Concrete Results Research Articles

Data-driven analysis on compressive behavior of unconfined and confined recycled aggregate concretes

It is widely accepted that the inferior characteristics of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) reduce the mechanical properties of structural concrete and the available prediction models receive undesirable accuracies in estimating the compressive behavior of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). To this end, this paper presents a series of data-driven analysis on unified modeling of the compressive behavior of unconfined and confined RACs. First, four reliable experimental databases containing the results of natural aggregate concrete (NAC) and RAC under uniaxial compression, RAC under triaxial compression, and fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)-confined RAC under axial compression were assembled through an extensive literature review, respectively. Based on the collected data, Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion was then employed to construct a model for estimation of the failure envelope of RAC under axial compression and different lateral active confinement stresses. Finally, unified models for predicting the compressive properties (i.e., compressive strength/peak stress and strain at peak stress) of unconfined and confined concretes incorporating natural aggregates (NAs) and/or RCAs were developed so as to provide a design-oriented procedure for material and structural assessments of both NAC and RAC. The results demonstrate that the proposed models exhibit acceptable predictions, thereby making various stakeholders gain sufficient confidence in use of RAC products.

The Simulation of Autonomous Vehicle Using ROS2 Based on Convolutional Neural Networks for Object Recognition

The main justification for implementing an Autonomous Vehicle (AV) system in the real world is the safety aspect of driving, because if there is an error in driving then the error will become a gap that can threaten the safety of the driver himself and other drivers, therefore an AV system is made to reduce driver errors. in driving. The aim of this research is to implement one of the parts of the AV system, that is object recognition, and in this study, we also conduct an experiment with simulating the object recognition feature that has been implemented in order to get more concrete results. Architectural object recognition is designed to extract key features from traffic sign images, the traffic sign detection uses the customized Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) architecture. After the architectural has been implemented, training will be carried out using Custom Traffic Sign Dataset and experiments will also be conducted to simulate object recognition by applying ROS2 as a car robotic system that represents a car's functionality system in the real world. the results of this study for the implementation of the modified CNNs architecture is 99.96% and the results of the simulations carried out show that the prototype can detect traffic signs objects with a distance of 10m

Laboratory study on mechanical properties of self compacting concrete using marble waste and polypropylene fiber

The marble sector has produced a large amount of waste in recent decades, which is being increased substantially over time. Marble waste is an extremely polluting form of industrial waste, owing to its highly alkaline contentas well as its production and processing techniques, which have a significant health impact on the environment. Throughout the manufacturing process of marble, about 20–30 % of marble waste is generated. The current study examines the experimental results of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with marble waste as a partial replacement for fine aggregate and polypropylene fiber as an additive material. Hence, concrete is made of marble waste with three replacements of 20 %, 30 % and 40 % in natural fine aggregate and compared with the conventional mix. Polypropylene fiber with a constant ratio of 0.4 % is used in the SCC to increase the flexural and tensile strength. The workability of fresh concrete was tested and the total strength of cured concrete was investigated at 7 and 28 days of curing. Marble waste up to 20 % replacement for fine aggregate has given best compressive strength and Marble waste up to 40 % replacement for fine aggregate shows acceptable fresh concrete results which implies that marble waste can be used as a partial replacement of fine aggregate.

A evolução da metodologia do programa agentes locais de inovação (ALI) e sua contribuição para a gestão da inovação na empresa Medicatriz Dermocosméticos

