The main objective of the present study was to conduct a comparative test program on unmodified bitumen and modified bitumen containing nanoclay and assess the effects of asphalt properties on pavement performance. To meet this objective, the main targets of this study are to find out if the nanoclays alter the critical prop- erties of asphalt Binder and influence the ageing and temperature sensitivity of the Binder. Different tasks were performed to meet the objectives. The first task performed was studying the nanoclay modifiers at a nanoscopic level and the test performed in this area was the X ray analysis of the nanoclay modifiers. The sec- ond task was studying the influence of nanoclay modifiers on Binder characteristics and the related tests performed were empirical studies of fresh (unaged) and aged bitumen types by empirical tests like penetration and softening points. Findings of the tests performed on Binders proved that the cloisite-15A nanoclay modifications helped to increase the stiffness of the standard Binder. This was especially true if the 4% cloisite modification was used. The nanofil-15 modification helps to improve the ageing resistance of the Binder in short and long term applications. An overall conclusion from these findings is that the nanoclay modifications help to improve some characteristics of asphalt Binders and asphalt mixtures, but at this level they are not at a stage to justify applications on large scales.

In this study, BAMO-THF as an appropriate energetic Binder was produced. Initially, BAMO as energetic monomer was obtained from Pentaerythritol after three steps reactions. Then, BAMO-THF copolymer was produced via cationic polymerization method using BAMO and THF as monomers, 1, 4-butanediol as initiator and Boron triflouride as catalyst. Products obtained from each step were analyzed by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, GPC and CHN analyses. Results indicated that all products (intermediates and BAMO-THF copolymer) are successfully produced with high purity.

Ceramic membranes have desirable properties such as thermal stability, high mechanical strength, ability to use in various solvents and media with different pH, durability in service conditions, being sterilized with hot steam and low maintenance cost. In this research compression moulding of silicon powder with PEG 4000 and stearic acid were carried out. Optimization of the compound was merely empirical. Determination of desirable conditions for thermal operation in order to remove polymeric Binder from ceramic membranes was achieved by DSC and TGA. The most important characteristics of the produced membranes was found to be; low thickness of 1.2-1.5 mm, reasonable pore size distribution (0.4-8µm)in micro filtration range, porosity of 33% and flexural modulus of 54 MPa.

A critical research area overlooked in previous studies on nano-silica material is the understanding of how its physical characteristics influence its final behavior as a composite when added to the asphalt Binder. This study aimed to understand the feasibility of modifying the nanosilica with asphalt Binder based on the asphalt Binder characteristics. 60/70 penetration grade asphalt cement was prepared by adding (2%, 4% and 6%) of nanosilica by weight of asphalt. Properties of nanosilica material and asphalt cement were first examined. To prepare the modified asphalt Binder was heated at 140C, blended by mechanical mixer at a speed of 2000 rpm for different mixing durations (30 to 60) minute. The modified asphalt Binder was examined for rheological properties including penetration grade, softening point temperature, penetration index, Brookfield rotational viscosity and ductility test. Results shows that the modified asphalt Binder stiffness increases based on rheological properties and sensitivity of temperature decreases with increasing nanosilica percentage. A­4 % nano silica by asphalt weight enhanced the conventional properties of the modified asphalt Binder and became proper in hot weather conditions. While ductility of modified asphalt decreases with increasing nano silica percentage, due to stiffness and agglomeration increased. Finally, longer mixing time to more than 60 min had an adverse effect on the ductility property and lead to agglomeration of nanosilica modified asphalt Binder.

Bituminous mixes are prepared with aggregates, filler and bitumen as Binder. Ageing of bitumen due to oxidation reduces the durability of such mixes. Various research efforts are therefore put in to decrease the ageing potential of Binders and use of anti-oxidants has shown substantial success. In this research, Irganox 1010 has been identified as an anti-oxidant which has been found to be economical and yet of limited use in the field of pavement engineering. Various physical and rheological tests were conducted to determine the influence of Irganox 1010 on short-termed as well as long termed aged Binders and results were analyzed. Softening Point Index (SPI) and Viscosity Ageing Index (VAI) were determined to understand the influence of Irganox 1010 on bituminous mixes. It was observed that Irganox 1010 significantly reduce ageing potential with usage of 0.6% by weight of bitumen. It has been found to be cost-effective due requirement of small quantities and being of comparatively lesser cost. This material has the potential of large scale usage to increase durability of bituminous mixes.

