Average Water Absorption Research Articles

Inovasi Paving Block Bentuk Ikan Pari

The weak interlock system in paving blocks can cause discomfort for drivers when passing over them. The more frequently traversed by vehicles, paving blocks with poor interlock systems will experience displacement. The compressive strength of paving blocks also affects their quality, thus supporting the performance of the paving block interlock system. This research aims to produce paving block products with a better interlocking system. The method used in this research is experimental and conducted in a laboratory setting. The results of the compressive strength test on stingray-shaped paving blocks, conducted at 14 days and converted to 28 days, showed superior compressive strength with an average of 24.04 MPa compared to conventional square and hexagonal paving blocks tested at 28 days, each with an average compressive strength of 20.07 MPa and 22.25 MPa, respectively. The water absorption test of the stingray-shaped paving blocks conducted at 7 and 14 days showed average water absorption rates of 5.67% and 4.31%, respectively, meeting the quality requirements of Grade B according to SNI -03-0691-1996, which requires less than 6%. Interlock system testing of the stingray-shaped paving blocks indicated superiority with an average displacement of 5.514 mm compared to conventional square and hexagonal paving blocks, each with an average displacement of 11.802 mm and 9.744 mm, respectively. The cost calculation for stingray-shaped paving blocks amounted to Rp. 2263.22 per paving block, 24,559% more economical than the total cost for conventional hexagonal paving blocks, which amounted to Rp. 3000.00.

Production of paver blocks from polyethylene terephthalate solid waste as partial replacement of sand

Plastic waste management is an international concern. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste is present everywhere in Addis Ababa relative to other types of plastic waste and it is an international concern regarding environmental problems. The amount of plastic trash produced globally is increasing at a rapid rate, and this pollution is caused by improper disposal, the waste’s non-biodegradability, and the harmful gases released during incineration pose a hazard to human health. Because it’s used in so many commonplace items, such as bottles and containers for the food and beverage sectors, polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, is one of the most widely used consumer polymers. Because of its many characteristics, including its inability to biodegrade and the gasses it releases when burned, it has grown to be a significant environmental problem. Waste made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) must therefore be recycled and used efficiently. The purpose of this study was to produce paver blocks by partially replacing sand with waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) material. Preparing the raw materials, mixing, vibrating, molding, curing, testing the flexural and compressive strengths, and curing are the steps in the production process. . The mixing proportion of paver blocks implemented for this study was 1:2:3, which is a predictable volume basis-mixing ratio of cement, aggregate, and sand correspondingly. Design-Expert 13.0.0 Three-level three factor Box–Behnken design was used for experimental design and statistical analysis of results based on the outcome and discussion. A total of 17 trials were carried out with the following parameters: 10, 20, and 30% of polyethylene terephthalate; 0.52, 0.55, and 0.58 as the water-to-cement ratio; and 7, 14, and 28 days for the curing period. The interaction effects were examined based on the examination of the experimental data. The physio-mechanical properties of Paver Blocks, including water absorption, compressive strength, and flexural strength, were examined. At a water-to-cement ratio of 0.55, obtained maximum flexural and compressive strength which is 4.92 MPa, and 29.74 MP respectively, and when PET plastic waste percentage increased, both flexural and compressive strength decreased but we got a good flexural and compressive strength value at 10% PET. And also water absorption rates were increased as PET plastic waste increased. The ideal process variables for polyethylene terephthalate percentage were 10 and 28. The paver blocks average and maximum water absorption rates were 3.39% and 3.95%, respectively. Compared to regular blocks, the resultant Paver Blocks are lighter and have superior physical and mechanical qualities. These are excellent illustrations of planned paver applications that can make use of prefabricated paver blocks.

Study on Manufacturing of Bricks by Using Waste Foundry Sand

The main objective of this project is to utilize waste foundry sand (WFS) from foundry industry in manufacturing of bricks. The entire process of combining clay mixtures, forming of bricks, drying and firing was done with local conditions. With minimum process it was possible to introduce up to 30% WFS in clay bodies to produce bricks of desirable properties. The minimum average wet compression resistance of 5.54Mpa, and maximum average water absorption of 20.76% was obtained for bricks containing 30% WFS, when fired at 900 C. There was insignificant difference in apparent porosity, water absorption, and specific gravity of bricks containing WFS, when compared to commercial bricks. The addition of WFS reduced the bulk density of the bricks, which has also caused reduction in compressive strength. WFS bricks can be classified as class II bricks, based on recommendations of IS 1077 standard specification. These bricks can be used in single storied load bearing structures, and also in the construction of infill walls in multi-storied framed structures.

