a welcome solution. For ordinary concrete repair aesthetic aspects are of minor importance whereas for the restoration of natural stone elements they come to the fore. Especially for listed buildings and monuments, historico-cultural and aesthetical interests become the ruling Parameters for planning and execution of restoration tasks. Nevertheless the technical and constructive requirements have to be considered and deterioration processes have to be understood to ensure sustainability and durability of the repair task. Due o differences in the Chemical and mineralogical composition, natural stone provides a vast variety of texture and colour. Also the range of different mechanical and durability related properties is far wider than found with concrete for example. A research project dealing with the development of a modular repair mortar System for natural stone is currently set up at the BAM. To provide the conservator with the best possible options to match colour, texture and technical requirements, the System will be setup on a modular basis. Several different binder Systems on basis of cement, lime and sodium Silicate as well as polymer based Systems are planned, which can be combined with different aggregate compositions and different pigments. To evaluate the mortar performance, test procedures will be defined for tests on mortar samples and on composite specimens. In the paper the experimental Programme will be explained and first results will be presented and discussed.
The paper has been developed in the framework of a larger EC‐research program called NIKER, in which BAM and other seventeen research partners from the Mediterrean area are jointly involved. It aims to develop and validate innovative materials and technologies for the systemic improvement of the seismic behavior of Cultural Heritage assets. The death tolls brought about by recent catastrophes in
developing countries where many inhabitants lived in earthen dwellings (Gujarat, India 2001, Bam, Iran 2003 and Concepción, Chile 2010 Earthquakes, Tamil Nadu 2004 Tsunami) have brought about research studies aimed at improving earth construction in terms of strength, seismic resistance and speed of construction.
In comparison to the recent advances in research on stone and brick masonry, knowledge on the material properties and failure mechanisms of earthen Building construction is limited and scattered.
The research presented here by aims making a comparison of mechanical behaviour between different earth masonry material typologies, consisting of earth block masonry, rammed earth and cob.
It has been shown in fire tests that polypropylene fibres reduce or avoid explosive spalling of high performance concrete. In the critical temperature ränge up to 300 °C the permeability of HPC increases by using polypropylene fibre. Due to this the water vapour, which is the main reason for explosive spalling, can escape. There exist different theories in the literature conceming the micro structural mechanisms, which cause an increase in the permeability. Within the framework of an internal research project at BAM an innovative methodology was developed for experimental verifying of existing theories and to get new insights into this problem The methodology used is unique and has been undertaken here for the first time. This consists of the combination of acoustic emission and ultrasonic measurement during temperature loading and the non-destructive micro structural analysis of cooled down samples with the aid of micro X-ray computed tomography. For the validation of the nondestructive test methods scanning electron microscopic images of prepared samples were undertaken. The results show that due to the thermal decomposition of the polypropylene fibres micro canals emerge. These are connected due to a simultaneous micro cack formation.
We studied Brillouin gain spectrum characteristics in dispersion-shifted fibers having compound GeO2-doping compositions in the fiber core to realize simultaneous measurement of distributed strain and temperature. Due to various dopant concentration alongside the radius of tested nonzero dispersion-shifted fibers several multiple Brillouin scattering resonances were observed in the stimulated Brillouin spectra arose through backscattering on higher acoustic modes which propagated along the fiber axis. As a result of the varying acoustic velocities, the Brillouin resonance peaks featured different temperature coefficients which can be used to accomplish the simultaneous measurement of fiber strain and temperature. We presented our first measurement results for NZDS Fujikura and LEAF Corning fiber and discussed the superior sensory suitability of the former fiber types.
Monitoring of fire damage processes in concrete by pore pressure and acoustic emission measurements
(2011)
This paper presents the combined use of acoustic emission (AE), gas pore pressure and temperature measurements (PT). The simultaneous application of both techniques represents a new methodology in the context of fire spalling and contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms of fire spalling, particular with regard to the interaction of micro cracking and pore pressure evolution. The study presents fire tests on normal strength concrete specimens with and without reinforcement at ISO Standard fire and at hydrocarbon (HC) fire. Supported by AE-analysis, it can be shown that due to the higher heating rate of the HC-fire in comparison to the ISO Standard fire the damage processes inside the concrete during the exposure are increased combined with augmenting the concrete permeability. As a consequence lower pore pressures were measured. However, despite the lower pore pressures, explosive spalling was observed.
Mechanisms of degradation of concrete by external sufate ions under laboratory and field conditions
(2011)
The durability of concrete is a major challenge for the construction, which devotes one third to one half of its annual investment to building maintenance. The lack of fieid data regarding concrete durability, especially in the case of exposure to Sulfate ions (“sulfate attack”) makes it dijficult to determine the appropriate fest methods andperformance criteria. Additionally, the increased use of sustainable blends (cement with mineral admixtures, typically slag from the iron industiy) suffers from a lack of experience regarding their long-term performance. Most results for sulfate resistance are derived from accelerated laboratoiy tests xvhere performance criteria are based only on macroscopic properties, especially expansion. To fill this gap and better widerstand the mechanisms of sulfate attack under real conditions, a parallel study of laboratoiy micro-concrete and fieid concrete samples under sulfate exposure was undertaken, focussing on microstructural changes in addition to the conventional macroscopic characterisation.
Four exposure regimes were designed in the laboratoiy: full immersion (ponding), pH-control, semi-immersion and wet/diy cycles. Pure Portland blends and slag blends witli high level of slag replacement (70 wt.-%) were investigated.
The exposure regime has been found to play a major role in the damage process. In ponding conditions, the damage process takes place in three stages characterised by a first period of induction, followed by surface damage thatfinally extends to the bulle of the material. Paradoxically, the w/c-ratio does not seem to have much impact on the ionic transport phenomena but might be more decisive in the microstructure mechanical strength against local stresses. The slag blends, considered as sulfate resistant in ponding exposure, revealed badperformances under wet/diy cycles. This beliaviour was attributed to poor proper physical resistance of the slag hydrates against diying.
The fieid concretes selected for the comparison with the laboratoiy cases were partially buried in a sulfate-enriched soil in Argentina. A pure Portland blend and a slag blends with high level of slag replacement (80 wt.-%) were investigated. The submerged part of the samples could be compared to the laboratoiy ponding exposure, wliile the upper layer of the samples subjected to weathering could be compared to the laboratoiy wet/diy cycles exposure. The fieid obsen’ations tend to confirm the laboratoiy results and validate the fest settings.
It has been underlined that a direct relationship between damage (e.g.; cracking/expansion) andphase assemblage was not evident. However, the study highlights that sulfate combination with the hydrates of the cement (e.g.; C-S-H) and with those of the slag would play a rote in the initiation of the expansion, which would be attributed to a swelling of the hydrates or to the precipitation offine ettringite after the Saturation level in sulfate of the hydrates has been reached.
Rising Prices of nickel and molybdenum in the past few years have led to unprecedented interest in Substitution of leaner-content alloys for Standard 300-series austenitic stainless steels in a lot of applications. Due to the high prices of different alloying elements and to periodic large fluctuations that cause similar large fluctuations in the costs of using 300-series stainless steels; a lot of new materials entered the markets in Europe and also in the rest of the world. A big disadvantage consists in the fact that there are though corrosion results that, however, a direct comparison of the corrosion resistance of these new materials does not exist up to now or only incompletely. In this project comparative investigations were carried out and always one or several representatives of a material group were incorporated. These material groups are: Lean Duplex Stainless Steels, Manganese Alloyed Austenitic and Duplex Stainless Steels and Ferritic Stainless Steels. These materials were investigated in a lot of different test procedures and in different conditions focused on the application in civil engineering and common use. Beside the electrochemical investigations all materials were exposed in different surface States in the atmosphere, once in Coastal nearness and once in a city centre area. Other exposition tests with material Coupons where done in the atmosphere of indoor swimming pools and at the case of food processing machines were corrosion processes are caused by the cleaning procedure. First results are reported.
Sustainable evaluation - concept to assess the applicability of secondary aggregates in concrete
(2011)
Nowadays there are several applications of mineral recycling materials and residues. At present an assessment method for the use of secondary raw materials, which considers sustainability aspects, does not exist. In the framework of the German DAfStb/BMBF research project “Sustainable Building with Concrete” an assessment concept was developed. It includes the following four assessment steps: I. Basic considerations, II. Advantages for sustainable construction, III. Alternative paths for application, and IV. Sensitivity analysis. The concept was developed on the basis of recycled concrete aggregates, which are already used according to German standards.
Afterwards, it was applied and verified by the evaluation of the utilisation of municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ashes (referred to MSWI bottom ashes).
