Crack Tolerance Research Articles

Neuron Inspired All‐Around Universal Telechelic Polyurea with High Stiffness, Excellent Crack Tolerance, Record‐High Adhesion, Outstanding Triboelectricity, and AIE Fluorescence

AbstractDeveloping high‐performance polymeric elastomer with exceptional mechanical and physical properties such as mechanical toughness, stiffness and rapid healable properties is crucial for wide application, but it remains challenging. Herein, a series of telechelic elastomers inspired by the neurons are developed. The hierarchical hydrogen‐bonds (H‐bonds) networks constructed by 2‐ureido‐4 pyrimidinone and urea groups, as well as their reversible dynamics, contribute to enormous energy dissipation, exceptional mechanical robustness, rapid self‐healing ability (92%, 0.5 h). The excellent crack tolerance of 187 kJ m−2 of the elastomer is comparable to that of the metals and alloys. The stiffness of 97.9 MPa has far exceeded that of the usual high‐performance thermoplastic elastomers. The adhesion strength bonded with iron plates of 20.7 MPa, to the best knowledge, will be the record‐high value for hot‐melt adhesives. Intriguingly, the telechelic elastomer can be positively charged after friction with copper, exhibiting a much higher open circuit voltage than that of the most commonly used positively charged polyamide. More interestingly, the intrinsic blue fluorescence is also observed, which is ascribed to the aggregation induced emission of a tertiary amine. Thus a thermoplastic elastomer is represented in this work with remarkable mechanical properties, rapid self‐healing ability and tailorable important functions.

Evaluation of fatigue characteristics of asphalt mixtures using Cracking Tolerance index (CTIndex)

Evaluation of the cracking potential of asphalt mix during the design phase can considerably limit the fatigue cracking and increase the service life of the flexible pavement. Thus, attention needs to be paid to employing a simple yet reliable performance test indicator. Indirect Tension Asphalt Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT) is one such emerging test method and is widely used in research across the world. The present study examines the potential of using the cracking tolerance index (CTIndex) as an appropriate parameter to explain the fatigue resistance of mixtures with both unmodified and modified binders. This test can be conducted using a Marshall testing machine or multispeed tester, routinely used for asphalt mixture design in India and many other countries. To evaluate the effectiveness of this parameter, fatigue resistance indicators for different binders, i.e., recovery at 3.2 kPa stress level (R3.2) from multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) test, fatigue life (TNf3.5) from the time sweep (TS) test at 3.5% strain, fatigue life at 2.5% (LNf2.5), and 5% (LNf5) strain from linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test, as well as for different mixtures, i.e., fatigue life from Indirect tensile fatigue test (ITFT) at 150 microstrain were considered. Two unmodified (viscosity grade 30, viscosity grade 40) and three modified (polymer, crumb rubber, sasobit) binders were evaluated for their fatigue parameters which were further correlated with CTIndex. The CTIndex exhibited good to excellent correlations (R2 ∼ 0.85 to 0.92) with the fatigue lives of the binders and the mixtures. To examine the effect of rheology and chemistry of the binder on the CTIndex, correlations of complex shear viscosity using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) at 60 °C and asphaltenes content from Thin-layer chromatography with flame ionization detector (TLC-FID) with CTIndex were explored. Viscosity, asphaltenes content, and elastic recovery of the binders depicted good correlations (R2 ∼ 0.88) with CTIndex, indicating higher cracking tolerance of stiffer yet elastic binders. Further, the sensitivity of CTIndex to binder type, binder content, aggregate gradation, and test temperature was examined. Overall, the values of the CTIndex displayed less variability (coefficient of variation < 10%) in this study.The observed sensitivity of CTIndex to asphalt mix parameters and the correlations of the CTIndex with fatigue resistance indicating parameters suggested that the CTIndex is an effective parameter for evaluating the fatigue characteristics of asphalt mixes.