Recycling and reusing potential of disposable low-density polyethylene plastic waste for flexible paver tile construction for outdoor application

Plastic waste disposal has escalated into a serious global concern due to the non-biodegradable nature of plastics, which are composed of high-molecular-mass organic polymers along with other ingredients. Therefore, this study focuses on reusing and recycling LDPE plastic waste as a binding agent in paver tile production. This aligns with global sustainability goals by promoting resource efficiency and reducing waste generation. The investigation aims to address the environmental impact of plastic waste by finding sustainable solutions for its management. This includes exploring the feasibility and viability of using LDPE plastic waste in paver tile production as a means of recycling and reusing locally collected waste. The LDPE waste plastic collection, identification, milling, and melting at 170 °C. Subsequently, the sampled sand, sieved to a size of ≤0.75 mm, was blended with molten plastic in a specified proportion and then molded to create paving tiles using a hydraulic press machine. The researchers utilized response surface methodology (RSM) combined with Box-Benken designs (BBD) to optimize three key experimental parameters (plastic-to-sand ratio: 10 %, 25 %, 40 %; time: 2, 5, 8 min, pressure: 1, 3, 5 MPa) influencing mechanical properties of paver tiles, including water absorption (WA), flexural strength (FS), and compressive strength (CS). The result revealed that the optimal combination of 25 % waste plastic, 5 min, and 3 MPa of pressure resulted in a maximum flexural strength (FS) of 3.689 MPa and compressive strength (CS) of 4.141 MPa, with an average water absorption (WA) of 0.322 %. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the developed tiles met the desired standard. In conclusion, the mechanical qualities of the tiles were promising, indicating that reusing waste LDPE plastic to create paver tiles presents an appealing option for plastic waste disposal. The composite paver tiles exhibited promising attributes for outdoor applications, such as park pavement and outdoor public spaces, owing to their favorable mechanical properties and low water absorption.

TRILOCK BRICK : INOVASI DESAIN BATAKO BENTUK SEGITIGA DENGAN SISTEM INTERLOCK

As the construction industry in Indonesia continues to grow, it has significantly impacted the demand for building materials, particularly in the construction sector. One such material is "batako," which is used as a wall filler, along with cement as a bonding material (grout). Therefore, there is a need for a solution that provides easier workability during installation and is cost-effective. The objective of this research is to innovate and analyze the design of triangular-shaped batako with an interlocking system on each side. The methodology used involves experimental testing in a laboratory and follows the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 03-0349-1989. The process includes material testing, specimen production, compressive strength testing, absorption testing, and a cost comparison analysis. The research resulted in the development of "trilock brick," a triangular-shaped batako measuring 36 cm in length and 9 cm in thickness. The average compressive strength at 28 days was 9,487 MPa, with an average water absorption rate of 5.344%. The installation cost per 1 m2 was Rp. 76,802, with a grout thickness of 0,5 cm. This research demonstrates that this innovation possesses compressive strength and water absorption values comparable to conventional batako. Additionally, trilock brick offers economic advantages with a cost difference of up to 13% compared to conventional batako requirements.

Pengaruh Penambahan Limbah Serbuk Kaca dan Kapur Padam pada Pembuatan Genteng Beton Ramah Lingkungan

In Indonesia, concrete roof tiles are still relatively expensive. This can be seen from the composition of the mixture and the concrete tile production process. Based on cost considerations, the alternative is to use glass powder waste and quenched lime. Lime as an alternative choice because the chemical elements contained are almost the same as cement. Glass powder waste contains silica which is expected to increase the density of concrete roof tiles. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim to see the effect of adding glass powder waste and slaked lime to the values of flexural load, absorption, and water seepage. The method used is the experimental method, with a mixture of cement and sand composition, namely 1: 3 and using 4 variations of the test object, namely for quenched lime with variation A 0%; B 10%; C 0%; D is 10% by weight of cement while for variations of glass powder A is 0%; B 0%; C 10%; D 10% by weight of sand. This test includes appearance, size, value of bending load, absorption, and water seepage. The result of average bending load in variations A = 1548,51 N, B = 1562,25 N, C = 1675,57 N, D = 1751,43 N. For the result of average water absorption in variations A = 9,248%, B = 6,675%, C = 9,512%, D = 7,093%. The use of glass powder waste and extinguished lime can increase the value of bending load, absorption and water seepage compared to ordinary concrete roof tiles. So as to produce concrete roof tiles that are economical and also reduce waste but still meet the quality according to SNI.

