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Full-Text Articles in Civil Engineering
First Steps In Developing Cement-Based Batteries To Power Cathodic Protection Of Embedded Steel In Concrete, Niall Holmes, Aimee Byrne, Brian Norton
First Steps In Developing Cement-Based Batteries To Power Cathodic Protection Of Embedded Steel In Concrete, Niall Holmes, Aimee Byrne, Brian Norton
Articles
This paper presents the first steps in developing innovative cement-based batteries to power cathodic protection in reinforced concrete structures. Initial electrical outputs of 1.55V and 23mA have been found to be sufficient to polarise prescribed corrosion currents of 20mA per m2 of embedded steel. Cathodic protection is a well-developed and powerful technique to limit the effects of steel reinforcement corrosion. However, as it requires an electrical supply day and night, it is often powered by non-environmentally friendly diesel generators or connected to the electrical grid. This paper focuses on increasing the ionic conductivity of the solution in the cement pores, …
Effects Of Posttensioning Slippage On 2-Way Spanning Concrete Slabs, Niall Holmes, Eoin Byrne
Effects Of Posttensioning Slippage On 2-Way Spanning Concrete Slabs, Niall Holmes, Eoin Byrne
Articles
This paper investigates the effect of improper posttensioning of a 2-way spanning concrete slab subject to a central point load. Due to plate slippage alone, the support conditions only offered a 1-way spanning action which could have led to premature failure with dangerous consequences. Posttensioning can strengthen a flat slab against punching shear by controlling deflections and cracking under service loads compared with traditional punching shear reinforcing methods leading to more slender structures and economic solutions for longer spans. However, if the method is not properly applied, these thinner floor plates can fail in a brittle and sudden manner by …
Structural Properties Of Concrete Materials Containing Roadcem, Niall Holmes
Structural Properties Of Concrete Materials Containing Roadcem, Niall Holmes
Articles
This paper presents findings from a preliminary study to assess the structural and material properties of a nonstandard, concrete type mix containing RoadCem, a traditional soil stabilising additive. Two different mixes determined the effect of adding RoadCem in terms of compressive and flexural strengths, breaking strain, thermal expansion and contraction behaviour, permeability using a falling head, and Young’s modulus. RoadCem is a fine powder containing alkali metals and synthetic zeolites which are complemented with a complex activator. RoadCem modifies the dynamics and chemistry of cement hydration by enhancing the crystallisation process and forming longer needle crystalline structures. It reduces the …