Developing a sustainable, post treated, half warm mix asphalt for structural surface layer

Sustainability and materials recycling have increasingly acquired importance in various aspects of life. It has well known that95% of roads are paved with hot mix asphalt (HMA),theirrawmaterials require a lot of energy to prepare and lead to the releaseof a considerableamount of CO2 into the environment. As a result, developing new technologies to prepare a new sustainable asphaltic mixture that consumes less energyand is eco-friendly becomes a necessity. This research aims to develop a sustainable half-warm asphalt mix by exposing the cold bituminous emulsion mixture (CBEM) to a post treatment using microwave energy technique, as well as utilising crushed glass waste as fine aggregate. The newly developed mix (half warm bituminous emulsion mixture, or HWBEM) is evaluated in terms of two main failure distress (cracking and rutting) using wheel track (WTT) and indirect tensile tolerance index, or cracking tolerance index (CT-index), in addition to the volumetric and durability evaluation in term of air voids content (AV) and retained Marshall stability test (RMS). Tests results regarding mechanical, volumetric, and durability properties indicated that the developed mixture was relatively comparable in some of the properties with referenced CBEM and superior in one aspect. Moreover, the sustainability aspect was achieved successfully by replacing a significant amount of virgin fine aggregate with the crushed waste glass. Based on the results of the test program, it can be said that the newly developed HWBEM incorporated waste glass can work as a structural surface layer.

Evaluation of cracking resistance of warm mix asphalt incorporating high reclaimed asphalt pavement content

Incorporating high Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) content in manufacturing Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is more commonly used thanks to its economic efficiency and environmental effectiveness. However, when high RAP content is incorporated, the mixture's cracking tolerance needs to be controlled to achieve the durability of asphalt pavement. The present experimental work investigates the cracking tolerance of asphalt mixtures through a Flexibility Index (FI) and a Cracking Tolerance Index (CTIndex). For this purpose, warm-mix asphalt mixtures using Sasobit and Zycotherm additives are produced with RAP content at 30%, 40%, and 50%, respectively. The obtained results are also compared with Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) with RAP content at 0% and 30%. The results show that, compared with HMA using 30% RAP, WMA using Sasobit has lower FI (12.1%), and WMA using Zycotherm exhibits higher FI (58.64%). Similarly, WMA using Sasobit has a lower CTIndex (12.8%), and using Zycotherm has a higher CTIndex (105.6%), compared with HMA using the same RAP content. Moreover, the results also show that the FI and CTIndex of WMA using Zycotherm are higher than Sasobit with similar RAP content. These values decrease with increasing RAP content. Lastly, the RAP content that ensures cracking tolerance could reach 40% in WMA mixtures using Zycotherm.

Identification of parameter to assess cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures subjected to aging and moisture conditioning

This study comprehensively evaluated different parameters based on tensile strength testing to assess the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures subjected to aging and moisture conditioning. For this purpose, two sources of aggregates were selected to produce hot and warm mix asphalt mixtures. Asphalt mixtures were subjected to short term and long term aging, three levels of moisture conditioning (freeze thaw cycles), and tested at two temperatures (15 °C and 25 °C). The load-displacement data was used to determine the fracture work density, fracture energy, toughness index, cracking resistance index, cracking tolerance index, and rate dependent cracking index. It was noticed that moisture conditioning increased the variability of the different parameters. The cracking tolerance index and rate dependent cracking index parameter had a much higher coefficient of variation (CoV) with a maximum value close to 50%. Indirect tensile strength, fracture energy, and fracture work density appropriately captured the effect of moisture on cracking resistance of mixtures. The cracking resistance index, cracking tolerance index, and rate dependent cracking index increased with an increase in the moisture conditioning level. The Statistical analysis showed that tensile strength, fracture work density, and fracture energy were significantly influenced by different aging and moisture conditions evaluated. Fracture energy showed better association with fatigue life of asphalt mixtures subjected to three freeze-thaw cycles compared to tensile strength. Further, the fatigue life prediction models showed that both indirect tensile strength and fracture energy significantly influence the fatigue life of asphalt mixtures subjected to aging and moisture conditioning.

