SOPHIA M
@cmrit.ac.in
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Department of Civil Engineering
CMRIT Institute of Technology Bengaluru
Awarded PhD in Civil Engineering (full time) at Anna University Chennai. Completed BE Civil Engineering in Anna University of Technology-BIT Campus and ME Structural Engineering in Anna University Regional Campus-Tirunelveli.
EDUCATION
PhD in Civil Engineering
ME Structural Engineering
BE Civil Engineering
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Advanced Building Materials
Green-concrete development
Engineered Cementitious Composites
Sustainable Engineering
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
B. Venkatesan, V. Kannan, and M. Sophia
Elsevier BV
J. Sahaya Ruben, M. Sophia, and M. A. Raja
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sahaya Ruben, M. Sophia, M. A. Raja, and Chandran Masi
Hindawi Limited
The present research work tries to assess the performance of a self-compacting mortar containing zircon sand as a substitute for river aggregate in combination with nanoalumina and nanosilica as cement replacements. The fresh state results, as observed through the mini slump cone and mini V funnel, showed positive effects of zircon sand on workability attainment. The EFNARC limits of workability were even satisfied at high substitution levels of the nanoparticle due to the contribution of zircon sand. The mechanical properties, durability, and microstructure of the mortar were evaluated by conducting experiments at room temperature and then at 200°C, 400°C, 600°C, and 800°C. Results show that there was a significant improvement in the thermal stability of the RPC mixes due to the synergistic effect of nanomaterials and zircon sand addition. The addition of nanomaterials and zircon sand accelerated the microstructural buildup and durability at elevated temperatures. The findings thus suggest a novel and effective approach to using zircon sand as a potential alternative to quartz sand in RPC in combination with nanomaterials to produce temperature-resistant concrete structures.
M Sophia and N Soundarya
IOP Publishing
Abstract This study examines the use of sillimanite as a fine aggregate in the production of temperature-resistant reactive powder concrete. The impact of high temperatures on the mechanical strength of reactive powder concrete with High Alumina cement is investigated. The effectiveness of utilizing glass powder and sillimanite on the mechanical properties of RPC at high temperatures is investigated in this research. The samples were heated in the muffle furnace to the desired temperatures and then tested for their residual compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength. The residual values of compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength were measured at the temperature of 270C to 800°C. The weight loss of the specimens after exposure to the elevated temperatures was measured and the values showed enhanced resistance to the high temperature effects. The results demonstrate the greater contribution of glass powder and sillimanite towards the significant improvement of high temperature strength of reactive powder concrete than those made with normal quartz sand as fine aggregate.
M.A. Raja, S. Judes Sujatha, Arunkumar Yadav, and M. Sophia
Elsevier BV
B. Venkatesan, V. Kannan, and M. Sophia
Canadian Science Publishing
This paper aims to assess the mechanical and long-term durability performance of reactive powder concrete (RPC) containing granite powder (GrP) as cement replacement and waste glass powder (GP) as quartz sand replacement. The workability and mechanical behaviour of RPC containing various proportions of GrP and GP are assessed for different water/binder (w/b) ratios (0.3, 0.35, 0.4, and 0.45). The water resistance and tightness of RPC are measured by monitoring the electrical resistivity, water absorption, sorptivity, and chloride migration over a one-year period. Results reveal that substitution of GrP and GP at optimum levels of 15% and 30% respectively enhances the performance of RPC with the achievement of satisfiable workability at a 0.35 w/b ratio. A significant increase in the resistance towards chloride penetration and electrical resistivity was also observed with increasing ages. Thus, glass powder and granite powder can be considered as alternative construction materials providing economical and ecological efficiency.
S. Gopinathan, Surajit Munshi, M. Sophia, and M.A. Raja
Elsevier BV
O. Ganesh Babu, A. Oorkalan, M. Sophia, and M.A. Raja
Elsevier BV
U. Muthuraman, M.A. Raja, M. Sophia, and O. Ganesh Babu
Elsevier BV
J. Samuel Prabaharan, M. Sophia, O. Ganesh Babu, and M.A. Raja
Elsevier BV
Sakthieswaran N. and Sophia M.
Elsevier BV
Abstract The use of eco-friendly materials are now becoming the field of interest in construction industry to ensure sustainability and healthy living. Gypsum plasters are eco-friendly building materials but are brittle in nature and hence reinforcement of these plasters using fibres has been found to be beneficial at its post tensioning stage. In this present work the control of harmful ecological impact of Prosopis juliflora invasive species by their effective utilization in building plaster is proposed. To assess the performance of this environmental friendly building plaster using Prosopis juliflora fibres the physical properties such as setting time, temperature rise and density were measured. Furthermore the Prosopis juliflora fibres were subjected to various chemical treatments (NaOH, KmnO4 and distilled water) and the effect of these treatments on the interaction of fibre with gypsum plaster was evaluated in terms of mechanical strength characterization. Based on the observed results the enhancement in flexural strength of the plaster was observed coupled with the transformation of brittle failure to ductile failure. The toughness of the composites were also much enhanced with the addition of the fibres.
