Journal of Building Material Science

Condition Assessment of Existing RCC Building Using Non-Destructive Testing

2025-01-16T10:03:28+08:00

The growing importance of maintaining and extending the functional lifespan of reinforced concrete structures has resulted in an increased emphasis on non-destructive testing techniques as essential tools for evaluating structural conditions. Non-destructive testing procedures offer a notable benefit in assessing the uniformity, homogeneity, ability to withstand compression, durability, and degree of corrosion in reinforcing bars within reinforced concrete structures. This study aimed to evaluate the existing condition of partially constructed residential buildings in Rewari district, located in the state of Haryana. The reinforced concrete structure of the building had been completed eight years ago, however, the project was abruptly stopped. Prior to recommencing the construction, it is important to assess the present state of the structure in order to evaluate the deterioration in Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC). The building's state was evaluated by visually inspecting the building, conducting on-site examinations, and analyzing samples in a laboratory. The findings emphasize the assessment of the robustness and durability of concrete to ascertain the degree of deterioration and degradation in the structure. The study incorporates visual inspection, and non-destructive evaluation utilizing different instruments to evaluate the corrosion condition of reinforcing bars. In addition, selected RCC columns, beams, and slabs undergo chemical testing. It has been observed that the strength results and chemical results were within permissible limits.

Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Silicone Elastomers Filled with Fumed Silica for Seismic Isolation Bearings

2025-02-19T10:01:41+08:00

Laminated elastomeric bearings used in seismic isolation rely on the mechanical properties of their constituent elastomers to ensure effective performance. However, despite their resistance to temperature fluctuations and environmental aggressors, silicone elastomers exhibit relatively low stiffness, limiting their direct applicability in seismic isolation. This study investigates the effect of fumed silica as a reinforcing filler to enhance the mechanical properties of laminated silicone elastomeric bearings. Elastomeric samples were fabricated with varying fumed silica proportions and subjected to Shore A hardness, uniaxial tensile, and lap shear tests to assess the influence of filler content. Additionally, quasi-static tests were conducted on reduced-scale bearing prototypes under combined vertical compression and cyclic horizontal shear to evaluate their seismic isolation performance. The results demonstrate that fumed silica reinforcement significantly increases stiffness, as evidenced by higher Shore A hardness values. However, a trade-off was observed in tensile properties, with reductions in tensile strength and elongation at break. Despite this, the equivalent elastic modulus did not show substantial variation up to large deformations, indicating that stiffness is preserved under most working conditions. Lap shear tests showed that fumed silica improves shear resistance, while quasi-static tests revealed inelastic behavior with small increases in equivalent shear coefficients but no substantial loss in damping ratios. These findings suggest that fumed silica reinforcement enhances silicone elastomers’ stiffness and shear resistance while maintaining moderate damping properties, making it a promising approach for improving the mechanical performance of elastomeric bearings in seismic isolation applications.

Investigation the Performance of a Low-Cost Test Box Design Like to the Alpha Cabin for Sound Transmission Loss Tests

2025-01-08T09:25:47+08:00

Today, noise control is of critical importance. In order to provide sound insulation, parameters such as Sound Transmission Loss (STL) and sound absorption coefficient are measured in environments such as impedance tubes, Alpha Cabin and echo chambers. However, the low number of accredited acoustic test rooms in Turkey and the high-test costs cause these tests to be performed in limited numbers. In this direction, test box similar to the Alpha Cabin designed aims to both reduce costs and perform tests in a healthy way using natural and recyclable materials, and to prevent damage to test devices caused by hard materials. In this study, samples with STL values above 30 dB at 500-8000 Hz. were selected and tested in the designed system. As a result, it was seen that the data were close to each other. The highest value was obtained as 49, 13 dB at 4000 Hz. in a 2 cm thick gypsum board, gypsum and concave walnut shell sample (moving surface L1). This situation provides an important contribution in terms of sound insulation by using natural and recyclable materials and the proposed test box, meeting the experimental criteria at low cost and in the field of noise control.

Impact of Natural Fiber and Fatty Acid Organic Additives on the Permeability of Lime Mortars for Architectural Conservation

2025-01-20T09:25:23+08:00

Lime mortars have a rich history of being blended with organic additives to address weaknesses such as low setting time and hydric properties. This study specifically investigates the impact of incorporating straw and sesame oil into lime mortar mixes, focusing on their influence on open porosity, permeability, water absorption, and durability. While previous studies explored the effects of natural fibers and fatty acid additives on lime mortars separately, this study examines their simultaneous incorporation in mortars. The results demonstrated that the simultaneous addition of sesame oil and straw decreased the water absorption values of the mortars to 77%. Furthermore, the inclusion of sesame oil resulted in a significant 30% increase in impermeability values. However, when both sesame oil and straw were added together, the increase in impermeability was less than 20% compared to the reference mortar with no additives. These findings highlights that the combined addition of sesame oil and straw has a lesser impact on the permeability values of mortars, which is a positive outcome, as maintaining optimal permeability is essential for the long-term preservation of historical substrates. The combination of straw and sesame oil enhances hydric properties without undermining the mortar's structure and permeability. These results emphasize the sustainable nature of lime mortars in restoration projects, showcasing their compatibility with traditional masonry practices. By combining natural fibers with fatty acids, mortars demonstrate improved durability, offering a promising avenue for enhancing performance while retaining essential properties.

Compressive Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Columns Using Recycled Building Glass Instead of Sand Aggregate in Concrete

2025-01-05T16:28:53+08:00

Exploring alternative aggregates or recycled aggregates to substitute traditional concrete aggregates, particularly sand aggregates, which are becoming more limited and must comply with environmental protection standards, is essential. Research has explored various alternative materials to sand in concrete, including concrete from demolished buildings, and broken glass from projects, among others. Investigating the use of recycled broken glass to substitute sand aggregates and implementing this research in compression columns is crucial. This paper examines the compressive behavior of reinforced concrete columns that utilize recycled glass particles as a substitute for sand in concrete. The research findings establish the relationships: load and vertical displacement, load and deformation at the column head, mid-column, and column base; the formation and propagation of cracks in the column, while considering factors such as the percentage of recycled glass, the arrangement of stirrups, and the amount of load-bearing steel influencing the performance of square reinforced concrete columns under compression. The feasibility of using recycled glass as a substitute for sand in column structures subjected to compression has been demonstrated, with the ideal replacement content for sand aggregate in reinforced concrete columns in this study ranging from 0% to 10%. The column’s load-bearing ability dropped from 250 kN to 150 kN when 100% recycled glass was used instead of sand. This is a 40% drop, and cracks started to show up sooner. The research will support recycling broken glass instead of using sand in building, improving the environment and reducing natural sand use.