Effects of filler concentration on indirect tensile (IDT) cracking indices in hot mix asphalt at intermediate temperature

ABSTRACT Mineral fillers are known to affect the cracking properties of hot mix asphalt (HMA) significantly. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effects of filler concentration on the indirect tensile cracking indices of hot mix asphalt at an intermediate temperature. To make the test samples, the standard 100% limestone filler was substituted with the recycled fillers of hollow concrete block (HCB) powder and brick powder (BP), in three different concentrations (3%, 5%, and 7%). Optimal concentration levels resulted in superior mixes that could sustain pavement service life and environmental friendliness. Mixtures with 100 and 150 mm-diameter specimens were evaluated using the flexibility index (FI), crack tolerance index (CT index), fracture energy index (FEI), toughness index (TI), cracking resistance index (CRI), and fracture strain tolerance (FST) index from IDT test. The results indicate that filler concentrations influence the IDT indices significantly and that the 5% filler mixtures yielded reasonable testing results. The two specimen sizes were found to have moderate to strong correlation coefficient (R 2) values for the same indices, supporting that both may be used interchangeably to assess cracking resistance in HMA. Thus, using 100 mm-diameter specimens may be used to minimise costs and material quantities.

Precision Estimates and Statements for Performance Indices from the Indirect Tensile Cracking Test at Intermediate Temperature

The Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken initiatives to implement the Balanced Mix Design (BMD) method to assure the long-term service life of its pavement network from a mixture quality standpoint. As part of this initiative, the cracking tolerance (CT) index obtained from the indirect tensile (IDT) test at intermediate temperature in accordance with ASTM D8225-19 was selected for evaluating the cracking potential of dense-graded surface asphalt mixtures. This prompted the need to generate the precision estimates (repeatability and reproducibility) for the test method for proper implementation during quality measurement practices. Thus, this interlaboratory study was undertaken to determine the precision estimates of the CT index calculated from the IDT test and to develop the associated precision statements. In addition, fracture strain tolerance (FST) and indirect tensile strength were included. Two asphalt mixes with significantly different CT index values were designed for the evaluation. Forty-six pairs of five replicate sets of compacted specimens (one set for each mix) were sent to 41 participating laboratories to be tested at 25°C. The test results were checked for data quality. The effects of loading rate and manufacturers on the indices were also evaluated. The test results indicated that one third of the sets were not tested in full accordance with the ASTM standard, indicating a need for training. The results also indicated that the specified loading rate of 50 ± 2 mm/min in ASTM D8225-19 for the IDT test may need revision. Finally, the precision estimates and associated statements for the three indices were presented.

Balanced Mix Design Benchmarking of Field-Produced Asphalt Mixtures in Maine, U.S.

Performance testing has been recognized by state highway agencies (SHAs) in the U.S. and the asphalt paving industry as an important tool to complement volumetric properties for improving asphalt pavement performance. Thus, Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) initiated a research effort in 2019 to evaluate the cracking and rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures using several performance tests, including the Hamburg wheel-tracking test (HWTT), indirect tensile cracking test (IDEAL-CT), cyclic fatigue test, and stress sweep rutting (SSR) test. These tests were conducted on reheated common plant-produced asphalt mixtures, and results were analyzed to: (1) develop baseline rutting and cracking performance; (2) evaluate the effects of mixture properties on the performance test results; and (3) verify the performance enhancement from the extended use of polymer-modified asphalt binders. Several mixture properties, such as nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS), binder performance grade (PG), binder content (Pb), and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) %, were found to have statistically significant effects on the mixture rutting and cracking resistance, especially the HWTT and IDEAL-CT results. Based on the proposed criteria for rutting strain index (RSI) and apparent damage capacity (Sapp), the asphalt mixtures tested would provide satisfactory rutting performance under heavy traffic, and satisfactory cracking performance under standard traffic. In addition, based on the IDEAL-CT benchmarking results, mixtures with polymer-modified binder and/or smaller NMAS were found to have higher cracking tolerance index (CTindex) results. The information from the research effort will help MaineDOT to achieve its goal to move beyond sole use of volumetric properties for asphalt mixture design and acceptance with the implementation of balanced mix design (BMD) for improving the field performance of asphalt pavements.

Hierarchical crack buffering triples ductility in eutectic herringbone high-entropy alloys.

