Proceedings of the RILEM Spring Convention and Conference 2024
Volume 1
- 2025
- Book
- Editors
- Liberato Ferrara
- Giovanni Muciaccia
- Niki Trochoutsou
- Book Series
- RILEM Bookseries
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
About this book
This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the RILEM Spring Convention and Conference, held in Milan, Italy on April 7-12, 2024. The theme of the Conference was “Advanced construction materials and processes for a carbon neutral society”, which was aimed at discussing advanced construction/eco-friendly materials and processes, for new and existing structures, towards a carbon neutral society. The volume covers the current and emerging approaches that lead to an optimized design and maintenance of constructions and systems. It includes the development of materials and structural service life models and life cycle design, in order to maximise longevity and level of service while minimising the environmental impact of constructions and systems. It also includes the analysis and design of larger systems, such as communities, cities or regions, aiming at reducing risk andincreasing resilience. The following subtopics are included: advanced materials and structural concept to enhance the resilience and robustness of the built environment and communities at local and global scales; risk based inspection and maintenance; life cycle analysis and service models; performance based design; improved design strategies by integrating materials and structures.
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Table of Contents
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Structural Strengthening/Architectural Heritage
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Frontmatter
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Protecting Heritage Marble Stones: A Comparative Analysis of Teos, Dap and Ammonium Oxalate Based Approaches
Shipin Prakash, Swathy ManoharThe chapter delves into the critical issue of preserving heritage marble stones, which are susceptible to damage from environmental factors such as moisture and temperature fluctuations. It focuses on the use of Diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP), Ammonium oxalate (AmOx), and Tetra ethoxy silane (TEOS) as consolidants to mitigate degradation. The study employs advanced imaging techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and petrographical analysis to evaluate the efficacy of these consolidants under various artificial ageing tests, including salt weathering, acid weathering, and thermal weathering. The findings highlight the superior performance of DAP in reducing porosity and enhancing the stone's resistance to degradation. The chapter offers valuable insights into the compatibility and effectiveness of these consolidants, contributing to the development of better preservation strategies for heritage structures.AI Generated
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AbstractHeritage structures, such as ancient buildings, monuments and artifacts are important cultural treasures that provide a glimpse into our rich history and cultural heritage. They represent our past, and their conservation is crucial to preserve our cultural identity for future generations. This paper focuses on safeguarding heritage structures by addressing key challenges in marble stone conservation. We have investigated the potential impact arising from simulated accelerated salt weathering, scrutinized the corrosive outcomes of artificially induced accelerated acid tests, and analysed the consequences of heat attacks on the marble stones. These findings underscore the need for stone-specific conservation strategies. Further the study investigates the effectiveness of basically three distinct consolidative compounds—Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP), and ammonium oxalate solutions, and further the efficacy is assessed through integration of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and petrography studies to comprehensively evaluate the impact of these compounds on marble structures. The insights gained hold practical implications for heritage preservation practices, with identified areas for future exploration. -
Ready-Mixed Green Plasters for the Preservation of the Architectural Heritage. Analysis of the Environmental Profile and Certification
Maria Cecilia Carangi, Monica Lavagna, Cristina TedeschiThe chapter delves into the environmental profile of ready-mixed green plasters used for architectural heritage preservation, highlighting the importance of sustainability in the construction sector. It analyzes the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) of four plasters, comparing their lifecycle stages and environmental indicators. The study reveals that the type of binders used significantly influences the environmental impact, with Portland Cement (PC) contributing to higher impacts. The chapter also discusses the challenges in comparing EPDs due to heterogeneity in data reporting. The findings suggest that avoiding PC in favor of more sustainable binders could reduce the environmental footprint of plaster production.AI Generated
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AbstractCommercial plasters have found widespread use in the conservation of building heritage. Their use has been encouraged by the important advantages they offer, such as consistent product quality and the easy application. On the other hand, it is not possible to know all the components of the mixtures, as current regulations do not require a detailed declaration of the product’s composition. Among these materials, it has become common to find mixtures with a green label. These products are increasingly present on the market, especially since the introduction of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which proposes a global approach to the production system that pays attention not only to the economic aspects of the production process, but also to the social and environmental ones. These materials are labelled green when the raw materials, their extraction and processing ensure a lower environmental impact than common industrial methods and should not contain substances considered harmful to humans, animals and the environment. The sustainability of materials can then be confirmed by specific declarations standardized (such as Environmental Product Declarations - EPDs), by national or international certification protocols or, in some cases, their sustainability is declared by the supplier without any document attesting to it.In this work, the environmental performance of a selection of ready-mixed, green-labelled plasters will be investigated. The evaluation will be carried out on the basis of the companies’ declared information. The aim is to assess whether this type of material guarantees an advantage in environmental terms. A comparison of the data provided by the EPDs of a selection of commercial plasters is therefore proposed. -