M. Sophia and N. Sakthieswaran
Elsevier BV
Abstract The present day construction industry mainly focuses on the reduction of waste accumulation by effective utilization of wastes and by-products in the production of high value building units. This present study encompasses the comprehensive research work conducted on the potentials of using biological shell powders from aviculture and aquaculture wastes as valuable bio - based filler in the production of gypsum plaster. The four different powders obtained from grinding the egg shell, conch shell, scallop shell and cuttle bone were used as replacements for gypsum binder at different proportions (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5% and 15%) by weight. Initially the shell powders were subjected to particular treatment namely distilled water, heat, NaOCl (bleach) and H2O2 to remove their organic matter. The best treatment method was chosen from the obtained elemental analysis conducted on the shell powders after subjecting to various treatments. The elemental analysis results were further complemented by FTIR analysis to validate the removal of the organic matter. Mechanical, thermal and durability studies were conducted on the shell powders substituted gypsum binder to determine the efficiency of bio based shell powder as filling agent. The results showed that the gypsum plaster with enhanced mechanical properties, improved thermal performance and remarkable resistance to water absorption was obtained due to the shell powder substitution. A considerable improvement in the pore structure with well refined and compact microstructure was also evident from the SEM images. The manufactured eco-friendly bio based gypsum binder proves to be an eco-sustainable and economical solution for shell waste management.
M. Sophia and N. Sakthieswaran
Elsevier BV
Abstract The present study proposes a new strategy to develop a composite gypsum binder with enhanced strength and stability using mineral admixture (zeolite) and bio-carbonate fillers (waste shell powders). The produced gypsum composites were experimentally investigated to study the synergistic effect of zeolite (natural and calcined) and shell powders (egg, conch, cuttlebone and scallop) on the physical and mechanical properties of gypsum composites. The mechanical strength evaluation showed desirable results due to the filling ability as well as reinforcing property of the shell powders when used in combination with zeolite. In addition the natural zeolite acted as internal curing agent and enhanced the gypsum hydration due to their water imbibing quality thus providing high water of crystallization for gypsum formation. The calcined zeolite acted as densifying agent and improved the water stability and reduced the total porosity of the gypsum matrix. The X-ray diffraction studies and IR spectroscopic results showed well hydrated crystalline gypsum dihydrate phases and the SEM images showed significant improvement in the morphology of the plaster leading to enhanced water and thermal stability. Thus the proposed design strategy proves to be a technical solution for the production of high performance gypsum composites utilising the binding capacity of zeolite and filling ability of waste shell powders.
Sakthieswaran Natarajan, Nagendran Neelakanda Pillai, and Sophia Murugan
MDPI AG
This paper deals with the experimental studies conducted on the effects of using sea sand on the properties of polymer concrete modified using epoxy resin. The physical properties including workability, mechanical properties, and durability properties were evaluated as a function of sea-sand substitution. The results obtained behave as strong evidence for the feasibility of using sea sand as fine aggregate to solve the problem associated with the exhaustion of natural aggregates when used in combination with epoxy polymer. A clear understanding of the behavior of polymer concrete with sea sand as aggregate was obtained through some preliminary investigations. The test results showed a significant improvement in the compressive and flexural strength due to the sea-sand substitution in polymer concrete. Resistance to the water intrusion was also improved for the concrete mixes due to the inclusion of epoxy resin. The quality and the integrity of the concrete were also improved,as evident from the SEM analysis and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and the results function as solid basis for the use of sea-sand polymer-modified concrete for practical applications. Results also show that 15% replacement of fine aggregate by sea sand in air-cured polymer concrete exhibited enhanced strength and durability properties; thus, the produced concrete can be an effective material for unreinforced concrete applications.
Sakthieswaran Natarajan, Muthuraman Udayabanu, Suresh Ponnan, and Sophia Murugan
MDPI AG
This research aims to combine the effects of nanosilica and glass powder on the properties of self-compacting mortar at normal and at higher temperatures. The fine aggregate was replaced by waste glass powder at various percentage levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%. The mechanical properties of self-compacting glass mortar (SGCM) were studied at elevated temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C. Furthermore the effect of sudden and gradual cooling technique on the residual strength of glass mortar was also investigated In order to enhance the behavior of SCGM the nanosilica of 3% by weight of cement was added. From the results it was obtained that the glass powder replacement effectively contributed towards the thermal performance while the addition of nanosilica enhanced the mechanical performance. The enhanced physical properties were obtained mainly at the glass transition temperature thus showing the active participation of glass powders during high temperatures. Moreover the gradually cooled specimens exhibited improved strength characteristics than the suddenly cooled specimens.
N. Sakthieswaran and M. Sophia
Elsevier BV
Abstract This present work aims at analysing the combined effects of SBR latex and various types of superplasticizers on the properties of gypsum plaster. Three commercially available superplasticizers were added to the latex-gypsum blends at various percentage increments of 0.2–1%. The characterization of superplasticized latex plaster blends was done by measuring the wide range of properties of latex-gypsum plaster. Initially the combined effects of latex and super plasticizer concentration on the fresh state properties of the plaster were analyzed. The fresh state results showed that the water demand was much reduced without affecting the workability. The mechanical properties investigation proved that the properties of the plaster were much enhanced with improved water resistance behaviour. The microstructure studies using Scanning Electron Microscopy confirmed the denser and compact gypsum grains with mass reduction in porosity. The significant improvement in thermal stability and electrical conductivity of the plaster was also observed in the superplasticizers-latex blended gypsum plaster.