In human-made malleable materials, microdamage such as cracking usually limits material lifetime. Some biological composites, such as bone, have hierarchical microstructures that tolerate cracks but cannot withstand high elongation. We demonstrate a directionally solidified eutectic high-entropy alloy (EHEA) that successfully reconciles crack tolerance and high elongation. The solidified alloy has a hierarchically organized herringbone structure that enables bionic-inspired hierarchical crack buffering. This effect guides stable, persistent crystallographic nucleation and growth of multiple microcracks in abundant poor-deformability microstructures. Hierarchical buffering by adjacent dynamic strain-hardened features helps the cracks to avoid catastrophic growth and percolation. Our self-buffering herringbone material yields an ultrahigh uniform tensile elongation (~50%), three times that of conventional nonbuffering EHEAs, without sacrificing strength.

Fabrication and deformation behavior of a novel laminated TiAl matrix composite

Two-phase titanium aluminides are desirable for a wide range of high-temperature structural applications for their excellent thermo-physical properties. In this paper, a novel laminated TiAl matrix composite (LMC) consisting of alternating equiaxed grain layers (EGLs) and fully-lamellar grain layers (FGLs) has been fabricated successfully by hot-pressing and subsequent reaction annealing. After microstructure tailoring, the LMC exhibited a good combination of strength and ductility at 850 °C. Experiments demonstrated that the thermal residual stress induced by the fabrication process had a periodic distribution across the layers. The competition between residual stress and externally applied stress changed the stress state and accordingly the Ti3Al twining was activated, which benefited the accommodation of the incompatibility between alternating constituent layers. The crack tolerance was remarkably improved by layered structure in the LMC. Crack initiation occurred mainly in either the EGLs or the layer interface. However, they were constrained effectively by the laminated structure. Instead, these dense microcracks may relief the stress concentration and improve the deformation stability. This work is expected to enrich the current understanding on the stress-mediated deformation behavior of TiAl alloys, and provide guidance towards design of high-performance intermetallic laminated composites.

Healable and Recyclable Elastomers with Record-High Mechanical Robustness, Unprecedented Crack Tolerance, and Superhigh Elastic Restorability.

Spider silk is one of the most robust natural materials, which has extremely high strength in combination with great toughness and good elasticity. Inspired by spider silk but beyond it, a healable and recyclable supramolecular elastomer, possessing superhigh true stress at break (1.21GPa) and ultrahigh toughness (390.2MJ m-3 ), which are, respectively, comparable to and ≈2.4 times higher than those of typical spider silk, is developed. The elastomer has the highest tensile strength (ultimate engineering stress, 75.6MPa) ever recorded for polymeric elastomers, rendering it the strongest and toughest healable elastomer thus far. The hyper-robust elastomer exhibits superb crack tolerance with unprecedentedly high fracture energy (215.2kJ m-2 ) that even exceeds that of metals and alloys, and superhigh elastic restorability allowing dimensional recovery from elongation over 12 times. These extraordinary mechanical performances mainly originate from the meticulously engineered hydrogen-bonding segments, consisting of multiple acylsemicarbazide and urethane moieties linked with flexible alicyclic hexatomic spacers. Such hydrogen-bonding segments, incorporated between extensible polymer chains, aggregate to form geometrically confined hydrogen-bond arrays resembling those in spider silk. The hydrogen-bond arrays act as firm but reversible crosslinks and sacrificial bonds for enormous energy dissipation, conferring exceptional mechanical robustness, healability, and recyclability on the elastomer.

Characterization of aggregate interlocking in hot mix asphalt by mechanistic performance tests

The interlocking of aggregate is critical during compaction. Nevertheless, few mix design specifications include any specific requirements for locking points, mainly because it is difficult to determine when interlocking happens during compaction precisely. This study's objectives were to validate the locking point concept by applying performance tests and evaluating aggregate interlocking influence on the rutting resistance and the fatigue cracking. Two types of asphalt mixture composed of limestone aggregates and PG 64–22 binder and designed at different Ndesign were used in this study. Two types of performance tests, the Flow Number and the IDEAL CT, were used to determine and confirm the locking point's definitions. Results showed that the locking point (LP)2-2-3 and LP3 definitions during Superpave gyratory compaction were the most reasonable to define the locking point based on the vertical axial strain from the Flow Number and the Cracking Tolerance Index (CTindex) from the IDEAL CT test..