Concrete technology was exposed to a rapid development during the last three decades. For the longest time in its history, concrete was considered as a three component System consisting of aggregates, which are bound by the hardened cement paste consisting of hydrated cement. Traditionally, the only way of adjusting the consistency of concrete was using well adjusted aggregates and grading curves and adding excess water to the concrete, accepting that the latter in return reduces strength and durability. During the last three decades, however, concrete has developed further from a three component System towards an (at least) five component system, since the use of mineral additions and Chemical admixtures has become state of the art. Both components are able to enhance the workability, the compactability, and the density of the microstructure with effects on strength, ductility and durability, while cement can be saved in parallel. Due to reasonable use of admixtures and additions, concrete can be designed to match mechanically high performance specifications. Traditionally, cement paste was considered the weakest component in concrete. Flowever, in modern concrete a good paste composition can yield highest performance, passing the role of the mechanical bottleneck towards the aggregates.
Many African countries face serious problems associated with the rapid growth of urban Population and the resulting demand for affordable building materials. In search for appropriate Solutions to improve the Situation, the “LightSHIP” project was initiated, whose aims were to identify the required product specifications, to evaluate possible approaches and ultimately to develop new Building materials for East Africa. It was concluded that these materials should be produced in Africa mainiy from local raw materials; prefabricated, easily transportable construction elements are to be preferred. It is therefore reasonable to focus on artificial stones and partition boards. To be Independent of imported cement, it is suggested to make use of volcanic rocks, which are abundant in East African countries, for lime-pozzoian binders and geopolymers in the production of these construction elements. Future research activities should thus concentrate on assessment of the applicability of available volcanic rocks, the influence of their properties on the resulting binders and the design of appropriate binder-reinforcement-filler Systems.
The SPIN project
(2011)
Globally, cement and concrete experts are at the cutting-edge to sustainable, green, healthy but nonetheless high-performance concrete. In the present age, concrete is not yet well established in Africa, which öfters the unique opportunity to build up a cement and concrete market based on the highest available state of technology. As this industry needs high level expertise, a central issue in implementation of skilled technology is cross-linking research institutions and laboratories. It should not be neglected that concrete is a product with comparably low transport ranges, which means that an improved concrete market will mainly support the local economy without exceeding financial drains to the international market, thus fostering the fight against poverty, which is an urgent need in most African countries.
The SPIN project highlights recent developments in the field of cement and concrete research with impact on the local and global economy. Challenges, future developments and opportunities for the African construction industry are in the focus.
The SPIN project is funded by the European Commission (EC) and supported by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States under the project body of the ACP Science and Technology Programme. SPIN is acronym for “Spearhead network for Innovative, Clean and Safe Cement and Concrete Technologies”. The project aims to cross-link experts with industry and policy making bodies, aiming to establish sustainable cement and concrete construction in Africa.
Combustion of peroxy-fuels
(2011)
The diffusion flames of organic peroxides exhibit quite different characteristics than hydrocarbons. What makes them interesting to study is their fast burning behaviour. As a result the flame temperature enhances and so does the thermal radiation. Due to all these they demand safe handling during processing. However, they can be utilised at several places in different industries where a fuel with fast burning, high temperature and intense radiation are desired. Some of the possibilities to use them as a main or supporting fuel in a wide range of industrial utilities are the major content of this paper.
The use of energetic materials as a main fuel in high temperature process
industries are not known to the scientific community as such. This paper
highlights some of the features and advantages of using organic peroxides
especially di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) in high temperature process industries.
The feasibility of using DTBP as a main or supporting fuel in process industries
have also been justified with the help of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
simulations. For peroxides requirement of less fuel and air for the same amount
of heat flux has been shown. The resulted emission from the combustion of
DTBP is also discussed.
OEMs perceive diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings as part of a strategy for low frictional tribosystems. Especially the automotive industry anticipates a benefit in applying such coatings in association with the lightweight construction of mechanical parts, for instance in gears and engines. In previous investigations it was shown, that DLC, amorphous carbon (a-C) and tetragonal amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings can be slip-rolling resistant at least up to ten million load cycles at Hertzian contact pressures P0max of 2.9 GPa lubricated by engine oil at 120°C, Further improvements in load carrying capacity up to P0mean of 2.62 GPa (FN= 5,000 N) were achieved with alternative, available Steel metallurgies as Substrates for thin film coatings. Additional factors, such as influences of the lubrication on the surface chemistry (additives and base oils), wear and friction behavior were investigated.
COMSOL Multiphysics® was used as a tool for the better understanding of the evolution of flow patterns during the induced ignition of gases. A simplified model was developed for the scope, by coupling the weakly compressible Navier Stokes module and the convection and conduction module. The current paper presents the results of the performed simulations.
Infrastructure is subject to continuous ageing. This has given life cycle management of infrastructure an increasing role. Reliable inspection and monitoring tools are therefore an increasing demand. A combination of different non-destructive test methods is often necessary to receive reliable results for material characterization,
flaw detection and the determination of component specific geometry parameters.
Regarding concrete structures thickness measurements are combined with flaw detection and additional information about reinforcement and tendon ducts is required.
Therefore, a multi-sensor measurement approach is necessary with a high degree of automation. Otherwise a time consuming succession of manual measurements has to be performed which would prevent practical applications. A modular control and data acquisition approach is described and the application of two different automated measurement devices is shown. The BetoScan system consists of a self-navigating
mobile robot. The system is especially designed for the investigation of reinforced concrete floors exposed to de-icing salts. The data acquisition of the OSSCAR system a multi-sensor scanner is similar to the robot approach. These different applications are based on a similar kernel allowing the modular use of different contact and noncontact sensors. The described general concept of multi-sensor data acquisition and data analysis presented here is not limited to the field of civil engineering applications.
For the last decades vibration based damage detection of engineering structures has become an important issue for maintenance operations on transport infrastructure. Research in vibration based structural damage detection has been rapidly expanding from classic modal parameter estimation to modern operational monitoring. Methodologies from control Engineering especially of aerospace applications have been adopted and converted for the application on civil structures. Here the difficulty is to regard to the specific environmental and operational influence to the structure under observation. A null space based damage detection algorithm is tested for its sensitivity to structural damage of a prestressed concrete road bridge. Specific techniques and extensions of the algorithm are used to overcome difficulties from the size of the structure which is associated with the number of recorded sensor channels as well as from the operational disturbances by a nearby construction site. It can be shown that for concrete bridges the proposed damage detection methodology is able to clearly indicate the presence of structural damage, if the damage leads to a significant change of the structural system. Small damage which do not result in a System change when not activated by loading, do not lead to a modification of the dynamic response behavior and for that cannot be detected with the proposed global monitoring method.
For the last decades vibration based identification of damage on civil Engineering structures has become an important issue for maintenance operations on transport infrastructure.
Research in that field has been rapidly expanding from classic modal Parameter estimation using measured excitation to modern operational monitoring. Here the difficulty is to regard to the specific environmental and operational influence to the structure under observation. In this paper, two methods accounting for statistical and/or operational uncertainties are applied to measurement data of a progressive damage test on a prestressed concrete bridge. On the base of covariance driven Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) an algorithm is developed to monitor and automatically compute confidence intervals of the obtained modal parameters. Furthermore, a null space based non-parametric damage detection method, utilizing a statistical χ2 type test is applied to the measurement data. It can be shown that for concrete bridges the proposed methodology is able to clearly indicate the presence of structural damage, if the damage leads to a change of the structural system.
Flame temperature (T), surface emissive power (SEP) of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) pool fires (d = 1 m, 6.1 m, 30 m) are investigated by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation and compared with experimental results.
Time averaged flame temperatures of T = 1320 K, T = 1298 K and T = 1281 K are obtained. Surface emissive power (SEP) of 55 kW=m2, 130 kW=m2 and 230 kW=m2 are predicted.
Most of the measurements of temperatures in large pool fires are indirect and present a number of complexities due to the interactions of convection, radiation and soot blockage. In the present work these influences for two organic peroxide [tert-butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB) and tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate (TBPEH)] pool fires are analysed.
Thermocouple measured temperature in the clear flame zone i.e. combustion zone are found to be 250-400 K lower than from the thermographic measurements. The convective and radiative heat flux contributions from the fire on temperature measurements are discussed. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations have been performed for large pool fires and the predicted time averaged flame temperatures were found to be in qualitative agreement with
measurements due to the stoichiometric combustion model used in the present simulations.
For long-range measurements in geotechnical and industrial applications, distributed optical fiber sensors have become a tool of increasing importance throughout the past decade.
