A method to shorten setting time via outer feedback adjusting invariant set based on reference governor

This paper presents a method for designing nonlinear state feedback laws for systems with input and state constraints. The objective is to achieve practical stabilization with large stability region and strong disturbance rejection. Two invariant sets will be constructed within the state constraints: the outer one for stabilization and the inner one for asymptotic disturbance rejection. The nonlinear feedback law is designed such that all trajectories starting from the outer invariant set will enter the inner invariant set and stay there. Both invariant sets will be constructed by using the convex hull function, a recently introduced non-quadratic Lyapunov function. Since the invariant sets are convex hull of ellipsoids, they are able to incorporate the input and state constraints more effectively than simple ellipsoids, thus promising larger stability region within state constraint and stronger disturbance rejection capability. Since the convex hull functions are constructed from quadratic functions, the optimization problems can be treated with LMI-based method. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the design methods.

Volcanic ash is a natural pozzolanic material with high mol ratio SiO2/Al2O3 but low in CaO. This research aims to study the volcanic ash geopolymer characteristics related to CaO addition. Geopolymers are prepared by mixing volcanic ash, alkali activator solution, sodium silicate, and calcium oxide. Calcium oxide added varies 5–135 g with each interval is 5 g in Solid/Liquid (S/L=1.83) ratio. Geopolymer characteristics investigated include setting time, compressive strength, resistance to sulfuric acid and mineral phase. The results showed that the more CaO was added, the shorter the setting time and the greater the compressive strength until it reached optimum. The amount of optimum CaO that added is 30 g, with the setting time 2.61 hours and the compressive strength 36.26 MP better than the volcanic ash geopolymer without CaO as 103 hours in setting time and 20.34 in compressive strength. Volcanic ash-based geopolymer at the optimum CaO addition proved to be better than cement mortar, which has a shorter setting time, greater compressive strength and greater resistance to sulfuric acid. Mineral phase analysis by XRD shows that the optimum geopolymer containing an amorphous phase with a major mineral is quartz and sodalite.

In this paper we present an approach for designing of reference tracking controllers for constrained, discrete-time piecewise affine systems. The approach follows the idea of reference governor techniques where the desired set-point is filtered by a system called the “reference governor”. Based on the system current state, set-point, and prescribed constraints, the reference governor computes a new set-point for a low-level controller so that the state and input constraints are satisfied and convergence to the original set-point is guaranteed.

The objectives of this study are to reduce the particle size distribution of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and to investigate its impact on setting time, radiopacity, flexural and compressive strength. Furthermore, the effect of adding multi-walled carbon nanotube to MTA composite was studied. MTA particles sizes were decreased using Wet-Stirred-Media-Milling (time intervals of 5, 10, 15 and 20 h). The distilled water and multi-walled carbon nanotube (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1 wt%) were mixed and added to the MTA for hydration. MTA setting time, flexural and compressive strength and radiopacitiy were measured. Moreover, the unset MTA was analysed using x-ray-diffraction and the surface of the set MTA was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Tukey’s HSD test shows that initial and final setting times were decreased significantly up to 15 h of milling (p < 0.05). Flexural/Compressive strength of MTA were significantly decreased after milling for 10 and 20 h (p < 0.05). The flexural strength and compressive strength of the specimens reinforced with MCNTs show an increase of 76% and 10.2%, over plain MTA specimens. The results suggest that MTA setting-time can be accelerated and regulated by reducing particle size distribution without adding chemicals. The mechanical properties of MTA were significantly improved with the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotube without negative impact on setting time. In this study, a Nano Fast Cement composite with short setting time and high strength was developed by modification of MTA material.

Effect of Different Radiopacifying Agents on the Physicochemical Properties of White Portland Cement and White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

Solving the perpetual problem of imperative use heat curing for fly ash geopolymer cement by using sugar beet waste

