Andina Sprince
Verified email at rtu.lv
Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Institute of Structural Engineering and Reconstruction, Riga Technical university
2020 – 2023 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project within Activity 1.1.1.2 “Post-doctoral Research Aid” of the Specific Aid Objective 1.1.1 “To increase the research and innovative capacity of scientific institutions of Latvia and the ability to attract external financing, investing in human resources and infrastructure” of the Operational Programme “Growth and Employment” (No.1.1.1.2/VIAA/3/19/401); senior researcher
2018 – 2020 Latvian Council of Science Fund (LZP-2018/2-0249) „Long-term properties of innovative cement composites in various stress-strain conditions”; senior researcher, chief executor
2017 – 2019 ERANET-LAC (ELAC2015/T02-0721) “Development of ecofriendly composite materials based on geopolymer matrix and reinforced with waste fibres”; researcher
2012 – 2013 IZM-RTU (ZP-2012/39) „Long-term Behaviour of Fibre Reinforced Cement Composites (FRCC)”; researcher
2010 – 2015 European Social Fund within the scope of the project “Support for the Implementatio
EDUCATION
2020 - PostDoctorate
2010 – 2015 PhD in Construction Materials and Technology, Structural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Riga Technical University, Latvia
2006 – 2009 Civil engineer's qualification and Professional Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Riga Technical University, Latvia
2003 – 2006 Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Riga Technical University, Latvia
RESEARCH INTERESTS
CEMENT COMPOSITE, CONCRETE, CREEP AND SHRINKAGE DEFORMATION, LONG-TERM DEFORMATION, DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION (DIC), IMAGE ANALYSIS, QUANTITATIVE IMAGE ANALYSIS (QIA), DIG, SEM MICROSCOPY, ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Rihards Gailitis, Beata Figiela, Kalvis Abelkalns, Andina Sprince, Genadijs Sahmenko, Marta Choinska, and Martin Duarte Guigou
Materials, eISSN: 19961944, Published: December-2 2021
MDPI AG
One way to prevent cement from ending up in landfills after its shelf life is to regain its activity and reuse it as a binder. As has been discovered, milling by planetary ball mill is not effective. Grinding by collision is considered a more efficient way to refine brittle material and, in the case of cement, to regain its activity. There has been considerable research regarding the partial replacement of cement using disintegrated cement in mortar or concrete in the past few decades. This article determines and compares the creep and shrinkage properties of cement mortar specimens made from old disintegrated, old non-disintegrated, and new non-disintegrated Portland cement. The tests show that the creep strains for old disintegrated and old non-disintegrated cement mortars are close, within a 2% margin of each other. However, the creep strains for new non-disintegrated cement mortar are 30% lower. Shrinkage for old disintegrated and non-disintegrated cement mortar is 20% lower than for new non-disintegrated cement mortar. The research shows that disintegration is a viable procedure to make old cement suitable for structural application from a long-term property standpoint. Additionally, it increases cement mortar compressive strength by 49% if the cement is disintegrated together with sand.
Andina Sprince, Tomass Kozlovskis, Rihards Gailitis, Juozas Valivonis, Kinga Korniejenko, and Arnaud Castel
Applied Sciences (Switzerland), eISSN: 20763417, Published: September 2021
MDPI AG
Creep and shrinkage of Cement and Concrete Composites (CCC) are significant properties that need to be considered to use these materials in practice. Many previous scientific studies revealed CCC creep characteristics under sustained compression and shrinkage, using traditional test methods from design standards. Because of the complexity of experimental procedures, CCC creep in tension has not been studied as close. Furthermore, there is no unified standard that proposes applicable testing methods or specific testing apparatus. This study examines the suitability of 2D—Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to observe the creep deformations of specimens under tension. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortar with 1% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibres has been investigated in the research. Compact tension (CT) specimens 150 × 150 × 12 mm (with a notch) were used. Creep deformations under sustained uniaxial tension (applied loading corresponding to 60% of the ultimate strength) were measured. DIC images were captured using an entry/mid-level DSLR camera. Results show that DIC is suitable for studying uniaxial tensile creep of cement and concrete composites. Deformation of specimens in tension was similar to that measured using the conventional method (using surface-attached gauges).
