University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

About: University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy is a education organization based out in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Finite element method & Beam (structure). The organization has 3808 authors who have published 3822 publications receiving 30736 citations. The organization is also known as: Sofia Polytechnic.

The effect of phosphate on the transformation of ferrihydrite into crystalline products in alkaline media

Abstract: The presence of phosphate retards the transformation of ferrihydrite into crystalline products. Increasing phosphate from 0 to 1 mole % results in an order of magnitude decrease in the rate of transformation of ferrihydrite at pH 12. Levels of phosphate of ∼1 mol % suppress the formation of goethite (α-FeO(OH)) and result in the formation of a product consisting ofη-Fe2O3. Higher levels of phosphate result in the ferrihydrite remaining amorphous, even after several hundred hours. Phosphate prevents formation of goethite by hindering the dissolution of ferrihydrite rather than by interfering with nucleation and growth of goethite in solution. The transformation rate of pure ferrihydrite is also strongly inhibited in the presence of dissolved phosphate. This is due to surface complexation. The transformation rate was measured at temperatures of 60 °C and 70 °C. The rate of transformation was found to be described by either (i) a solid-state reaction equation for powdered compacts or (ii) a zero-order reaction controlled by desorption. The transformation of the ferrihydrite matrix was accompanied by the loss of the phosphate trace component. X-ray diffraction indicates that no solid solution involving phosphate substitution intoη-Fe2O3 is formed. Transmission electron microphotographs of the original precipitates containing phosphate confirm the presence of the phosphate and demonstrate its involvement in linking together extremely small particles of ferrihydrite.

Marl-based geopolymers incorporated with limestone: A feasibility study

Abstract: The expanding raw materials base is one of the drivers for the further development of inorganic binders, including alkali-activated cements. This research focuses on studying marl with a high calcite/aluminosilicates ratio as a geopolymer precursor, and limestone as a mineral addition to this geopolymer. The calcination of marl at 800 °C resulting in the formation of reactive Si, Al, and Ca due to the dehydroxylation of clay minerals and decarbonation of calcite makes marl suitable for use as a geopolymer precursor. Calcined marl activated with sodium silicate and cured at ambient temperature had a 28-day compressive strength of 34 MPa. When incorporated with 50% limestone, the compressive strength became 39.2 MPa. XRD, TG/DSC, FTIR, optical and SEM have been used to investigate the reaction products, as well as the microstructure of the geopolymer hardened pastes.