Classic deformation monitoring (performed by strain gauges etc.) and temperature monitoring (Pt100 and alike) deliver data from fixed, single spots of a structure; quasidistributed measurements (fiber bragg gratings) provide a Chain of discrete measurement points along a limited sensing length. In contrast, an opticai fiber connected to a device for distributed strain and temperature sensing (DTSS) will provide a continuous profile of strain and temperature - spatially resolved down to less than 1 m - over a ränge of several tens of kilometers.
In DTSS measurements, the nonlinear opticai effect of stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) is employed: two light waves with a stable, tunable frequency offset are injected into opposite ends of the sensing fiber, where they will form a beat pattem, at which parts of the light will be scattered. By matching the frequency offset of the light waves to the propagation of acoustic fluctuation in the opticai fiber, a power transfer from one light wave to the other can be measured; since the acoustic propagation directly shifts with train and temperature of the fiber, these two quantities can be measured by tuning the light waves’ frequency offset.
How do application-related issues influence the reliability of fiber optic strain measurements?
(2011)
Fibre optic strain sensors are increasingly used and sensor systems are provided with specifications. Even if the performance is well specified, the strain characteristics of the sensor, strain transfer factor, mechanical stability under thermal influences, the performance of applied strain sensors can seriously differ from virgin sensor's the performance. The contribution will focus on issues that can deteriorate the sensor function or reduce the reliability of measurement results. Aspects are considered how to come to reliable strain measurements and how to validate strain measurements of applied sensors. Related to this topic, European activities like the recently started European COST TD1001 action, called (OfSeSa) will be presented.
Strain measurement in structures witli the purpose of long-term structurai health inonitoring must provide reliable inforination about the structure’s behavior over the whole period of use. The user must be sure that installed sensors are validated and work to the utmost satisfactiou. For this purpose, sensor Systems are tested using special facilities. Bccause it is not easy to characterize the strain transfer quality from the host structure into surface-applied strain sensors, a unique testing facility has been developed. Originally developed for fiber Bragg grating based sensors, the KALFOS facility (= calibration of fiber optic sensors) can also be used for electrical strain sensors.
Calibration ineasurements are referenced by unbinsed Digital Image Correlation (D1C) and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometer (ESPI) methods. The strain transfer behavior can experimentally be analyzed and investigated under combined thermal and mechanical loading conditions and allows revealing wealuiesses in couimonly used attachment methodologies. The deformation of all members (particularly the coating/substrate - adhesive combination) in the sensing area is physically independently gained and recorded. Results achievcd allow precise description of the strain transfer function, Validation of the longterm strain sensor characteristics, matching of specific measurement requirements with environmental conditions, and, moreover, the verification of Standards for use of strain sensors.
Strain sensors embedded in or attached to structural components have to measure the real deformation of the structure over the whole period of use. The user must know how reliably installed sensors provide strain measurement results. For this purpose, test facilities or coupon tests are used. In order to characterize the strain transfer quality from the host structure into surface-applied strain sensors, a unique testing facility has been developed. This facility can be used both for fiber optic and resistance strain sensors. Originally developed for fiber Bragg grating based sensors, the KALFOS facility (=calibration of fiber optic sensors) uses Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometer (ESPI) as unbiased referencing methods. It is possible to determine experimentally the strain transfer mechanism under combined thermal and mechanical loading conditions. This experimental characterization method will reveal weaknesses in commonly used strain sensors, and the investigation of the material systems used for fiber optic and other strain sensors (particularly the coating/substrate - adhesive combination). The KALFOS facility allows matching of specific measurement requirements with environmental conditions.
Thin layers of textile reinforced concrete (TRC) can be used as strengthening for reinforced concrete (RC) slabs or beams to increase their foad-bearing capacity. The concrete matrix consists of a fine-grained concrete with a thickness of 8 to 15 mm. Information on the behaviour of strengthened structures subjected to fire is of particular inlerest for practical applications of this innovative construction method. A total of 7 RC slabs with Steel reinforcement were produced: 2 slabs were used as reference and 5 slabs were strengthened with three layers of textile reinforcement. Ultimate capacity of reference slabs and particular TRC strengthened slabs was determined from statie load results fom 4-point-bending tests.
Fire tests on these slabs were carried out with utilization fectors using a Standard temperature curve (ISO-834-1) for fire testing. Test loads varied between 0 % and 65 % ofuMmate load.
To detect temperatures during fire exposure thermocouples were arranged throughout the cross-section of the slabs. Depending on the utilization the slabs were exposed to fire for 30 minutes or for 60 minutes. In some cases bending fäilure occurred, in other cases the slabs survived. None of the specimens exhibited any visual damage or concrete spalling during fire exposure. Results of deformation measurements and residual strength measurements are presented. Even though mechanisms are not fifily understood, it is important to discuss the presumable reasons for the surprisingiy positive test results. It is presumed tbat the key mechanisms contributing to the outstanding fire resistance capability presented are: superior crack control of the TRC and load redistribution between textile and Steel reinforcement as well as the primary load transfer directly into the slabs.
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) - due to its high hydrogen content - is used as neutron shielding material in casks for storage and transport of radioactive materials. Besides this, UHMW-PE - as a high-performance polymer - has been used for several years in medical technology due to its excellent slip and wear properties. Due to the special properties of UHMW-PE which result basically from its extreme chain lengths and its high degree of crystallinity, it is predestinated for the aforementioned applications.
In both cases, irradiation and its impact on the molecular structure of polyethylene play an important role. In the first case, irradiation exists as a by-product of inserting the radioactive material in the cask. Hence PE has to withstand any type of degradation affecting safety relevant aspects to be applicable for long term radiation shielding purposes for instance over a period of 40 years. In the second case irradiation is applied deliberately for purposes such as sterilization and crosslinking, leading to partial improvement of the mechanical properties (e.g. fracture toughness, crack propagation resistance, wear resistance) and better Chemical stability.
Specifically concerning their use in the field of medical technology, different types of UHMW-PE have been objects of numerous publications. It is generally accepted that two parallel and competitive processes, based on chain scission and reactions of Ccentered radicals and molecular fragments, occur in PE as a consequence of radiation: radical recombination accounts for crosslinking, together with some disproportionation, formation of low molecular weight fragments, and recrystallization. Furthermore, formation of oxygenated structures in the presence of traces of oxygen is an antagonist of the C-centered radicals. Radiation induced scission preferentially takes place in the amorphous phase and noncrystalline surface of the crystals. It is followed by folding of molecular fragments, crystallinity growth and increased perfection in the crystal lamellae [4, 5]. Chain scission results in shorter polymer molecules, fewer entanglements, and consequently, increased molecular mobility.
The scope of our investigation comprises an estimation of the radiation and thermal impact on the molecular and supra molecular structure of the two types of PE used for neutron shielding cask components. A further point which is worth to explore is to what extent these changes are detectable by thermo-analytical (TA) methods, such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermo Mechanical Analysis (TMA), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Thermogravimetry (TG). Additionally FT-IR and solubility measurements have been performed.
In our studies we focused on the UHMW-PE material GUR 4120 which was y irradiated at RT and compared to the untreated material.
Recent advances in the fabrication of diffractive X-ray optics have boosted hard X-ray microscopy into spatial resolutions of 30 nm and below. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of zone-doubled Fresnel zone plates for multi-keV photon energies (4-12 keV) with outermost zone widths down to 20 nm. However, the characterization of such elements is not straightforward using conventional methods such as knife edge scans on well-characterized test objects. To overcome this limitation, we have used ptychographic coherent diffractive imaging to characterize a 20 nm-wide X-ray focus produced by a zone-doubled Fresnel zone plate at a photon energy of 6.2 keV. An ordinary scanning transmission X-ray microscope was modified to acquire the ptychographic data from a strongly scattering test object. The ptychographic algorithms allowed for the reconstruction of the image of the test object as well as for the reconstruction of the focused hard X-ray beam waist, with high spatial resolution and dynamic range. This method yields a full description of the focusing performance of the Fresnel zone plate and we demonstrate the usefulness ptychographic coherent diffractive imaging for metrology and alignment of nanofocusing diffractive X-ray lenses.
Claddings of different nickel based alloys were generated on a mild Steel (S235JR) and a stainless steel type 304 by Cold Metal Transfer (CMT). This welding procedure possesses a low degree of mixing between the Substrate and cladding material. Thus it improves the corrosion behaviour of the claddings. The aim of our investigations was to examine the effect of the welding parameters: energy per unit length, shielding gas and finishing surface treatment on the pitting corrosion behaviour of the claddings.