Crystals, eISSN: 20734352, Published: July 2021
N. Vatin, A. Sprince, R. Gailitis, L. Pakrastins and T. Kozlovskis
Magazine of Civil Engineering, eISSN: 27128172, Volume: 105, Published: 2021
Cement composite long-term property assessment usually is limited to the compression strain state due to the difficulty of performing long-term tests in tension and 3-point bending. This paper shows the difference in long-term properties in compression, tension, and 3-point bending for plain ordinary Portland cement mortar (OPC). The obtained results were compared to reinforced specimen results to determine whether the PVA refibres improve the long-term properties of OPC mortar in various stress-strain conditions. Cylinders, compact tension specimens (CT), and beams – plates were prepared to evaluate material properties and the role of fibre reinforcement in these different stress states. Additionally, to conventional surface-attached strain gauges, 2D-DIC was employed to observe the creep strain of specimens in tension. This paper aim to determine long-term property differences in compression, tension and 3-point bending and, also, to see if low amount PVA fibre incorporation improve long-term properties in previously stated stress-strain states. It was determined that the usage of 1 % of PVA fibres increases creep strains in compression on average by 15 % and reduced by 7 % in tension. It reduces shrinkage strain by 18 % in compression and 8 % in tension. The long-term deflection for the PVA fibre-reinforced specimens are, on average by 55 % higher than for plain OPC mortar specimens in 3-point bending.
Rihards Gailītis, Andina Sprince, Leonids Pakrastins, Patrycja Bazan, and Kinga Koniejenko
Vide. Tehnologija. Resursi - Environment, Technology, Resources, ISSN: 16915402, Pages: 72-77, Published: 2021
Rezekne Academy of Technologies
For more than 40 years, low calcium alkali-activated cement composite, or in other words, geopolymer, has been around. In recent years there has been increased interest in this material and its properties. It is mainly due to the claim that geopolymer is the cement of the future. This claim is based on environmental factors. For instance, the CO2 emissions for geopolymer binder can be up to 6 less than for Portland cement binder. Most of the researches regarding geopolymer composite properties examine only mechanical and long-term properties in compression. There has been a lack of long-term tests in tension due to difficulties in performing them. As the tensile stresses are an essential part of structure assessment, it is necessary to evaluate new material properties as thoroughly as possible. Due to the nature of geopolymer specimen hardening (polymerisation), there is a difference in modulus of elasticity development and shrinkage caused by binding that could have factors that regular Portland cement specimens do not.This article aims to evaluate the surface composition of plain and 1% PVA reinforced geopolymer compact tension specimens that have been subjected to creep and shrinkage tests. Specimen cross-section images were acquired using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Using the quantitative image analysis method, amounts of cross-section composition elements are determined. Furthermore, the amount of cracks is determined and compared between plain and PVA fiber-reinforced specimens.It has been determined that even though 1% of PVA fibre-reinforced specimens have lower tensile strength, their creep and shrinkage strains are lower, and the number of microcracks at the notch base of the specimen. Still, it has to be acknowledged that the amount of air voids in all analysed specimens is relatively high.
Rihards Gailitis, Andina Sprince, Leonids Pakrastins, Kinga Korniejenko, and Tomass Kozlovskis
RILEM Bookseries, ISSN: 22110844, eISSN: 22110852, Pages: 13-24, Published: 2021
Springer International Publishing
Rihards Gailitis, Kinga Korniejenko, Andina Sprince, and Leonids Pakrastins
AIP Conference Proceedings, ISSN: 0094243X, eISSN: 15517616, Volume: 2239, Published: 22 May 2020
AIP Publishing
R. Gailitis, J. Sliseris, K. Korniejenko, J. Mikuła, M. Łach, L. Pakrastins, and A. Sprince
Mechanics of Composite Materials, ISSN: 01915665, eISSN: 15738922, Pages: 85-92, Published: 1 March 2020
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, ISSN: 23662557, eISSN: 23662565, Pages: 221-230, Published: 2020
Andina Sprince, Leonids Pakrastins, and Rihards Gailitis
RILEM Bookseries, ISSN: 22110844, eISSN: 22110852, Pages: 85-94, Published: 2020
Springer International Publishing
R Gailitis, A Sprince, L Pakrastins, G Sahmenko, and T Kozlovskis
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, ISSN: 17578981, eISSN: 1757899X, Volume: 660, Published: 5 December 2019
IOP Publishing
Rihards Gailītis, Andina Sprince, Leonids Pakrastins, Genadijs Shakhmenko, and Tomass Kozlovskis
Vide. Tehnologija. Resursi - Environment, Technology, Resources, ISSN: 16915402, Pages: 41-44, Published: 2019
Rezekne Academy of Technologies
Foamed concrete has been used as a building material since the early 1920s. In the beginning, it was used as an insulation material with very low density. Since then there have been attempts to make this material more load-bearing and structural. In the present-day foamed concrete is being used in soil reinforcement, manufacturing of building blocks and other sorts of construction materials. [1] The aim of this article is to determine long-term properties and strength of foamed concrete specimens as well as compare the results between two differently sized foamed concrete specimens. The size of creep and shrinkage specimens were Ø46x190 mm and Ø75x180 mm. The creep properties of the specimens were determined by loading them with 20% of the ultimate stress value. [2] The compressive strength, creep and specific creep of specimens were determined as well as specimen size factor to creep deformations.