Performance Study of Black Shale Modified Soil for Road Use Based on Eshelby–Mori–Tanaka Theory

Black shale, as a type of soft rock, exhibits high strength when freshly exposed. However, it easily disintegrates upon contact with water, making it unsuitable for direct use in roadbed construction. Using it as discarded material not only increases construction costs but also pollutes the environment. Therefore, the reuse and modification of black shale have become particularly important. Based on the theory of composite material equivalent inclusions, this study investigates the strength and water stability characteristics of black shale gravel after being mixed with cement and compacted with clay. The results show that the strength of cemented soil increases linearly with the cement content. The water absorption properties of the modified soils with different amounts of black shale added are similar, with an average water absorption rate of about 2.53%. The strength of black shale modified soil is generally positively correlated with the cement content, although the linear correlation is not significant. The modified black shale soil used in the experiment is suitable for the subgrade of medium- and light-grade secondary roads and below. The recommended mass ratio is Mshale:Mclay:Mcement = 70:21:9. The unconfined compressive strength of the material under 7-day curing is 1.36 MPa. The relationship between the strength of modified soil, clay strength, cement content, and gravel addition has been established, clarifying the physical significance of each parameter. The “drying and soaking” cycle can accelerate the strength degradation of modified soil. It is recommended to strengthen the construction of roadbed drainage facilities during construction to maintain a stable and dry environment for the modified soil as a roadbed filling material. The research results not only provide clear technical indicators for the reuse of discarded black shale in engineering but also serve as a basis for proportion of crushed stone discarded material as roadbed fill.

Analysing the Effectiveness of Municipal Wastewater Sludge, Bagasse Ash, Rice Husk Ash and Plastic Waste Powder for Manufacturing Bricks

Indian cities’ rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have created a requirement for massive infrastructure growth. As a result, numerous homes have been built on a big scale. As one of the most important building materials, bricks must be produced in large quantities using resources including in-situ clay, energy, and water. The concern about the sustainability of expansion is raised by the rapid exploitation of such resources, which also leads to environmental imbalance. Numerous thousands of tonnes of waste are produced as a result of the rapid growth, which creates problems with not only disposing off the waste but also with the availability of landfill spaces in urban areas. This project aims to conduct an experimental analysis of the potential use of bagasse ash, rice husk ash, plastic waste powder, and municipal wastewater sludge as clay substitutes in brickmaking. Testing the efficacy of these materials revealed that the bagasse ash brick with plastic waste powder demonstrated a significant increase in compressive strength and less water absorption when compared to a conventional brick. According to the test results, the average compressive strength of the bagasse ash brick created using plastic waste powder is 9.81 N/mm2 and 9.03 N/mm2, respectively, which is higher than the standard necessary construction brick according to our Indian requirements. These bricks can be utilised as first- and second-class bricks. These bricks can be used in both load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures because the average water absorption, according to specifications, was not more than 20%. This process for producing building materials encourages the use of waste resources in construction.

