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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Cation uptake by fine aggregate in hardened cement mortar and its effect on electrical properties

Electrical resistivity tests can be used to evaluate the transport properties of concrete and provide a durability assessment. However, the electrical resistivity is largely dependent on the pore solution composition and recent work suggests that some aggregates have the capacity for cation uptake. This study first aims to provide further evidence for adsorption of cations on aggregate surfaces, without formation of reaction products (e.g. alkali-silica reaction). Secondly, hardened mortar samples were prepared using a fine aggregate with a high alkali affinity and a non-reactive fine aggregate as a control. The electrical resistivity of mortars was measured, and the pore solution of these mortars was obtained through high-pressure extraction. The effect of aggregate moisture dilution on the pore solution was decoupled by using a pore partitioning model. The results indicate that aggregate minerology can influence the pore solution composition through cation uptake. Specific minerals of minor quantity, like biotite, may be responsible for cation exchange. While adsorbed cations strongly affected pore solution and formation factor measurement, the bulk resistivity measurements on hardened mortar were only marginally influenced. Research on other implications of similar aggregate interactions with pore solutions are an intriguing area for future research.

Alkali-aggregate reaction↗
DOE OSTI2019

Simulating the Fracture of Notched Mortar Beams through Extended Finite-Element Method and Peridynamics

This paper simulates fracture in notched mortar beams under three-point bending using extended finite element method (XFEM) and peridynamics. A three-phase microstructure (i.e., cement paste, aggregates, and paste-aggregate interface) is used for constitutive modeling of the mortar to obtain the elastic properties for simulation. In the XFEM approach, the simulated homogenized elastic modulus is used along with the total fracture energy of the cement mortar in a damage model to predict the fracture response of the mortar including crack propagation and its fracture parameters (Mode I stress intensity factor, K IC and critical crack tip opening displacement, CTOD C ). The damage model incorporates a maximum principal stress-based damage initiation criteria and a traction-separation law for damage evolution. In the peridynamics approach, a bond-based model involving a prototype microelastic brittle (PMB) material model is used. The elastic properties and fracture energy release rates are used as inputs in the PMB model, along with the choice of peridynamic horizon size. Comparison with experimental fracture properties ( K IC , CTOD C ) as well as crack propagation paths from digital image correlation show that both the approaches yield satisfactory results, particularly for K IC and crack extension. Furthermore, both these methods can be adopted for fracture simulation of cement-based materials.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1973

Parachute mortar design.

Mortars are used as one method for ejecting parachutes into the airstream to decelerate spacecraft and aircraft pilot escape modules and to effect spin recovery of the aircraft. An approach to design of mortars in the class that can accommodate parachutes in the 20- to 55-foot-diameter size is presented. Parachute deployment considerations are discussed. Comments are made on the design of a power unit, mortar tube, cover, and sabot. Propellant selection and breech characteristics and size are discussed. A method of estimating hardware weights and reaction load is presented. In addition, some aspects of erodible orifices are given as well as comments concerning ambient effects on performance. This paper collates data and experience from design and flight qualification of four mortar systems, and provides pertinent estimations that should be of interest on programs considering parachute deployment.

Pleasants, J. E.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Link between microstructure and tritiated water diffusivity in mortars: Impact of aggregates

The present study aims to investigate the influence of microstructure, particularly the effect of aggregates content and interfacial transition zone (ITZ), on tritiated water (HTO) diffusivity in mortars. To this end, three different series of mortars were prepared and HTO diffusion tests were conducted. Variables are water-to-cement ratio, sand volume fractions, and particle size distribution. In parallel, the microstructure of these materials was characterized by water porosimetry, mercury porosimetry, and by backscattered electron microscopy associated to images analysis. It was observed that at low sand content (0%–50%), diffusion properties of mortars are dominated by aggregates dilution effect. Beyond 50% of standard sand, other effects related to the large number of sand grains appear, such as air voids and porous areas mainly due to the difficulty of obtaining well-compacted materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Physicochemical properties of the Portland cement-based mortar exposed to deep seafloor conditions at a depth of 1680 m

Achieving breakthroughs in marine technologies requires the development of infrastructures submerged in deep-sea environments, whose physicochemical effects on cement-based materials considerably differ from those of shallow seas. However, very few studies focused on the cement-based materials subjected to deep-sea conditions. This work investigates the changes in the compressive strength and phase composition of the cement mortar kept on the seafloor with a depth of 1680 m for 608 d. The mortar specimens salvaged from the seafloor exhibited severe visible damages, including softened mashy structures and significantly decreased compressive strengths. The obtained X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance data revealed that the dissolution of portlandite, decalcification of calcium (alumino) silicate hydrate, and formation of brucite, magnesium (alumino) silicate hydrate, a hydrotalcite-like phase, thaumasite, and ettringite likely contributed to the disintegration of mortar, which could be further accelerated by the low temperature of the deep-sea environment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