Magazine of Civil Engineering, ISSN: 20714726, eISSN: 20710305, Pages: 191-198, Published: 2018
Magazine of Civil Engineering, ISSN: 20714726, eISSN: 20710305, Pages: 151-170, Published: 2018
Magazine of Civil Engineering, ISSN: 20714726, eISSN: 20710305, Pages: 30-46, Published: 2018
A Sprince, L Pakrastinsh, and N Vatin
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, ISSN: 17578981, eISSN: 1757899X, Volume: 123, Published: 15 April 2016
IOP Publishing
Andina Sprince, Leonids Pakrastinsh, Bruno Baskers, and Liga Gaile
Vide. Tehnologija. Resursi - Environment, Technology, Resources, ISSN: 16915402, Pages: 205-208, Published: 2015
Rezekne Academy of Technologies
<p class="R-AbstractKeywords"><span lang="EN-US">The cracking properties in cement-based composites widely influences mechanical behavior of construction structures. The challenge of present investigation is to evaluate the crack propagation near the crack tip. During experiments the tension strength and crack mouth opening displacement of several types of concrete compositions was determined. For each composition the Compact Tension (CT) specimens were prepared with dimensions 150x150x12mm. Specimens were subjected to a tensile load. Deformations and crack mouth opening displacement were measured with extensometers. Cracks initiation and propagation were analyzed using a digital image analysis technique. The formation and propagation of the tensile cracks was traced on the surface of the specimens using a high resolution digital camera with 60 mm focal length. Images were captured during testing with a time interval of one second. The obtained experimental curve shows the stages of crack development.</span></p>
Andina Sprince, Gregor Fischer, Leonids Pakrastinsh, and Aleksandr Korjakins
Advanced Materials Research, ISSN: 10226680, Volume: 842, Pages: 470-476, Published: 2014
Trans Tech Publications, Ltd.
The propagation of cracking in concrete is a mechanism governing many physical and mechanical properties of the material. The aim of this study was to experimentally investigate the crack propagation of new concrete compositions using image analysis. Several concrete mixes containing microsilica and nanosilica were made. For each composition, Compact Tension (CT) specimens were prepared with dimensions 150x150x12mm. Specimens were subjected to a tensile load. The formation and propagation of the tensile cracks was traced on the surface of the specimens using a high resolution digital camera with 60 mm focal length. Images were captured during testing with a time interval of one second. The compression strength and modulus of elasticity were also determined for reference. The results obtained with this method have shown that it is possible to monitor relatively small displacements on the specimen surface regardless of the scale of the representative area of interest and to evaluate the influence of filler on the cracking properties of concrete.
Andina Sprince, Aleksandrs Korjakins, and Leonids Pakrastinsh
Advanced Materials Research, ISSN: 10226680, Volume: 705, Pages: 75-80, Published: 2013
Trans Tech Publications, Ltd.
