ABSTRACT The main aim of this paper is to describe the development and validation of a new test apparatus for measuring complex stiffness modulus and fatigue of asphalt mix, so-called FADECOM. Both evaluations are executed with cyclic loading and continuous modes, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of test results when applied to asphalt pavement design solutions. Results obtained with the new apparatus are compared to existing methods designed on the same mechanical principles, and which are already calibrated and taken as international standardized references. Methods presented in this paper are based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) analysis of data recorded by the test apparatus; a parametric code which executes the analysis was implemented in C++. Interlaboratory comparisons of test results with FADECOM indicate random deviations of approximately 3 microstrains (x 10-6 µdef) for determination of fatigue strain at 106 cycles, and less than 10% relative difference for complex stiffness modulus. Agreement with FADECOM demonstrates direct applicability of the new method for obtaining accurate data for dynamic numerical simulations comprising asphalt pavement design.

Abstract This manuscript evaluates the technical feasibility of reusing coal ash in the formulation design of dense asphalt mixes. Physicochemical and mineralogical properties of fly and bottom ash matrixes prepared with coal ash were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), semi-quantitative spectrometry by X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) and surface characterization by Nitrogen (N2) adsorption. Filler fractions under 0.075 mm with 6.0% in weight from an entirely gneissic aggregate gradation curve taken as reference were compared to identical mixes prepared with fly and bottom ashes individually and also to a combined sample with 3.0% of each ash type. Tests on compaction ability with gyratory shear press, resistance to action of water and to rutting were carried out to compare mechanical performance. The results indicate that both gneissic and coal ash fillers do not form dipoles of effective electric attractions to bituminous matrixes, resulting in inert and hydrophilic behavior regarding to action of water, respectively. Despite surface and morphologic characteristics underlying the mechanical performance of gneissic fillers, coal ash matrixes have shown, in general, good technical feasibility to be used in asphalt mixes.

RESUMO: A principal fase do cimento Portland endurecido é o silicato de cálcio hidratado (C-S-H), que influencia as propriedades físicas e mecânicas dos materiais de construção. Nesta pesquisa, silicato de cálcio hidratado (C-S-H) foi sintetizado, com adição de poli(ácido metacrílico) com sódio (PMA), para o desenvolvimento de nanocompósitos C-S-H/polímero. Entre os polímeros disponíveis, o PMA é indicado na literatura como um daqueles viáveis para a produção de nanocompósitos C-S-H/polímero. No entanto, não existe consenso sobre o tipo de interação que pode ocorrer. Os compostos foram caracterizados por DRX, FT-IR, TGA, teor de carbono (CHN), MET, MEV e módulo de elasticidade e a dureza foi medida por nanoindentação instrumentada. Foi verificada uma mudança significativa nas propriedades nanomecânicas do C-S-H com PMA, resultando na redução do módulo de elasticidade e dureza. O conjunto de resultados apresentados não confirma a intercalação do PMA na nanoestrutura do C-S-H, mas mostrou evidências do potencial de intercalação, uma vez que mudanças significativas foram verificadas na microestrutura.

ABSTRACT: The principal phase of hardened Portland cement pastes is calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), which influences the physical and mechanical properties of construction materials. In this work, calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) was synthesized, with the addition of poly-methacrylic acid with sodium (PMA), for the development of C-S-H/ polymer nanocomposites. Among the polymers available, PMA is indicated in the literature as one of those viable for producing C-S-H/polymer complexes. However, no consensus exists regarding the type of interaction this produces. The resulting compounds were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TGA, carbon content (CHN), TEM, SEM and elastic modulus and hardness were measured by instrumented indentation. A significant change was verified in the nanomechanical properties of C-S-H with PMA, resulting in reduction in the elastic modulus and hardness. The set of results presented do not confirm the intercalation of PMA in the interlayer space of C-S-H, but presented evidence of the potential for intercalation, since changes in the microstructure clearly occurred.

