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Influence of admixtures on the characteristics of aqueous foam produced using a synthetic surfactant

Authors:   Shubham Raj ; K. Ramamurthy; J. Murali Krishnan Abstract:  Foam characteristics, including density, stability, and texture, influence the properties of end products like foamed concrete. The present work investigates the individual and combined influence of  xanthan gum  and low-cost sodium-based admixtures (NaOH, NaCl, and Na 2 CO 3 ) on the viscosity of  sodium lauryl sulfate  (SLS) foaming solution and the foam characteristics. Where xanthan gum induced its characteristic pseudo-plastic behavior to the foaming solution,  the addition of sodium-based admixtures did not affect the  Newtonian behavior  of the SLS solution. The addition of sodium-based admixtures elevated the critical  turbidity and Krafft temperature of the  surfactant  solution. Xanthan gum substantially reduced the liquid drainage and improved stability to a great extent. However, the increment in foam density was more gradual with increasing xanthan gum dosage, following an increase in lamella thickness.
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On the teachers' day of year 2020, remembering a selfless mentor, a teacher!

Who I was? A dumb fellow whose parents were distressed for his studies, changing one school to another, only with a hope that someday and somewhere they find a #TEACHER who can hold his hands and make him see what his real potentials are!
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Method of Sampling of Construction Materials - Based on Indian Standards [Part 2]

Author:  Shubham Raj The further sections are in continuation to  Method of Sampling of Construction Materials - Based on Indian Standards [Part 1] . 4.     SAMPLING OF REINFORCING STEEL: Steel plays a vital role in the construction of humongous structures nowadays. It may be used as reinforcement in concrete or as a structural member itself. The correct method of sampling is of high importance to ensure the true characteristics of the
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Method of Sampling of Construction Materials - Based on Indian Standards [Part 1]

Author:  Shubham Raj The present article gives an overview of the method of sampling of commonly used construction materials, based on relevant Indian Standards published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The article covers the sampling of cement, aggregates, bricks, reinforcing steel, concrete, wood and timber. 1.     SAMPLING OF CEMENT: Cement is one of the most important ingredients of concrete which binds the aggregates and influences the strength and durability to a great extent.
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Suitability of Recycled Aggregate as a Replacement for Natural Aggregate in Construction

  Authors:   D.D. Tripura; Shubham Raj; Sher Mohammad; Rima Das Synopsis:  This study investigates the effect of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) as replacement of natural coarse aggregate on the strength properties of concrete. The investigation was carried out by conducting unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, indirect tensile strength (ITS) test, flexural strength test and bond strength test on five concrete mixtures using 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by weight of RCA as replacement of natural coarse aggregate.  The test samples were prepared with a target strength of 40 MPa (6000 psi). Water-cement ratio (w/c) and slump  were  adopted as 0.40 and 100 mm (4.0 in.) respectively.
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Suitability of Stabilized Copper Slag and Fly Ash Mix for Road Construction

Authors:  Shubham Raj; A.K. Rai, Vasant G. Havanagi Purpose –  Industrial wastes such as  copper slag  and  fly ash  are being generated in tons every year and disposed mainly by land fillings, resulting in wastage of useful land. Copper slag in itself is a granular cohesionless sand like material while fly ash is highly  pozzolanic . In the present paper, copper slag and fly ash mixes with cement as stabilizer are investigated for their proper use in road construction. Design/methodology/approach  – Different trial mixes of copper slag and fly ash were tested for obtaining the optimum mix having maximum dry density.
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My First Job at Vedanta Limited

It was 23rd of September 2016, when HR team of   Vedanta Limited   visited our   NIT Agartala   campus for its recruitment drive of engineers from different branches. I belonged to the Department of Civil Engineering with excellent academic profile and somewhat inclined towards   research   in the civil engineering field. Although for placements we (civilians) had   L&T construction   company on top of our list, since I was eligible to sit in Vedanta Limited recruitment drive, I thought to give it a try. From the aptitude test at 9:00 AM to interview at 9:00 PM, I enjoyed the whole selection procedure to its maximum as it was my first in life recruitment experience. After the procedure was over, I knew that I was going to be selected for sure even if there's a single vacancy. But the biggest fear 😅 were the
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