Geopolymers are a class of rapid setting cementing systems that have been used as mortar or additives in concrete mixes to improve properties. Several types of geopolymer systems such as metakaolin and fly ash based geopolymers are widely used, and are available in different mixture proportions [1, 2]. Metakaolin (Al 2 Si2 O7 ), a dehydroxylated form of Kaolinite (Al2 Si2 O5 (OH)4 ) clay readily available from many sources, provides several benefits whenadded to a concrete mix design or used as a mortar system, including durability, freeze/thaw, acid resistance, and high temperature resistance [3]. Class F fly ash-based mortar geopolymers provide added fire retardation, reduces crack formation, etc., when added to a concrete mix or used as a mortar system. This thesis compares the quasi-static and dynamic properties of both a pure metakaolin geopolymer and a fly ash based geopolymer material system that utilizes siliceous sand as fine aggregate. Microstructural characterization studies included Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The mechanical properties were evaluated from nanoindentation and monotonic experiments. Spatially correlated nanoindentation and EDS provided mechanical property information (modulus and hardness) and elemental data of individual phases in the samples. Metakaolin and fly ash based geopolymers are two fundamental alternative cementitious binder materials that can be used to produce sustainable mortars and concretes. While there is limited information related to the quasi-static properties of these materials, no information exists related to their high strain rate mechanical behavior. A Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) was utilized to determine the high-strain rate compressive properties of both pure Metakaolin and Class F fly ash geopolymers with sand as fine aggregate. SHPB compressive data for Metakaolin and Class F Fly ash-based mortar along with a Portland cement-based mortar for comparison are presented. Punch-shear response of the candidate material systems under low-velocity impact is also presented.

Microstructural and micromechanical investigation of a fly ash-based geopolymer using: (i) synchrotron x-ray tomography (XRT) to determine the volume fraction and tortuosity of pores that are influential in fluid transport, (ii) mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) to capture the volume fraction of smaller pores, (iii) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with multi-label thresholding to identify and characterize the solid phases in the microstructure, and (iv) nanoindentation to determine the component phase elastic properties using statistical deconvolution, is reported in this paper. The phase volume fractions and elastic properties are used in multi-step mean field homogenization (Mori- Tanaka and double inclusion) models to determine the homogenized macroscale elastic modulus of the composite. The homogenized elastic moduli are in good agreement with the flexural elastic modulus determined on macroscale paste beams. As a result, the combined use of microstructural and micromechanical characterization tools at multiple scales provides valuable information towards the material design of fly ash geopolymers.

The book is an ideal source of information on the subject and would be a suitable addition to any library as a resource for researchers seeking to develop an overview of the research on this topic.

Concrete made using mineral cements, the raw materials which on earth are practically endless, is known as one of the oldest building materials and during the last decades of the twentieth century has become a dominant building material for general use. At the same time, the requirements of the quality of concrete and its performance properties, in particular compressive strength, durability, economical efficiency, and low negative impact of its manufacture on the environment have not yet been completely met. Bearing these requirements in mind, researchers and engineers worldwide are working on how to satisfy these requirements. This book has been written by researchers and experts in the field and provides the state of the art on recent progress achieved on the properties of concrete, including concrete in which industrial by-products are utilized. The book is dedicated to graduate students, researchers, and practicing engineers in related fields.

This is the first book on Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC), an advanced concrete material attracting world-wide attention in both the academic community and in industry. The book presents a comprehensive coverage of the material design methodology, processing methodology, mechanical and durability properties, smart functions, and application case studies. It combines effective use of illustrations, graphical data, and tables. It de-emphasizes mathematics in favor of physical understanding. The book serves as an introduction to the subject matter, or as a reference to those conducting research in ECC. It will also be valuable to engineers who need to quickly search for relevant information in a single comprehensive text.

The book presents research papers presented by academicians, researchers, and practicing structural engineers from India and abroad in the recently held Structural Engineering Convention (SEC) 2014 at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi during 22 – 24 December 2014. The book is divided into three volumes and encompasses multidisciplinary areas within structural engineering, such as earthquake engineering and structural dynamics, structural mechanics, finite element methods, structural vibration control, advanced cementitious and composite materials, bridge engineering, and soil-structure interaction. Advances in Structural Engineering is a useful reference material for structural engineering fraternity including undergraduate and postgraduate students, academicians, researchers and practicing engineers.

Image Correlation for Shape, Motion and Deformation Measurements provides a comprehensive overview of data extraction through image analysis. Readers will find and in-depth look into various single- and multi-camera models (2D-DIC and 3D-DIC), two- and three-dimensional computer vision, and volumetric digital image correlation (VDIC). Fundamentals of accurate image matching are described, along with presentations of both new methods for quantitative error estimates in correlation-based motion measurements, and the effect of out-of-plane motion on 2D measurements. Thorough appendices offer descriptions of continuum mechanics formulations, methods for local surface strain estimation and non-linear optimization, as well as terminology in statistics and probability. With equal treatment of computer vision fundamentals and techniques for practical applications, this volume is both a reference for academic and industry-based researchers and engineers, as well as a valuable companion text for appropriate vision-based educational offerings.

As the shift from the Metal Age progresses, materials engineers and materials scientists seek new analytical and design methods to create stronger and more reliable materials. Based on extensive research and developmental work done at the author’s multi-disciplinary material laboratory, this graduate-level and professional reference addresses the relationship between fracture mechanisms (macroscale) and the microscopic, with the goal of explaining macroscopic fracture behavior based on a microscopic fracture mechanism. A careful fusion of mechanics and materials science, this text and monograph systematically considers an array of materials, from metals through ceramics and polymers, and demonstrates lab-tested strategies to develop desirable high-temperature materials for technological applications.

This collection gives broad and up-to-date results in the research and development of materials characterization and processing. Topics covered include characterization methods, ferrous materials, non-ferrous materials, minerals, ceramics, polymer and composites, powders, extraction, microstructure, mechanical behavior, processing, corrosion, welding, solidification, magnetic, electronic, environmental, nano-materials, and advanced materials The book explores scientific processes to characterize materials using modern technologies, and focuses on the interrelationships and interdependence among processing, structure, properties, and performance of materials.

Over the past two decades concrete has enjoyed a renewed level of research and testing, resulting in the development of many new types of concrete. Through the use of various additives, production techniques and chemical processes, there is now a great degree of control over the properties of specific concretes for a wide range of applications. New theories, models and testing techniques have also been developed to push the envelope of concrete as a building material. There is no current textbook which brings all of these advancements together in a single volume. This book aims to bridge the gap between the traditional concrete technologies and the emerging state-of-the-art technologies which are gaining wider use.