Objective: evaluate the influence of participation in cycles of the ALI Program in the innovative ambience of Medicatriz Dermocosmetics from 2013 to 2020. Investigated context: the basis of the ALI Program methodology was defined by eight premises: concrete results; use of indicators; results for Sebrae and the innovation ecosystem; involvement of the company's team; collective construction of solutions; tools; companies motivated to innovate; and ALI as a facilitator to overcome the dilemma of having a good creative potential, but without converting into innovations that provide increased sales. Intervention: adopt mechanisms to solve the diagnosed problems, some interventions of open innovation, co-creation, branding, ethnographic research, current customer, and employee satisfaction were proposed for each cycle of participation. Results: in the first cycle, eleven new products were launched using nanotechnology and sensory transversality; in the second, there was a sub-category of customers and humanized projects for customers, employees, and social circles; in the third, remodeling of workshops, creation of paid courses, school visits, supervised internship, and advanced support; and in the fourth, a model for recognizing employees was created. Conclusion: the promotion of the continued practice of innovation actions in small companies and contributions to Medicatriz permeated the four dimensions of innovation. The company understands that investment in human development increases the chances of organizations becoming productive and engaging for their employees, suppliers, and customers.

Impact of Fibres on the Mechanical and Durable Behaviour of Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

Numerous studies have been conducted recently on fibre reinforced concrete (FRC), a material that is frequently utilized in the building sector. The utilization of FRC has grown in relevance recently due to its enhanced mechanical qualities over normal concrete. Due to increased environmental degradation in recent years, natural fibres were developed and research is underway with the goal of implementing them in the construction industry. In this work, several natural and artificial fibres, including glass, carbon, steel, jute, coir, and sisal fibres are used to experimentally investigate the mechanical and durability properties of fibre-reinforced concrete. The fibres were added to the M40 concrete mix with a volumetric ratio of 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%. The compressive strength of the conventional concrete and fibre reinforced concrete with the addition of 1.5% steel, 1.5% carbon, 1.0% glass, 2.0% coir, 1.5% jute and 1.5% sisal fibres were 4.2 N/mm2, 45.7 N/mm2, 41.5 N/mm2, 45.7 N/mm2, 46.6 N/mm2, 45.7 N/mm2 and 45.9 N/mm2, respectively. Comparing steel fibre reinforced concrete to regular concrete results in a 13.69% improvement in compressive strength. Similarly, the compressive strengths were increased by 3.24%, 13.69%, 15.92%, 13.68% and 14.18% for carbon, glass, coir, jute, and sisal fibre reinforced concrete respectively when equated with plain concrete. With the optimum fraction of fibre reinforced concrete, mechanical and durability qualities were experimentally investigated. A variety of durability conditions, including the Rapid Chloride Permeability Test, water absorption, porosity, sorptivity, acid attack, alkali attack, and sulphate attack, were used to study the behaviour of fiber reinforced concrete. When compared to conventional concrete, natural fibre reinforced concrete was found to have higher water absorption and sorptivity. The rate of acid and chloride attacks on concrete reinforced with natural fibres was significantly high. The artificial fibre reinforced concrete was found to be more efficient than the natural fibre reinforced concrete. The load bearing capacity, anchorage and the ductility of the concrete improved with the addition of fibres. According to the experimental findings, artificial fibre reinforced concrete can be employed to increase the structure’s strength and longevity as well as to postpone the propagation of cracks. A microstructural analysis of concrete was conducted to ascertain its morphological characteristics.

Can we rely on AI or Deep Learning to read or detect brain tumors using MRI scan and images?

The brain is one of the complex and most significant organs in the human body. It controls every process that regulates our body and affects how we think, feel, act and is indispensable to living a happy and balanced life. Due to the current lifestyle, depression, stress, and anxiety have risen to an extreme, especially during COVID. Researchers have found that people with mental disorders are more prone to brain tumors and develop cancers early than people without mental illness. Therefore, it is worthwhile to invest time and research to improve our ability to diagnose brain tumor in early stage. This research aims to use the Deep Learning model to detect brain tumors. The dataset used for this research project is the Brain MRI segmentation dataset (LGG lower-grade gliomas) taken from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA). This dataset is open source and available on Kaggle. Using the Keras library, I used the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for tumor detection to get concrete results. I got approximately a 90% accuracy which shows us it is very promising that Deep Learning can help with brain tumor predictions, thereby making the diagnosis easy, correct, and prompt, which allows early diagnosis and reduces the mortality rate.

