scholarly journals Preliminary Report on Engineering Properties and Environmental Resistance of Ancient Mud Bricks from Tell El-Retaba Archaeological Site in the Nile Delta

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
Jerzy Trzciński ◽  
Małgorzata Zaremba ◽  
Sławomir Rzepka ◽  
Fabian Welc ◽  
Tomasz Szczepański
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Nile Delta ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Size Composition ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Mud Bricks

Abstract The archaeological site Tell el-Retaba in north-eastern Egypt, about 35 km to the west of Ismailia city, is located in the middle of Wadi Tumilat, a shallow valley running from the Nile Delta to the Bitter Lakes, along which flows the Suez Canal. In ancient times the valley was a route between Egypt and Syro-Palestine, strongly fortified in the New Kingdom times (16th–11th century BC). Mud bricks were analyzed from two parts of the Wall 1 (core of grey-brown bricks and inner extension of green bricks) in a fortress which existed during the Ramesses II times. Grain-size composition of the studied bricks was almost identical in both parts of the wall, suggesting the same source material for a production of brick. However, significant differences were observed in physical and mechanical properties (uni-axial compressive strength) in both types of bricks. Bricks from the core had lower bulk density, higher porosity and soak faster, whereas their resistance parameters were much lower than those of the bricks from the inner extension. The reason for such large differences in brick properties was a technology of their production, particularly proportion of components, water volume added during brick formation or density degree. Brick preparation and in consequence, physical-mechanical properties had direct influence on preservation of defensive structures during environmental changes related to changes of groundwater and surface water levels or of precipitation. Ancient Egyptians responsible for construction works in mud brick structures of the fortress must have had good knowledge and experience. This could be observed particularly for the heaviest and most important construction element that is the defensive wall, founded on well-densified deposits. It was also testified by higher resistance of green bricks from the inner extensions, which probably originated slightly later and were intended to reinforce a weaker core built of grey-brown bricks.

scholarly journals Preliminary Back-Analysis of the Height of Mud Brick Fortifications Based on Geoarchaeological Data at Tell El-Retaba Site in Egypt

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy Trzciński ◽  
Małgorzata Zaremba ◽  
Sławomir Rzepka ◽  
Witold Bogusz ◽  
Tomasz Godlewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nile Delta ◽  
Back Analysis ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Wall Width ◽  
Ground Resistance ◽  
Mud Bricks ◽  
3D Software

Abstract The Tell el-Retaba archaeological site is located at Wadi Tumilat, a shallow valley running from the Nile Delta to the Bitter Lakes. In ancient times, a route connecting Egypt with Syria-Palestine ran across the site. In the 13th century BC, during the rule of Ramesses II, a fortress surrounded by “Wall 1” was erected and in times of Ramesses III in the 12th century BC, a larger fortress surrounded by “Wall 2” and “Wall 3” was constructed. Using the finite element method (FEM) and ZSoil 2D&3D software, the wall heights were modelled and their soil-structure interaction was analysed. Strength of the wall depended on size and strength of bricks and mortar, brickwork, wall shape and foundation. Ancient builders using mud bricks must have known from practical experience the essentials of a wall construction, in which the height to width ratio was at 1.75 to 1.85. Moreover, they must have related the engineering properties of the material with the height of the construction and its purpose. The width to height ratio must have been used and related by ancient Egyptians to the ground resistance. Modelling has shown that, at wall width of 5 m, the foundation would have lost its stability at wall height of 13–14 m and bricks from the lower part of the wall would be destroyed. According to the undertaken assumptions, in order to retain stability, the wall height must have been limited to about 8–9 m.

scholarly journals Effects of Different Types of Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of MICP-Treated Calcareous Sand

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Jitong Zhao ◽  
Huawei Tong ◽  
Yi Shan ◽  
Jie Yuan ◽  
Qiuwang Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Water Absorption ◽  
Glass Fiber ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Polyester Fiber ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Fiber Types ◽  
Calcite Precipitation ◽  
Calcareous Sand ◽  
Hemp Fiber

Microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has been a promising method to improve geotechnical engineering properties through the precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on the contact and surface of soil particles in recent years. In the present experiment, water absorption and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were carried out to investigate the effects of three different fiber types (glass fiber, polyester fiber, and hemp fiber) on the physical and mechanical properties of MICP-treated calcareous sand. The fibers used were at 0%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, 0.30%, 0.35%, and 0.40% relative to the weight of the sand. The results showed that the failure strain and ductility of the samples could be improved by adding fibers. Compared to biocemented sand (BS), the water absorption of these three fiber-reinforced biocemented sands were, respectively, decreased by 11.60%, 21.18%, and 7.29%. UCS was, respectively, increased by 24.20%, 60.76%, and 6.40%. Polyester fiber produced the best effect, followed by glass fiber and hemp fiber. The optimum contents of glass fiber and polyester fiber were 0.20% and 0.25%, respectively. The optimum content of hemp fiber was within the range of 0.20–0.25%. Light-emitting diode (LED) microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images lead to the conclusion that only a little calcite precipitation had occurred around the hemp fiber, leading to a poor bonding effect compared to the glass and polyester fibers. It was therefore suggested that polyester fiber should be used to improve the properties of biocemented sand.

Test Research on Influence of Water and Mineral Composition on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Phyllite

2014 ◽  
Vol 496-500 ◽  
pp. 2398-2401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhe Li ◽  
Geng Feng Wang ◽  
Ling Cao
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Mineral Composition ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Construction Method ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Tunnel Construction ◽  
Regular Pattern ◽  
Initial Stress State ◽  
Influence Of Water ◽  
Relative Factors

As a regional metamorphic rock, the engineering properties of the phyllite are rather complex. It is common that the tunnel construction safety has tremendous difficulty due to the groundwater, the initial stress state, joints, cracks and faults and other factors, so it is necessary to find an effective construction method for the construction of phyllite tunnel. To master the regular pattern of the influence of relative factors on physical and mechanical properties of phyllite is the basis to establish an effective construction method. The paper tries to analyze the influence of water and mineral composition on physical and mechanical properties of phyllite by making relevant tests on Lu Lin tunnel, and hope to give some clue to the design and construction of phyllite tunnels.

scholarly journals Research on Wetting-Drying Cycles’ Effect on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Expansive Soil Improved by OTAC-KCl

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bao-tian Wang ◽  
Can-hong Zhang ◽  
Xue-lian Qiu ◽  
En-yue Ji ◽  
Wen-hui Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Expansive Soil ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Cyclic Strength ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Swelling Potential ◽  
Wetting And Drying ◽  
Strength Tests ◽  
Free Swell

Expansive soil experiences periodic swelling and shrinkage during the alternate wet and dry environments, which will result in severe damage to the slope stability. In this study, a promising modifier OTAC-KCl is introduced, which has a good diffusivity and is soluble in water or other solvents easily. Firstly, a reasonable combination of ameliorant 0.3% STAC and 3% KCl is chosen referring to the free swell test. Then, the best curing period, 14 days, is gotten from UCS tests. The effect of wetting and drying cycles on engineering properties of expansive soil improved by OTAC-KCl admixtures after 14-day curing is also studied accordingly. Both treated and untreated expansive soil samples are prepared for the cyclic wetting-drying tests which mainly include cyclic swelling potential and cyclic strength tests. Experimental results show that the swelling potential of expansive soil samples stabilized with OTAC-KCl is suppressed efficiently, and the untreated soil specimens will collapse when immersed in water while the treated specimens keep in good conditions. Moreover, expansive soil samples modified with 0.3% OTAC + 3% KCl show enough durability on the swelling ability, shear strength, and unconfined compressive strength, which means, that both the physical and the mechanical properties of stabilized expansive soil have been improved effectively.

scholarly journals The Alternatives to Traditional Materials for Subsoil Stabilization and Embankments

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 3018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana Vukićević ◽  
Miloš Marjanović ◽  
Veljko Pujević ◽  
Sanja Jocković
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fly Ash ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Soil Stabilization ◽  
Soft Soil ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
High Plasticity ◽  
Natural Materials ◽  
Positive Effects

