Military Technological College Oman

in collaboration with the

University of Portsmouth, UK

STRANL3

Composites and Advanced construction Materials

MTCC5055

Date: 2022-08-08 Time: 0900-1100 [ 2 Hours]

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This exam is worth 60% of the full module.

2. Answer All Questions.
3. Use only the Answer Booklet provided to write your answers.
4. Formula Sheet Provided should be Consulted Before Attempting Each
Question

Closed Book

Provided

A Table Sheet is provided.

Calculators permitted to be used:

CASIO FX 300MS, FX82MS, FX83MS, FX85MS, FX270MS OR FX350MS

(or any similar Non-programmable calculator)

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 Answer ALL Questions
1. On-site activities during demolition are critical to achieving waste management plan. Fig Q1 shows
an on-going demolition of a residential property. To successfully operate and complete the demolition
process, a Demolition and Waste manager was assigned by the contractor.

Fig.Q1

(a) What are the key objectives of a demolition waste management plan?

[6 marks]

(b) Explain the on-site activities to be set by the demolition waste manager during the demolition
stage.

[6 marks]

(c) Timber is one of the waste materials resulting from this demolition. Propose three possible
recycling waste management practices for its’ reuse.

[3 marks]

(d) In the cause of demolition of this residential property, workers can be exposed to hazardous
substances. Outline five (5) sources of contact of these substances.

[5 marks]

(e) The Ministry of Housing is responsible for building regulations approval in Oman. Briefly
explain the two ways of obtaining building regulation approval and state the merits and
demerits of both approaches.

[10 marks]

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2. Fig Q2 (a) shows a longitudinal section of the composite bridge proposed to connect two suburbs.
The soil investigation report shows that within the foundation region groundwater exists. From the
report, it is given that the soil (hatched area) and groundwater (dashed line) contain an SO42- of 2000
mg/kg and 275 mg/l, respectively.
Two different cement and combination types were suggested by the consultant engineer, namely
CEM IIIA 32.5N concrete and CEM I 42.5N concrete. The 28-day test data of compressive strengths
fck are presented in Fig. Q2(b) for a maximum aggregate size of 20mm. Both concrete types exhibit
slump class S3. Note: the proposed concrete is reinforced with steel rebars.

Soil

Water table level

Fig.Q2(a)

70
CEM I
65
CEM IIIA
MPa
Compressive strength, N/m 2

60

55

50

45

40

35

30
w/c 0.2 0.35 0.5 0.65 0.8
Cement content, kg/m3 540 380 290 240

Fig.Q2(b)

(a) Based on the BS EN 206-1 rules, provisions, and guidelines, specify potential exposure classes
that may define the elements A1, A2 and A3 provided in Fig. Q2(a).

[8 marks]

(b) If a concrete’s minimum compressive strength class C40/50 is intended to use, find the
maximum w/c ratio and the minimum cement content for both composite materials, i.e., CEM I
42.5N and CEM IIIA 32.5N. Hint: use Fig.Q2(b).

[12 marks]

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 (c) Relying on the BS EN 206-1 rules, provisions, and guidelines, determine whether a strength
class C40/50 of the CEM I concrete is implementable or not in any of the regions A1, A2
or/and A3. Assume a nominal cover to the reinforcement is 45 mm with a deviation allowance
Δc = 5 mm.
You may notice that some of the exposure classes in (a) are inappropriate when C40/50 CEM I
concrete is proposed. If a greater cover is suggested to be an initial solution to this problem, do
you think this would work successfully? Explain your answer.

[14 marks]

(d) Specify just one appropriate exposure class (apart from the ones answered in (a)), where a
CEM I concrete with strength class C40/50 can be applicable (not necessary to be relevant to
the composite bridge project). Give examples of where this exposure condition may occur.
Note: use the nominal cover to the reinforcement and the deviation allowance given in (c).

[6 marks]

3 (a) A schematic illustration of the different geometrical and spatial features of particles of the
dispersed phase that may affect the properties of composites is shown in Fig.Q3(a).
Indicate these geometrical and spatial characteristics based on the arrangements provided in
Fig.Q3(a).
[5 marks]

Fig.Q3(a)

(b) A composite consists of continuous carbon fibres (aligned in the direction of the applied load)
with an elastic modulus of 354 GPa and a volume fraction equal to 63 per cent. The composite
also contains a polymer matrix, having Young’s modulus of 2.5 GPa. The tensile strength in
the carbon fibres is 4909 MPa, while in the matrix is 35 MPa.
Find the composite modulus of elasticity (in the direction of the carbon fibres).

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 [4 marks]

(c) Calculate the strain in the matrix, fibre, and composite. What did you notice?

[8 marks]

(d) Assume that the strain in (c) represents the end of the elastic range of the matrix, draw the
stress-strain curve of the matrix, fibre, and composite (show all the necessary details on the
graph). Also, explain the overall behaviour before and after this particular strain.

[13 marks]

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