This research deals with experimentally studied time-dependent deformations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforced high performance concrete (HPFRC). The creep in compression and crack propagation of the new concrete compositions were determined. Several kind of concrete mixes adding microsilica and nanosilica have been made. For each composition cylinders with dimensions 190x47mm and Compact Tension (CT) specimens with dimensions 150x150x12mm were prepared. Concrete specimens were tested in a controlled constant temperature and with a constant level of moisture. Creep specimens were put into a creep lever test stand and subjected to a uniform, constant compressive load but CT specimens were subjected to a tension load. Deformations and crack mouth opening displacements were measured with extensometers. The compression strength and modulus of elasticity also were determined. The results have shown that nanosilica dont have significant influence on the high performance fiber reinforced concrete time-dependent behavior.
Andina Sprince and Leonids Pakrastinsh
Vide. Tehnologija. Resursi - Environment, Technology, Resources, ISSN: 16915402, Pages: 79-84, Published: 2013
Rezekne Academy of Technologies
The aim of this paper was to study the behaviour of new high-performance fibre-reinforced cement composite materials (FRCC) that are reinforced with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibres. The shrinkage deformations at early age, the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the new compositions had been determined. Test results shows that the addition of PVA fiber 1.10% and 0.55% by weight of the cement has negligible influence on concrete drying shrinkage, however, it is affect the concrete plastic and autogenous shrinkage. The results of the experiments permitted the prediction of long-term deformations of the concrete. Wider use of this material permit the construction of sustainable next generation structures with thin walls and large spans that cannot be built using the traditional concrete.
Liga Gaile, Andina Sprince, and Leonids Pakrastinsh
Procedia Engineering, ISSN: 18777058, Pages: 294-301, Published: 2013
Elsevier BV
Civil Engineering '11 - 3rd International Scientific Conference, Proceedings, Pages: 20-26, Published: 2011
Andina Sprince, Aleksandrs Korjakins, and Leonids Pakrastinsh
Vide. Tehnologija. Resursi - Environment, Technology, Resources, ISSN: 16915402, Pages: 125-131, Published: 2011
Rezekne Academy of Technologies
Every year there are several hundred tons of waste glass produced in Latvia. Glass can be re-used as a fine raw material and it presents a possibility to save natural, non-renewable materials. The use of glass powder in concrete production can make the construction industry more environmentally friendly. This paper examines the possibility of using glass powder as cement replacement in a new type of concrete. In the experiment, cement was partially (20% and 40%) replaced with glass powder. The long-term deformation (creep) of this new concrete was monitored. Three different concrete mixtures were batched. Specimens of 20% and 40% cement replacement were compared with the specimens made of standard concrete. The samples were tested in two extreme conditions: in one case they were kept in 100% humidity ensured by preventing the desiccation of the concrete, and in the other case samples were air-dried by preventing them from becoming wet. Compression strength and modulus of elasticity of 7 and 28 days old cubic samples was determined.
10th International Conference Modern Building Materials, Structures and Techniques, Pages: 1174-1180, Published: 2010
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Doctoral Thesis/ Summary of the Doctoral Thesis
1. Sprince A. Methodology for determination of long-term properties and crack development research in extra fine aggregate cement composites. Doctoral Thesis. – Riga: RTU, 2015. – 172 p.