Major infrastructure projects require significant amount of natural materials, often followed by the soft soil stabilization using hydraulic binders. This paper presents the results of a laboratory study of alternative waste materials (fly ash and slag) that can be used for earthworks. Results of high plasticity clay stabilization using fly ash from Serbian power plants are presented in the first part. In the second part of the paper, engineering properties of ash and ash-slag mixtures are discussed with the emphasis on the application in road subgrade and embankment construction. Physical and mechanical properties were determined via following laboratory tests: Specific gravity, grain size distribution, the moisture–density relationship (Proctor compaction test), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), oedometer and swell tests, direct shear and the California bearing ratio (CBR). The results indicate the positive effects of the clay stabilization using fly ash, in terms of increasing strength and stiffness and reducing expansivity. Fly ashes and ash-slag mixtures have also comparable mechanical properties with sands, which in combination with multiple other benefits (lower energy consumption and CO2 emission, saving of natural materials and smaller waste landfill areas), make them suitable fill materials for embankments, especially considering the necessity for sustainable development.

scholarly journals Analysis on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Red Mud Materials and Stockpile Stability after Dilatation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanbo Feng ◽  
Chao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Red Mud ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Dam Break ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Drying Process ◽  
Bayer Red Mud ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Wetting Process

Red mud is the tailings generated from the production process of aluminum industry and is mainly stacked in open-air at present, so how to ensure the stability of red mud stockpile is very important. Regarding mud stockpile of Guizhou Aluminum Factory as the research object, this paper studies the physical and mechanical properties of Bayer red mud from wetting process, Bayer red mud from drying process, and sintering red mud through laboratory test and finally analyzes its stability under extreme rainfall condition in this region by the Geo-Studio software. The research results show that the red muds in different processes have big difference in physical and mechanical properties. The strength of sintering red mud is about 4.2 times of that of Bayer red mud from wetting process on average, and the strength of Bayer red mud from drying process is about 1.5 times of that of Bayer red mud from wetting process on average. So, the sintering red mud can be used as the subdam of red mud stockpile, to reduce the risk of collapse and dam break. The stability coefficients of the mixed stocking method under three rainfall conditions are 2.611, 2.597, and 2.631, respectively, all of which are above 1.0. It reveals that the dilatation scheme of using the sintering red mud with good engineering properties to stockpile the Bayer red mud is feasible. It can not only guarantee the safety and stability of red mud stockpiles, but also reduce the risk of red mud dam break and the capital investment of red mud yard.

scholarly journals The Influence of Kaolinite - Illite toward mechanical properties of Claystone

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 440-446
Author(s):  
Supandi Supandi ◽  
Zufialdi Zakaria ◽  
Emi Sukiyah ◽  
Adjat Sudradjat
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Void Ratio ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Mineralogical Characteristics

Abstract This study investigates the relationship between clay minerals (kaolinite and illite) and rock properties of the claystone, including both mechanical (cohesion, friction angle, stress, and strain) and physical properties (natural water content, void ratio, and wet density), belonging to Warukin Formation of Kalimantan, Indonesia. Mineralogical characteristics of these rocks were studied using petrological and X-ray diffraction techniques, whereas the mechanical and physical properties were tested by conducting uniaxial and triaxial tests. Relationship among the variables was determined using correlation coefficients. It was observed that the mineralogy of the rocks pose strong constraints on their engineering properties. The results showed that an increase in illite content decreases cohesion, friction angle, strength, and safety factor; and increases natural moisture content, void ratio, and wet density. Although illite content of these rocks was just about 10.8% of the total minerals, it has significantly contributed to the modification of physical and mechanical properties. In contrast, kaolinite did not have a significant impact; since the correlation between various parameters was significantly low (correlation coefficient was much less, <0.3). Therefore while selecting the materials for geotechnical engineering applications, illite emerges as a safer alternative to kaolinite, especially when its concentration is less than 10.8% of the total rock mass.

scholarly journals Synthesis of Geopolymer Based Class-F Fly Ash Aggregates and its Composite Properties in Concrete

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Gomathi ◽  
A. Sivakumar
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fly Ash ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Polymerization Reaction ◽  
Hardened Concrete ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Class F Fly Ash ◽  
Ash Aggregates ◽  
Class F