However, under Standard test conditions nickel based alloys are often resistant to pitting corrosion. Moreover these test methods are inaccurate and require a large period of time resulting from the iterative progress to determine the critical pitting temperature (CPT). A potentiostatic test method was modified using a high concentrated CaCI2-solution and a conventional three electrode measuring cell. The pitting corrosion behaviour is calculated from current noise charges. During the test the course of corrosion is detected online by the evaluation of electrochemical noise Signals while a continuous increase of temperature by a defined heating rate is realised.
Thus a critical pitting temperature can be estimated by only one attempt. Furthermore the deviation of the measured CPT is very low compared to Standard tests using gravimetrical and microscopic evaluation. That enables to figure out the influence of the welding parameters in an exact way.
Nowadays there are several applications of mineral recycling materials and residues. At present an assessment method for the use of secondary raw materials, which considers sustainability aspects, does not exist. In the framework of the German DAfStb/BMBF research project 'Sustainable Building with Concrete' an assessment concept was developed. It includes the following four assessment steps: I. Basic considerations, II. Advantages for sustainable construction, III. Alternative paths for application, and IV. Sensitivity analysis. The concept was developed on the basis of recycled concrete aggregates, which are already used according to German standards. Afterwards, it was applied and verified by the evaluation of the utilisation of municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ashes.
Monitoring of PAH in aqueous samples - a comparison of different sample preparation techniques
(2011)
Repair mortars for the restoration and reprofiling of natural stone elements in cultural heritage
(2011)
For the protection of the world's cultural heritage the restoration of listed buildings and monuments is an important task. In many cases the need to repair and reprofile natural stone elements occurs. Repair mortars for such applications have to match historicocultural interests as well as durability related and constructive interests. Currently a research project dealing with the development and optimisation of such mortars is set up at the BAM. Special focus is laid on the possibility of a modular adaption to match a vast variety of stone properties. Besides the development and lab scale testing of the mortar system, an in-situ application will be planned and executed.
The present article gives an insight into the research project BEGLARES. Main topics are the restoration “Dalles de Verre” Windows and the development of repair mortars and techniques. This project is executed in cooperation between Glasmalerei Peters GmbH, the University of York, and the BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The main mechanism of damage, Standards for protection and repair of concrete structures, and the development of repair mortar and special test specimens are presented.
This paper presents a sampling strategy for mobile gas sensors. Sampling points are selected using a modified artificial potential field (APF) approach, which balances multiple criteria to direct sensor measurements towards locations of high mean concentration, high concentration variance and areas for which the uncertainty about the gas distribution model is still large. By selecting in each step the most often suggested close-by measurement location, the proposed approach introduces a locality constraint that allows planning suitable paths for mobile gas sensors. Initial results in simulation and in real-world experiments with a gas-sensitive micro-drone demonstrate the suitability of the proposed sampling strategy for gas distribution mapping and its use for gas source localization.
The outdoor weathering of polymers is mainly due to UV radiation, water, Pollution, humidity, temperature etc. To understand the effects of weathering, simulated tests need to be undertaken in lab scale. Such tests must be quite efficient and similar to the effects of natural weathering. This paper mainly focuses on the effects of UV radiation along with humidity on LDPE.
Photo-oxidative ageing of polymers under defined exposure (UV, humidity) was investigated from two points of view: a) the ageing process Starts from the topmost surface and penetrates slowly towards bulk and b) radicals play an important role among ageing. Therefore, X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy were applied to show both, the progressive incorporation of oxygen during in-situ UV irradiation (XPS) and the formation of radicals (ESR) in the polymer. The intensity of ESR Signals served as measure for radical concentration. The Validation of this correlation was checked for polyethylenes (PE) equipped with different concentrations of Hostavin N30 UV stabilizer.
A fibre Bragg grating (FBG) strain patch specially adapted for long-term and high-strain applications was developed and characterised. Additionally, in the case of unknown main stress axis, two fibre optic strain rosettes were developed. The design concept for the patch and the rosettes is based on a glass fibre reinforced plastic (gfrp) carrier material. The patches were characterised due to their strain gauge factor and fatigue behaviour. As a result, FBG strain patches with linear strain behaviour and excellent fatigue resistance were developed and can be used as part of a monitoring system for aerospace structures or wind turbine power plants. The rosettes were designed to be small in geometrical size and their strain transfer behaviour was characterised.
We investigated the capabilities of long period gratings (LPG) in single-mode microstructured polymer optical fibre (mPOF) for humidity sensing. For that mPOF LPGs were exposed to different humidity levels
at a constant temperature of 30°C in a climate chamber. During the long term tests, which took up several weeks, the humidity was changed in several steps while mPOF LPG wavelength and fibre attenuation were measured.
We also measured the water uptake of mPOF in environment with different relative humidity.
This paper reports on a fibre optic sensor for heart rate measurement which is developed within the framework of the FP7 EU project i-Protect. Goal is integration of the sensor into personal protective equipment Two different sensor prototypes based on polymer optical fibre (POF) were developed. One is based on long period gratings in microstrutured POF and the other one is based on macrobending effects in POF.
We investigated to our knowledge for the first time the capabilities of long period gratings (LPG) in single-mode microstructured polymer optical fibre (mPOF) as real-time gamma dosimeter. The fibre is made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with a polycarbonate jacket. We measured the radiation-induced wavelength shift of the mPOF LPG loss feature wavelength and the radiation-induced attenuation of a mPOF for
different wavelength between 600 nm and 800 nm for gamma radiation with an energy distribution between 6 keV and 18 keV.
This paper reports on a fiber optic sensor for heart rate measurements. The sensor will be integrated into personal protective equipment within the framework of the FP7 EU project i-Protect. Two different sensor prototypes were developed. One is based on fiber Bragg gratings in silica fiber and the other one is based on macrobending effects in polymer optical fiber.
A multi-sensor system for 3D localization was developed and named BodyGuard. It combines body movement sensing and a guard system for the tracking and recording of the status of persons. BodyGuard was designed to monitor and transmit the movement of a person radio-based and to transform that data into a spatial coordinate. This paper describes how the BodyGuard system works, what components the system consists of, how the individual sensor data is converted into 3D motion data, with which algorithms the individual sensors are processed, how individual errors are compensated and how the sensor data are fused into a 3D Model.
Damage to buildings occurs if a construction component fails. The result is a partial or total collapse which can be dangerous for people for example if it's a bridge or a large hall. The collapse of the terminal building at the Airport Charles de Gaulle in Paris and the damage at the historic City Archives of Cologne are typical examples of such accidents. Another problem is the contradiction of the increasing volume of traffic (particularly heavy traffic) and the great age of bridges. The probability increases that the load-bearing capacity of a bridge decreases. For example the collapses of the Mississippi Bridge and of the Inntal Motorway Bridge can be seen as results. Therefore it is necessary to control endangered structures during their life span.
In order to prevent these kinds of accidents, the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing developed a radio-based, self-configuring measuring system in cooperation with the ScatterWeb Company, Berlin (Germany). This measuring system consists of identically designed sensor modules which are self-sustaining, wireless, act as transmitters and receivers and are equipped with a special sensor technology for long-term monitoring of buildings or engineering facilities. The sensor unit uses strain gauges for stress analysis and contains interfaces for additional sensors. The system in particular applies to buildings and structures for transport and traffic and large-scale industrial facilities, where a subsequent wiring installation is difficult or impossible.
To determine a polymer’s spectral response of photo degradation, two main methods have been established. The so-called “filter technique” uses polychromatic radiation, which is filtered by a set of various sharp cut-on filters. This procedure provides separated reading points of an activation spectrum of the investigated material. With the "spectrographic technique” a specimen is irradiated with pectrally dispersed radiation, locally quasi monochromatically, and the local property changes.are related to the radiant exposure at the respective wavelengths. A third method, the irradiation of specimens with quasi monochromatic radiation behind interference filters, is rarely used.
These methods have advantages and disadvantages and therefore, there are limits for conclusions from these spectral data. Concerning the quasi monochromatic Irradiation of specimens the development of new UV radiation sources looks promising.
With the rapid development of inexpensive UV Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), new : sources of nearly monochromatic radiation in the UV ränge are available, even down to about 250 nm. To determine the spectral response, the use of such UV-LEDs in TO-18 ) and TO-39 metal cases combines the advantages of low cost and energy efficiency, stable spectral irradiance, temperature.and humidity control, larger specimen areas, and an easy and stable analysis.
Combinations of different UV LEDs are also discussed as replacement for xenon arc ' radiation sources, see patent application EP01528388A1.
