Effect of partial replacement of geopolymer binder materials on the fresh and mechanical properties: A review

The growth of demand for concrete raises concerns about the consumption of natural resources and ordinary Portland cement. Geopolymer composites show promise as a sustainable alternative for conventional cement concrete. Considering the wide range of potential geopolymer composites applications (including suitability for transportation infrastructure, underwater applications, repair and rehabilitation of structures as well as recent developments in 3D printing), the desired fresh and mechanical properties of the geopolymer composite may vary between applications: for example, rapid setting can be a merit for certain applications and a demerit for others. Therefore, the desired fresh and mechanical properties (e.g., workability, setting time, compressive strength, etc.) can be controlled for a given geopolymer source material through its partial substitution by natural or by-product materials. Recognizing the critical role of various replacement materials in enhancing the potential applications of geopolymer composites, the present review was undertaken to quantify and understand the effect of partial replacement by fly ash, metakaolin, kaolin, red mud, slag, ordinary Portland cement, and silica fume on the setting time, workability, compressive strength and flexural strength of various source materials addressed in the literature. The review also provides insights into research gaps in the field to promote future research.     

Leben, Arbeit, Kommunikation — Harmonie im Dreiklang

An enterprise is not just a tall shiny building or a collection of facilities. Rather, it is the sum of individuals collectively engaged in a common pursuit. From an information and communications perspective, this realization changes everything. By looking at the enterprise as a boundary-less collection of individuals who sometimes work in an office, sometimes at home, and sometimes on the road, we need new communications concepts designed to work with and enhance our complex home and work lives.     

Zur Nitratreaktion bei Milchprodukten

Zusammenfassung Wir haben die für die Abfüllung von Milchprodukten benützten Kartonpapiersorten auf ihren Nitratgehalt untersucht. Die untersuchten Kartonsorten zeigten schwankenden, aber unbedeutenden Nitratgehalt, der in erster Linie von den verschieden hohen Nitratgehalten der Fabrikationswässer abhängig ist. In den untersuchten Fällen wurde die Aufnahme von Nitraten durch Sauerrahm aus solchen paraffinierten Kartonbechern nachgewiesen. Die Herkunft dieser weit über den ursprünglichen Nitratgehalt der Kartons hinausgehenden Nitratmenge lag in dem zur Herstellung der Becher benützten, stark nitrathaltigen Stärkekleister. In solchen Fällen fallen somit die an die Nitratreaktion geknüpften Folgerungen (Wässerung, Verschmutzung) weg. Daher ist bei der Beurteilung der Milchprodukte auf Grund der Nitratreaktion auf diesen Umstand acht zu geben.Da solche Kartonbehälter auch zur Abfüllung anderer Lebensmittel verwendet werden (Honig, Senf, Marmelade usw.), behalten wir uns vor, unsere Untersuchungen auch auf dieses Gebiet auszudehnen.     

Die zweite Phase der Feldbusentwicklung

The past decade may be regarded as the phase of the fundamental developments in fieldbus systems that were based on the OSI model. Today we are entering a second stage. It is the objective of this issue to present the current state and where the further developments will lead to. This introductory article is intended to give an overview on the subject.