The Open Civil Engineering Journal 

About: The Open Civil Engineering Journal is an academic journal published by Bentham Science Publishers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Compressive strength & Finite element method. It has an ISSN identifier of 1874-1495. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 677 publications have been published receiving 3388 citations. The journal is also known as: TOCIEJ.

Deicer Impacts on Pavement Materials: Introduction and Recent Developments

Abstract: A review of the impacts of deicers used in winter maintenance practices of Portland cement concrete and as- phalt concrete roadways and airport pavements is presented. Traditional and relatively new deicers are incorporated in this review, including sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate, potassium acetate, potassium formate, sodium acetate, and sodium formate. The detrimental effects of deicers on Portland cement concrete exist through three main pathways: 1) physical deterioration such as "salt scaling"; 2) chemical reactions between deicers and cement paste (a cation-oriented process, especially in the presence of magnesium chloride and calcium chloride); and 3) deicers aggrevating aggregate-cement reactions (such as the anion-oriented process in the case of chlorides, acetates, and formates affecting alkali-silica reactivity and the cation-oriented process in the case of calcium chloride and magne- sium chloride affecting alkali-carbonate reactivity). The deicer impacts on asphalt concrete pavements had been relatively mild until acetate- and formate-based deicers were introduced in recent years. The damaging mechanism seems to be a combination of chemical reactions, emulsifications and distillations, as well as the generation of additional stress in the asphalt concrete.

Computational Methods for Masonry Vaults: A Review of Recent Results

Abstract: The present paper makes a critical review of some methods and models, now available in the technical litera- ture and commonly used in the analysis of masonry vaults up to their collapse, by highlighting advantages and drawbacks of each approach. All methods adopted to describe the mechanical behavior of masonry structures, in order to be reliable, must take into account the distinctive aspects of masonry, namely the scarce (or zero) tensile strength, the good resistance in compression and the occurrence of failure mechanisms through rotation-translation of rigid macro-blocks. Classic no- tension material models disregard the small existing tensile strength and make the assumption of (1) infinitely elastic be- havior in compression and (2) isotropy, giving thus the possibility to deal with either semi-analytical approaches (espe- cially for arches) or robust numerical procedures. More advanced but rather complex models are nowadays able to deal al- so with anisotropy induced by texture, small tensile strength and softening in tension, as well as by finite strength in com- pression. Traditionally - and nowadays it is still an opinion commonly accepted, in contrast with step by step complex procedures, Limit Analysis has proved to be the most effective Method for a fast and reliable evaluation of the load bear- ing capacity of vaulted masonry structures: classic lower and upper bound theorems recall respectively the concepts of equilibrium and occurrence of failure mechanisms with rigid elements. The so-called Thrust Network Method moves its steps from lower bound theorems, whereas FE limit analysis approaches with infinitely resistant elements and dissipation on interfaces take inspiration from the upper bound point of view. An alternative to Limit Analysis is represented by tradi- tional FEM combined with either elastic-plastic or damaging models with softening, commonly used for other materials but recently adapted also to masonry. They are able to provide a large set of output numerical information but further studies are still needed to ensure their proper application.

Bond of high strength concrete with high strength reinforcing steel

Abstract: This paper presents a study about the bond of high strength concrete with high strength steel. Fourteen pull out tests were carried out to determine the bond. The concrete strength was about 70 MPa and the steel was a 500 MPa grade. Bar diameters used were 12, 16, 20, 25, 28, 32 and 36 mm. In order to investigate the effect of cover, each test was done twice, once in a 240 mm diameter concrete cylinder and the second in a 300 mm diameter cylinder. Based on the test re- sults a new equation representing the bond is proposed.

The Use of Sheet Glass Powder as Fine Aggregate Replacement in Concrete

Abstract: Sheet glass powder (SGP) used in concrete making leads to greener environment. In shops, near by Chidamba- ram many sheet glass cuttings go to waste, which are not recycled at present and usually delivered to landfills for disposal. Using SGP in concrete is an interesting possibility for economy on waste disposal sites and conservation of natural re- sources. This paper examines the possibility of using SGP as a replacement in fine aggregate for a new concrete. Natural sand was partially replaced (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) with SGP. Compressive strength, Tensile strength (cubes and cylinders) and Flexural strength up to 180 days of age were compared with those of concrete made with natural fine aggregates. Fineness modulus, specific gravity, moisture content, water absorption, bulk density, %voids, % porosity (loose and compact) state for sand (S) and SDA were also studied. The test results indicate that it is possible to manufac- ture concrete containing Sheet glass powder (SGP) with characteristics similar to those of natural sand aggregate concrete provided that the percentage of SGP as fine aggregate is limited to 10-20%, respectively.

Workability, Setting Time and Strength of High-Strength Concrete Containing High Volume of Palm Oil Fuel Ash

Abstract: The results showed that HSCu had improved physical properties and chemical compositions, extended setting times, enhanced workability, better strength, and enhanced workability retention compared to HSCg and HSC-OPC. Further, POFA carbon content negatively influenced the workability and setting time, while its specific gravity had a positive influence due to the enhancement of paste volume and particles lubrication effects. However, carbon content and surface areas of POFA did not significantly influence the compressive strength of HSC at the level of partial OPC substitution not exceeding 40%.