2. Sprince A. Methodology for determination of long-term properties and crack development research in extra fine aggregate cement composites. Summary of the doctoral thesis. – Riga: RTU, 2015. – 108 p. UDK 691.54(043), Sp 920 m
Preparation with reports in methodological conferences:
1. Methodological conference “Cooperation as a goal and method,” organized by Riga Technical University, Riga Latvia, April 16 2019. (Sprince A. “Allowed study aids – filled lecture notes;’ Approach “Student checks student”), Certificate No.004398
GRANT DETAILS
2020 – 2023 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project within Activity 1.1.1.2 “Post-doctoral Research Aid” of the Specific Aid Objective 1.1.1 “To increase the research and innovative capacity of scientific institutions of Latvia and the ability to attract external financing, investing in human resources and infrastructure” of the Operational Programme “Growth and Employment” (No.1.1.1.2/VIAA/3/19/401); senior researcher
2018 – 2020 Latvian Council of Science Fund (LZP-2018/2-0249) „Long-term properties of innovative cement composites in various stress-strain conditions” Senior Researcher, Chief Executor
2017 – 2019 ERANET-LAC (ELAC2015/T02-0721) “Development of ecofriendly composite materials based on geopolymer matrix and reinforced with waste fibres” Researcher
2012 – 2013 IZM-RTU (ZP-2012/39) „Long-term Behaviour of Fibre Reinforced Cement Composites (FRCC)”, Researcher
2010 – 2015 European Social Fund within the scope of the project “Support for the Implementation of Doctoral Studies at Riga Technical University” (No: 2009/0144/1DP/1.1.2.1.2/09/IPIA/VIAA/005), Researcher
RESEARCH OUTPUTS (PATENTS, SOFTWARE, PUBLICATIONS, PRODUCTS)
Sprince A., Pakrastins L., Gailitis R., Kozlovskis T., Radina L., Paņēmiens betonu un cementa kompozītu ilglaicīgo īpašību noteikšanai dažādos sprieguma stāvokļos/ Method for Determining the Long-Term Properties of Concrete and Cement Composites in Various Stress-strain Conditions/ Latvian patent application No. LVP2020000096 // P4170 (Submitted)
CONSULTANCY
• Expert of Latvian Council of Science in the field of Civil and Transportation Engineering
• Member of the editorial board of the peer-reviewed scientific journal “Construction of Unique Building and Structures” (ISSN 2304-6295) Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, Since 2012, https://unistroy.spbstu.ru/en/main/
• Member of the editorial board of the peer-reviewed scientific journal “Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu” (ISSN (print) 2071-2227, ISSN (online) 2223-2362) Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu, Since 1998; http://nvngu.in.ua/index.php/en/
Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration
1.2011.sept.-2012.febr. (6 months) The Technical University of Denmark, Department of Civil Engineering, Denmark, Byg Brovej, Building 118, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby. Crack formation and development of cement composite structures. Ctrl. prof. G.Fischers. SEDA durability program "Erasmus" (European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students).
2.2021.February (1 – month virtual mobility) The Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Participation in preparing the application of scientific research, multidisciplinary research (M-ERA.NET Call 2021). Virtual mobility partner's representative Senior Researcher Dr.Kinga Korniejenko.
3.2021.april – 2012.may (1 – month virtual mobility) The Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Learn the program GOM Aramis and/or GOM Correlate and processing of digital image data which are obtained in creep experiments, data analysis and preparation of a joint scientific publication. Virtual mobility partner's representative Prof. Dr. Juozas Valivonis, Head of Department of Reinforced Concrete Construction structures and Geotechnics
4.2021.august (3 weeks mobility) The Cracow University of Technology (CTU), Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics. Mobilities aim is to learn and gain practice from CTU researchers about geopolymer concrete composite preparation, production and also application of SEM in the research of cement and concrete composites. Mobility partner's representative Senior Re
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
2007 – 2008 Project manager and civil engineer, Ltd. „dwg,” Latvia
2006 – 2007 Structural engineer, Ltd. „dwg,” Latvia
2004 – 2006 Structural engineer, the designing company “Ierosme,” Latvia
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, or ACADEMIC BENEFITS
Popular-science activities:
1. Participation in the Riga Technical University (RTU) social media project (2021) "Get to know RTU scientists!"
2. Participation in the annual career educational event for schools youth, organized by the most extensive educational organization Junior Achievement Latvia “SHADOW DAY 2020,” February 12, 2020 (4 “shadows”)
23 TVnet video cycle project “ #Hand in Hand for Science,” Sprince A. and Bazbauers G. About the opportunities for Latvian scientists, December 12, 2019 (Available at https://www.tvnet.lv/6846381/rokurokazinatnei-sprince-un-bazbauers-par-latvijas-zinatnieku-iespejam)
4. ”New scientists of RTU are testing new cement composite material”. Article about research, made of A.Sprince and G.Bazbauers. Journal “New engineer” and university’s study portal “ORTUS,” December 12, 2019.
Participation in the scientific and academic commissions
1. Secretary of the State Final Defense Examination Committee of the RTU, Faculty of Civil Engineering.
2. Member of the State Final Defense Examination Committee of the RTU, Faculty of Architecture.
Supervised doctoral thesis, master’s and bachelor’s thesis:
Doctoral’s thesis – 1 (~70% completion); Master’s theses – 3; Bachelor’s theses – 6 and 4 new Bachelor theses (~50% completion), the topics of which are related to the long-term properties of the different concrete and cement composite material