Intellectual Capital Statement (ICS) – A Case Study from a Hungarian non-profit Joint Venture

An Intellectual Capital Statement (ICS) is a strategic management instrument for assessing and developing the Intellectual Capital (IC) of an organization. The ICS shows how IC is linked to corporate goals, business processes and the business success of an organization using indicators to measure these elements. By identifying the causal relationships between the different types of capital, improvement potentials are discovered, which can then be used profitably for the strategic and operational development of the organization. Therewith, the ICS is an essential tool for preserving the competitive edge and keeping business successful in the knowledge-based economy. The workshop-based approach to creating an ICS helps participants to gain new insights into how their own organization operates. It also provides concrete results in the form of prioritized recommendations for action to foster their organization’s sustainable development and consistent reporting. Against this background, a case study to outline selected essential steps of the ICS creation for an applied research a non-profit joint venture for computer science and control in Budapest is presented.

Dependence on Mountains and Water: Local Characteristics and Regeneration Patterns of Rural Industrial Heritage in China

In most Chinese villages, mountains and water are essential resources for human life, which residents have established close connections with through subsistence and production activities. These connections involve geographical, functional, and spiritual effects, which create the unique cultural identity of a place. As a kind of rural heritage, rural industrial heritage is a concrete result of the interaction between local activities and mountains and water, thus presenting specific local characteristics. The conservation and re-use of rural heritage have become an important issue in global rural studies. Different cases that have been transformed and re-used are analyzed in this paper, in order to explore the influence of mountains and water on their local characteristics, the effects on their conservation and re-use in both spiritual and functional aspects, and suitable regeneration patterns based on local characteristics. Comparative analysis of 3D maps, diagrams, and literature materials indicate that: (1) mountains and water dominate rural industrial heritage geographical characteristics, including their layout, size, and form; (2) the direct or indirect supports of mountains and water, in terms of functional and spiritual aspects, have changed after regeneration, where spiritual supports are becoming increasingly important; and (3) regeneration patterns with different focuses represent new habitats combining natural and artificial landscapes, indicating new relationships that shift from the single utilization of mountain and water resources in the past to symbiosis and mutual benefits between residents, heritage, nature, and local communities in the modern context.

Application of Fuzzy Logic Through Bellmen-Zadeh Maximin Method

Fuzzy Logic is a multiple valued logic, from which the truth values of variables might be any real numbers between 0 and 1. It has wide application in different fields of real life. We might face different challenges in our daily life to select the best of the best for the concrete result. There are various criteria in the literature for ranking alternatives in the realm of decision-making under uncertainty in a crisp environment. In this paper, we address the challenges seen in making a decision for selecting the best of the best as studied by Bellmen-Zadeh maximin method. It is used to address such challenges using fuzzy real numbers.

Virtual reality supported trainings for lean education: conceptualization, design and evaluation of competency-oriented teaching-learning environments

PurposeThe purpose of this approach is to structure and facilitate the development of competency-oriented virtual training scenarios. This approach should help to develop reproducible results.Design/methodology/approachThis publication presents a procedure for the structured, competency-oriented design of virtual teaching–learning environments. The procedure is based on the competency-oriented design of learning factories according to Tisch and consists of a total of three phases with various substeps. The different steps of the method are presented by means of an application example and the generated scenario is evaluated by means of a competency measurement according to Glass regarding its suitability for teaching competencies.FindingsIn addition to an application example that introduces the approach, this publication presents concrete results from the research project. In addition to a review of the opportunities and limitations of virtual reality (VR) in continuing education, these also refer to possible, realizable requirements for the use of VR. In addition, results on the suitability of VR learning environments for competency development in the context of value streaming mapping training are presented.Originality/valueThis approach represents a substantial extension of existing concepts for the design of physical learning factory training for lean topics. It can help learning factory operators and other training providers to design competency- and user-oriented virtual training. VR offers a multitude of potentials in this context, but these can only be exploited through conscientious use of the technology.

