crack formation

Into the void: Random gaps and particles work together to play key role in concrete’s strength

By Stephanie Liverani / August 9, 2016

Rice University researchers (Houston, Texas) want to know what makes concrete stronger and tougher. And after analyzing more than 600 computer models of concrete’s inner matrix, they determined that both voids and particles are key players in giving the material its remarkable qualities.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By / October 30, 2012

This 3D image of a ceramic composite specimen imaged under load at 1,750°C shows the detailed fracture patterns that LBNL researchers are able to view using ALS Beamline 8.3.2. The…

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Other materials science stories that may be of interest

By / July 23, 2012

Take a break and take a look: China cuts rare earth mining rights by half to aid consolidation (Bloomberg/Businessweek) – China, the supplier of 90 percent of the world’s rare…

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Interlocking ceramic elements lead to quasi-plastic properties

By Martin Grolms / May 29, 2012

Display of self-interlocking elements from oxide ceramics. Assemblies of such elements possess an increased bending compliance compared to bulk plates. Cracks are confined to a few elements, so that most…

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By / April 24, 2012

Process flow of preparing the vertically aligned single-walled CNTs-DSCs. Pre-etched VASWCNTs on silicon substrate (Process 1) were flipped on top of the FTO-glass, and then a force was loaded onside…

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