In this study, Ni-Y2O3 powder was prepared by alloying recomposition oxidation sintering (AROS), solution combustion synthesis (SCS), and conventional mechanical alloying (MA). The microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys were investigated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Among the Ni-Y2O3 powders synthesized by the three methods, the AROS powder had approximately 5 nm of Y2O3 crystals uniformly distributed within the Ni particles, whereas the SCS powder contained a mixture of Ni and Y2O3 nanoparticles, and the MA powder formed small Y2O3 crystals on the surface of large Ni particles by milling the mixture of Ni and Y2O3. The average grain size of Y2O3 in the sintered alloys was approximately 15 nm, with the AROS sinter having the smallest, followed by the SCS sinter at 18 nm, and the MA sinter at 22 nm. The yield strength (YS) of the SCS- and MA-sintered alloys were 1511 and 1688 MPa, respectively, which are lower than the YS value of 1697 MPa for the AROS-sintered alloys. The AROS alloy exhibited improved strength compared to the alloys fabricated by SCS and conventional MA methods, primarily because of the increased strengthening from the finer Y2O3 particles and Ni grains.

PURPOSES: The main purpose of this study is to develop a high elastic modulus and low-shrinkage roller-compacted concrete base (RCCB) in order to prevent fatigue cracking and reflective cracking in the asphalt surface layer of composite pavement. Using a rigid base material with low shrinkage can be a solution to this problem. Moreover, a strong rigid base with high elastic modulus is able to shift the location of critical tensile strain from the bottom of the asphalt layer to the bottom of the rigid base layer, which can prevent fatigue cracking in the asphalt layer. METHODS: Sensitivity analysis of composite pavement via numerical methods is implemented to determine an appropriate range of elastic modulus of the rigid base that would eliminate fatigue cracking. Various asphalt thicknesses and elastic moduli of the rigid base are used in the analysis to study their respective influences on fatigue cracking. Low-shrinkage RCC mixture, as determined via laboratory testing with various amounts of a CSA expansion agent (0%, 7%, and 10%), is found to achieve an appropriate low-shrinkage level. Shrinkage of RCC is measured according to KS F 2424. RESULTS : This study shows that composite pavements comprising asphalt thicknesses of (h1) 2 in. with E2 > 19 GPa, 4 in. with E2 > 15 GPa, and 6 in. with E2 > 11 GPa are able to eliminate tensile strain in the asphalt layer, which is the cause of fatigue cracking in this layer. Shrinkage test results demonstrate that a 10% CSA RCC mixture can reduce shrinkage by 84% and 93% as compared to conventional RCC and PCC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of numerical analyses using various design inputs, composite pavements are shown to be able to eliminate fatigue cracking in composite pavement. Additionally, an RCC mixture with 10% CSA admixture is able to reduce or eliminate reflective cracking in asphalt surfaces as a result of the significant shrinkage reduction in the RCC base. Thus, this low-shrinkage base material can be used as an alternative solution to distresses in composite pavement.

PURPOSES: To ensure appropriate RCC properties with sufficient strength development and workability, it is necessary to secure a proper level of consistency. It is also necessary to secure maximum dry density, which is an important factor for increasing the interaction of aggregate interlocking, leading to an augmentation of RCC strength. On the other hand, the dry density of RCC can be changed owing to the compaction conditions, water content, and particle size distribution. A Proctor test and a modified Proctor test were used for determining the optimum water content needed to achieve maximum dry density with different amounts of compaction energy. A Vebe test, on the other hand, was used for checking the level of consistency, which is important for producing a workable mixture. METHODS : To confirm the degree of compaction at various particle sizes, RCC mixtures with different sand/aggregate ratios were evaluated. The Proctor test and modified Proctor test were applied to these mixtures to check the effect of the aggregate gradation and compaction energy on the maximum dry density and optimum water content. During each test, three specimens were produced for all types of water content under each aggregate gradation. A compaction curve and the optimum water content and maximum dry density for each aggregate gradation were then obtained for both tests. The range of water content for the appropriate consistency of each aggregate gradation was determined through a Vebe test. The optimum water content was then evaluated based on this range. RESULTS : The compaction test results show that the modified Proctor test provides a higher maximum dry density and lower optimum water content compared with the standard Proctor test. For the modified Proctor test, two cases of aggregate gradation (s/a = 30% and 70%) had the optimum water contents outside of the appropriate water content range. For the standard Proctor test, on the other hand, none of aggregate gradations provided the optimum water content within the desired range. CONCLUSIONS : The modified Proctor test should be used for an RCC mixture design because it can provide adequacy between maximum dry density and consistency. Moreover, the compaction roller has become highly developed for higher compaction energy.