Thermal Characterisation of Sprayed Plasters Response Under Non-Standard Heating Regimes
Antonio Cibelli, Donatella de Silva, Francesco Dionisio, Giovanni Di Luzio, Emidio NigroThe chapter delves into the thermal characterisation of sprayed plasters under non-standard heating regimes, addressing the limitations of current fire safety prescriptions. It introduces a methodology that combines extensive laboratory testing and advanced numerical modelling to assess the thermal conductivity of sprayed plasters at varying temperatures. The study includes rigorous thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and cone calorimeter tests, along with the calibration and validation of the Multiphysics-Lattice Discrete Particle Model (M-LDPM). The findings are integrated into a parametric study and a structural analysis using the SAFIR software, offering a robust framework for designing more flexible and safer steel structures in the event of fires. This work contributes significantly to the field of Fire Safety Engineering by providing meaningful insights and general rules for the design of passive protective systems in steel structures.AI Generated
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AbstractWhen exposed to fire, the strength and stiffness of steel reduce significantly. Being it highly conductive, the exposure of steel structural members to fire results in sudden temperature rises, which trigger a significant strength and stiffness decay in a short time, above all in the case of thin steel plates. Therefore, passive protective systems are generally adopted to prevent structural collapse. In the perspective of consistently adopting the performance-based approach, the thermo-mechanical analysis cannot disregard the variability of the thermal conductivity of such protective materials with temperature. Aiming to identify the relationship between thermal conductivity and temperature, recently, at the University of Naples, framed in the project PROSYSSIF, a methodology combining experimental evidence and numerical modelling has been developed for a commercial spray-applied fire-resistant plaster. The latter, applied on steel elements, are tested in transient and stationary heat flux conditions, along with an extensive chemo-physical characterisation at increasing temperatures. Afterwards, the experimental results are used to calibrate the Multiphysics-Lattice Discrete Particle Model, which simulates the moisture and heat transport phenomena occurring within the plaster. Then, the model is used to realise a parametric study, in which three design parameters (i.e., the thickness of the protective layer, input heat flux, and steel section factor) are analysed to quantify their effect on the protective material performance and to derive meaningful insights on its practical applications. The relationship between the thermal conductivity and the temperature is eventually implemented into an FE-based structural model to compare a benchmark structure's unprotected and protected response against natural fire scenarios. -
Evaluation of the Damaged Stone Arch Bridge Strengthened with Uhpc Based on Limit Analysis Method
Jun Yang, Jianting Zhou, Jingchen Leng, Junrun Xia, Rui Chen, Zongshan Wang, Yang Zou, Zhongya ZhangThe chapter discusses the evaluation of a damaged stone arch bridge strengthened with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) using the limit analysis method. It begins with an introduction to stone arch bridges and their common defects due to long service times and heavy traffic. The typical strengthening methods, including reinforced concrete and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), are reviewed, with UHPC highlighted for its excellent mechanical properties and durability. The case study focuses on a bridge in China, detailing its structural overview, material properties, and strengthening design using UHPC. The limit analysis method is employed to assess the bridge's load-bearing capacity before and after strengthening, with results showing significant improvements in safety and performance. On-site loading tests further validate the effectiveness of UHPC strengthening, demonstrating the bridge's ability to withstand heavy traffic. The chapter concludes with the reliability and application value of UHPC in strengthening stone arch bridges, making it a valuable resource for professionals in the field.AI Generated
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AbstractUltra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is widely used in retrofitting damaged structures, but few studies on the strengthening of stone arch bridges have been reported. This paper presents a simplified analysis method and its application in a damaged stone arch bridge strengthened by using UHPC. Based on the limit analysis method, the collapse mechanisms and load collapse multipliers of Qixingguan Bridge (20 m span heavy load traffic solid belly stone arch bridge) strengthened with UHPC were analyzed, considering good interface bonding and interface debonding between the UHPC layer and the stone substrate. Four UHPC strengthening configurations, including intrados, extrados, wrapping for three sides and for four sides configurations were discussed. The analyses performed indicate that from the perspective of safety, the scheme of adding 12 cm thick UHPC at the intrados of the original arch ring and 10 thick UHPC layer on both sides can be adopted. The construction method of applying UHPC strengthening arch bridge can be referred to the traditional method of increasing the cross-section. The operation condition of the strengthened stone arch bridge is good, which reveals a promising prospect in strengthening existing stone arch bridges with UHPC. -