Performance-based laboratory evaluation of asphaltic mixture containing asphalt binder-Carbon Nano Tube composite

ABSTRACT This research work aimed to evaluate the effect of CNT on the performance of asphaltic mixture. CNT-asphalt binder composite was initially prepared at different CNT dosages (0%, 0.4%, 0.75%, 1.5%, and 2.25% by the weight of asphalt binder). The effect of CNT on the workability of asphaltic mixture was evaluated with the help of compaction data. The change in compaction densification index indicated that such an addition will have a negative impact on the workability of asphaltic mixture. Similarly, the strain response and flow number obtained from the dynamic creep test at 50°C indicated that the addition of CNT will help in improving the rutting performance. Likewise, the variation of Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) value indicated that the moisture damage resistivity potential of asphaltic mixture can be improved with the addition of CNT. Finally, intermediate temperature performance was evaluated using indirect tensile fatigue and indirect tensile test-based cracking tolerance index. The variation of different parameters from the above approaches indicated that CNT can help in improving the intermediate temperature performance of asphaltic mixture.

Effect of Cross-Linked Alginate/Oil Nanoemulsion Coating on Cracking and Quality Parameters of Sweet Cherries.

The cracking of sweet cherries causes significant crop losses. Sweet cherries (cv. Bing) were coated by electro-spraying with an edible nanoemulsion (NE) of alginate and soybean oil with or without a CaCl2 cross-linker to reduce cracking. Coated sweet cherries were stored at 4 °C for 28 d. The barrier and fruit quality properties and nutritional values of the coated cherries were evaluated and compared with those of uncoated sweet cherries. Sweet cherries coated with NE + CaCl2 increased cracking tolerance by 53% and increased firmness. However, coated sweet cherries exhibited a 10% increase in water loss after 28 d due to decreased resistance to water vapor transfer. Coated sweet cherries showed a higher soluble solid content, titratable acidity, antioxidant capacity, and total soluble phenolic content compared with uncoated sweet cherries. Therefore, the use of the NE + CaCl2 coating on sweet cherries can help reduce cracking and maintain their postharvest quality.

Effect of treated fibers on performance of asphalt mixture

In this study, a fiber surface treatment (coating technique) was developed using paraffin wax and warm-mix additive (WMA) to enhance fiber’s distribution throughout the asphalt mixture. Three types of fiber were examined, including WMA coated fiber, wax coated fiber, and uncoated fiber. The performance of fiber-reinforced mixtures was investigated by indirect tensile asphalt cracking test (IDEAL- CT), dynamic modulus, flow number, and overlay testing. Two mixing methods (e.g., dry and wet) were employed to determine the best mixing method. The promising results indicated the potential of incorporating warm-mix additive and fiber. Although Tukey-Kramer statistical analysis showed no significant difference between wet and dry mixing methods, the wet mixing method was recommended to mitigate the adverse mixing effects (e.g., fiber clustering, fiber sticking on the mixer). The insignificant difference between wax-coated fiber and uncoated fiber mixtures indicated the critical impact of coating materials on performance of reinforced asphalt mixture. Finally, mixtures containing 0.05% of WMA coated fiber suggest potential improvement in the performance of asphalt mixture, such as enhancing the cracking tolerance index (CTIndex), prolonging fatigue life, and exhibiting good resistance rutting.

Analysis of different reclaimed asphalt pavements to assess the potentiality of RILEM cohesion test

In the last years, RILEM Technical Committee 237-SIB proposed a new test protocol for reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) characterization, the cohesion test, with the goal to facilitate the identification of the most suitable solution for the recycling within new pavement layers. However, this procedure actually allows discriminating between different RAP sources but it does not exactly indicate the effective “activity” of the binder in the RAP. The present paper deals with the analysis of different RAP materials through the RILEM cohesion test. In particular, two “young” RAPs, different in composition and milled immediately after being laid, were aged in the laboratory and tested at different ageing levels. Moreover, an in-site aged RAP was tested as reference, either in neat conditions or after being sprayed with a rejuvenator. The results showed that the actual cohesion test approach, based on the evaluation of the indirect tensile strength (ITS), is not able to distinguish between RAP binders with stiff-brittle behaviour or good residual binding properties (despite the first is an unwanted condition while the second is a desired condition, both of them determine an increase in ITS). Differently, the Cracking Tolerance Index ( $${\rm{CT}}_{\rm{Index}}$$ ) defined by ASTM D8225-19 can emphasize the RAP bitumen ductility and highlight any residual binding and adhesive properties. For this reason, a RILEM cohesion test improvement is proposed by including the $${\rm{CT}}_{\rm{Index}}$$ calculation in the analysis.

