Comparison on the durability of different portland cements after five years exposure to sulfate and to sea water attack

Experimental research has been performed to relate specific cement characteristics to deterioration due to sulfate and sea water attack after five year exposure, and to study different test method suitability for sulfate and marine resistance. Sulfate resistance testing have been performed on mortar specimens made with fifteen cement types of statistically diverse chemical composition according to European standard EN 197-1, most of them with sulfate resistant properties according to Spanish regulations. Chemical and mechanical characteristics were studied to determine the variation in properties of selected cements. SO3 content, type and amount of additions, C3A, and C4AF content were used to examine relationships between these characteristics and the results of sulfate resistance. Mortar specimens testing using Na2SO4 as the aggressive medium according to ASTM 1012 (with w/c ratio adapted to prENV 196-X:1995) was performed using each type of cement; identical specimens were also stored in sea water, and in lime saturated water (blank condition), up to five year age. Additionally these cements were tested conforming ASTM 452 and Koch and Steinegger test. Recommended acceptance limits for sulfate resistance of cements concerning to each used test method were evaluated in order to explore their suitability. Relationships between cement characteristics, degradation, expansive products obtained by X-ray diffraction techniques and maximum expansion after applied storage treatments, were correlated at final age, to redefine cement characteristics for sulfate resistant and marine resistant Portland cement

Estudio sobre la durabilidad de los nuevos tipos de cemento para la evaluación del comportamiento de morteros y hormigones frente a la agresión química de los sulfatos y del agua de mar

Esta investigación ha sido desarrollada para analizar la influencia de las características específicas de los nuevos cementos en el comportamiento expansivo originado durante cinco años por el ataque externo por sulfatos o agua de mar, y para estudiar la validez de diversos métodos de ensayo aplicables para evaluar la resistencia de los conglomerantes a los sulfatos o al agua de mar. Se han determinado las características químicas y mecánicas de los quince cementos seleccionados en el estudio (su contenido de yeso, tipo y cantidad de adiciones, contenidos de C3A y C4AF) para examinar la relación entre estos parámetros y su durabilidad frente al ataque por sulfatos. Se han llevado a cabo ensayos para evaluar la resistencia a sulfatos sobre probetas de mortero fabricadas con los quince cementos comunes seleccionados de muy distintos tipos, la mayoría de ellos resistentes a sulfatos conforme a la norma UNE-EN 197-1. Por cada tipo de cemento se fabricaron probetas de mortero para la realización de ensayos acelerados usando Na2SO4 como medio agresivo según la norma ASTM C 1012 manteniendo esas condiciones de exposición durante dos años. En paralelo se fabricaron otras series de probetas idénticas, que fueron conservadas en agua de mar y en agua saturada en cal (como patrón de un medio no agresivo) durante el mismo plazo. Adicionalmente estos cementos fueron evaluados conforme a los procedimientos de ensayo acelerado de la norma ASTM C 452 y del ensayo de Koch y Steinegger. También se fabricaron otras series de probetas de 40x40x160 mm (adoptando una relación a/c=0,5 y la composición arena:cemento definida en la norma UNE-EN 196-1). Durante cinco años de exposición en las tres condiciones de conservación establecidas (sulfatos, agua de mar y agua patrón) se han efectuado ensayos para determinar la resistencia a compresión y el deterioro superficial de las probetas de mortero. Ninguno de los conglomerantes fue mezclado inicialmente con yeso para acelerar el ataque ni se establecieron otras condiciones no realísticas en la fabricación de los morteros Se ha analizado el comportamiento durable de los cementos tanto frente al ataque por sulfatos como por agua de mar. Para la evaluación se han tomado en consideración las variaciones de contenido en C3A, los tipos y proporciones de los constituyentes (adiciones puzolánicas, escorias de horno alto, caliza …) con el mismo tipo de clínker en algunos casos. Se ha procedido a evaluar la validez de los límites de aceptación establecidos en cada uno de los ensayos acelerados para determinar la resistencia a sulfatos y valorar su idoneidad en los nuevos cementos, y se ha propuesto un método de ensayo acelerado recomendable para discriminar cementos resistentes y no resistentes a sulfatos. A la edad final de los tres tipos de exposición han sido correlacionados los parámetros relativos a la degradación superficial, pérdida de resistencia y expansión lineal de las probetas con las características de los cementos y los productos expansivos analizados mediante difracción de rayos X, con objeto de poder redefinir las características recomendables exigibles a los cementos resistentes a sulfatos o al agua de mar. Experimental research has been performed to relate specific cement characteristics to expansion due to sulfate or sea water attack during five years, and to study different test methods suitability for sulfate and marine resistance. Chemical and mechanical characteristics were studied to determine the variation in properties of selected cements (SO3 content, type and amount of additions, C3A, and C4AF content) and examine relationships between these characteristics and the results of sulfate resistance. Sulfate resistance testing have been performed on mortar specimens prepared from fifteen cement types of statistically diverse chemical composition, most of them with sulfate resistant properties according to European standard EN 197-1 Mortar specimens testing using Na2SO4 as the aggressive medium according to ASTM C 1012 was performed using each cement; identical specimens were also stored in sea water, and in lime saturated water (blank condition), up to two years age. Additionally these cements were tested conforming to ASTM C 452 and Koch and Steinegger test. Mortar specimens of 40x40x160 mm were also moulded (with w/c ratio and cement:sand composition of EN 196-1). Compressive strength of these mortar specimens have been tested during five years of immersion in a sulfate solution and also in seawater (and in lime saturated water, as a blank condition), and external damage and have been analyzed. None of the prepared mortars was blended with gypsum or any other nonrealistic condition. Durability behaviour in sulfate resistant common cements conforming to EN 197-1 exposed to sulfate attack was evaluated, and also the correlation between sulfate resistance and seawater resistance has been studied. Different C3A contents, variable types and proportioning of constituents (limestone, pozzolanic additions, blastfurnace slag ...) with or without the same clinker type were investigated. Recommended acceptance limits for sulfate resistance of cements concerning to each used test method were evaluated in order to explore their suitability. A new accelerated method has been recommended to provide a meaningful discrimination between sulfate resistant or non-sulfate resistant cements. Relationships between cement characteristics, degradation, expansive products obtained by X-ray diffraction techniques, strength loss and maximum expansion after applied storage treatments, were correlated at final age, to redefine cement characteristics for sulfate resistant and marine resistant Portland cement.