Physico-chemical and Functional Properties of Drumstick Leaf Powder

The study was conducted to analysis of physico-chemical properties of drumstick leaf powder. Drumstick leaf were dried in a convective hot air dryer at 30oC, 40oC and 50oC. The air velocity inside the dryer was 2-3 m/s, the drying process takes 6 hrs, 27hrs, and 19 hrs time to dry the product at 30⁰C, 40⁰C, and 50⁰C.
 The experimental drying data of drumstick were applied to six Moisture ratio models, namely, the Newton model, modified Page model, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic, Two term and Exponential Model was found to be the best for explaining the drying characteristics of drumstick leaf. The effective moisture diffusivity varied from 3.651 ×10-11, 4.503×10-11 and to 7.343×10-11 over the temperature range studied, with activation energy of 28.281 kJ/mol for drying of drumstick leaf. The drumstick leaf powder contains moisture 10.85 to 15.56 %, protein 22.88 to 23.979 %, fat 1.80 to 2.42 %, fibre 11.53 to 12.16 %, ash 3.69 to 4.93 %, carbohydrate 40.94 to 849.25% The flour had average water absorption capacity (3.081to 4.22l g/cc), bulk density (3.081 to 0.445 g/cc) were recorded.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Four Different Concentrations of Ant Nest (Myrmecodia pendens) Collagen Membranes with Potential for Medical Applications.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize and structurally characterize four ant nest membranes in four different concentrations and determine the best concentration that could potentially be used as an alternative material for the production of new collagen barrier membranes. Membranes were created by mixing ant nest extracts at various concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%, as well as collagen, chitosan, and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) using a film casting. A Universal Testing Machine (UTM) was used to evaluate mechanical properties including elastic modulus, tensile strength, maximum elongation, elongation at break, and maximum force. Water absorption was performed, FTIR was used for functional group identification, and morphology was examined using SEM. Additionally, EDS was used to identify the composition and distribution of elements in membranes. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA (analysis of variance) and post hoc testing with a significance level of p <0.01 for quantitative data. The results showed that the mechanical properties produced the following mean (standard deviation): elastic modulus 0.87 Mpa (0.11), tensile strength 16.32 N/mm2 (2.46), maximum elongation 4.96% (1.72), elongation at break 5.23% (1.87), and maximum force 22.50 N (5.06). The average water absorption capacity of all four membranes had a p-value <0.01. FTIR spectrum showed various peaks corresponding to functional groups, while SEM results indicated a homogeneous mixture. EDS analysis confirmed that the addition of ant plant extract at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% resulted in the presence of elements C, O, and Ca. Meanwhile, membranes prepared with 2% concentration had a different composition, namely C, O, Ca, and Na. Increasing the concentration of ant nest affects the values of the membrane's mechanical properties parameters, including the elastic modulus (0.87 Mpa), tensile strength (16.32 N/mm2), maximum elongation (4.96%), elongation at break (5.23%), and maximum force (22.50 N). The average membrane absorption of water (p value <0.01) was also affected. SEM images showed homogeneous mixing, and membrane EDS results consisted of C, O, and Ca composition. However, there was no effect on FTIR functional groups. The anthill membrane with a 1% concentration has the potential to serve as an alternative membrane in guided tissue regeneration.

Artificial weathering resistance and biological durability of surface-charred beech wood combined with linseed oil coating

Specimens of European beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) charred at 250 °C (4 min), 300 °C (2 min), and 350 °C (1 min) in combination with linseed oil coating were studied. The influence of the surface charring process and artificial weathering on surface discoloration, water absorption, and decay resistance were analyzed. Discoloration analysis showed a decrease in all parameters L*, a*, and b* due to the charring process. Coating with linseed oil caused a decrease in the L* parameter. An influence on parameters a* and b* was also demonstrated. As a result of the artificial weathering, the L* parameter increased in almost all groups. The group charred at 350 °C showed a decrease in L*. The parameters a* and b* were also affected. The effect of oil coating on discoloration during artificial weathering was negligible. The average water absorption of uncoated charred specimens decreased more than 50%. Damage due to artificial weathering disrupted the effect of the charring process. The effect of oil coating decreased depending on the length of partial immersion. Surface charring and oil impregnation slightly reduced the loss of beech wood mass caused by T. versicolor and P. placenta but could not fully protect the wood.

Investigation on mechanical properties of novel natural fiber-epoxy resin hybrid composites for engineering structural applications

Polymers and fibers are the main components of cementitious composite materials to reinforce concrete. The synthetic fibers used in concrete composites typically weigh and also, and they are easily subjected to thermal degradation. To tackle the above issues, researchers developed various natural fiber-based composites. In the paper, the mechanical characteristics of hybrid composites were examined. The hybrid composites were developed using Madar, Gongura, and Hibiscus cannabinus fibers. The polyester resin was the matrix. The fibers were treated chemically using a 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The fibers were then carefully cleaned with distilled water twice and baked for 70 min at 60 °C. For the evaluation of the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the hybrid composites, specimens were made in accordance with ASTM standards. The treated composite sample (S3) specimen exhibits a tensile strength (TS) of approximately 34.720 N/mm2, flexural strength (FS) of 77.957 MPa, and flexural modulus (FM) of 1548.588 GPa. The average water absorption of the sample is only 2.45%. The hardness and impact strength (IS) of the samples are also superior to those of several other composites studied in the literature. Hence, the proposed hybrid composites could be a potential material for reinforcing the concrete composites to provide a higher service rate and greater durability to the structures.