A new burner concept (PEROXY-BAM®) for the combustion of liquid organic peroxides (Peroxy-fuels) is presented. As peroxy-fuels are thermally unstable the design of burners for them should be accordingly modified ensuring a safe operation. It is found that 10 to 100 time less amounts of peroxy fuels are required for the same heat flux or output in comparison to hydrocarbons. Correspondingly, the fuel pump power and the volume of combustion chamber (furnace) are also reduced. As a result of less amount of fuel the emissions will also be stepped down and oxygen in the molecule helps to establish conditons like in an oxy-fuel combustion process. The advantages of using peroxy-fuels over hydrocarbons inside a model combustion chamber are also investigated with the help of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations.
The present investigations cover different relevant influences on the numerical calculation of welding-induced distortion. Therefore, a single-layer pulsed gas metal arc (GMA) weld of structural Steel S355J2+N with a thickness Öf5 mm is experimentally and numerically investigated. The influences of mesh density, tack-welds, and continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams on welding-induced distortion are studied. The quality and quantity of These effects are clarified based on the used experimental and numerical set up. The occurring differences between the investigated cases achieve significant values. Consequently, prediction of welding-induced distortion can be improved considering the present investigations.
Dye-biomolecule conjugates and NIR-fluorescent particles for targeting of disease-related biomarkers
(2011)
Indispensable for fluorescence imaging are highly specific and sensitive molecular probes that absorb and emit in the near infrared (NIR) spectral region and respond to or target molecular species or processes. Here, we present approaches to targeted fluorescent probes for in vivo imaging in the intensity and lifetime domain exploiting NIR dyes. Screening schemes for the fast identification of suitable fluorophores are derived and design criteria for highly emissive optical probes. In addition, as a signal amplification strategy that enables also the use of hydrophobic NIR fluorophores as fluorescent reporters, first steps towards versatile strategies for the preparation of NIR-fluorescent polymeric particles are presented that can be utilized also for the design of targeted and analyte-responsive probes.
A novel quasi-distributed long-gauge fiber optic strain sensor system for dynamic measurement
(2011)
We present a novel technique based on incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) to measure length changes quasi-distributed between reflection points in optical fibres. The technique enables length changes to be measured with a resolution better than 1 µm and allows for static and dynamic measurement capabilities up to 2 kHz. We demonstrate that dynamic measurements of multiple fibre sections can be conducted independently from each other with high precision. Due to the precise and dynamic measurement capabilities, the proposed sensor system is expected to open new fields of application, especially in the structural-health-monitoring sector. Possible applications are discussed in the paper.
The material parameters melt flow rate MFR, density D, notched impact strength N.I.S. at -30 °C, stress crack resistance FNCT and resistance to oxidative degradation Ox (determined by the increase of MFR) have been selected for a comparison of polyethylene grades for one design type in the “European Standard EN 15507 - Transport packaging for dangerous goods - Comparative material testing of polyethylene grades”. The parameters have a systematic relationship with design type tests. The notched impact strength at -30 °C and the resistance to oxidative degradation of polyethylene grades determined with test specimens of compression moulded sheets are directly comparable with drop tests at -18 °C of design types produced of these grades after pre-storage with 55 % nitric acid for 21 days at 40 °C. The impact of the pre-storage time of jerricans with 55 % nitric acid at 40 °C and 23 °C on the marginal drop heights in drop tests at -18 °C, on the MFR and on the tensile properties tensile strength, breaking elongation and the elastic modulus were investigated. Packaging design types (jerricans) made of three polyethylene grades from different producers were pre-stored with 55 % nitric acid for 21,42 and 84 days at 40 °C as well as for six months at 23 °C. The MFR and tensile properties of test specimens taken from the design type side walls as well as the marginal drop heights of the jerricans in drop tests at -18 °C were determined.
The values of the notched impact strength at -30 °C of polyethylene grades are not comparable with the marginal drop heights determined in drop tests at -18 °C. The oxidative damaging impact of nitric acid has a greater effect on the grade with lower resistance to oxidative degradation by reducing more significantly the marginal drop heights with increasing pre-storage time.
Pre-damage with 55 % nitric acid for 21 days at 40 °C, as recommended in ISO 16101 and EN 15507 caused an increase in the marginal drop heights of most design types in drop tests when compared with design types without pre-damage. The test results demonstrated clearly that pre-storage of the jerricans for six months at 23 °C caused a higher increase in the MFR and lower marginal drop heights of the jerricans in drop tests at -18 °C compared with pre-storage of the jerricans for 21 days at40 °C.
The mechanical properties change as a result of diffusion of nitric acid into the polyethylene grades and the reaction of the nitric acid with the polymers. The percentage decrease and increase in the tensile strength, breaking elongation and elasticity modulus of test specimens taken from the design type side walls after different pre-storage times were only partly comparable with the marginal drop heights in drop tests at -18 °C.
Plasma processes are used in many fields of Science and technology. While a plasma oxygen treatment produces a broad variety of different oxygen-containing functional groups, tailored - surface functionalisation demands preset functional groups in known concentration. Due to the fact that most of plasma experiments need expensive vacuum equipment increased efforts are to observe to apply atmospheric pressure plasma processes. Thus, Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) and corona treatment of polymer foils have a long tradilion in industry to modify them for printing, laminating, adhesion promotion, etc. Thercibre, increasing interest is observed to make these atmospheric pressure processes more effeclive. Newly developed methods like plasma-printing were used for surfaces in biological and medical applications or for printed circuits.
In Operational Modal Analysis, the modal parameters (natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes) obtained from Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) of a structure, are afflicted with statistical uncertainty. For evaluating the quality of the obtained results it is essential to know the respective confidence intervals of these figures. In this paper we present algorithms that automatically compute the confidence intervals of modal parameters obtained from covarianceand data-driven SSI of a structure based on vibration measurements. They are applied to the monitoring of the modal parameters of a prestressed concrete highway bridge during a progressive damage test that was accomplished within the European research project IRIS. Results of the covariance- and data-driven SSI are compared.
Standardized test methods by which the efficacies of conventional Chemical wood preservatives against insects determine their toxic effects against larvae of wood boring beetles or their feeding prevention by termites. Although alternative control strategies to the application of biocides exist, such as interference with insect behavior during mating or when searching for suitable breeding and feeding sites, their acceptance, too, depends on efficacy evaluation. This is why new test set ups are needed which take behavior modifying control strategies into account. This paper will demonstrate how new laboratory tests must be designed or how existing Standards can be altered to reliably interpret insect behavior including its successful manipulation in a standardized format.
To ensure a high operational reliability of offshore wind turbines (OWEC) with economically acceptable repair and maintenance efforts, comprehensive diagnosis and supervision concepts are required. Automatic monitoring Systems will be an essential part of such concepts. Because of the fact, that during Operation there will be static and dynamic interaction between the components ‘structure’, ‘machinery’ and ‘blades’ it is necessary to develop the monitoring techniques in an overall concept. These monitoring Systems are supposed to be applied for the design and testing as well as for the Operation and maintenance phases. The knowledge of the dynamic behavior of wind turbines is important both for the design and for a safe Operation. The available monitoring data from a period of three years, allow first conclusions on the long-term Operation of such Systems in terms of quality requirements to the instrumentation to the structure and the rotor blades
This paper describes a structural reliability analysis utilizing monitoring data in the ultimate limit state with consideration of the uncertainties of the monitoring procedure. For this purpose the uncertainties of the monitoring data are modeled utilizing a new framework for the determination of measurement uncertainties. The approach is based on a process equation and Statistical models of observations for the derivation of a posterior measurement uncertainty by Bayesian updating. This facilitates the quantification of a measurement uncertainty using all available data of the measurement process. For the reliability analysis in the ultimate limit state, monitoring data can be utilized as a loading model Information and as proof loading, i.e. resistance model Information. Both approaches are discussed with generic examples and it is shown that the modeling of monitoring data in a reliability analysis can result in a reduction of uncertainties and as a consequence in the reduction of the probability of failure. Furthermore, the proof loading concept is developed further to account for the uncertain characteristic of proof loading due to the measurement uncertainties which is consistent with the framework for the determination of measurement uncertainties. These approaches and findings can be utilized for the assessment of structures for life cycle extension and the design of monitoring Systems.
Residual stresses arising during welding, especially in high energy beam welding, can reach levels up to the material specific yield strength causing service life mitigating consequences through stress relaxation or stress corrosion cracking. A number of processes were developed like stress relief annealing or the low-stress-no-distortion-technique to reduce these stresses.
