Assessment of Durability of Reactive Powder Concrete Using Oxygen Permeability Index
-Durability of concrete is very important parameter for using natural resources effectively and reducing the cost of reconstruction, maintenance and repair of structure. This paper focuses on need of much of the need for concrete repair can be eliminated, if sufficient consideration and attention is given to control of surface quality of concrete at the construction stage. A South African approach is used to measure the oxygen permeability index testing and concluded that the method is applicable to actual project and is durability index is a parameter to evaluate the durability of RPC and cover zone concrete. RPC shows a good OPI value indicating impermeable concrete and its use can be justified for special purpose.
The South African durability index tests in an international comparison
Over the last decade, an approach to improving the durability of reinforced concrete construction has been developed in South Africa. The durability index test methods applied in this approach are unique to the country. Internationally, similar trends can be observed and a number of test methods for the quality assessment of hardened concrete, particular the cover zone have been developed world-wide. A group of researchers from different parts of the world carried out comparative tests on the quality of concrete cover, applying the most commonly accepted international test methods. The results indicate that the South African oxygen permeability and chloride conductivity test methods are successful in characterising the concrete cover in respect of important deterioration mechanisms. A good correlation exists between results obtained from these index test methods and those obtained from related test procedures applied overseas.
Heat Recovery Systems
Geothermal energy is recovered from an underground zone of relatively hot strata via a borehole into which is inserted a heat pipe system containing a working fluid, the heat pipe system comprising an assembly of two tubes in concentric relation, the inner tube being constituted by a relatively small diameter capillary for the return of working fluid to the vicinity of the zone of the relatively hot strata. The working fluid is preferably assisted in its return under gravity by means of a pump. The system includes heat exchange means operable to recover thermal energy from the working fluid. A third and outermost tube may be used to reduce heat losses, this third tube enclosing the two tubes over all but that part of their length which is in the zone of relatively hot strata.