Strengthening of Existing Timber Beams with NSM CFRP Plates
Alessandro Cagnoni, Marco A. Pisani, Tommaso D’AntinoThe chapter delves into the strengthening of timber beams using near surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates. It begins with an introduction to the NSM technique and its application in timber structures, highlighting previous studies on the subject. The methodology involves single-lap direct shear tests and three-point bending tests to assess the bond behavior and flexural performance of the strengthened beams. The results indicate that debonding within the timber substrate and at the CFRP-resin interface leads to similar joint capacities. The three-point bending tests reveal that while a single CFRP plate significantly increases the beam's peak load, the use of two plates can lead to a decrease in capacity due to cross-section weakening and wood defects. The chapter concludes with a call for further research into the optimal spacing and number of CFRP plates for timber beam strengthening.AI Generated
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AbstractIn order to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry, retrofitting/strengthening of existing buildings should be preferred to demolition and re-construction. In most cases, retrofitting should not significantly alter the geometry and aspect of the member and at the same time increase its strength and/or stiffness. For buildings including timber structural members, specific techniques are needed to reach these goals. Within this context, the near surface mounted (NSM) strengthening technique is a possible solution to strengthen timber members without changing their aspect/geometry. This technique consists of bonding a reinforcing profile into a groove cut within the member surface. Often, reinforcing profiles are made of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites bonded with epoxy resin, since they have a high strength-to-weight ratio and do not suffer from corrosion.In this paper, an experimental campaign is conducted to study the bending behavior of timber beams strengthened with NSM carbon FRP (CFRP) plates applied with an epoxy resin. Four direct-shear tests are first conducted on CFRP-timber joints. Peak loads and interfacial slips are obtained. Then, three three-point bending tests are performed to assess the bending capacity of the strengthened members. Load-deflection curve, peak load, and failure mode of the specimens are provided and discussed. -
Life Cycle Assessment Comparison Between Traditional and Innovative Tunnel Retrofitting Approaches
Andrea Marcucci, Elena Vegeto, Juan Manuel Toro Arbelaez, Stefano Guanziroli, Marco Borroni, Francesca Magnelli, Matteo Pierani, Sara Frisani, Stefano Susani, Liberato FerraraThe chapter delves into the urgent need for tunnel rehabilitation in Italy, particularly for tunnels built in the mid-20th century. It introduces a novel tunnel retrofitting method using Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) with rapid strength gain, demonstrating its superior mechanical properties and construction efficiency. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparison between traditional and innovative approaches reveals significant environmental benefits, including reduced climate change impact and eutrophication. Moreover, the advanced method shows a substantial reduction in construction time, leading to lower social costs due to traffic disruption. The study underscores the potential of the SFRC method to revolutionize tunnel maintenance, offering a more sustainable and efficient solution for infrastructure renewal.AI Generated
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AbstractInfrastructures have a strategic role for the societal development, making it possible to move thousands of people and tons of freight that everyday needs to reach their target destinations. Considering all the structural typologies involved in the infrastructure network, tunnels can be considered among the most critical. Dealing with the Italian infrastructure network, most of the tunnels need maintenance interventions to restore their service life, having been built, in their largest share, not later than fifty years ago. To this purpose, in an era of rapid urbanization and growing environmental concerns, an important advancement must be done in the tunnel retrofitting technology, by speeding up the overall process reducing costs and time, as well as increasing the sustainability of the interventions, by reducing the CO2 emissions and by improving the waste management. A new methodology for the regeneration of existing tunnels by means of an automated process based on slip-forming fast strength gain Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) has been recently proposed. The present work focuses on the comparison between this new retrofitting methodology and the traditional approach, with the use of ordinary steel rebars in the latter, highlighting the differences in the design, material properties and construction phases. The comparison made between the two approaches is referred to a specific case of study, the Ragnaia II tunnel in the A1 highway in the Italian roadway network, and has been performed through a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), with particular concern on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) indicator. An additional analysis explores the influence environmental and socioeconomical influence of reduced traffic congestions, emphasizing dependence on the construction duration and highlighting the importance of extending the system boundaries beyond the gate.
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Backmatter
- Title
- Proceedings of the RILEM Spring Convention and Conference 2024
- Editors
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Liberato Ferrara
Giovanni Muciaccia
Niki Trochoutsou
- Copyright Year
- 2025
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-031-70277-8
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-031-70276-1
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70277-8
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