The application of α-hemihydrate gypsum (α-HH) is limited by several factors, such as a rapid hydration rate, short setting time, poor water resistance, and high cost. Especially because of the high production cost, although α-HH has excellent mechanical strength, it is rarely used in the field of building materials. In this study, based on the composition characteristics of new industrial solid waste (phosphate-rock acid-insoluble residue, PAIR) and to meet the needs of resource utilization, gypsum matrix composites were prepared by adding PAIR to α-HH to solve the problems of short setting time and poor water resistance of gypsum matrix composites and improve the comprehensive properties of α-HH products. The results show that when the different types of pores formed during the hydration of α-HH were filled with inert substances, such as silicon dioxide, insoluble phosphate, and calcium fluoride from PAIR, the proportion of mesopores in the composite products increased, whereas that of harmful macropores decreased. The compressive and flexural softening coefficients of the PAIR/α-HH system with 23% PAIR were the highest at 57.25 and 60.125%, respectively, and the water resistance of the system was improved; when the content of PAIR reaches 35%, the strength of the composite products decreased from 58.125 to 43.8MPa. The HPO42- in PAIR partially replaces the SO42- ion in the dihydrate gypsum (DH) lattice to form a Ca(SO4, HPO4)•2H2O double salt, leading to the production of eutectic phosphorus. Soluble F-, Al3+, Mg2+, and phosphorus-containing substances in PAIR form a variety of complex ions in PAIR/α-HH aqueous solution, which are adsorbed onto the surface of the new DH phase; the crystal morphology changed from thick, long columns to clusters, thin rods, and plates, inhibiting the nucleation and growth of DH and changing its crystal growth rate and crystallization behavior. Therefore, the setting time of gypsum is prolonged; when 35% PAIR was added, the induced nucleation period of the PAIR/α-HH system was prolonged from 40 to 265min, and the final setting time was from 12 to 360min. By mixing solid waste PAIR, while the setting time of α-HH is prolonged, its water resistance is improved, and its mechanical strength is not significantly reduced, reducing the cost. From the perspective of economy and environmental protection, this study is a way to α-HH is widely used in the field of building materials.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare apical sealing ability and physical properties of MTA, MTA - AH-plus mixture (AMTA) and experimental Portland cement - Epoxy resin mixture (EPPC) for a development of a novel retro-filling material. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine extracted roots were instrumented and filled with gutta-percha. Apical root was resected at 3 mm and the retro-filling cavity was prepared for 3 mm depth. Roots were randomly divided into 3 groups of 15 roots each. The retro-filling was done using MTA, AMTA, and EPPC as the groups divided. Four roots were used as control groups. After setting in humid condition for 24 hours, the roots were immersed in 1% methylene blue dye solution for 72 hours to test the apical leakage. After immersion, the roots were vertically sectioned and photos were taken to evaluate microleakage. Setting times were measured with Vicat apparatus and digital radiographs were taken to evaluate aluminum equivalent thickness using aluminum step wedge. The results of microleakage and setting time were compared between groups using one-way ANOVA and Scheffe’ s post-hoc comparison at the significance level of 95%. Results: AMTA and EPPC showed less microleakage than MTA group ( p < 0.05). AMTA showed the highest radio-opacity than other groups and the novel EPPC showed 5 mm aluminum thickness radio-opacity. EPPC showed the shortest initial and final setting times than other groups while the MTA showed the longest ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Under the condition of this study, the novel composite using Portland cement-Epoxy resin mixture may useful for retro-filling with the properties of favorable leakage resistance, radio-opacity and short setting time. [J Kor Acad Cons Dent 2010;35(6):445-452.]

Differences in liquid-to-powder ratio can affect the properties of calcium silicate-based materials. This study assessed the influence of powder-to-gel ratio on physicochemical properties of NeoMTA Plus. Setting time (minutes), flow (mm and mm²), pH (at different periods), radiopacity (mm Al) and solubility (% mass loss) were evaluated using the consistencies for root repair material (NMTAP-RP; 3 scoops of powder to 2 drops of gel) and root canal sealer (NMTAP-SE; 3 scoops of powder to 3 drops of gel), in comparison to Biodentine cement (BIO) and TotalFill BC sealer (TFBC). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). BIO had the shortest setting time, followed by NMTAP-RP and NMTAP-SE. TFBC showed the highest setting time and radiopacity. BIO, NMTAP-RP, and NMTAP-SE had similar radiopacity. All materials promoted an alkaline pH. NMTAP-RP/SE presented lower solubility than BIO and TFBC. Regarding the flow, TFBC had the highest values, followed by NMTAP-SE, and NMTAP-RP. BIO had the lowest flow. In conclusion, NMTAP in both powder-to-gel ratios showed high pH and low solubility. The increase in the powder ratio decreased the setting time and flow. These findings are important regarding the proper consistency and work time to clinical application.