A multiscale flux basis for mortar mixed discretizations of Stokes–Darcy flows

A multiscale flux basis algorithm is developed for the Stokes–Darcy flow problem. The method is based on a non-overlapping domain decomposition algorithm, where the global problem is reduced to a coarse scale mortar interface problem that is solved by an iterative solver. Subdomain solves are required at each interface iteration, so the cost for the method without a multiscale basis can be high when the number of subdomains or the condition number of the interface problem is large. Here the proposed algorithm involves precomputing a multiscale flux basis, which consists of the flux (or velocity trace) response from each mortar degree of freedom. It is computed by each subdomain independently before the interface iteration begins. The subdomain solves required at each iteration are substituted by a linear combination of the multiscale basis. This may lead to a significant reduction in computational cost since the number of subdomain solves is fixed, depending only on the number of mortar degrees of freedom associated with a subdomain. Several numerical examples are carried out to demonstrate the efficiency of the multiscale flux basis implementation for large-scale Stokes–Darcy problems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2022

A mortar thermomechanical contact computational framework for nuclear fuel performance simulation

Nuclear fuel performance simulations involve the modeling of complex physical phenomena, ranging from fission gas release to fuel swelling and other temperature-induced effects. For light-water reactors (LWRs), swelling of the fuel and the pressure it imposes on the clad when they come into contact causes permanent clad deformation. Accurately characterizing the fuel-cladding interaction, which involves multiple physics, is essential to accurately simulate the fuel/cladding system. Thermomechanical modeling of this problem using a variationally consistent enforcement (e.g., a mortar approach) has been shown to improve the quality of results and facilitate convergence. Here, we present a general multiphysics computational framework for solving nuclear fuel problems using a mortar approach in BISON, a nuclear fuel performance code. In this study analyses show that using the mortar approach, which enables variationally consistent constraint enforcement, improves the quality of results as compared to the more commonly used node-on-face enforcement for representative LWR nuclear fuel simulations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Mechanical properties of heterogeneous metallic glasses: Insights from brick-and-mortar designs

The brick-and-mortar architectural paradigm is commonly applied in structural design to achieve an exceptional combination of strength and plasticity due to its highly tunable mechanical attributes. This study applies molecular dynamics simulations of tensile loading to investigate the mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of brick-and-mortar metallic glasses (BMMGs). The focus is primarily on the implications of the aspect ratio of the bricks and interlayer thickness on the strength, plasticity, and deformation mechanisms. Results indicate that the failure mode is typified by multiple shear bands localized within the softer mortar regions, creating a staggered network under smaller aspect ratios that significantly enhances plastic deformation. However, a transition to a single dominant SB occurs when the aspect ratio exceeds 4.1. In addition, results indicate that a concurrent improvement in strength and plasticity can be achieved by modulating the distance between brick layers in BMMGs. This enhancement originates from the extensive generation and interaction of shear transformation zones. Furthermore, this study highlights that a desirable balance between strength and plasticity can be obtained in BMMGs with appropriate brick aspect ratios and interlayer thicknesses, providing a potential design strategy for the advancement of novel metallic glasses with superior properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Acoustic emission analysis of cyclically loaded superelastic shape memory alloy fiber reinforced mortar beams

Superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs) are metallic alloys that can recover their nonlinear deformations upon unloading. The use of SMAs in cementitious composites as fibers can enable crack recovery and re-centering capabilities. In this study, the crack recovery characteristics of SMA fiber reinforced mortar specimens subjected to flexural cyclic loading are studied through acoustic emission analysis. SMA fiber reinforced mortar specimens with fiber volume ratios of 0.3%, 0.5% and 1.0% are tested under cyclic flexural loads. Acoustic emissions (AE) signals are captured and analyzed to characterize the crack formation and crack width development at each cycle of loading. In addition, the crack width propagation of the specimens is monitored by Digital Image Correlation measurement system and is used as a basis in AE analyses. Results show that the SMA fiber reinforced mortars exhibit considerable re-centering and crack recovery characteristics at large deformation amplitudes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Supercritical, liquid, and gas CO 2 reactive transport and carbonate formation in portland cement mortar