RESUMO Este trabalho tem como objetivo realizar a caracterização de cordões de solda obtidos por soldagem a arco submerso empregando corrente pulsada em frequências ultrassônicas (acima de 20 kHz). Para tanto, foram realizadas soldas em chapas de aço carbono ASTM A36, variando-se a corrente e a frequência de pulsação ultrassônica em 25 e 50 A e 20, 50 e 80 kHz, respectivamente. Foram realizadas análises de microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura, além de ensaios mecânicos de microdureza Vickers e Charpy. Como resultado, foi verificado que o emprego da pulsação ultrassônica da corrente resulta no aparecimento de placas laterais de ferrita Widmanstatten secundária na zona fundida, enquanto que na ZAC-GG, além do surgimento desta microestrutura houve o crescimento de grão conforme o aumento da frequência de pulsação ultrassônica. Em relação aos resultados dos ensaios Charpy, à temperatura ambiente a energia absorvida ao impacto foi crescente conforme o aumento da amplitude da corrente e frequência de pulsação ultrassônica, enquanto que para a temperatura subzero esse nível crescente de energia absorvida média foi perceptível apenas para a amplitude de 25 A. Estes resultados reforçam a hipótese de que o crescimento de grão pode ser devido ao resfriamento mais lento da solda, enquanto que a mudança microestrutural observada, ao efeito de propagação da energia ultrassônica no material.

ABSTRACT This study aims to characterize the welds obtained by submerged arc welding using pulsed current in ultrasonic frequencies (above 20 kHz). To this end, welds were made on ASTM A36 carbon steel plates, varying the current and the frequency of the ultrasonic pulse in 25 to 50 A and 20, 50 and 80 kHz, respectively. Optical and scanning electron microscopy analysis were performed, as well as mechanical tests of Vickers hardness and Charpy. As a result, it was found that the use of ultrasonic pulse of current results in the appearance of side plates of secondary Widmanstätten ferrite in the melt zone while the HAZ-GG, besides the emergence of this microstructure it was grain growth with increasing frequency ultrasonic pulse. Regarding the results of Charpy tests at room temperature the energy absorbed in the impact has been increasing with increasing current amplitude and frequency of the ultrasonic pulse, while for the subzero temperature this increased level of absorbed average energy was noticeable only to the extent of 25 A. These results reinforce the hypothesis that the grain growth may be due to the slower cooling of the weld, while the microstructural changes, may be related to the effect of ultrasonic energy in the material.

Resumo O silicato de cálcio hidratado (C-S-H), principal fase proveniente da hidratação do cimento Portland, tem grande influência na maioria das propriedades físicas e mecânicas dos materiais cimentícios. No entanto, até o momento, não existem modelos estruturais relacionando sua composição química, nano e microestrutura com suas propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas. Neste trabalho, utilizou-se a técnica de indentação instrumentada para avaliar as propriedades nanomecânicas de dois C-S-H de síntese, com relações Ca/Si diferentes. Os resultados mostraram que é possível estimar com precisão o módulo de elasticidade e a dureza utilizando-se somente 16 pontos indentados, com vários ciclos de carga para cada indentação, e que a intensidade da carga de indentação não se mostrou um fator significativo. Mostrou-se também que o módulo de elasticidade do C-S-H aumenta quando a relação Ca/Si diminui, confirmando os cálculos baseados nos métodos de campo de forças, de Manzano et al. (2009). Porém, constatou-se que micro e nanoporosidade influenciam de maneira significativa o resultado. Por fim, há uma discussão sobre alguns dos parâmetros a serem controlados para poder modificar as características mecânicas do gel de C-S-H produzido pela hidratação do cimento Portland.

Abstract Calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), the main product from portland cement hydration, has a great influence on most physical and mechanical properties of cement based materials. However, until now, there are no structural models relating chemical composition, micro and nanostructure with its physical-chemical and mechanical properties. In this study, we used the technique of instrumented indentation to evaluate the nanomechanical properties of two synthetic C-S-H with different Ca/Si ratio. The results showed that it is possible to estimate with a good accuracy the elastic modulus and hardness using only 16 indented points, with several cycles of loading for each indentation, and that the intensity of the indentation load is not significant. It was also shown that the C-S-H elastic modulus increases when the Ca/Si ratio decreases, confirming the calculations based on field forces methods of Manzano et al. (2009). However it was found that micro and nanoporosity have a significant effect on the result. Finally, a discussion about some of the parameters to be controlled to modify the mechanical characteristics of the C-S-H gel produced by the portland cement hydration is presented.