Mixtures of sand, sodium silicate, some additives such as iron oxide, pitch or sugar and an ester can form a temporary mould. Sodium silicate is used in foundries to bind sand grains by means of an appropriate acid, either directly such as CO2, or indirectly with an organic ester, which hydrolyzes and subsequently gels the silicate sand mass. A gel network is prepared by acidifying concentrated sodium silicate (3.3 ratio Of SiO2:Na2O) solution. Sodium silicate solution, under acidic conditions is polymerized to silica and acts as an inorganic Binder. In other word, lowering the pH of an alkali silicate solution below about 10.9 causes the polymerization to occur, thus leading to high molecular weight aggregates of hydrated silica. The produced hydrated silica namely silica gel is responsible for giving the necessary strength to the mould. Concentration of the sodium silicate solution is adjusted to 65% (w/w) in water. The viscosity of this solution is adjusted on 500 cp by addition of sugar in an amount of 1.0-2.0% based on weight of sodium silicate. The sugar or pitch is used as a thickening agent, to concentrate the Binder solution at a desirable limit. Sodium silicate solution as an inorganic Binder is of particular importance mainly because, the necessary time for curing the silicate is low, and it is environmentally extremely beneficial.  

In this study, plywood manufacture with use of polypropylene as a Binder has been studied. The variables were polypropylene in three levels of 80, 120 and 160 g/m2 and maleic anhydride polypropylene coupling agent in two levels of 0 and 4 g/m2. ureformaldehyde and wheat flour were used for control samples(120 and 40 g/m2 respectively). Physical and mechanical properties including MOR and MOE (parallel and perpendicular to grain of face layers), water absorption and thickness swelling after 2 and 24 hours of immersion in water were tested. The results showed that maleic anhydride polypropylene coupling agent has significant effect on MOR parallel to grain of face layers. With increase of maleic anhydride polypropylene coupling agent, MOR increased. Polypropylene has positive effect on thickness. With increase of maleic anhydride polypropylene coupling agent, water absorption after 24 hours improved. Although the results revealed improvement in board properties resulted from more polypropylene use but in all properties (except thickness swelling after 24 hours), control samples had better quality than plywood made from polypropylene.

Hybrid Concrete focused on development of buildings, highways, and other structures of civil engineering. In the current study, various mix combinations have been prepared and tested with different percentages of super-plasticizer at different levels of water reduction for obtaining the optimum mix. Further, study on different properties of hybrid concrete and replacement of ordinary portland cement (OPC) with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), silica fume (SF) and glass fibers (GF) for obtaining highly cement replaced concrete (HCRC) and glass fiber concrete (GFC). The concrete performance was evaluated based on slump cone test, compressive strength test, split tensile strength test, flexural strength test, water absorption test and ultrasonic pulse velocity test. It was observed from the results that, the best performance of HCRC achieved at 50% GGBFS and 3% silica fume replacement. Further, in the case of GFC, 0.2% of glass fibers showed high performance in terms of split tensile and flexural strength at all ages. The optimized concrete mixtures like HCRC and GFC performed better than the control concrete (CC).

Recently, reduction in research costs and less practicing experimental procedure are greatly desired. To obtain this purpose experimental design technique is necessary. In this study, Taghuchi experimental design was used to investigate rheological properties of graphite suspension and green tapes considering 5 variables in 4 levels. These variables are graphite content, graphite flake size, Binder content, dispersant and plasticizer content. The Binder has the greatest effect on green tape properties so in this paper we study effect of Binder on properties of slips and tapes. After investigating rheological properties the tapes were characterized by measuring density, tensile strength plus the critical fracture strain.