In this paper, we investigate carbonate formation and reactive transport rate in variably saturated portland cement mortars when high concentrations of gas, liquid, or supercritical CO 2 flow through their pore network. Xray computed tomography completed during CO 2 flow is used to quantify the microstructural evolution as the mortar carbonates. After in situ tests, higher resolution scans, thermogravimetric analysis, and desorption isotherm analysis are performed to further quantify microstructural changes. We found that at dry conditions supercritical CO 2 moves more rapidly through the pore space and precipitates more carbonates than liquid or gas CO 2 . However, at 50% degree of saturation (DOS) the CO 2 state did not affect the rate of transport in that each specimen exposed to a different CO 2 state carbonated within the first hour of CO 2 exposure. When the pore space is at 50 or 100% DOS, supercritical CO 2 did not react with hydration products more rapidly nor did it result in more carbonate formation during exposure compared to gas or liquid CO 2 . The amount of Ca(OH) 2 that contributes to CaCO 3 formation is correlated to the DOS. For the mortar composition analyzed, Ca(OH) 2 contributes to approximately 40% of the carbonates formed in the 50% DOS specimens and 15% in the 100% DOS specimens. In other words, as the amount of moisture in the pore space increases, phases other than Ca(OH) 2 contribute to more than 50% of the total CaCO 3 formed.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Domain decomposition and multiscale mortar mixed finite element methods for linear elasticity with weak stress symmetry

Two non-overlapping domain decomposition methods are presented for the mixed finite element formulation of linear elasticity with weakly enforced stress symmetry. The methods utilize either displacement or normal stress Lagrange multiplier to impose interface continuity of normal stress or displacement, respectively. By eliminating the interior subdomain variables, the global problem is reduced to an interface problem, which is then solved by an iterative procedure. The condition number of the resulting algebraic interface problem is analyzed for both methods. A multiscale mortar mixed finite element method for the problem of interest on non-matching multiblock grids is also studied. It uses a coarse scale mortar finite element space on the non-matching interfaces to approximate the trace of the displacement and impose weakly the continuity of normal stress. A priori error analysis is performed. It is shown that, with appropriate choice of the mortar space, optimal convergence on the fine scale is obtained for the stress, displacement, and rotation, as well as some superconvergence for the displacement. Computational results are presented in confirmation of the theory of all proposed methods.

Mathematics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Use of Lignin-Based Admixture as Water Reducer (WRA) for Tailoring the Rheological Properties of Mortars for 3D-Printing

Efforts towards decarbonizing construction materials and industrial processes related to cement and concrete can be aided via multifaceted approaches that target alternative admixtures as well as precision control of fabrication. Chemical admixtures for water reduction have played a crucial role in the development of advanced mortar and concrete mixtures. Newer biomass processing techniques developed for aviation fuel production from corn stover biomass produce a highly reactive lignin byproduct that is suitable for chemical modifications to mimic the properties of commonly used polycarboxylate ethers (PCEs) with a smaller carbon footprint. These lignin-based plasticizers developed at NREL can be used in place of petrochemical-derived superplasticizers to tailor the rheological properties of cement-based systems for applications such as additive manufacturing while reducing the carbon intensity of the concrete mix. Lignosulfonates derived from paper pulping were historically used as water reducers only to be displaced with the rise of PCEs. The present study examines the use of a NREL produced lignin-based water reducing admixture (WRA), in cement pastes and mortar mixtures for 3D-printing at small- (mm) scale. The experimental program consisted of different formulations of oxidized lignin-based WRAs added in variable dosages to cement pastes with a fixed water-to-cement ratio. The objective is to achieve an appropriate workability, extrudability and buildability of mortar mixtures to produce 3D-printed specimens. The rheological characterization was performed to compare the initial yield stress and viscosity of the different mixtures with lignin-based admixture with respect to conventional PCE superplasticizers. The rheological characterization shows that the proposed material act as an effective water-reducer in cement systems, affecting the yield stress, plastic viscosity, and structuration rate of the mixtures evaluated. On the other hand, the effect on early hydration process of the cement pastes containing lignin-based admixtures is comparable to conventional superplasticizers.

3D-printing↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mortar-based Cohesive Zone Model with Application to TRISO Particle Debonding

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program aims to develop predictive capabilities by applying computational methods to the analysis and design of advanced reactor and fuel cycle systems. This program has been providing engineering-scale support for the development of BISON, a high-fidelity and high-resolution fuel performance tool. This report outlines work towards the development of an integrated, mortar-based cohesive zone framework with mechanical contact. We model debonding of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) layers using a mortar approach, extending the framework used for mechanical contact, using weighted quantities. A bilinear mixed mode traction approach, already used in Jiang et al. (2021), is applied analogously herein to model debonding between TRISO particle layers. The examples include the debonding of the inner pyrolytic carbon (IPyC) from the silicon carbide (SiC) layers, as well as partial and full debonding of the buffer from the IPyC layers. Both 2D and 3D examples are utilized to demonstrate the superior numerical performance of the new mortar approach, which allows for modeling arbitrarily meshed interfaces (i.e., non-matching discretizations).