Studying Tensile Strength of the Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete Using Double-Punch Test

Using the recycled materials can be considered as a suitable solution for resolving environmental issues. The recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) can be utilized effectively in manufacturing structural concretes. Due to hardness and errors of direct tensile and splitting tensile tests, double -punch test (DPT) can be regarded as a reliable test method for evaluation of tensile strength.In this study, application of DPT was investigated as a less known method for RCA concretes considering effective factors, such as water–to-cement ratio (0.4, 0.5, and 0.6), maximum nominal size of RCA (10 and 19 mm), curing conditions (wet and dry), and replacement level of RCA (0, 50, and 100%) and the results were validated by direct tensile and splitting tensile test results. A statistical analysis was performed to indicate significance of each variable in DPT results of RCA concretes. Also, compressive strength and modulus of elasticity were assessed and their relationships with tensile strength of the specimens were studied.The maximum RCA size, replacement level of RCA, and mechanical properties were diminished in mixtures by increasing water-to-cement ratio. Generally, DPT results showed remarkable proximity to direct tensile test results with a slight increase. In wet curing condition, mean values of splitting tensile, DPT, and direct tensile tests in the specimens containing 19mm of RCA were 11.61, 10.06, and 9.44% higher than those containing 10mm of RCA, respectively. Moreover, results of statistical analysis showed that the studied factors had significant effects on the results and they must be regarded in evaluation of DPT.

The Analysis of Digital Learning Platforms Use in EFL Learning

In adaptation of online learning styles, students and teachers faced various challenges at stages. One of them is about the use of learning media. Quizizz and Google Classroom are both the platforms often used in online learning. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of interest and activeness of students while learning using these two medias. Using quantitative methods with the subjects of grade 10 OTKP 2 and 3 of SMK Averus. Based on the results of the analysis of student activity during online learning using Quizizz and Google Classroom, it can be concluded that : (a) From 79 students, 75% participation in learning using Quizizz and 25% did not actively participate, (b) From 79 students, 41% of students participated in learning using Google Classroom and 59% did not actively participate. It can be concluded that despite the similarity in the way the material, assignments and quizzes are given on different platforms show different results. The percentages presented above show concrete results from research on 10th grade students of SMK Averus, that the use of Quizizz as a learning medium is preferred over Google classroom. The attractive appearance and fun atmosphere provided by Quizizz help students live a new learning model (PJJ) during the covid-19 pandemic.

State policy of Ukraine in the field of education

The purpose of the article is to analyze the essence and characteristics of the state policy of Ukraine in the field of education, in order to determine the main ways to optimize this policy in the field of educational processes. The work used a set of methods such as: content analysis, logical and semantic analysis, systematic analysis of the implementation of state policy in the field of education; axiological method and prognosis. It is concluded that, state educational policy is a systematic and deliberate activity of public authorities and public self-government in school The priority of state policy is to ensure civic, patriotic, moral and spiritual education. Among the most concrete results of the research, existing deficiencies have been identified, which are characterized by contradictions. These paradoxes can be avoided by combining regulations. Finally, the existing state policy in the field of education has a comprehensive legal framework, but needs constant updating.

Canine Gastric Cancer: Current Treatment Approaches.

