In situ testing provides accurate characterization of existing degradation mechanisms of materials and building systems which helps reducing the subjectivity of visual inspections especially when ageing under natural ...In situ testing provides accurate characterization of existing degradation mechanisms of materials and building systems which helps reducing the subjectivity of visual inspections especially when ageing under natural ageing conditions is carried out over significant periods of time. In this work, data collected from field experimental campaigns over 10 years after construction using several premixed one-coat rendered walls and over 4 and 6 years after construction in the case of ETICS （external thermal insulation composite systems） are presented and discussed. The influence of hydrophobic agents on the performance of both types of facades in terms of surface condition and water penetration was assessed by visual inspections, Karsten test and capillary tests. Additionally, adhesion tests and subsequent evaluation of porosity were also carried out for premixed one-coat mortars. The results obtained have shown that ageing of the rendering solutions, especially after 5 or 6 years in-service, results from the loss of resistance to liquid water penetration, especially at the surface. Yet, additional mechanisms such as leaching of hydrophobic agents and photochemical degradation are thought to be involved, too. Moreover, the results obtained using the Karsten test proved to be the most reliable method to determine the loss of water penetration resistance and predict the ageing of facade solutions. The information collected and the correlations established can help developing solutions to prevent early ageing and implement appropriate maintenance plans to delay their effect.展开更多
The new properties of engineered nanoparti- cles drive the need for new knowledge on the safety, fate, behavior and biologic effects of these particles on organisms and ecosystems. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have ...The new properties of engineered nanoparti- cles drive the need for new knowledge on the safety, fate, behavior and biologic effects of these particles on organisms and ecosystems. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been used extensively for a wide range of applica- tions, e.g, self-cleaning surface coatings, solar cells, water treatment agents, topical sunscreens. Within this scenario increased environmental exposure can be expected but data on the ecotoxicological evaluation ofnanoparticles are still scarce. The main purpose of this work was the evaluation of effects of TiO2 nanoparticles in several organisms, covering different trophic levels, using a battery of aquatic assays. Using fish as a vertebrate model organism tissue histological and ultrastructural observations and the stress enzyme activity were also studied. TiO2 nanoparticles （Aeroxide~ P25）, two phase composition ofanatase （65%） and rutile （35%） with an average particle size value of 27.64-11 nm were used. Results on the ECs0 for the tested aquatic organisms showed toxicity for the bacteria, the algae and the crustacean, being the algae the most sensitive tested organism. The aquatic plant Lemna minor showed no effect on growth. The fish Carassius auratus showed no effect on a 21 day survival test, though at a biochemical level the cytosolic Glutathione-S-Transferase total activity, in intestines, showed a general significant decrease （p〈0.05） after 14 days of exposure for all tested concentrations. The presence of TiO2 nanoparticles aggregates were observed in the intestine lumen but their internalization by intestine cells could not be confirmed.展开更多
文摘In situ testing provides accurate characterization of existing degradation mechanisms of materials and building systems which helps reducing the subjectivity of visual inspections especially when ageing under natural ageing conditions is carried out over significant periods of time. In this work, data collected from field experimental campaigns over 10 years after construction using several premixed one-coat rendered walls and over 4 and 6 years after construction in the case of ETICS （external thermal insulation composite systems） are presented and discussed. The influence of hydrophobic agents on the performance of both types of facades in terms of surface condition and water penetration was assessed by visual inspections, Karsten test and capillary tests. Additionally, adhesion tests and subsequent evaluation of porosity were also carried out for premixed one-coat mortars. The results obtained have shown that ageing of the rendering solutions, especially after 5 or 6 years in-service, results from the loss of resistance to liquid water penetration, especially at the surface. Yet, additional mechanisms such as leaching of hydrophobic agents and photochemical degradation are thought to be involved, too. Moreover, the results obtained using the Karsten test proved to be the most reliable method to determine the loss of water penetration resistance and predict the ageing of facade solutions. The information collected and the correlations established can help developing solutions to prevent early ageing and implement appropriate maintenance plans to delay their effect.
文摘The new properties of engineered nanoparti- cles drive the need for new knowledge on the safety, fate, behavior and biologic effects of these particles on organisms and ecosystems. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been used extensively for a wide range of applica- tions, e.g, self-cleaning surface coatings, solar cells, water treatment agents, topical sunscreens. Within this scenario increased environmental exposure can be expected but data on the ecotoxicological evaluation ofnanoparticles are still scarce. The main purpose of this work was the evaluation of effects of TiO2 nanoparticles in several organisms, covering different trophic levels, using a battery of aquatic assays. Using fish as a vertebrate model organism tissue histological and ultrastructural observations and the stress enzyme activity were also studied. TiO2 nanoparticles （Aeroxide~ P25）, two phase composition ofanatase （65%） and rutile （35%） with an average particle size value of 27.64-11 nm were used. Results on the ECs0 for the tested aquatic organisms showed toxicity for the bacteria, the algae and the crustacean, being the algae the most sensitive tested organism. The aquatic plant Lemna minor showed no effect on growth. The fish Carassius auratus showed no effect on a 21 day survival test, though at a biochemical level the cytosolic Glutathione-S-Transferase total activity, in intestines, showed a general significant decrease （p〈0.05） after 14 days of exposure for all tested concentrations. The presence of TiO2 nanoparticles aggregates were observed in the intestine lumen but their internalization by intestine cells could not be confirmed.