Abstract This study explores the influence of alkali activators on the initiation of polymerization reaction of alumino-silicate minerals present in class-F fly ash material. Different types of fly ash aggregates were produced with silicate rich binders (bentonite and metakaolin) and the effect of alkali activators on the strength gain properties were analyzed. A comprehensive examination on its physical and mechanical properties of the various artificial fly ash aggregates has been carried out systematically. A pelletizer machine was fabricated in this study to produce aggregate pellets from fly ash. The efficiency and strength of pellets was improved by mixing fly ash with different binder materials such as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), metakaolin and bentonite. Further, the activation of fl y ash binders was done using sodium hydroxide for improving its binding properties. Concrete mixes were designed and prepared with the different fly ash based aggregates containing different ingredients. Hardened concrete specimens after sufficient curing was tested for assessing the mechanical properties of different types concrete mixes. Test results indicated that fly ash -GGBS aggregates (30S2-100) with alkali activator at 10M exhibited highest crushing strength containing of 22.81 MPa. Similarly, the concrete mix with 20% fly ash-GGBS based aggregate reported a highest compressive strength of 31.98 MPa. The fly ash based aggregates containing different binders was found to possess adequate engineering properties which can be suggested for moderate construction works.

scholarly journals Experimental Study on Fracture Energy of Foam Concrete at Different Notch Depth

2018 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 03006
Author(s):  
Mohd Naqiuddin Zamri ◽  
Norashidah Abd Rahman ◽  
Zainorizuan Mohd Jaini ◽  
Zulaikha Ahmad ◽  
Siti Amirah Azra Khairuddin
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fracture Energy ◽  
Lightweight Concrete ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Notch Depth ◽  
Foam Concrete ◽  
Three Point Bending ◽  
Depth Ratio ◽  
Foamed Concrete

Foamed concrete is lightweight concrete formulated from a mixture of concrete mortar and established foam. Generally foamed concrete is known for its low engineering properties. Many researchers had conducted studies and more focused on the physical and mechanical properties of foamed concrete without taking into account the behavior on its fracture energy. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of notch-to-depth ratio on fracture energy of foam concrete using three point bending testmethod. Beam specimens with V-notch were prepared at a densityof 1400kg/m3 and 1600kg/m3. Three different notch-to-depth ratios which were adopted at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5. Fracture energy was determined using Hillerborg, Bazant and Comitee euro International du Beton (CEB) models. From the experimental results, it was shown that fracture energy decreases asthe notch-to-depth ratio increases.

scholarly journals Microscopic mechanism of sandstone hydration in Yungang Grottoes, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 598-609
Author(s):  
Jiawei Chen ◽  
Jinming Xu ◽  
Jizhong Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Young’S Modulus ◽  
Young's Modulus ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Microscopic Mechanism ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Young’S Moduli ◽  
Yungang Grottoes

AbstractThe macroscopic engineering properties of sandstone are dominated primarily by mineral features in a microscopic scale. This study will investigate the microscopic physical and mechanical properties of the main minerals (quartz, K-feldspar, Na-feldspar and kaolinite) in Yungang Grottoes sandstone, using the molecular mechanics and the molecular dynamics simulations. The microscopic physical properties were represented by density and volume. The microscopic mechanical properties were represented by Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. The microscopic mechanical properties of the minerals in various directions were then explored. The influences of water molecules and the surrounding temperature on the microscopic physical and mechanical properties of the minerals were furthermore investigated. It is found that the differences in the microscopic densities between the simulated results and those from the open data set are, respectively, 0.37%, 1.15% and 9.16%, for the quartz, Na-feldspar and kaolinite cells; the microscopic mechanical properties of various minerals have a significant anisotropy; the Young’s modulus of halloysite decreases by 75.86% compared with that of kaolinite; as the water molecule number increased from 0 to 5, the Young’s moduli of K-feldspar, Na-feldspar and kaolinite cells decreases by 31.31%, 55.05% and 42.60%, respectively; for each mineral, as the temperature increases from 243.15 to 303.15 K under one atmospheric pressure, the volume increases and the density decreases. Those results may have a theoretical significance for the analysis of microscopic mechanism of hydration in the Yungang Grottoes sandstone.

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