Structural, physical and mechanical changes of cement-bonded particleboards during sudden fluctuations in temperature and moisture

The paper presents research focused on behaviour of cement-bonded particleboards with modified composition during sudden changes of temperature and humidity. Four types of boards were made—one control and three modified ones. Finely ground limestone was used as a modifying component in binder. Secondary wood particles made from crushing cuttings of cement-bonded particleboards were used as chips substituent. Two sets of test specimens (1 set = 6 test specimens) were manufactured. The first set was stored in laboratory conditions. The second set was subjected to 10 cycles of sudden changes of temperature (− 20 °C to + 70 °C) and humidity in accordance with EN 321 (further in the paper referred to as “wet–frost–dry cycle”.) After each cycle, dimensions and mass of the test specimens as well as ultrasonic pulse velocity were determined. A detailed analysis of structural changes in boards during cycling was carried out by an optical microscope. After 10 wet–frost–dry cycles were completed, bending strength and modulus of elasticity in bending were determined. The analysis of test results implies a very good relation between change of ultrasonic pulse velocity and width of cracks in the area of interfacial zone between cement matrix and wood particles. This finding also corresponds with dimensional and volumetric changes of the boards. Dependence of bending strength and modulus of elasticity in bending on composition of boards is apparent. Positive influence of secondary spruce chips on dimensional changes of cement-bonded particleboards caused by sudden changes of temperature and humidity was proved. Finely ground limestone contributes to more resistant structure of boards which leads to improved bending properties. Adverse conditions had more considerable influence on bending strength (decrease by 21% to 26%) than on modulus of elasticity in bending (decrease by 12% to 19%).

Effect of Finely Ground Limestone and Dolomite on Compression Strength and Reduction Swelling of Vanadium-Titanium Pellets

Vanadium−titanium magnetite (VTM) is an important raw material for ironmaking under the situation of increasingly demanding scarce resources. To further improve the metallurgical properties of pellets, and to satisfy the requirements of blast furnace slag basicity, finely ground dolomite and limestone have been added to the pellet. In this study, the effect of finely ground dolomite and limestone on the metallurgical properties (green pellet drop strength, cold compression strength, reduction swelling index, and microscopic mineral structure) of VTM pellets were investigated. With the addition of finely ground dolomite and limestone, the drop strength of the green pellet was improved. The effect of adding finely ground limestone was greater than adding finely ground dolomite. Adding more finely ground dolomite and limestone compared to pellets without limestone and dolomite, the cold compression strength was decreased, which was attributed to the decomposition of limestone and dolomite during the induration of pellets. With the addition of dolomite, the reduction swelling index (RSI) increased firstly and then decreased. When the basicity of the pellet was 0.54 to 0.94, the slag phase with the lowest melting point was formed, corresponding to the maximum of the reduction swelling index. For the pellets with added limestone, the reduction swelling of the pellets deteriorated. The reduction index of the pellets increased and reached the maximum (26.6%) at a basicity of 1.54, which belongs to abnormal swelling.

The Influence of Finely Ground Limestone in the Design of Concrete for White Boxes Regarding the Suppression of Shrinkage

For concrete constructions built as underground spaces, basements or cellars, it is necessary for these constructions to be able to resist the influence of groundwater pressure that could disrupt the compactness of the entire construction by its action. For this reason, constructions of so-called white boxes are often used. White boxes are concrete constructions whose main capability is high water impermeability, exhibiting at the same time minimal volume changes. These properties could be accomplished by a series of several technological precautions, one of which is the composition of the concrete mixture itself. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of finely ground limestone and the latent hydraulic addition of finely ground blast furnace slag on the properties of concrete composite such as water impermeability, water absorption, or volume changes. These properties are vital for the construction of white boxes. In this paper, the suitability of the mutual combination of active and internal additive will also be evaluated.

The effect of ground limestone on the properties of composite gypsum binder using thermally activated clay as a pozzolanic component

The purpose of this research is to study the effect of methods of preliminary preparation of thermally activated clay, which is a pozzolanic component in water-resistant composite gypsum binders, as well as the effect of mechanochemical activation in the joint grinding of thermally activated clay with the addition of a plasticizer on the pozzolanic activity and the change in the required number of pozzolanic component in the composition of composite gypsum binders. It was found that the required amount of thermally activated clay as pozzolanic component in the gypsum-cement-pozzolan composition when ground to specific surfaces of 200-500 m2/kg together with the addition of Melflux 2651 F plasticizer, based on the exclusion of conditions for the formation of an unacceptable amount of ettringite, decreases by 20-25% compared with the use of thermally activated clay ground without the introduction of a plasticizer. The optimal amount of Melflux 2651 F plasticizer introduced by grinding with thermally activated clay has been determined. The significance of the results for the construction industry lies in the fact that the use of the technology of obtaining composite gypsum binders of grinding thermally activated clay to a certain dispersion with the introduction of a plasticizer additive due to the effect of mechanochemical activation makes it possible to reduce the consumption of the pozzolanic component in the binder composition or energy consumption for grinding.

Terrain

This chapter discusses not only how terrain shaped battles, but also how battles and campaigns affected the landscape for decades after the war. Armies utilized high ground, limestone formations, and dense woods to give them advantages in battle, but also engaged in massive deforestation, and reshaped the terrain with fortifications and artillery explosions. The Union campaign to capture Saltville, VA is discussed as a way of denying the South that critical resource. William Sherman’s siege of Atlanta devastated that city and led to a reshaping of its residential geography in the decades after the war due to the search for quality water and high ground. The agricultural practices of the South led to extreme soil erosion after the war. The chapter also discusses the National Park Service interpretation of Civil War battlefields, and the myriad problems with trying to present these landscapes as they were during the war.

Physico-Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Fiber-Cement Mortars

This paper is aimed to investigate the total sand filler replacement by two types of cellulosic fibers (bleached wood pulp - WP and recycled fibers from waste paper - RF) in cement-based mortars. Two different types of cement mortar, one with addition of finely ground limestone and other with powdered granulated slag, were mixed with fibers. The changes in consistency of fresh fiber cement mortars and development of compressive and flexural strength of mortars in dependence on hardening time up to 90 days was studied. The development of compressive and flexural strength with increasing hardening time of cellulose fiber mortars and two binders with different properties confirmed that binder mixtures containing finely ground slag and recycled cellulose fibers achieved higher values of these strength parameters. Also adhesion testing of fiber cement mortars on two substrates (ceramic fitting and aerated concrete block) after 28 days of their application showed better adhesion of cement mortars with finely ground granulated slag on the ceramic fitting surface compared to the mortars containing finely ground limestone. However, any cracks have occurred on both substrates during the maturing of mortars with slag. Based on the above facts, it can be concluded that suitable plaster mixtures for their use in the interior appear the cement recipes with both cellulose fibers (wood pulp and fibers from recycled waste paper) and with finely ground limestone.