Baicalin, silver titanate, Bletilla striata polysaccharide and carboxymethyl chitosan in a porous sponge dressing for burn wound healing

ObjectiveThis study tests the efficacy of Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), baicalin (BA) and silver titanate (ST) in a wound dressings to fight infection, promote healing and provide superior biocompatibility. MethodsThe antibacterial activity of BA and ST was evaluated in vitro using the inhibition zone method. BA/ST/BSP/CMC porous sponge dressings were prepared and characterized. The biocompatibility of BA/ST/BSP/CMC was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The therapeutic effect of BA/ST/BSP/CMC was further investigated using the dorsal skin burn model in Sprague-Dawley rats. ResultsThe wound dressing had good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus through BA and ST, while the combination of BSP and CMC played an important role in promoting wound healing. The BA/ST/BSP/CMC porous sponge dressings were prepared using a freeze-drying method with the concentrations of BA and ST at 20 and 0.83 mg/mL, respectively, and the optimal ratio of 5% BSP to 4% CMC was 1:3. The average porosity, water absorption and air permeability of BA/ST/BSP/CMC porous sponge dressings were measured to be 90.43%, 746.1% and 66.60%, respectively. After treatment for 3 and 7 days, the healing rates of the BA/ST/BSP/CMC group and BA/BSP/CMC group were significantly higher than those of the normal saline (NS) group and silver sulfadiazine (SSD) group (P < 0.05). Interleukin-1β expression in the BA/ST/BSP/CMC group at 1 and 3 days was significantly lower than that in the other three groups (P < 0.05). After being treated for 3 days, vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the BA/BSP/CMC group and BA/ST/BSP/CMC group was significantly higher than that in the NS group and SSD group (P < 0.05). Inspection of histological sections showed that the BA/ST/BSP/CMC group and BA/BSP/CMC group began to develop scabbing and peeling of damaged skin after 3 days of treatment, indicating accelerated healing relative to the NS group and SSD group. ConclusionThe optimized concentration of BA/ST/BSP/CMC dressing was as follows: 6 mg BSP, 14.4 mg CMC, 0.5 mg ST and 12 mg BA. The BA/ST/BSP/CMC dressing, containing antibacterial constituents, was non-cytotoxic and effective in accelerating the healing of burn wounds, making it a promising candidate for wound healing.Please cite this article as: Gong YR, Zhang C, Xiang X, Wang ZB, Wang YQ, Su YH, Zhang HQ. Baicalin, silver titanate, Bletilla striata polysaccharide and carboxymethyl chitosan in a porous sponge dressing for burn wound healing. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 487–495.

Study on sintering behavior and properties of lithium slag-based foamed ceramics

To research the value of lithium slag in the development of construction materials, foamed ceramics with different lithium slag/kaolin have been prepared using the conventional high-temperature foaming method. In this study, the effects of sintering temperature and formulation on the morphology and mechanical properties of foamed ceramics are investigated by relying on the formula scheme designed by the Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 ternary phase diagram. The characterization of the ceramic raw materials and samples by XRF, XRD, SEM, and TGA-DSC reveals that the doping contents of lithium slag have a great influence on the densification of the sample. With the amount of lithium slag increases, the amount of liquid phase in the melt increases, which intensifies the liquid phase flow and accelerates the mass transfer process, promoting the sintering and densification of ceramics. However, too much lithium slag is easy to agglomerate, which is not conducive to the close bonding between the internal components of the ceramic, resulting in a decrease in bulk density. In addition, the doping of spodumene effectively reduces the sintering temperature of the mullite matrix, promotes the formation of mullite crystals, and enhances the mechanical properties of the ceramics. The lithium-slag ceramics sintered at high temperature in this experiment had a maximum compressive strength = 5.70 MPa. average porosity = 73.68%, average apparent density = 0.40 g/cm3 and average water absorption = 2.24%. Overall, the lithium slag foamed ceramics prepared by the high-temperature foaming method have good mechanical properties, which are essential for resource utilization and high value-added utilization of solid waste.

