Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering (Esteghlal)

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Silica fume has been largely used in concrete in recent decades due to its effect on improvement of strength and durability of concrete. On the other hand, attention has been recently paid to the use of limestone powder as a substitute for part of cement in concrete, basically because of its low price and its positive effect on the durability of concrete. The aim of the current study is the investigation of the interactive effect of silica fume and limestone powder on the compressive strength of concrete and the optimization of the mix design. To do so, 27 mix designs including 3 water-to-cementitious materials ratios (W/CM=0.25, 0.3 and 0.4) 3 silica fume-to-cementitious materials ratios (SF/CM=%0, %5 and %10) and 3 limestone powder-to-cement ratios (LP/C=%0, %15 and %30) were used and 28-day compressive strength of the cubic concrete specimens were determined. Then, the interactive effect of silica fume and limestone powder on compressive strength of concrete was investigated using isoresponse curves. Furthermore, the optimization of the mix design for concretes containing silica fume and limestone powder was carried out using “cost effective factor” (CEF) which is defined compressive strength divided by cost of concrete.

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Cohesive-frictional soils are widely used in the construction of embankment structures and due to the method of construction, i.e. applying compactive efforts in the vertical direction in these cases, the occurrence of anisotropy in the soil strength and permeability seems to be inevitable. In this study, attempts have been made to evaluate the shear strength of c-f soils through modifying a large shear box apparatus. Conducting more than 108 direct shear tests, the effects of compaction method and moisture on the shear strength anisotropy of a selected c-f soil (a clayey sand) have then been investigated. According to the test results, firstly strength anisotropy was observed in all the soil specimens and the shear strength in the vertical direction was about 14% to 21% higher than that in the horizontal direction. Secondly, it was found that an increase in the compaction moisture led to an increase in the degree of anisotropy. Furthermore, the anisotropy in the cohesive strength was more pronounced in the specimens with a moisture content higher than the optimum one. The highest degree of anisotropy was observed in the specimens compacted by impacting effort and the lowest one belonged to those with the vibratory compaction.

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It is well known that the characteristics of concrete components greatly affect the durability of high strength/high performance (HS/HP) concrete against frost action. Undoubtedly, precise recognition of this relationship leads to appropriate selection of the type and proportions of concrete components in any particular project. In the current study, the aim is to investigate the possibility of developing some mathematical-experimental models to explain the frost resistance of high-performance concrete, regarding the role of some of its main components. To do so, the effects of four key elements, i.e. water, silica fume, coarse aggregate, and number of freeze-thawing cycles, were studied on the frost resistance of HS/HP concrete were studied. 24 concrete mix designs including 3 ratios of water to cementitious materials, i. e. 0.4, 0.3, and 0.25 4 ratios of silica fume to cementitious materials, i.e. 0, 5, 10, and 15 percent and 2 types of coarse aggregates, i. e. Limestone and Quartzite were utilized for HS/HP concrete. Overall, about 432 concrete cubes were cast, cured and tested under freeeze-thaw cycles. Finally, some models were proposed for describing the frost resistance of high strength concrete.

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Jacketing of reinforced concrete columns is a common and useful strengthening method. This method substantially improves mechanical properties of the column, such as flexural strength as well as shear and ductility. In this paper, the behavior of confined reinforced concrete columns are investigated. The results indicate that the method is more effective for slender columns in the region of their failure zone.

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Deterioration of concrete, which is mainly due to ignorance of environmental and service conditions, causes considerable costs for the construction industry. With this in mind, in this paper, results of investigation into the major causes of concrete deterioration in the Urumie Lake are presented. For the purposes of this investigation, samples were obtained by mixing two types of cement (OPC types 1&2), micro silica, anti oxide, water proof and air entraining agent, with different w/c ratios and tested at the ages of 7,14, and 28 days. In addition to compression strength, tensile strength of the samples was measured. Regarding the durability studies, abrasion resistance, electrical resistivity, chloride penetration, water absorption and freeze-thaw tests were carried out under both laboratory and real conditions in the Urumieh lake. Based on our findings recommendations are made about optimum w/c ratio, most suitable types of cement, optimum percentage of micro silica content, and additive .

