Filtern
Erscheinungsjahr
- 2012 (4) (entfernen)
Dokumenttyp
Sprache
- Englisch (4) (entfernen)
Schlagworte
- Beton (1)
- Cement hydration (1)
- Cob (1)
- Colloidal suspensions (1)
- Concrete (1)
- Cracks (1)
- Cracks repair (1)
- Earth block (1)
- Earth block masonry (1)
- Earthen Structures (1)
Setting cement: Highly dynamic hydration processes that occur during the first seconds of cement hydration were studied by time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Polycarboxylate ether additives were found to influence the formation of the initial crystalline hydration products on a molecular level.
Both in developed and developing countries, modern building materials tend to be preferred to traditional earthen construction. Reasons include low durability, inadequate performance under seismic loading and, in developing countries, a wish to replace what is perceived as 'poor' with what is perceived as 'rich'. In an age when building permissions and construction standards are a must, particularly in seismic areas, even when an owner is willing to build in earth, construction approval needs to be granted: we rely on values and standards to build, but the necessary data on material properties and structural performance of earthen building techniques is scarce if compared to the abundance of data for other materials (clay brick masonry, concrete, steel) available to the engineer. At the same time, traditional builders' skills, knowledge and confidence in earthen building techniques are decreasing if not disappearing. A wallette testing campaign was thus carried out with the aim of filling this knowledge gap. Prior to the wallette campaign, material properties, including composition and physical-mechanical parameters, were determined. Compression and diagonal compression (shear) tests were then performed, and a basic analysis of the mechanical behaviour of structural elements built in cob is provided in relation to earth block (adobe) masonry and rammed earth elements. Cob, shown to have low compressive resistance, has a relatively ductile post-peak behaviour if compared to earth block masonry specimens which, as expected, show a marked brittle behaviour. In terms of shear strength, cob performs relatively well in view of its low compressive strength. The study is part of our work within the framework of the ongoing project NIKER funded by the European Commission dealing with improving the structural performance of Cultural Heritage assets in order to limit earthquake hazards.
Traditional earthen structures of cultural value are often damaged by static or dynamic loads. This is usually manifested by the appearance of cracks. All too often these cracks are insufficiently or inappropriately repaired if at all because of lack of knowledge and/or technology. In particular, the behavior of crack repair by grouting poses a challenge in earthen materials and demands specific requirements for the grouting mortar, such as low water content, good water retention, low shrinkage, etc. If dynamic loads, e.g. induced by earthquakes, are expected, the grouting material requires additional specifications such as a compatible strength and modulus of elasticity as well as good adhesion to the earthen materials. The study presents results from the development of a grouting material based on hydraulic lime mortar suitable for the repair of cracks in a variety of earthen building techniques. The goal was to develop a material also compatible with earthen structures exposed to dynamic load. The grouting mortar was designed to be adaptable in strength properties and at the same time to have sufficient robustness for the use on the construction site. First results show a satisfactory performance of the grout concerning fresh and hardened mortar properties as well as injectability. The study is part of our work in the framework of the ongoing project NIKER, funded by the European Commission dealing with improving imovable Cultural Heritage assets against the risk of earthquakes.