Influence of LiAl-layered double hydroxides with 3D micro-nano structures on the properties of calcium sulphoaluminate cement clinker

Renovation mortars used to restore damaged stucco elements are materials with special physical properties due to the nature of the work and environment in which they are applied. They must be characterized by low shrinkage, relatively short setting time, appropriate working properties and hydrophobic nature of hardened mortar. This paper analyzes the impact of mortar stucco ingredients on these parameters. The analysis was performed by experimental studies. The effect of the content ratio of aluminate cement to Portland cement on the change in mortar setting time was studied. Suitable workability of fresh mortar is achieved by the use of consistence-modifying additives. To assess this parameter, flow table method was applied in accordance with PN-EN 1015-3: 2000. The additives used were a system of thickeners, which included: cellulose ether in the form of hydroxyethylmethylcellulose and modified starch ether (starch 2-hydroxypropyl ether). Hydrophobic properties were obtained by the addition of triethoxyoctylsilane. The results were presented as graphs and tables. It was found that the ratio of aluminous cement to Portland cement most beneficial in terms of the setting rate of the resulting stucco mortar is 25% (m/m). This amount accelerates the end of setting time to 2 hours, the beginning of the setting time being 20 minutes. Suitable working characteristics were obtained by the addition of 0.080% of hydroxyethylmethylcellulose and 0.025% (m/m in dry mix) of starch 2-hydroxypropyl ether. Best hydrophobic properties of the hardened mortar was obtained by the addition of 0.075% (m/m in dry mix) of triethoxyoctylsilane.

Alkali-activated cement (AAC) cured at ambient temperature conditions have a wider application area compared to heat cured AAC. High calcium precursor materials such as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) are commonly used to achieve ambient curing behavior. However, the GGBS results in a short setting time. Hence setting adjustment is critical in such AAC systems. This paper reviews state-of-the-art in the area of retarders for AAC systems. The most promising prospective retarders such as zinc salts, borax, sucrose, and phosphates are investigated. The retarder’s effect is dependent on the precursor materials and alkaline activators used. Consequently, in the review, these are identified for each retarder discussed. Some of the retarders were then tested in AAC with a blended precursor system containing fly ash (FA) and GGBS activated with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. The results showed that each borax percentage, with respect to the total solid binder, increases the setting time by about 50% of the mix without borax. Sucrose, sodium acetate, acetic, and phosphoric acids have no significant effect on the investigated AAC’s setting time.

In the setting of discrete-time linear systems with unmeasured set-bounded disturbances, this paper proposes a control scheme that combines a disturbance free input-constrained Model Predictive Control (uMPC) policy and a reference governor (RG) which modifies the reference command to enforce constraints that are not enforced by the uMPC policy. Such a scheme, referred to as the robust RGMPC, can handle (possibly nonlinear) state and input constraints and only requires solving an optimisation problem for MPC with polytopic input constraints, for which fast algorithms exist. Conditions are given which ensure recursive feasibility of the robust RGMPC scheme, finite-time convergence of the modified reference command to the desired reference command and asymptotic convergence of the state to an invariant neighbourhood of the associated set-point. Simulation results for a constrained spacecraft rendezvous manoeuvre demonstrate that the rRGMPC scheme has lower average computational time than several robust state and input-constrained MPC controllers.

This study was carried out to develop a new titanium casting investment consisting of calcia as the refractory material and a cold-curing resin system as the binder. The setting time of the investment was investigated under different N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (DMPT) contents in methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) contents in calcia without any sintering agent. The effects of the sintering agents, which were calcium fluoride (CaF2) and calcium chloride (CaCl2), on the compressive strength of the investments were investigated at room temperature before and after heating to two different temperatures. The shortest setting time (68 minutes) of the investment was obtained at 0.37 DMPT/BPO (1.5 vol% /1.0 mass%) ratio by mass. The highest strength (16.5 MPa) was obtained from the investment which contained 2 mass% CaF2 and was heated to 1,100 degrees C. It was found that the developed calcia investment containing 2 mass% CaF2 has a possibility for use in titanium castings.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare solubility, pH, calcium ion release and setting time of Biodentine, Bioaggregate, and Bioactive glass. Materials and Methods: For the weight loss, pH changes and calcium ions release, the tested specimens were immersed in distilled water. The evaluations were performed at 1h, 24h and 7 d. The measurement of pH was done using digital pH meter. The measurement for Ca2+ ions release was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The setting time was measured by using a Vicat apparatus. Data were analyzed by One Way ANOVA test and the Tukey post-hoc test at P ≤ 0.05.Results: Biodentine showed the greatest solubility, ultimate increase in pH, and highest calcium ion release at all time intervals and the shortest setting time. Bioactive glass showed alkalinity and moderate Ca2+ release after 1 h that were decreased by time. It also showed negative solubility. Conclusions: Biodentine and Bioaggregate favored proper physico-chemical properties except for solubility it was questionable. Bioactive glass is the best regarding solubility.Keywords: Bioactive glass, Bioaggregate, Biodentine , Physico-Chemical properties.