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An important parameter in composite materials is mechanical behavior and matrix-reinforcement interface interaction under applied stresses. In this investigation, bending strength of carbon-carbon composites synthesized from wood was analyzed as a measure of the composite mechanical properties. Also, densification efficiency of the products was determined by measuring the bulk density and open porosity percentage. Using scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, X-Ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, the final product was examined to evaluate and interpret the morphology and internal texture and results of mechanical test. The results showed that we are able to use an ordinary material such as wood for production of a unique product with great properties called two-dimensional carbon-carbon composites.

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In this study, ZrB2-HfB2 composite was produced by pressureless sintering method. MoSi2 B4C and SiC particles were used as reinforcement. ZrB2 powder was milled in planetary ball mill apparatus and then reinforcement particles were added to the milled powder. The composite powders were then CIPed and sintered at 2100oC and 2150oC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), flexural test, and resonance frequency method were used to compare the added particle effects on mechanical properties and pressureless sintering behavior of ZrB2-HfB2 composite. The analysis showed that the ZrB2-HfB2-MoSi2-SiCnano composite displays the largest gain in flexural strength. Furthermore, increasing the sintering temperature leads to an increase in flexural strength of samples.

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In this study, the effect of nano-titania addition on the mechanical strength of mullite-bonded alumina-siliconcarbide nano-composites was investigated. To this end, the gel-casting process via nano-silica sol was used for shaping the nano-composite.The firing temperature of composition was determined by use of STA. The compressive and bending strengths of samples were measured after firing at 1300 °C. Besides, the physical properties, phase composition and microstructure of the composites were evaluated after firing. The results showed that the use of nano-titania up to 1 wt.% had a higher effect on improvement of nano-composite mechanical strength. The nano-titania addition led to increasing of mullite phase and higher growth of its needle-like grains. Enhancing of ceramic bonds between grains and the improvement of mechanical strength were obtained by increasing the mullite phase.

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In this study, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model for armchair, zigzag and chiral single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is proposed. To create the FE models, nodes are placed at the locations of carbon atoms and the bonds between them are modeled using three-dimensional elastic beam elements. The FE model is used to investigate the influence of chirality and Stone-Wales defects on the ultimate strength (Ultimate stress and ultimate strain) of SWCNTs. Results indicate that Stone-Wales defect significantly reduces the ultimate stress and strain of armchair CNTs. But this defect has a negligible effect on the ultimate strength of zigzag nanotubes. Based on the results, the crack growth path in zigzag and armchair nanotubes have 90 and 45 degree angle to the long axis of the nanotube, respectively.

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In the present article, RRA, T73 and T6 heat treatments were carried out to improve mechanical properties of 7075 aluminum alloy and its hardness, tensile and bending strengths were evaluated. For this purpose, solution annealing was performed at 530 ºC for 16 h. For T6 treatment, aging was executed at 150 ºC for 24 h after solution annealing. In T73, aging treatment was done in two stages after solution annealin, at 120 and 180 ºC for 7 and 20 h, respectively. RRA treatment was performed in three stages. The first stage was the same as T6 treatment, the second stage constitutes tempering at 200 ºC for
20 min and in the third stage aging process was repeated like T6 treatment. Evaluation of the microstructures and fractured surfaces were performed with optical microscopes (OM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to study the chemical composition of precipitates. Hardness, tensile and bending strength were evaluated according to ASTM E384-11e1, ASTM B557-06 and DIN 50121 standards. RRA treatment increased tensile strength from 466 to 485 MPa and hardness from 110 to 165 Vickers. After T6 treatment, tensile strength increased from 466 to 505 MPa and hardness from 110 to 160 Vickers. In T73 process, the tensile strength remained almost constant (465 MPa) but yield strength increased from 394 to 410 MPa and hardness decreased from 110 to 84 Vickers. The bending strength increased from 797 to 844, 920 and 1030 MPa in T73, RRA and T6 processes, respectively. By applying RRA process in optimized temperature and time, hardness, tensile and bending strengths of 7075 aluminum alloy were enhanced from 5 to 15% compared to that of T6 and T73 processes.