But such methods are only applicable for wider welds and simple component geometries or they are cost-intensive. The method presented in this paper uses the welding beam after welding in a defocused mode for heating the material regions in a certain distance from the weld on both sides. With this process it is possible to decrease the stresses in small welds with high stress gradients without any contact surfaces or additional equipment. Dependent on the component geometry and on the laser power it is possible to use different parameters for this process. The adjustable process parameters are the radius and the power of the defocused beam and the transversal and longitudinal distances between the welding and the defocused beam. In this work the mechanism and the influence of the process parameters are investigated by FEM-simulation and a number of experiments on the ferritic steel S355J2+N with 5 mm thickness. The best experimental result presented in this paper shows a stress reduction of about 73 %.
Fiber optic sensors are increasingly used because of their outstanding performance or if special requirements avoid the application of conventional electrical sensors. The scientific background for optical fiber sensors is well developed; however, the characteristic of sensors applied in rather harsh environment are almost always different from characteristics determined in laboratory or before its installation. In order to achieve long-term stable function and reliable measurement data after application and under harsh environmental conditions, guidelines for characterization and specification of sensor components are needed as well as methodologies for testing the sensor performance must be developed. Performance tests carried out revealed that there are still some restrictions with respect to long-term reliable use: first, some sensor products available on the market are not very often appropriately characterized, described and validated; second, application procedures are not always defined due to a lack of understanding the micromechanical issues in the interface zone between sensor and measuring object. Application procedures and profound knowledge of materials behaviour are necessary to get results from the sensor that can be reliably used. The paper describes first guidelines to prove the quality of fiber optic strain sensors, a testing facility developed for unbiased tests and certification of surface-applied sensors as well as result from comparison of commercially available strain sensors.
Fibre-optic sensors for early damage detection in plastic insulations of high-voltage facilities
(2011)
Fibre-optic sensors (FOS) have great potential as online damage detectors when integrated in HV accessories. Among their well-known use as temperature and strain sensors, there are some more opportunities of use, e. g. they can intimately be embedded in polymeric insulations of HV cable terminations and joints to detect and monitor partial discharges right at the location of their origin. Two FOS types for early PD detection were investigated: an embeddable fibre-optic acoustic sensor to measure acoustlc waves in polymeric insulations generated by PDs, and a fluorescent optical fibre to detect first optical effects during ionization processes in the insulation material. The paper descrlbes these methods, related monitoring Problems and shows first test results.
A dynamic and quasi-distributed sensor principle for simultaneous measurement of length changes and optical power changes between reflection points in an optical fiber is presented. The technique is based on the incoherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (I-OFDR). Length change resolutions < 1 µm and measurement repetition rates up to 2 kHz can be achieved using standard single-mode and multi-mode optical fibers. Simultaneous length change and refractive index measurement as well as field test results showing the deformation of a masonry building under seismic load are presented. Promising fields of application for this technique are the structural health monitoring sector and chemical process control.
The debonding of a fiber in a glass fiber / epoxy composite under transverse loading is studied. The stress field in the interface as well as the energy release rate are analysed for two fiber volume fractions.
The circumferential propagation of an Interface crack starting at the center of a fiber which is located within a hexagonal fiber array is studied. The analysis is performed by a finite element Simulation under plane stress conditions. Two fiber volume fractions are considered, this is 30% and 70%. The stress distribution before and during crack propagation is calculated for different stages of the
crack. The crack opens by dominating tensile stresses in the first phase while it closes when propagating along the interface. The total energy release rate as well as the mode I and mode II parts are calculated. In the first phase the crack is driven by an increasing mode I energy release rate, indicating an unstable crack propagation. Then the mode II energy release rate increases rapidly and dominates the debonding process while the mode I part decreases and finally vanishes. Subsequently also the mode II part decreases, indicating stable crack propagation. In the last phase the crack becomes unstable again due to a strongly increasing mode I energy release rate. During the debonding process a remarkable change the mode ratio takes place.
The main features of the debonding process are similar for low and high fiber volume fraction. In case of the high fiber content, however, the mode I part is more pronounced and the maximum of the total energy release rate is shifted to lower crack angles.
The geological storage of carbon dioxide (Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS) in depleted gas reservoirs or in saline aquifers is a widely discussed issue. Carbon dioxide may induce corrosion on the piping steels during compression, transportation and injection. Therefore,
selection of appropriate piping steels is a key factor in order to increase the safety and reliability of the CCS technology, and to keep the processes cost-effective.
The here described subproject of the COORAL project (German acronym for “C02 purity for capture and storage”) deals with the levels of impurities in the C02 stream that will be acceptable when using specific steels. Material exposure to carbon dioxide (C02) containing
specific amounts of water vapor, oxygen (02) sulfur dioxide (S02), nitrogen dioxide (N02), carbon monoxide (CO) can be a challenge to steels. Within this subproject 13 different Steels are tested for suitability as materials used for compression, transportation and injection Units within the CCS chain.
BAM (Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing) is the competent authority for mechanical and thermal safety assessment of transport packages for spent fuel and high level waste (HLW) in Germany. In context with package design approval of the new German HLW cask CASTOR HAW28M, BAM performed several drop tests with a half-scale model of the CASTOR HAW/TB2. The test model was manufactured by GNS (Gesellschaft fur Nuklear Service mbH) and tested under accident transport conditions on the 200 tons BAM drop test facility at the BAM Test Site Technical Safety. For this comprehensive test program the test specimen CASTOR HAW/TB2 was instrumented at 21 measurement planes with altogether 23 piezo-resistive accelerometers, five temperature sensors and 131 tri-axial strain gauges in the container interior and exterior, respectively. The strains of four representative lid bolts were recorded by four uniaxial strain gauges per each bolt. Helium leakage rate measurements were performed before and after each test in the above noted testing sequence. The paper presents some experimental results of the half-scale CASTOR HAW/TB2 prototype (14,500 kg) and measurement data logging.
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing is the competent authority for mechanical safety assessment of transport packages for radioactive material in Germany. The further development of state-of-the-art technology concerning assessment methods is essential for a qualified work of involved designers and authority experts. The paper gives an example of current development done to improve understanding and modeling capabilities of wood filled impact limiter. In order to reduce the loads applied to the package containment, which result from regulatory drop tests, most packages are protected by energy dissipating impact limiter. Wood, encapsulated by steel sheets, is one of the materials typically used for energy dissipation in these impact limiter. Very often, mechanical safety cases regarding the 9 m drop test are performed computationally, where it is essential to use reliable and verified computational methods and models. In this context, the paper presents an approach for a finite element material model for wood. Thereby, the mechanical behavior of wood under compression loading is the focus of the development work. Additionally, material orientation as well as strain rate, temperature and lateral constraint may vary. A large number of experiments, particularly compression tests, was designed and performed to establish an adequate experimental database for modeling verification. The experimental results enabled the derivation of necessary requirements: The material model has to take into account strain rate and temperature dependencies as well as the anisotropic characteristics of the material, a proper yield criterion, flow rule and hardening law. Such a material model is currently not available in established commercial dynamic finite element codes. Thus it is necessary to create a user-defined material model considering the mentioned requirements. A first step was done by determining a yield surface as well as detecting flow and hardening mechanisms from experimental force-deflection curves. In a next step the LS-DYNA material model MAT_75 was altered according to conclusions of former BAM development work, regarding the modeling of post-peak softening as a function of lateral constraint. Future research will contain the further development, implementation and verification of a material model for wood.
Metal seals are in common use as an essential component for the leak tight closure of transport and storage casks for spent fuel and vitrified high active waste from reprocessing. They are placed between the massive monolithic cask body made of ductile cast iron or forged steel and the primary and secondary lids, which are fixed with screws around the lid circumference, in order to ensure long term safe enclosure of the radioactive cask inventory. Hereby, long term reliable pressure forces in combination with a tight surface contact are as important as well maintained seal and surface qualities and dry and clean conditions during seal assembly and operation. A few years ago BAM started systematic investigation on the long term seal behavior with re-spect to longer storage periods and seal behavior in accidental cask scenarios with dynamic de-formations of the seal groove geometry or short term drop in pressure force up to lid lifting. BAM has developed test flanges for seals with full scale cross section diameter but much small-er outer diameter to gain representative data for metal-sealed lid systems. They are placed in appropriate testing machines for relevant mechanical loading under static and dynamic condi-tions with the ability to measure the standard helium leakage rate continuously during each test phase. This paper focuses on BAM long term tests of different seal types with aluminum and silver jackets at three different temperatures of +20°C, +100°C and +150°C under static conditions over longer periods of time. Due to creeping effects, a reduction of the pressure force does ap-pear during loading and unloading depending on prior holding times. So far, test results of up to 2 years indicate a clear correlation between seal pressure forces and holding time, temperature and seal type allowing for extrapolating to much longer periods of time. The paper presents basic correlations, test and evaluation procedures as well as important provisional results and gives an outlook on further investigations.
