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Concrete block pavement (CBP) is distinct from typical concrete or asphalt pavements. It is built by using individual blocks with unique construction patterns forming a discrete surface layer to bear traffic loadings. The surface structure of CBP varies depending on the block shapes and construction patterns, so it is hard to apply a general equivalent elastic modulus estimation method to define the surface structural strength. In this study, FEM analysis and dynamic loading test were carried out to develop a deflection prediction model for CBP considering the block shapes and construction patterns. Based on the analysis results, it was found that block shapes did not have much effect on load distribution, whereas construction patterns did. By applying the deflection prediction model to the rutting model for CBP proposed by Sun, the herringbone bond pattern showed the best performance comparing with stretcher bond or basket weave bond pattern. As the load repetition increased to 1.2 million, the rutting depth of CBP constructed by herringbone bond pattern was 2 mm smaller than those constructed by the other two patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An ultraselective and ultrasensitive trimethylamine (TMA) sensor was achieved using MoO3 nanoplates-prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis followed by a heat treatment at 450°C. The small and thin MoO3 nanoplates with gas-accessible structures showed an unusually high response to 5ppm TMA (ratio of resistance to air and gas=373.74) at 300°C with detection limit as low as 45ppb. Moreover, the ratios of the cross-responses to interfering gases (i.e., 5ppm C2H5OH, CO, CH4, C3H8, H2, and NO2) to the response to 5ppm TMA were extremely low (0.008–0.016). The source of the ultraselective and highly sensitive detection of TMA with negligible interference from other gases is discussed with respect to the acid/base properties, size, and morphology of the MoO3 sensing materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: WO3 hollow spheres were prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of a citric-acid-containing precursor solution, and their trimethylamine-sensing characteristics were investigated. The WO3 hollow spheres showed a high response to 5ppm of trimethylamine (R a/R g =56.9, R a: resistance in air, R g: resistance in gas) with low cross-responses to 5ppm C2H5OH, CO, CH4, C3H8, H2, NH3, and NO2. The high gas response observed was explained by the effective electron depletion of small primary particles and the enhanced gas accessibility of hollow structures with thin and porous shells. The enhanced trimethylamine selectivity was discussed in terms of the interaction between basic analyte gas and acidic sensing materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Constrained optimization is a major real-world problem. Constrained optimization problems consist of an objective function subjected to both linear and nonlinear constraints. Here a constraint handling procedure based on the fitness priority-based ranking method (FPBRM) is proposed. It is embedded into a harmony search (HS) algorithm that allows it to satisfy constraints. The HS algorithm is conceptualized using the musical process of searching for a perfect state of harmony. Here, the original heuristic HS was improved by combining both improved and global-best methods along with the FPBRM. The resulting modified harmony search (MHS) was then compared with the original HS technique and other optimization methods for several test problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of a V2O5 additive on the low-temperature sintering and ionic conductivity of strontium- and magnesium-doped lanthanum gallate (LSGM: La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.8) are studied. The LSGM powders prepared by the glycine nitrate method are mixed with 0.5–2at.% of VO5/2 and then sintered at 1100–1400°C in air for 4h. The apparent density and phase purity of the LSGM specimens are increased with increasing sintering temperature and VO5/2 concentration due to the enhanced sintering and mass transfer via the intergranular liquid phase. The 1at.% VO5/2-doped LSGM specimen sintered at 1300°C exhibits a high oxide ion conductivity of ∼0.027Scm−1 at 700°C over a wide range of oxygen partial pressure (), thereby demonstrating its potential as a useful electrolyte for anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) without the requirement for any buffer layer between the electrolyte and anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) is different from natural aggregate because of RCA's cement paste and contaminants that cause low density and high porosity. In many cases, these properties of RCA that lead to poor engineering qualities are the major reasons that RCA is not recommended as aggregate for Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). In this research, the performance of HMA mixtures with RCA is quantitatively evaluated using various tests to verify the applicability of RCA as aggregate for HMA material. For this verification, the Indirect Tensile (IDT) strength test, Kim test, wheel tracking test, and tensile strength ratio test accompanied by fundamental material property tests were performed on asphalt mixtures with four types of aggregate blends. In addition, asphalt mixtures with RCA, whose binder contents were determined from the Superpave mix design method, were utilized and evaluated against Marshall design criteria in order to effectively reflect both field specifications and field compaction conditions in South Korea. As a result of this study, it is observed that the study asphalt mixtures with RCA (Mixes II and III) show good performance compared to the asphalt mixture with natural aggregate only (Mix I) in terms of indirect tensile strength ratio, deformation strength, rut depth, and IDT strength, whereas Mix IV, which consists of coarse and fine RCA, does not exhibit good performance. By evaluating the Marshall test properties of each mixture, it is also concluded that the dynamic loading in the Marshall test compaction method possibly causes friction in the RCA of the asphalt mixtures and, therefore, leads to an underestimation of the engineering properties of HMA with RCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of 14 different metal-oxide additives (metal=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, B, Li, V, Zn, Si, Ca, Al, Bi, and Ba) on the sintering, phase purity, and electrical properties of strontium- and magnesium-doped lanthanum gallate (LSGM) are studied. The density, phase purity, and electrical conductivity depend closely on the sintering aids and sintering temperatures. The addition of V, Zn, Si, Co, and Fe improves the densification, phase purity, and electrical conductivity, with V showing the most promising effect on the low-temperature sintering of the phase-pure LSGM specimen with high conductivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The dynamic modulus of an asphalt mixture is widely used as an important material property in mechanistic–empirical (ME) pavement design and analysis because it accounts temperature and time-dependent asphalt mixture modulus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures used in Korea and develop a predictive equation for Korea ME pavement design guide based on the results of dynamic modulus tests. Asphalt mixtures contained a granite aggregate with PG 58-22 and PG 64-22 asphalt binders were tested at five different temperatures (−10, 5, 21, 40, and 55°C) and six different loading frequencies (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 25Hz). A predictive equation was constructed based on the test data, and compared and verified between the measured and the predicted dynamic modulus. From the results, it was found that the predictive equation correlated well with the measured values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]