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The purpose of this article is to study the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at the interface of Al/Cu bimetal produced by compound casting of molten Al in solid copper tubes. The mechanism of the intermetallic compounds formations at the interface, the effects of molten aluminum pouring temperature and solid copper tubes preheating tempreture, were investigated on the IMCs type and thickness and Al/Cu interface microstructures were characterized by optical microscope (OM) and electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA). Results show that the interface consists of three main layers, where Layer (I) is α-Al/Al₂Cu eutectic structure, layer (II) is intermetal of Al₂Cu and layer (III) constituites several intermetallic compounds such as AlCu, Al₃Cu₄, Al₂Cu₃ and Al₄Cu₉. Considering the components of hypereutectic melt at the interface, initially layer (II) was formed by θ phase nucleation and growth mechanism, then layer (I) was formed by Al and Cu dissolving and solidification. Finally layer (III) was formed by solid-state phase diffusion. Raising molten Al temperature and preheating solid Cu leads to increase of the intermetallic compounds thickness at interface which consequently increases the specific electrical resistance and decreases the Al/Cu bond strength. From experimental results it seems that the bond strength is affected by the thicknesses of layer II and III.

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Organic–inorganic hybrid coatings were prepared by sol–gel method and deposited on aluminum alloy 6061. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used for structural study of the hybrid coatings. Adhesive strength of sol–gel coatings to the substrate was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. Corrosion behavior of the samples was studied by cyclic potentiodynamic and linear polarization tests. Results showed that adhesion strength of the coatings to the substrates was increased with increasing tetrapropoxide of zirconium (TPOZ) and cerium content. Corrosion tests showed that corrosion current density of coated samples were decreased three to seven orders of magnitude in comparison with uncoated aluminum alloy 6061. Decreasing in corrosion current density and increasing in polarization resistance was observed by increasing zirconia and cerium content. Unlike the uncoated aluminum alloy 6061, the crack-free coatings did not show pitting tendency. 

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Presence of nanoscale bainitic ferrites and high carbon retained austenites that are stable at ambient temperature within the microstructures of super strong bainitic steels makes it possible to achieve exceptional strengths and ductility properties in these groups of nanostructured steels. This article aims to study the effect of the dislocation density variations during tensile testing in ambient temperature on deformation behavior of nanostructured low temperature bainitic steels. Results indicate that dislocation absorption from bainitic ferrite subunits by surrounding retained austenite reduces the work hardening and therefore increases the formability of bainitic ferrite during deformation, which in turn results in a suitable combination of strength and ductility.

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In this research, the effect of standoff distance and explosive material thickness on metallurgical features of explosive welding connection of copper to 304 stainless steel has been investigated. Experimental analysis were performed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, microhardness test and tensile shear strength test. The results indicated that due to severe plastic deformation in welding, both grain elongation and refinement occurred near the connection. Also, increasing of welding parameters led to an increase in the locally melted zones. The results showed that chemical composition of the melted zone consisted of elements of both flyer and base plates. By decreasing the explosive material thickness and standoff distance, the hardness of copper interface zone decreased from 103.4 HV to 99.8 HV. Moreover, increasing the temperature in stainless steel connection led to decreased hardness. As such, the maximum tensile shear strength of 244 MPa was observed  in the sample with 79 mm explosive thickness and 3 mm standoff and the minimum tensile shear strength of about 208 MPa in the sample with 46 mm explosive thickness and 3 mm standoff. By decreasing explosive thickness and standoff, the bond strength decreased, too.
 

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