română DAVID RESANO, JOSE BARRANZUELA, FABIOLA UBILLÚS, OSCAR GUILLEN, ANA GALARZA
Abstract
High-altitude human settlements, such as those in the Andes and the Himalayas, experience extreme temperature conditions, yet many houses in the Peruvian Andes lack thermal insulation due to the unavailability of affordable materials. As a result, respiratory diseases linked to low temperatures are widespread during the coldest months of the year. This study presents the development of an innovative thermal insulation panel made from locally sourced sugarcane bagasse fibers, bonded with polyvinyl acetate and fabricated using compression molding. The panel achieved a thermal conductivity of 0.043 W/m·K, which allows compliance with Peruvian thermal transmittance standards when applied in layers of approximately 6 cm thickness. The material exhibited a bulk density ranging from 86.7 to 105.3 kg/m³. Mechanical testing showed a low average tensile strength of 0.0144 kg/cm² and a flexural modulus of 0.116 kg/cm², indicating that the panel is not suitable for structural applications. However, it is effective as a non-structural thermal insulation solution. The proposed panel promotes a circular economy by repurposing agricultural by-product and offers a low-cost, biodegradable alternative to synthetic and mineral fiber insulations, contributing to reduce material costs and environmental impact in buildings.
Keywords
Composite, organic material, sugarcane bagasse fibers, thermal insulation, circular economy
J.JEGAN, P.ANITHA, SUNANTHA B., J SUDHAKUMAR, R.LOGARAJA, KONA PRAVALLIKA PHANI DURGA
Abstract
Phase-change materials must now be used during construction to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost energy efficiency. Considering concrete makes up the majority of construction materials worldwide, incorporating PCMs into concrete can greatly increase a structures energy efficiency. There has been a growing interest in phase change materials (PCMs) in recent years. By utilizing the appropriate PCM and integration approach, the majority of issues associated with utilizing PCM in concrete may be resolved. In this work, Thermal Storage Light Weight Aggregate (TSLWA) was produced by incorporating pumice stone into Paraffin wax. The concrete cube were cast with different replacement ratios of TSLWA with LWA such as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The study revealed that increasing PCM content reduced water absorption, with the control sample absorbing 8.5% water compared to only 1.8% for the 100% PCM sample. Compressive strength decreased with higher PCM percentages, with the 100% PCM sample showing significant reduction, emphasizing the need for a balance between thermal properties and structural integrity. Thermal analysis showed that paraffin wax exhibited thermal transitions around 50°C, demonstrating stable thermal behavior up to 300°C. Microstructural examination revealed altered bonding strength due to paraffin wax-filled aggregates, and leakage tests highlighted the effectiveness of epoxy resin coatings in reducing water seepage. Overall, PCM-impregnated pumice concrete improves moisture resistance and thermal performance, offering a promising solution for sustainable construction, though careful consideration of PCM concentration is needed to maintain mechanical strength.
Keywords
thermal storage aggregate, Pumice stone, immersion method, phase change materials, paraffin wax.
A. THOMAS EUCHARIST, V. REVATHI
Abstract
Concrete is one of the most vital building materials next to the water. Day by day, the demand for concrete is escalating with the rising demand for infrastructural development, and the cement industry is one of the dominant contributors to the production of greenhouse gases. So, efforts are essential to make concrete further eco-friendly by adopting cement-free concrete, which helps overcome global warming. In this study, varying compositions of alumina silica materials made up of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) were supposed to be utilized in the manufacture of geopolymer mortars, and five different ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100 were proposed. It might be a better solution for both waste disposal problems and issues related to cement production. Combinations of GGBFS and SBA were made with varying concentrations of alkaline solution starting from 10M, 12M, and 14M. The strength properties of the prepared specimens were assessed by conducting compressive strength test on mortar and concrete specimens at 3 days, 7 says, 28 days. Despite the fact that not all of the combinations of the mixes examined had statistically significant results, the test results do suggest that the GGBFS-SBA blend is viable for use in geopolymer. In a 14M geopolymer concrete mix consisting of 100% GGBS, the highest compressive strength of 61 MPa was achieved.
Keywords
Cement-free concrete, Geo polymer mortar, GGBFS, Bagasse ash, Alkaline solution
SALEM MERABTI, LAYACHI GUELMINE, MEZIANE KACI
Abstract
This study investigates the seismic performance of reinforced concrete buildings ranging from 5 to 20 stories using nonlinear static pushover analysis. Four shear wall bracing configurations are considered: L-shaped peripheral walls, central core, double central core, and double peripheral core systems, with wall thicknesses of 15, 20, and 25 cm, all subjected to unidirectional lateral loading. Although these configurations are widely implemented in both moderate and high seismicity regions, few comparative studies have assessed their nonlinear seismic resistance. The results indicate that central core configurations provide superior control of inter-storey drift, with a significant reduction in lateral displacements—up to 48% compared to peripheral wall systems. In contrast, peripheral wall systems exhibit higher drift demands, reaching a maximum of 0.124% for 15 cm thick walls. The analysis also highlights the effectiveness of L-shaped walls in mid-rise buildings, particularly those with wall thicknesses of 20 and 25 cm. The study of deformation mechanisms reveals a concentration of plastic hinges and thus stress in L-shaped wall systems and at beam-wall joint regions.
Keywords
Multi-storey building, Nonlinear pushover analysis, Reinforced concrete shear wall, Inter-storey drift, Shear stress, Overturning moment.
ALI SABERI VARZANEH, MAHMOOD NADERI
Abstract
In concrete design, durability is as vital as strength, especially in aging structures exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Increased permeability over time compromises structural integrity. Polypropylene (PP) fibers help limit cracking, which in turn reduces permeability. Traditionally, assessing permeability requires destructive core sampling. This study introduces a novel approach—the “cylindrical chamber” test—to evaluate permeability directly on structures. Validation of this method confirmed its reliability. Results indicated that incorporating PP fibers reduced permeability in C25, C35, and C45 concretes by 22.5%, 20.2%, and 16.3%, respectively. XRD analysis revealed that PP fibers influenced Ca(OH)₂ crystallization and enhanced C-S-H formation. MIP results showed a 24.5% increase in pore volume and 32.8% rise in pore surface area in C45 concrete with fibers, yet overall permeability declined. This confirms the effectiveness of PP fibers in improving durability without the need for invasive testing.
Keywords
Concrete, durability, Fiber, Strength, Novel method.
KARTHIKEYAN R, PARTHEEBAN P, THOLKAPIYAN.M, SIVAKUMAR, SUGUNA K, GAAYATHRI KK
Abstract
This work discusses the outcome of Finite Element Analysis using ANSYS Workbench, to analyse the cyclic behavior of rubberized concrete beams with steel fiber reinforcement. The investigation focuses on substituting coarse aggregate with sand coated rubber shreds, obtained from waste conveyor belt, with the sand coating applied using resin. The study examines rubber shreds in proportion of 2.5%, 5% and 7.5%, combined with steel fibres at volume fraction of 0.5% and 1%, total of seven beams were cast and tested under cyclic loading in a standard loading frame of 500kN capacity. The FEA outcomes revealed that reinforced concrete beams with steel fibres and sand coated rubber shreds reveal boosted cyclic efficiency regarding number of cycle’s sustained, maximum deflection and total energy absorption capacity. Load – deflection curves were plotted to compare experimental and FEA for all seven beams. These results have proved very helpful for better understanding the rubberized concrete with fiber reinforcement under cyclic loading, for its use in structural applications.
Keywords
Sand Coated Rubber Shreds, Ultimate Deflection, Steel fiber, Energy Absorption , and Load-Deflection Curve.