Performance and blending evaluation of asphalt mixtures containing reclaimed asphalt pavement

This study aims to (1) determine an optimum amount of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) such that its addition does not adversely impact the fracture resistance of asphalt mixtures, and (2) determine the amount of RAP binder that is active in the total mix. For this purpose, the asphalt mixtures containing three RAP contents (15, 25 and 35%) and their recovered binders were characterized. The binders were subjected to the performance grading, frequency sweep, multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) and linear amplitude sweep (LAS) tests. The mixtures were evaluated using dynamic modulus, Hamburg Wheel Tracking (HWT), Flow Number (FN), Semi Circular Bend (SCB), and Ideal Cracking Tolerance (Ideal-CT). The blending efficiency of the RAP binder was determined using the Hirsch model. Based on the performance results and the relatively low binder content of asphalt mixtures in Qatar, it is recommended to use up to 20% RAP in asphalt mixtures.

Comparison between SCB-IFIT, un-notched SCB-IFIT and IDEAL-CT for measuring cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures

In the last few years two types of tests have been proposed to estimate cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures at intermediate temperatures. The Semi-Circular Bending Illinois Flexibility Index Test (SCB-IFIT) is becoming widely used and it has been accepted as a quality control test in one state. However, the preparation of test specimen for SCB-IFIT is somewhat complicated and requires cutting and notching which could cause unexpected testing variance. In addition, the recently developed indirect tensile asphalt cracking test (IDEAL-CT), which requires no cutting or notching of specimen is also becoming widely considered as a possible practical test. In this paper, the need for the notch in the SCB-IFIT procedure is evaluated. In addition, the IDEAL-CT is compared to the SCB tests with and without notch. The comparison is focused on the specimen preparation, testing set-up, testing variance, and the capability of discriminating between different mixtures. The flexibility index (FI) results from the SCB with and without notch show a strong linear correlation (R2 of 0.95). The notched specimens have a larger variance in their results than un-notched specimens, indicating that the notch can be eliminated to reduce the variance of results. The cracking tolerance index (CTindex) results from IDEAL-CT are found to correlate very well with the FI from SCB-IFIT, and CTindex results show less variation than the FI results (average COV of 5.3% versus 23.0%). Since the IDEAL-CT requires no specimen cutting or notching, it could be a promising alternative to evaluate cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures.

On the mechanical performance of K- and Na-based strain-hardening geopolymer composites (SHGC) reinforced with PVA fibers

Strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) are known by their high deformation capacity due to a multiple cracking tolerance under increasing tensile loading. While SHCC have been well investigated, the design of geopolymer (GP) composites in the same context is not sufficiently understood, mainly due to varying precursor materials used in previous studies. In this work, two metakaolin-based GP mixtures were produced, using K and Na as alkali sources. The incorporation of fine-grained sand was extensively investigated to evaluate its compatibility with both strain-hardening geopolymer composites (SHGC) reinforced with short polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) fibers. Their mechanical properties were analyzed by means of compression, bending, and tension tests. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was used to evaluate the fracture mechanisms under uniaxial tension. Particle size distribution (PSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) were conducted. Additionally, single-fiber pullout tests with subsequent Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) were carried out. NaGP composites, reinforced with fine-grained sand, yielded improved mechanical responses, reaching a strain capacity of approximately 4.5%, with enhanced multiple cracking, as opposed to the lower performance observed for KGP composites, that did not present a typical strain-hardening curve when in presence of fine-grained sand, but a strain-softening one. When compared to typical SHCC responses, Na-based SHGC showed a mechanically improved multiple cracking behavior, indicating the potential of this material for a wide range of applications, such as dynamic loading and requirements of long-term durability.

A new tomato cultivar 'Hongyun 231' with storage and cracking tolerance.

A new tomato cultivar 'Hongyun 231' with storage and cracking tolerance.