Pengaruh Suhu dan Waktu Pengeringan Pada Bioplastik dari Pati Jagung Terhadap Waktu Biodegradasi

The disposal plastic waste into the environtment is an important issue due to the natureof the origin of plastics that are difficult to decomposes naturally. Therefore, efforts are made to accelerate the degradation time by using natural polymers. Corn is one of the easily found sources of starch. Starch is one of the natural polymres that can be used for the manufacture of biodegradable plastics (bioplastics) because it is easily degradable, readily available and affordable but has shortcomings in mechanical properties and water absorption ability.The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of temperature variations 60; 70; 80 and 90°C with a drying time of 1; 2; 3 and 4 hours of biodegradation time. From this study, the best results were found at a temperature of 60°C with a drying time of 1 hour which obtained a degradation time of 5 days; average thickness 0.12 mm – 0.30 mm; the overall average water absorption is 4.04% and the average water resistance is 95.99%; tensile strength of 5.69 MPa and 5.54 MPa; elongation at break of 4% and 1.6%.

Pemanfaatan Limbah Serbuk Kayu dan Fly-Ash Sebagai Bahan Tambah Pembuatan Genteng Beton Eco-Friendly

Some roofs in Indonesia still use concrete tiles because they are expensive and heavy. Indonesia is also the country that produces the most wood and coal in the world, this will cause sawdust and fly ash waste. Therefore, research was carried out aimed at using sawdust and fly-ash waste as mixed materials and trying to make lighter concrete roof tiles. So that in its use it can lighten roof construction and also utilize waste so that concrete roof tiles become more economical but have quality that meets SNI. The method used is an experimental method, with a cement and sand mixture composition of 1: 3 and using 4 variations of test objects, namely for sawdust variation A, 0%; B, 25%; C, 0%; D, 25% of the sand weight while for fly ash variation A, 0%; B, 0%; C, 25%; D, 25% of cement weight. This test includes appearance properties, size, flatness, bending load, water absorption and seepage. The average bending load results in variations A = 170,632 kg, B = 168,933 kg, C = 195,446 kg, D = 179,812 kg. For the average water absorption test results for variations A = 9.44%, B = 10.07%, C = 6.12%, D = 8.13%. The use of sawdust can reduce flexural strength and increase water absorption and the addition of fly ash will increase flexural strength and reduce water absorption compared to normal concrete roof tiles. Therefore, it can be concluded that concrete roof tiles with the addition of sawdust and fly ash are better, economical and lighter than concrete roof tiles without added materials and still meet SNI.

Pemanfaatan Limbah Serbuk Gergaji Kayu Jati (Tectona grandis) Sebagai Bahan Campuran dalam Pembuatan Paving Block Porous

The growth of development that continues to increase in each region results in reduced water catchment areas, to overcome this it is necessary to create artificial recharge. Artificial infiltration aims to preserve groundwater as a source of life to be maintained, for reasons of beauty many building service users prefer paving blocks as an alternative to pavement covering the ground surface, installations that have gaps on the sides of the paving can transmit water by 30-50% . Paving block is a building material composed of portland cement, aggregate, water, with or without additives but does not reduce the quality of the paving itself. Porous paving blocks are paving blocks made from added materials in the form of biomass waste, one of which is teak wood sawdust. This research was conducted to make porous paving blocks with quality standard D, which are used for parks floor and other uses. The composition of the materials used were cement and sand (1:3), added with teak sawdust in the treatment of P1 as much as 2%, P2 as much as 4%, P3 as much as 6%, and P4 as much as 8% of the total weight of the material 2.5 kg. Based on (SNI 03-0691-1996), paving block sizes have a minimum thickness of 60 mm with a tolerance of ±8%. The porous paving block produced meets SNI standards with side lengths of 100 mm and thicknesses varying between 56 – 72 mm. Paving blocks with quality standard D have a minimum compressive strength value of 8.5 MPa and a maximum water absorption capacity of 10%. The results of this research shown the paving block P1 treatment has an average compressive strength value of 16.05 MPa with an average water absorption capacity of 6.89% which are in paving block type D quality standard range. Keywords: Leachate, Paving Block Porous, Teak Wood Sawdust, Waste.