Simple SummaryHuman gastric cancer is a prevalent cancer worldwide with a high mortality rate. Although sharing many other features, the incidence of gastric cancer is lower in dogs than in humans. Surgery is the first-line treatment; however, it is associated with several complications. Nevertheless, chemotherapy to treat canine gastric cancer has not received much attention, probably due to its late diagnosis, fast progression, low median survival time, and very high mortality rate, along with the lack of publications with concrete scientific results. In this review, we explore the pharmacological approach used in treatment of this often-fatal disease. Human gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fifth most prevalent cancer worldwide, and is the third leading cause of cancer-related death. The incidence of GC is lower in dogs than in humans, accounting for less than 1% of all canine malignancies. In recent years, efforts have been made to understand the pathogenesis of GC and in find an appropriate therapy to maximize curative results, such as adjuvant chemotherapy treatments in addition to surgery. Although surgery is the first-line treatment, it is associated with several complications. In terms of chemotherapeutic intervention, canine gastric cancer has not received much attention, probably due to its late diagnosis, fast progression, low median survival time, and very high mortality rate, along with the lack of publications with concrete scientific results. In this review, we explore canine GC and the pharmacological approach used in the treatment of this often-fatal disease.

FACCE: Framework para Avaliação da Carga Cognitiva na Educação Online

Analyzing the cognitive load involved in the online teaching and learning process is an important factor in ensuring more concrete educational results, mainly because it observes the interference that different formats of content presentation can cause in the acquisition of information by human memory. With this in mind, this article presents a Framework called FACCE, which is based on aspects arising from the convergence of four studies: the Cognitive Load Theory, the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, the principles of electronic learning and the Usability Heuristics of Interfaces and search instrumentalize the assessment of cognitive load in online education. This is a qualitative research that addresses the construction and validation of FACCE which was built based on the resources available in HTML5, CSS, Bootstrap Framework, JavaScript and PHP. For data collection in the validation phase of the tool, an adaptation of the SUS System Usability Scale (System Usability Scale) was used, which identifies the quality of the interface of computer systems. The results showed that the proposed Framework has interface quality and therefore can be widely used in the qualification of online teaching from the balance of the cognitive load in the presentation of contents.

A review on unprecedented influence of COVID-19 on stock market: what communities should know?

PurposeThis paper aims to show the pragmatic studies that examine whether novel COVID-19 affects the national and international stock markets and reinforces the existing literature by highlighting the factors that are resultant from COVID 19.Design/methodology/approachThe systematic literature review and bibliometric approach have been used in the study covering 585 selected articles published in journals of high repute from January 2020 to January 2022. The process of bibliometric analysis has been divided into three stages, namely, assembling, arranging and assessing. From the Scopus database, one of the most reliable and authentic database total of 585 records were collected, out of which 12 were specifically focused on communities, and information gathered in the comma-separated value documents design was compared and interpreted based on year, document types, subject area, country and research fields with the help of graphs and pie charts. The study has analyzed fact-based and reliable studies to draw inferences from existing literature regarding the pandemic impacting the financial markets. In the extant study, an attempt has been made to explore the factors that are resultant from the COVID-19 pandemic and affects the stock market performance, which can be further classified into a few common factors by using factor analysis.FindingsIt originated from the majority of the studies that the stock market retorted destructively to the upsurge in the figure of COVID-19 cases and fatalities. It also emphasized that the market has reacted differently in comparison to earlier catastrophes such as the great depression of 2008 and the Spanish flu. Various factors such as fear of losing capital, standstill economy, lower valuation, increased mortality rate, halt in business operations, retrenchment, trade war, liquidity issues, panic buying and selling, digitalization, negative media coverage, government interference, financial behavior of investors, hoarding of COVID supplies, promotion of start-up in health-care and education sector, news bulletins, prevention campaigns, use of medical devices and COVID-19 vaccination, etc. have been conferred from the studies that have an immediate consequence on the actions of investors in the stock market. It was further highlighted in the study that the Indian stock market has been less explored in respect of implications of COVID-19 contagion as the majority of studies were based on either international stock exchanges or combinations of varied nation’s stock markets. It was witnessed in the interpretation section that the number of studies is increasing at a fast pace as new variants of COVID-19 are emerging over time. Significant contribution has been done in enhancing the literature on COVID-19 and the stock market by China and the USA. The maximum contribution in this domain has been done in the form of articles in the present literature. Few studies were focusing on communities, so the present study will try to fill this research gap to some extent.Research limitations/implicationsThis conceptual paper is demarcated by unsatisfactory analyses of writings from multi-discipline to get a comprehensive scope of notional understanding. Furthermore, there is a perchance that some other imperative phenomena or variables that prejudiced trading bustle have not been captured by present reviews of research papers. The influences of other macroeconomic variables should be explored to understand the concrete results of this pandemic.Practical implicationsMost of the studies were based on foreign stock exchanges, so there is an opportunity to explore the Indian stock market concerning the implications of the coronavirus pandemic. In the literature, it was examined that short-term studies have been undertaken, which cannot determine the long-term implications of COVID-19. Over time, besides COVID-19, various other factors have started impacting the stock market, so it has become difficult to examine the influence of COVID-19 on the stock market in isolation.Social implicationsThe study will be helpful for future learnings in the arena of the stock market as it provides vast exposure to the present literature related to the impact of COVID-19 on economic markets. On the other hand, investors will also become aware of factors that are resultant of COVID-19 and will take the right decisions to save their investments in light of pandemic implications. The extensive review of studies will also help enterprising communities to take judicial steps to remain active in the period of economic slowdown.Originality/valueThe paper provides significant implications to the investors in the stock market, and it will provide useful insight to improve their returns on their portfolios. The learning from the study will help investors to take fruitful decisions considering the uncertainty during the pandemic period. The inferences drawn from rich existing literature will be guiding enterprises to take timely actions to avoid the situation of loss in the market and adapt new models to ensure continuity of business operations. Different markets had reacted differently, so investors need to be cautious before taking trading decisions.