In Germany the concept of dry interim storage of spent fuel and vitrified high active waste in dual purpose metal casks is implemented (currently for periods of up to 40 years). The casks being used have an approved package design in accordance with the international transport regulations. The license for dry storage is granted on the German Atomic Energy Act with respect to the guidelines of the German Reactor Safety Commission for dry interim storage of spent fuel. Currently part of the assessment process of the cask design for transport on public routes is to evaluate the suitability of the used materials with respect to their properties and their compatibility for possible transport periods. For transport on public routes during or after long term interim storage periods, it has to be ensured that the transport and storage casks fulfill the specifications of the transport approval or other sufficient properties which satisfy the proofs for the compliance of the safety objectives at that time. This paper describes the state-of-the-art technology in Germany and points out arising prospective challenges and which related questions have to be answered in future. Present research and knowledge concerning the long term behavior of transport and storage cask components (such as gaskets and shielding components) have to be consulted as well as experiences from interim cask storage operations. Challenges in the safety assessment are therefore i.e. the behavior of aged metal and elastomeric gaskets under IAEA test conditions to ensure that the results of drop tests can be transferred to the compliance of the safety objectives at the time of transport after the interim storage period (aged package). Assessment methods for the material compatibility, the behavior of fuel assemblies and the aging behavior of shielding parts (e. g. influence of radiation) are further issues as well.
In the present work, the titanium alloy Ti-6.8Mo-4.5Fe-1.5Al (Timetal LCB) was investigated with respect to the microstructural evolution during strain controlled fatigue loading. The alloy was developed to reduce the generally high material costs of β-alloys by substituting expensive beta stabilizers by using a standard Fe-Mo master alloy. One possible application seen in the automotive industry is the substitution os suspension structural parts currently made of steel, suc as suspension springs. These components require a high strength and fatigue resistance.
This paper presents volume heat sources and the corresponding functional analytical Solutions for the transient temperature field. The considered energy distributions are normal, exponential and parabolic. The method follows the common approach in Computational Welding Mechanics (CWM) to account for the physics of the welding process and the resulting temperature field by phenomenological models for heat conduction. Therefore, the used heat source models are apparent heat sources that incorporate the real heat input as well as the fluid flow in the weld pool and the latent heat connected with phase transformations. The heat source models provide welding characteristics like thermal cycle and Fusion line in the cross section within short computational time. Consequently, inverse techniques on basis of optimisation algorithms enable the adaptation of the models to the experimental data efficiently. Furthermore, the direct evaluation of the energy distribution for the experimental fusion line in the cross section is demonstrated which enhances the numerical optimisation by reducing the number of unknown model Parameters and providing a reasonable initial guess within the model parameter space. The proposed temperature field models are validated with real laser beam welding experiments.
In 1882, the East-West suburban train viaduct was built through Berlin as part of the public traffic solution in the late 19th Century. Today, the only left over iron arch bridge is a pair of two arches Crossing the Spree river in the middle of Berlin. Before dismantling the former parallel two original pairs of iron arches and rebuilding new arches for the high-speed railway line through Berlin in 1997, BAM was involved in an extensive test program of the heritage iron arch structure. Especially the estimation of accumulated damage in critical details and the verification of the old material properties at early stage was important information to the bridge owners. The testing program included two strain and displacement measurement campaigns, non-destructive testing, materials testing and microscale metallographic analysis of critical details. The measured strain cycles were significant lower in number and size than expected. Most of the cycles were compression stress cycles only. The work was planned in Cooperation with the Berlin consultancy Professor Hilbers that was responsible for the design and calculation of the reconstruction measures. Additionally, after calculation of the possible reuse of the old arches, we compared measured data from strain measurements with the results from calculation.
The measured data and the calculated data show a good qualitative correlation.
The inhalation of 222Rn (radon) is one of the most important reasons for lung cancer, after smoking. Usually, the geological subsoil and the building ground are the dominant sources for enhanced indoor radon levels. Additionally, building materials can increase indoor radon concentrations when these materials contain higher contents of 226Ra (radium), especially in combination with low air exchange rates. For a realistic estimation of indoor radon
concentrations, it is helpful to carry out measurements of radon exhalation rates from relevant materials using emission test chambers. In Germany, it is aspired to limit the total indoor radon concentration to 100 Bq/m3, whereby building materials should contribute at most 20 Bq/m3. Within a project financed by the German Institute for Construction Technology (DIBt), a practical oriented measurement procedure of the radon exhalation of building materials in accordance to ISO 16000-9 was developed to have a means for the assessment of these materials with respect to their indoor use. Test chambers with different volumes were used. The tested materials were mainly used for wall constructions (e.g., bricks, light-weight concrete) and have known specific radium activities and radon exhalation rates.
Prevention of the explosion of acetylene cylinders involved in fire: experiments and simulations
(2011)
In order to assess the effectiveness of water cooling of acetylene cylinders involved in fire, a total of 13 bonfire tests with 8.9-, 10
and 50-l-cylinders were performed. During the experiments the pressure
in the cylinder and the temperature at different locations within the porous material and on the Shell surface as well as the flame temperature were measured. Overall 8 burst tests were performed, in order to determine the times to explosion for the cylinders. Cylinders failed not later than 15 minutes from the ignition of the bonfire, often with generation of a fireball. During the other 5 tests, the fire was extinguished before the expected burst and the cylinder was cooled with water. In 2 of the 5 extinction experiments, the explosion of the cylinder could be prevented. Noticeably, in one case the on-set of the decomposition of acetylene had already been observed, before the cooling was started. In spite of that, the cooling was still effective. The interpretation of the current results and of the data from previous tests with 40-l-cylinder suggests that single acetylene cylinders involved in fire might be saved by cooling, if their pressure does not exceed a value of about 45 bara. The recorded values of pressure and temperature were used to develop and validate a mathematical model for the prediction of the heat transfer in acetylene cylinders during the exposure to fire and the afterward cooling. The predictions agreed well with the experimental results.
Today polycarboxylate ether based superplasticizer (PCE) is commonly used in concrete technology when high flow properties and water reduction are specified. The ionic strength of the polymers’ backbones determines the adsorption behaviour of polymers on clinker and early hydration products. The amount of required polymers for specified flow properties and the performance over the time of casting is thus determined by the molecular structure of the superplasticizer. The time depending consumption of polycarboxylate ether polymers strongly affects the reaction of aluminates and sulphate ions as well as the hydration process in general. Hence, the choice of polymers for particular flow properties greatly affects the very early properties of cementitious materials such as setting, heat evolution and autogenous deformations.
In order to better understand how PCEs influence the early properties, mixes from cement, limestone filler, viscosity modifying agent and water were varied with a high and a low charge density superplasticizer in differing amounts. Results are presented from measurements with an automatic Vicat device, an isothermal heat flow calorimeter, and shrinkage cones. Tests were conducted at 5, 20, and 30 °C.
It is shown that in presence of PCE the final set correlates well with the inflexion point of the heat flow curve, which emphasises the interrelation between C-S-H formation and setting. No such clear correlation can be found for the initial set, which is attributed to the fact that the initial set is rather a rheological than a structural phenomenon, so that other effects overlap with C-S-H formation. The results demonstrate that for a given polymer concentration low charge density polymers yield earlier setting than high charge polymers. However, this influence is overridden by the influence of the total amount of polymers in a cementitious system. Since PCE is typically added according to rheological specifications, and low charge PCE typically requires higher amounts of polymers than high charge PCE for comparable flow performance, low charge PCE retards setting more than high charge PCE.
The paper furthermore points out that there is no significant influence of the polymer type or amount on the early deformations. Since type and amount strongly affect the hydration, it is demonstrated that early setting causes higher strain after the final set. It is hence concluded that higher PCE solid contents reduce the risk of early cracks that occur at time of setting, when a solid structure has already been formed but without resistance against cracks yet.
The application of fluorescent materials improves the visibility for of warning symbols. BAM has used a measurement device to characterize fluorescent materials, which is based on the two-monochromator method. The result of this measurement method is an illuminant independent characteristic of the fluorescent material, called the Donaldson matrix, In view of its age and speed, the measurement device had to be re-designed and re-built. The new measurement facility is explained in greater detail in the paper. First measurement results and a comparison to the older device are also described.