Pengaruh Campuran Limbah Anorganik (Plastik) Sebagai Pengganti Semen Terhadap Kuat Tekan Paving Block

The increased production of waste that is hard to degrade is inorganic waste, so it takes effort to reduce it into a useful product. One of the alternatives, inorganic waste recycling is becoming one of the mixture ingredients of paving blocks. This research aimed to determine the best composition of mixture ingredients towards the compressive strength of paving blocks with plastic waste as a substitute for cement. Research methods with experimental testing in the laboratory using paving blocks mixed with plastic waste as a substitute for cement. Plastic waste used is cleaned first and dried, chopped into smaller pieces afterward, and heated inside a cauldron until melted and ready to be mixed with sand. The composition used is 80% plastic: 20% sand, 70% plastic: 30% sand, 60% plastic: 40% sand, and 50% plastic: 50% sand. The result of the compressive strength test of paving block composition affected by a proper mixture of plastic waste as a substitute of cement towards compressive strength of paving block is type LDPE with a variation of 50%: 50%, with average compressive strength of 8,5 MPa with category D of paving block quality that good to be used for park and another usage. For the absorption capacity test of the paving blocks that absorb most of the water is located in the ratio of 50% plastic: 50% sand with 1,30% satisfy SNI requirement 03-0691-1996 entering grade A with average water absorption of 3%.

Physicochemical and Performance Assessment of Clay Based Refractory Bricks for Incinerator Application

Refractories bricks’ excellent thermomechanical and chemical resistant features makes it invaluable materials in modular incinerator ˃ 1000 °C applications. In this research, suitable physicochemical and performance evaluation were employed using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), dimensional property assessment, linear shrinkage and water absorption analysis. The samples were sourced from Auchi (ARB1), Afowa (ARB2), Ayogwiri (ARB3), Aviele (ARB4) and Agbede (ARB5) clay minerals deposit in Edo North, Edo State, Nigeria. Then green compact samples were fired into dense phase. The result from the XRF study revealed a generally established composition of ARB1 clay mineral of SiO2: 44.34%, Al2O3: 36.36% and others. ARB2 clay mineral of SiO2: 41.78%, Al2O3: 39.62% and others. ARB3 clay mineral of SiO2: 45.04%, Al2O3: 34.01% and others. ARB4 clay mineral of SiO2: 40.12%, Al2O3: 38.96% and others. ARB5 clay mineral of SiO2: 47.03%, Al2O3: 34.52% and others. The elemental composition of ARB1-5 revealed a similar trend of alumina and silica content to high-Al2O3 bricks (SiO2: 45.0 – 56.0%, Al2O3: 39.0 – 48.0% and others) and commercial clay bricks (SiO2: 48.0%, Al2O3: 36.96% and others) respectively. An average lower percentage error ERL, ERW, and ERH of ARB1 samples 0.148, 0.248 and 0.28% were recorded respectively. The average linear shrinkage and water absorption analysis of 9.91 and 4.71% demonstrated a potential for high elasticity of modulus. The overall data from this research shows that ARB1-5 bricks can find use in incinerator and high temperature applications.

Study on Epoxy Resin Composite Reinforced with Rice Straw Fiber.

In order to enhance the performance of the epoxy resin-prepared materials, straw fiber was used as the reinforcing base in this study. The principle of this study is to use the cellulose component exposed after the defibrillation of straw fiber can be further combined with the epoxy group. Firstly, the degree of defibrillation of straw fiber under three different pretreatment methods of acid, alkali and moist heat treatment was explored, and a control test was conducted with untreated straw fiber, which showed that the defibrillation of the straw fiber after alkali treatment was better than the other two methods. Secondly, to prove the comprehensive effect of the pretreatment method and straw fiber filling amount on the composite material performance, this paper carried out a tensile, bending, density and water absorption test. The results showed that when the straw fiber filling was 15%, the best performance of the composites was achieved by the alkali treatment, with tensile strength and tensile modulus reaching 1.89 KN and 3.92 MPa, bending strength and bending modulus reaching 2.00 KN and 81.65 MPa, average water absorption reaching 2.77%, and density reaching 0.957 g/cm3. Finally, the results were verified using Image J software was used for verification. After comparison, the material meets the basic requirements of high-density fiberboard material and provides a reference for preparing straw epoxy resin composites.