M-Theory and F-Theory over Theoretical Analysis on Cosmic Strings and Calabi-Yau Manifolds Subject to Conifold Singularity with Randall-Sundrum Model

String theory always comes with heavy mathematical rigor as it questions the most significant and impossible attempt to make a scale-invariant phenomenology between general relativity and quantum theory. Thus, steps have been taken to simplify the theory a bit thereby making it accessible to general yet enthusiastic readers of physics. However, as there is numerous mathematics involved in the modeling of this theory, thus, any chance to make a purely non-mathematical approach towards strings would prove vacuous and intimidating making the pathway of this marvelous theory chocked with unnecessary assumptions resulting in false analogies (or hopes) relating to this theory. Thus, where it’s almost impossible to proceed without any equations, we have given a few just to wipe out some logical confusion arising to the first readers of strings. Few necessary diagrams are included along with intense theory and least mathematics for making this significant approach of theoretical physicists accessible to general learners or readers.
 Topics: Bosonic string theory, supersymmetric string theory, M – theory, F – theory, dualities and interconnectedness, viability, Randall – Sundrum model for tackling the hierarchy problem of particle physics, conifold singularities, Branes, Bulks, Extremal black holes, Ekpyrotic cosmology, topological aspects of Calabi – Yau (CY) manifolds, A and B models, Mirror Symmetries; AdS/CFT, cosmic strings, all in a way accessible to every reader.
 Methods: Theoretical analogies, deductions, principles behind the origin, development along with the probable conclusion of this theory, the roots of its origin, the necessary difficulty for detecting those strings, and approaches done by theorists to work out the pathway of achieving Einstein’s dream of unification irrespective of several hindrances.
 Results: String theory itself is not a complete theory. Rather it’s in the process of further development through the increment of time resulting in more applications of mathematics by developing or incorporating them in due needs. Thus, without stating any concrete results, the theory has been tackled in this paper with a viable hypothesis based on the current understanding, and previous attempts are stated to have been made for its success.