Fusion welding is widely used in the automotive industry to join metal structures. It is well-known that distortions and residual stresses occur during and after the welding process. Many procedures exist to decrease these negative heat effects of welding, but are often coupled with highly cost intensive experiments. The implementation of a welding Simulation tool to reduce this very expensive experimental procedures is therefore of high interest. Despite the fact that the automotive industry is a key sector for Simulation procedures, welding Simulation Software is nevertheless not yet widely implemented. This is mainly due to the complexity of the Simulation tools requiring expert users and the resulting high time to Solution.
In this study, a new fast thermo-mechanical Simulation of a complex and large laser beam welded automotive sheet metal assembly with several non linear welds is simulated. Assumptions and simplifications of the complex physical welding phenomenon, which are made to keep the computational cost and the complexity of the Simulation in an industrial frame, are discussed. The calibration time of the phenomenological heat source model has been optimized with a very fast analytical thermal model and the resulting simulated temperature fields match perfectly with the measured ones. Additionally, the user experience and the time-to-solution are kept within a reasonable time frame for arr industrial environment. All Simulation results are validated with experimental results.
In comparison with traditional measuring Systems (pressure cells, piezometers and inclinometers which produce only point measurements) fibre optic sensors are well suited for spatiallydistributed monitoring purposes. The very tiny optical fibres of a diameter of less then 1 mm can operate as sensors in strong electromagnetic fields, under “harsh” explosive and Chemical environments and under ionizing radiation.
The cement and concrete market in East, Central and Southern Africa is highly fragmented. The concrete industry in this area consists of multiple parties, including producers and suppliers of construction materials, formal and informal contractors, engineers and architects, unions of trades persons and workmen, governmental bodies and formal institutions of research and education. All these institutions mostly do not interact adequately, which makes building with cementitious materials susceptible to damage and failures. Completely opposed to the situation in Europe or North America, cement in Africa is often unaffordable, while manpower is cheap, which results in a questionable economisation of cement. Typically, there is not sufficient awareness of methods to sensibly reducing the cement content in concrete or replace Ordinary Portland Cement by adequate alternative materials. Research activities in this field of technology are often missing completely. Only few countries in the area, such as South Africa, are exempted from these issues.
This paper presents the SPIN project, which is a joint project of a consortium of 8 African and 3 European partners within the ACP Science and Technology Programme. The project is funded by the EC and ACP Secretariat is the project body. The main objective of the current project is to strengthen the cement and concrete industry in the East and Central African regions. The project shall generate reasonable solution strategies to implement clean, safe and sustainable cement and concrete technology on the African continent, including general and specific guidelines for sensible application. Furthermore it shall be the kick-off for future projects, research activities and the world-wide expansion of a European-African network.
The paper addresses special problems the cement and concrete market in Eastern, Central and Southern African countries has to face. Several options are presented in detail, which shall help overcoming the current situation. Customized solutions for the African market include rational methods for reducing the amount of cement used and the replacement of Ordinary Portland Cement with cheaper alternatives. The use of recycled concrete through a new and economically effective method, as well as the opportunity of using locally available resources is also discussed.
Despite the numerous possibilities to influence the properties of repair mortars by modifications of the mixture proportioning, it is almost impossible to change an individual property without influencing other mortar properties. When optimising a mixture, it has to be decided for each individual case, which of the mortar properties needs to be treated with the highest priority. Most properties can be altered by several different measures, which may vary in effectiveness, side effects and cost efficiency. As the prevention of shrinkage induced constraining cracks is crucial for the durability and Service life of a concrete repair task, in the presented paper special attention is paid to the influences on the mortar’s shrinkage behaviour. On the basis of parameter studies it is shown, how it may be beneficial in certain cases to accept the worsening of some general properties if by this measure another property, which is essential for the individual application task, can be enhanced significantly. In general a tailor-made approach for the mixture proportioning seems beneficial but due to the complexity of the constituents’ interactions in repair mortars, it bears a high risk of unexpected malfunctions.
This article studies the three dimensional transient weld pool dynamics and the influence of joint preparation angle on welding of low carbon structural steel plates using the ForceArc® process. ForceArc is a new gas metal arc welding technology which allows adequate fusion and penetration with a smaller V groove angle. This enhances welding efficiency significantly because of reduction of layers and low material consumption.
The deformation of the weld bead is calculated with an accurate coupling of the heat transfer with fluid flow through continuity, momentum and the energy equations combined with the effect of droplet impingement, gravity, electromagnetic force, buoyancy, drag forces and surface tension force (Marangoni effect). Four different angles of V groove are employed with the same welding parameters and their influence on the weld pool behavior and weld bead geometry is calculated and analyzed, to allow subsequent calculations of residual stress and distortion of the workpiece.
Such a simulation is an effective way to study welding processes because the influence of all the welding parameters can be analyzed separately with respect to thermal cycle, weld bead formation, and the microstructure of the weld. Good agreement is shown between the predicted and experimentally determined weld bead dimensions. It was found that with a larger groove angle, the penetration depth increases. Furthermore, a higher wire feeding rate is needed to fill the larger groove. The model presented can be used for further analyses of GMAW processes as well as input data for the numerical calculation of welding induced residual stresses and distortions using Computational Weld Mechanics CWM.
Fires on waste dumps, surface landfills, Underground stowing or storage facilities of Recycling factories may have multiple harmful effects on individuals on site and on environment.
Possibly several tens of thousands of tons flare up plunging vast areas in smoke and releasing large amounts of flue gases. Experience shows that fire fighting takes days or even weeks and moreover, as long as hidden glowing nests exist fires may break out repeatedly weeks or months later. In the light of this, fire prevention is much easier to manage than extinction. It is of internst to identify the geometrical and physical conditions under which the mid-term or long-term storage of recycling materials can be performed avoiding self-ignition. Our Guideline presents a novel method developed at BAM which combines experimental tests on lab-scale with numerical simulations in Order to obtain permissible geometries of deposits and storage times at which self-ignition can be certainly avoided (Berger 2010).
A time domain spectrometer in the range of 0.5–2 THz was used for time of flight (ToF) measurements of THz pulses for imperfection detection in non metallic materials. The measurements were performed in comparison to the established ultra sound pulse echo (PE) and time of flight diffraction (ToFD) technique. No coupling agent and no contact to the surface is required for THz ToFD measurements. Plastic test specimen with notches, voids and drilled side holes were used to study reflected and diffracted response signals. No major differences were observed between the UT and THz ToFD records for the first surface of the notches, voids and holes. Additionally to the UT records also signals were obtained from its back side and a second raw of holes. The THz measurement is fast and has the potential to substitute UT applications in some industrial areas. Within the German project 'Handheld' the potential for miniaturization of the time domain equipment is explored for efficient application.
Wood and wood products are often used as construction material for buildings and even more for furniture and indoor decoration. Therefore Chemical emissions from wood have an influence on the indoor air quality. A research project financed by the Federal Environmental Agency focused on VOC emissions from oriented Strand boards (OSB) and also from plywood made from pine and spruce (Wilke et al., 2011a). This paper shows results of the plywood testing because only little information is available about plywood emission behaviour and its impact on indoor air quality.
The labelling of construction products or building materials as “low-emitting” is based on measurements using third-party emission test chambers. Unfortunately there is no method to validate the performance of such test chamber measurements. This might give a Variation of results when testing one material at different laboratories. Therefore it is necessary to hold round robin tests as part of the quality management System to ensure comparable results.
A research project financed by the Federal Environmental Agency focused on the development of an external quality management System for the detection of relevant Chemical compounds from products and in ambient air. The project was structured in four phases (Horn et al., 2009 and 2011; Wilke et al., 2009a) This paper shows results of the fourth phase of the project, which was an inter-laboratory study for VOC-emission testing by means of emission test chambers.
Product emissions chamber testing involves a complex protocol with several sources of measurement uncertainty (ASTM, 2010; ISO, 2006). Despite the potential for significant variability in measurement results within and among laboratories, there is no Standard method available to assess the accuracy of emissions chamber test results. Recently, Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) started a program to evaluate the performance of laboratories testing for the AgBB (German Committee for Health-related Evaluation of Building Products) labelling scheme (Wilke et al., 2009). Test method validation was conducted through interlaboratory studies (ILS) with over 30 participants. Simultaneously, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Virginia Tech (VT) started a program to develop a series of reference materials that mimic real building products, can be tested in typical emissions chambers, and have independently known emission rates (Cox et al., 2010). BAM, NIST and VT subsequently joined forces to conduct a series of inter-laboratory studies using the prototype reference material. A pilot ILS was conducted with BAM and NIST followed by an expanded ILS with several participating countries. Results from these interlaboratory studies have the potential to define an internationally-accepted Standard approach to validate results from product emissions tests.