Noninvasive monitoring of serial changes in pulmonary vascular resistance and acute vasodilator testing using cardiac magnetic resonance

Objectives The study sought to evaluate the ability of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to monitor acute and long-term changes in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) noninvasively. Background PVR monitoring during the follow-up of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the response to vasodilator testing require invasive right heart catheterization. Methods An experimental study in pigs was designed to evaluate the ability of CMR to monitor: 1) an acute increase in PVR generated by acute pulmonary embolization (n = 10); 2) serial changes in PVR in chronic PH (n = 22); and 3) changes in PVR during vasodilator testing in chronic PH (n = 10). CMR studies were performed with simultaneous hemodynamic assessment using a CMR-compatible Swan-Ganz catheter. Average flow velocity in the main pulmonary artery (PA) was quantified with phase contrast imaging. Pearson correlation and mixed model analysis were used to correlate changes in PVR with changes in CMR-quantified PA velocity. Additionally, PVR was estimated from CMR data (PA velocity and right ventricular ejection fraction) using a formula previously validated. Results Changes in PA velocity strongly and inversely correlated with acute increases in PVR induced by pulmonary embolization (r = –0.92), serial PVR fluctuations in chronic PH (r = –0.89), and acute reductions during vasodilator testing (r = –0.89, p ≤ 0.01 for all). CMR-estimated PVR showed adequate agreement with invasive PVR (mean bias –1.1 Wood units,; 95% confidence interval: –5.9 to 3.7) and changes in both indices correlated strongly (r = 0.86, p < 0.01). Conclusions CMR allows for noninvasive monitoring of acute and chronic changes in PVR in PH. This capability may be valuable in the evaluation and follow-up of patients with PH.

Testing of fluorescent DC lamps for Solar Home Systems

With the advent of the Universal Technical Standard for Solar Home Systems, procedures to test the compliance of SHS fluorescent lamps with the standard have been developed. Definition of the laboratory testing procedures is a necessary step in any lamp quality assurance procedure. Particular attention has been paid to test simplicity and to affordability, in order to facilitate local application of the testing procedures, for example by the organisations which carry out electrification programmes. The set of test procedures has been applied to a representative collection of 42 lamps from many different countries, directly acquired in the current photovoltaic rural electrification market. Tests apply to: lamp resistance under normal operating conditions; lamp reliability under extreme conditions; under abnormal conditions; and lamp luminosity. Results are discussed and some recommendations for updating the relevant standard are given. The selected technical standard, together with the proposed testing procedures, form the basis of a complete quality assurance tool that can be applied locally in normal electrical laboratories. Full testing of a lamp requires less than one month, which is very reasonable on the context of quality assurance programmes

LED bulb lamps technical specification and testing procedure for solar home systems.

With the consolidation of the new solid state lighting LEOs devices, te5t1n9 the compliance 01 lamps based on this technology lor Solar Home Systems (SHS) have been analyzed. The definition of the laboratory procedures to be used with final products 15 a necessary step in arder to be able to assure the quality of the lamps prior to be installed [1]. As well as with CFL technology. particular attention has been given to simplicity and technical affordability in arder to facilitate the implementation of the test with basie and simple laboratory too15 even on the same SHS electrification program locations. The block of test procedures has been applied to a set of 14 low-cost lamps. They apply to lamp resistance, reliability and performance under normal, extreme and abnormal operating conditions as a simple but complete quality meter tool 01 any LEO bulb.