Compression performance analysis of multi-scale modified concrete based on response surface method

The natural multi-scale defects in concrete are important factors affecting the performance. To comprehensively improve the performance of concrete, a method of adding variety materials into concrete to improve the defects from nano-micron-millimeter scales is proposed, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), calcium carbonate whiskers (CCW), PVA fiber, steel fiber and rubber particles are selected for tests. The whole tests are completed by the phased test method. Firstly, CNTs and CCW are added into concrete, and the optimal content scheme of CNTs and CCW is determined. On this basis, this study designed and completed the multi-scale modified concrete test that further added PVA fiber, steel fiber and rubber particles according to response surface method (RSM). Finally, combined with RSM, hybrid effect coefficient and scanning electron microscope (SEM), the multi-scale modified concrete test results are analyzed. The analysis results indicated that the regression equation established by RSM has high accuracy and can effectively predict concrete mechanical properties under different materials content. Steel fiber and PVA fiber can improve concrete performance, while rubber particles can improve the deformation capacity and reduce the peak stress and toughness. When the contents of CNTs, CCW, PVA fibers, steel fibers and rubber particles are 0.6 %, 6 %, 0.075 %, 1 % and 0 % respectively, the multi-scale modified concrete has the best mechanical properties.

Performance evaluation of concrete using treated recycled aggregates modified with mineral admixtures: Influence of processing

In this study, a new hybrid technique called ‘soaking in mild acetic acid followed by mechanical grinding’ has been introduced to produce treated recycled aggregate (TRA) extracted from construction and demolition (C&D) waste. In this treatment technique, 17.98% of adherent mortar was removed from untreated recycled aggregate (RA). Two different types of mineral admixtures viz: silica fume (SF) and portland pozzolana cement (PPC) were used to improve the microstructure and to strengthen the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of RA. In this work, 100% natural aggregate (NA) was replaced with four different types of aggregates viz: TRAs (TRA(SF), TRA(PPC), TRA) and RA at four different water-cement (w/c) ratios (i.e. 0.45, 0.55, 0.65 and 0.75). Fresh, hardened, and durable concrete properties were like slump, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, elastic modulus, sorptivity, chloride ion permeability, surface resistivity, etc.; microstructure was analyzed and compared with test results of natural aggregate concrete (NAC). Experimental results indicate that concrete made with TRAs showed better results than concrete made with untreated RA. Based on test results, NA substitution with TRAs is possible with reduced compressive strength for lower to medium strength concretes if designed appropriately.

ECOLOGICAL LAMENTATION AND ADVOCACY IN EKA BUDIANTA’S SELECTED POEMS

Writing about environmental issues before and after climate change and other human-made ecological damages, Eka Budianta has continually taken up environmental topics in his oeuvre. The study presented in the present article aims to scrutinize 6 (six) selected poems by Eka Budianta to see how the poet has dealt with ecological debate throughout the years. The study draws insights from criticisms within Environmental Humanities framework and uses a qualitative-interpretative method. The six poems comprise four poems written in 1984, i.e., “River Notes”, “The Yearning of the Wind”, “Song for Tiom”, and “Song of a Townsman”; a poem written in 2012 titled “Setelah Sudaraku Tenggelam”; and the most recent one, written in 2020, “Sungai Sejati”. The lines and stanzas of each poem are read and interpreted according to their respective themes, poetic devices, and contents to see if they demonstrate the principles of Ecopoetry. The study results in the following findings. First the lamentation for the loss of nature is present in “River Notes”, “The Yearning of the Wind”, and “Song of a Townsman”. Second, “Song for Tiom” and “Setelah Saudaraku Tenggelam” are elegies for, respectively, ecological destruction in Papua and the Situ Gintung Lake tragedy. Third, optimistic tone is palpable in Eka Budianta’s newest poem “Sungai Sejati”. Fourth, the inclusion of non-human agency like landscape, plants, and animals helps reinforce the green messages the poet seeks to express. This study concurs that literature can partake in exposing global climate change as well as advocating sustainable living in a way often ignored in ecological praxis that only celebrates concrete results.