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Application of gamma-ray radiography and gravimetric measurements after accelerated corrosion tests of steel embedded in mortar

The accelerated corrosion by the impressed current technique is widely used in studies of concrete durability since it has the advantage that tests can be carried out within reasonable periods of time. In the present work the relationship between the applied current density and the resulting damage on the reinforcing steel, by applying optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, gamma-ray radiography and gravimetric measurements, was studied by means of the implementation of accelerated corrosion tests on reinforced mortar. The results show that the efficiency of the applied current is between 1 and 77%, regardless of the applied current density, the water/cement ratio and the mortar cover depth of the specimens. The results show the applicability of the gamma-ray radiography technique to detect localized corrosion of steel rebars in laboratory specimens.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Chloride-induced corrosion mechanism and rate of enamel- and epoxy-coated deformed steel bars embedded in mortar

The chloride-induced corrosion mechanisms of uncoated, pure enamel (PE)-coated, mixed enamel (ME)-coated, double enamel (DE)-coated, and fusion bonded epoxy (FBE)-coated deformed steel bars embedded in mortar cylinders are investigated in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution and compared through electrochemical tests and visual inspection. Corrosion initiated after 29 or 61 days of tests in all uncoated and enamel-coated steel bars, and after 244 days of tests in some FBE-coated steel bars. In active stage, DE- and FBE-coated steel bars are subjected to the highest and lowest corrosion rates, respectively. The uncoated and ME-coated steel bars revealed relatively uniform corrosion while the PE-, DE-, and FBE-coated steel bars experienced pitting corrosion around damaged coating areas. Due to the combined effect of ion diffusion and capillary suction, wet–dry cyclic immersion caused more severe corrosion than continuous immersion. Both exposure conditions affected the corrosion rate more significantly than the water–cement ratio in mortar design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Experimental studies and thermodynamic modeling of the carbonation of Portland cement, metakaolin and limestone mortars

The carbonation of Portland cement, metakaolin and limestone mortars has been investigated after hydration for 91 days and exposure to 1% (v/v) CO{sub 2} at 20 °C/57% RH for 280 days. The carbonation depths have been measured by phenolphthalein whereas mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), TGA and thermodynamic modeling have been used to study pore structure, CO{sub 2} binding capacity and phase assemblages. The Portland cement has the highest resistance to carbonation due to its highest CO{sub 2} binding capacity. The limestone blend has higher CO{sub 2} binding capacity than the metakaolin blends, whereas the better carbonation resistance of the metakaolin blends is related to their finer pore structure and lower total porosity, since the finer pores favor capillary condensation. MIP shows a coarsening of the pore threshold upon carbonation for all mortars. Overall, the CO{sub 2} binding capacity, porosity and capillary condensation are found to be the decisive parameters governing the carbonation rate.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Pore-size resolved water vapor adsorption kinetics of white cement mortars as viewed from proton NMR relaxation

The dynamic pore structure of partially saturated cement-based material is rather essential to quantify its mass transport and many other properties. To clarify the influence of water removal and re-entry, the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technique is employed to characterize the pore structure of two white cement mortars during isopropanol exchange and water vapor adsorption kinetics. It is found that, after isopropanol replacement the pore structures of mortars become remarkably coarsen due to the significant collapse of C-S-H interlayer pores, which are only partly reversible at water re-saturation. Consistently, water vapor adsorption is not a simple progressively filling process from finer to coarser pores, but accompanied by continuous expansion of C-S-H gel adsorbing water in priority. Furthermore, the irrecoverable contraction of C-S-H gel is the physical root of irreversible shrinkage. The smaller BET surface area using nitrogen than water is also attributed to the collapse of interlayer pores after drying.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Chloride diffusivity, chloride threshold, and corrosion initiation in reinforced alkali-activated mortars: Role of calcium, alkali, and silicate content

The aim of this study is to investigate systematically the chloride diffusivity and chloride threshold of a wide range of calcium-rich and fly ash-dominated alkali-activated samples in light of their compositional differences. To this end, the effects of various fly ash (FA)-to-slag ratios, of alkali concentrations and of silicate content in the activator were investigated. The electrochemical aspects of the passive samples were also assessed. Results show the prominent role of calcium in the matrix to reduce the chloride diffusivity. While higher alkali concentration increased the porosity and chloride diffusivities in general, lower modulus ratios provided considerably better performance in the FA-dominated samples. Chloride threshold values range between 0.19 (wt% binder mass) for calcium-rich mortars fabricated at low levels of alkalinities and 0.69 for FA-dominated mortars fabricated with highly alkaline activators. Half-cell potential and polarization resistance of alkali-activated samples were in general lower than their Portland cement counterparts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