Experimental Investigation of the Compatibility of Lime Coating with Insulation Straw Biocomposite

The use of bio-based composite as building materials is one of the innovative solutions for dealing with environmental disorders caused by the construction sector. Among these materials we find biocomposites based on vegetable aggregates, which have proven their effectiveness as insulating materials in numerous studies. Despite the growing interest in these materials and the recognition of their performance, their use remains hampered by the lack of implementation rules specific to these materials to move towards a control of their use and their durability affected by the climate and use conditions to which they will be exposed at the level of a building. The objective of this work is to study the compatibility of a protective coating with a block substrate of biocomposites based on cereal straw. It is in fact a mixture of vegetable aggregates (straw), a binder composed of lime and additives also obtained from a renewable source (Ismail et al., 2020). These additives (air-entraining agent, casein protein and a biopolymer) have been added to improve both the fibre-binder interface and the porosity of the binder. The use of these bio-based materials for external or internal thermal insulation of the building requires the application of a coating to protect them against climatic aggressions and to give them an aesthetic appearance. The lime-based coatings, air-entraining agent and casein protein selected for this study have been the subject of an experimental investigation (Brahim Ismail, 2020). In order to assess the compatibility of these coatings with the straw-based insulating material, we were interested in studying the adhesion between the biocomposite and the coating after aging cycles in accordance with the EN 1015-21 standard. The samples (biocomposite + coating) were subjected to two types of aging, one using water and the other using a saline solution of sodium sulphates (Na2SO4). The results of the bond tests after aging showed that the cohesive fracture (at the level of the substrate) is a pattern observed in all the studied systems. In Addition, It has been found that the coating to which a percentage of fine fibers has been added undergoes considerable degradation after aging with salt solution, demonstrating the need of an additional layer of outer coating without fibers in order to ensure the sustainability of the system.

Determining operating variables that impact internal fiber bonding using Wedge statistical analysis methods

In this study, Wedge statistical analysis tools were used to collect, collate, clean up, plot, and analyze several years of operational data from a commercial paper machine. The z-direction tensile (ZDT) and Scott Bond tests were chosen as representative of fiber bond strength. After analyzing thousands of operational parameters, the ones with the most significant impact upon ZDT involved starch application method, starch penetration, and the amount of starch applied. Scott bond was found to be significantly impacted by formation and refining. Final calendering of the paper web has also shown an impact on internal fiber bonding.

A Comparative Study of Energy Efficiency in Tumbling Mills with the Use of Relo Grinding Media

An evaluation of Relo grinding media (RGM, Reuleaux tetrahedron-shaped bodies) performance versus standard grinding media (balls) was made through a series of grinding tests, including a slight modification of the standard Bond test procedure. Standard Bond tests showed a reduction in the Bond ball mill work index (wi) of the mineral sample used in this study when using Relo grinding media. The modified Bond test procedure is based on using the standard Bond ball work index test but changing the circulating loads (350%, 250%, 150%, 100%). The comparative tests with RGM were carried out at the same number of revolutions as the grinding tests with balls at respective circulating load. The RGM charge yielded a 14% higher net undersize product than balls, which hints at improving energy efficiency and the potential for significant mining industry benefits.

An Empirical Analysis of the Factors Influencing Social Entrepreneurship: A Gendered Approach

Purpose: This study examines how entrepreneurial ecosystem factors (entrepreneurial finance, entrepreneurial education, physical and commercial infrastructure, culture, and R&D transfer activities) shape social entrepreneurial activities (SEA) of men and women. Design/methodology/approach: Panel data from 35 countries are examined through General Methods of Moments (GMM) with Arellano Bond tests for the period of ten years (2005-2014). Findings: Our results indicate that women are more likely to get involved in creation of social ventures. Further, the selected six entrepreneurial factors modify SEA in a significantly different manner for both genders. Originality/value: Based on this analysis, this study is the first to provide deeper insights for improving the assessment of social entrepreneurial activities in efficiency and innovation driven economies within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Effects of Shape and Bond Strength on Adhesive Failure of Joint Sealants

Currently, joint sealant is designed without consideration of the bond strength between the concrete and the sealant and the effect of shape on stress concentration. This often leads to adhesive failures within 1.5 years, earlier than the expected service life of the joint sealant, which is 20 years. In adhesive failure, the strength of the bond and the stress of the interface between the sealant and the face of the joint reservoir play a very important role. To examine the nature of the bond along the sealant/joint well interface, experimental bond tests were conducted. In addition, the stress distribution on the interface was also investigated according to geometry (Shape Factor [SF] and degree of curvature [DoC]). Re-evaluation of the SF was conducted, and a new design factor, DoC, was introduced and investigated through the finite element method of analysis. With these factors, the reduction of bond strength and increase in the stress at the interface can be limited reducing the potential for early adhesive failure. Based on this study, the effect of joint preparation (dirt and moisture) on joint strength and shape (SF and DoC) of joint sealant should be considered when designing and installing sealants.

Experimental Study on the Effectiveness of Inorganic Bonding Materials for Near-Surface Mounting Shear Strengthening of Prestressed Concrete Beams

Use of organic resins such as epoxy and vinyl esters as bonding materials in fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthening of concrete members is widely accepted. However, the performance of organic resins is compromised when exposed to high temperature and extreme weather conditions leading to reduced durability of the strengthened systems. The present study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of inorganic (cement mortar and geopolymer mortar) bonding materials for shear strengthening of prestressed concrete (PSC) beams using the near-surface mounting (NSM) technique. Different types of bonding materials are used in this study for NSM shear strengthening including: (i) epoxy resin, (ii) high strength cement grout (HSCG) and (iii) geopolymer mortar. Bond tests were first conducted to evaluate the pull-out/bond strength of different bonding materials. Bond tests revealed that epoxy resin had the highest bond strength followed by geopolymer mortar and HSCG. Sixteen full-scale PSC beams were cast with and without stirrups. The beams were strengthened using NSM CFRP laminates oriented at 45-degree configuration and then tested under a three-point bending configuration. Experimental results revealed that the performance of high strength cement grout and geopolymer mortar was similar but with a lesser efficiency compared to the epoxy resin.