*H E RT <sup>a</sup>* =- (11)

ç ÷ ê ú ë û è ø (12)

> 0, SOM interacting with clay

increases due to negative

determined by extrapolation of the values

## # # = - =- *G H T S RT K* ln (13)

(Δ*H*#

) and entropy (Δ*S*#

540 Materials Science - Advanced Topics

), enthalpy

**Figure 18.** Temperature dependence of Δ*G*# for burning of SOM and dehydroxylation (a) and temperature depend‐ ence of *G*#-function and *H*#-function.

In Fig. 18(b) the temperature dependence of Δ*H*# and Δ*G*# is expressed in usual form of *G*# function and *H*# -function:

$$\text{G}^{\ddagger} - fonction = \frac{\text{G}^{\ddagger}(T \text{ }) - H^{\ddagger}(298.15 \text{ K})}{T} \tag{14}$$

$$H^\sharp - function = H^\sharp(T \ ) - H^\sharp(298.15 \ K) \tag{15}$$

#### **3.7. Properties of artificial termite nest material analogue**

The material with the particle size distribution (Fig. 7(b)) and the composition analogical to the termite nest material was prepared from the mixture of sand and kaolin in order to evaluate material properties. The determination of dry bending strength (Fig. 19(a)) and crushing (compressive) strength were performed using 40×40×160 mm test pieces. The microphotogra‐ phy of fracture planes (Fig. 19(b)) shows the grains of sand surrounded by the clay phase like in the termite nest material. The mechanical properties and some other investigated material properties are listed in Table. 7.

**4. Conclusion**

concrete mixtures) is required.

**Acknowledgements**

**Author details**

ňova, Brno, Czech Republic

Petr Ptáček\*

**References**

Behind all of the presented experimental data there is one significant foundation. The building engineering of soil-dwelling termites shows us that the relationships between the particle size distributions, particle shape, packing density of aggregate grains and the plasticity as well as the amount of binding phase (clays) are sufficient to cover the surface of the aggregates by the continuous thin layer as well as the amount of mixing water has the same relevance for the construction of clay buildings as for the preparation of concrete structures. Therefore the research that finds out and describes the mutual influence of these factors and condition of treatment on the resulting properties of clay based material (similarly as for preparation of

Investigation of Subterranean Termites Nest Material Composition, Structure and Properties

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/55145

543

This work was supported by the project of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic No. CZ.1.05/2.1.00/01.0012 "Centre for Materials Research at FCH BUT"

Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Centre for Material Research, Purky‐

[1] Pearce, M. J, & Waite, B. S. A list of termite genera (Isoptera) with comments on taxo‐

[2] Chouvenc, T, & Su, N. Yao, Grace JK. Fifty years of attempted biological control of

[3] Verma, M, Sharma, S, & Prasad, R. Biological alternatives for termite control: A re‐ view. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation (2009). , 63(8), 959-72.

[4] Hartke, T. R, & Baer, B. The mating biology of termites: a comparative review. Ani‐

nomic changes and distribution. Sociobiology (1994). , 23(3), 247-63.

termites- Analysis of failure. Biological Control (2011). , 59(2), 69-82.

supported by operational program Research and Development for Innovations.

, Jiří Brandštetr, František Šoukal and Tomáš Opravil

\*Address all correspondence to: ptacek@fch.vutbr.cz

mal Behaviour (2011). , 82(5), 927-36.

**Figure 19.** Examination of bending strength (a) crushing strength (b) and fracture plane (c).


**Table 7.** Properties of artificial termite nest material analogue.

The material shows a small drying shrinkage as the consequence of high content of aggregates. The lower value of pour density is reached in comparison to the termite nest material (Table 1). That means a lack of fine particles of sand in the material and gives the reason for measured poor value of compressive strength. The results indicate that an optimal moisture and weighted granulometry is necessary to reach the good material properties while the role of SOM that usually increases plasticity of clay minerals pastes is of peripheral importance for the materials with as high content of aggregates as in the investigated one.

## **4. Conclusion**

Behind all of the presented experimental data there is one significant foundation. The building engineering of soil-dwelling termites shows us that the relationships between the particle size distributions, particle shape, packing density of aggregate grains and the plasticity as well as the amount of binding phase (clays) are sufficient to cover the surface of the aggregates by the continuous thin layer as well as the amount of mixing water has the same relevance for the construction of clay buildings as for the preparation of concrete structures. Therefore the research that finds out and describes the mutual influence of these factors and condition of treatment on the resulting properties of clay based material (similarly as for preparation of concrete mixtures) is required.

## **Acknowledgements**

(a) (b) (c)

Volume density 1.9 ± 0.1 The weight of volume unit of porous

Packing density [%] 88 The ratio of the pour and true density.

Drying shrinkage [%] 1.6 ± 0.3 Shrinkage of dry material with regard to

testing of bending and crushing strength. Dry compressive strength 1.23 ±0.02

Thermal conductivity [W(m K)-1] 0.5±0.1 Coefficient of thermal conductivity (TCI, C-

The material shows a small drying shrinkage as the consequence of high content of aggregates. The lower value of pour density is reached in comparison to the termite nest material (Table 1). That means a lack of fine particles of sand in the material and gives the reason for measured poor value of compressive strength. The results indicate that an optimal moisture and weighted granulometry is necessary to reach the good material properties while the role of SOM that usually increases plasticity of clay minerals pastes is of peripheral importance for

2.3± 0.1 Weight of granular material related to

original dimensions.

0.52 ± 0.05 Measured on the dry material using

testing hydraulic press with device for

volume unit.

material.

Therm).

**Figure 19.** Examination of bending strength (a) crushing strength (b) and fracture plane (c).

**Property Value Description**

[g∙cm-3]

[MPa]

the materials with as high content of aggregates as in the investigated one.

**Table 7.** Properties of artificial termite nest material analogue.

True density 2.6 ± 0.1 Volumetric technique.

Pour density

542 Materials Science - Advanced Topics

Dry bending strength

This work was supported by the project of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic No. CZ.1.05/2.1.00/01.0012 "Centre for Materials Research at FCH BUT" supported by operational program Research and Development for Innovations.

## **Author details**

Petr Ptáček\* , Jiří Brandštetr, František Šoukal and Tomáš Opravil

\*Address all correspondence to: ptacek@fch.vutbr.cz

Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Centre for Material Research, Purky‐ ňova, Brno, Czech Republic

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## *Edited by Yitzhak Mastai*

Today modern materials science is a vibrant, emerging scientific discipline at the forefront of physics, chemistry, engineering, biology and medicine, and is becoming increasingly international in scope as demonstrated by emerging international and intercontinental collaborations and exchanges. The overall purpose of this book is to provide timely and in-depth coverage of selected advanced topics in materials science. Divided into five sections, this book provides the latest research developments in many aspects of materials science. This book is of interest to both fundamental research and also to practicing scientists and will prove invaluable to all chemical engineers, industrial chemists and students in industry and academia.

Materials Science

Advanced Topics

*Edited by Yitzhak Mastai*

ISBN 978-953-51-1140-5

ISBN 978-953-51-6345-9

Materials Science - Advanced Topics

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