Foundation Material Research Articles

Research Focusing on How Qinge Pill Functions in Managing Stress Urinary Incontinence, Utilizing Network Pharmacology

Objective: Investigating how Qing-e pill aids in managing stress urinary incontinence through network pharmacology. Methods: Utilizing the TCM system's pharmacological database and analytical framework (TCMSP), along with literature exploration, the active components and their respective targets for Qing-e pill were identified, leading to the creation of a network of compound TCM - active ingredients - targets. The focus of SUI was identified using the GeneCards and OMIM databases. The active ingredient SUI-target network model was developed and examined using the Cytoscape 3.10.1 software. The protein interaction network (PPI) was created using the STRING database, incorporating gene ontology functional annotation (GO) and Tokyo Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis on key targets through DAVID online, with molecular docking performed using Surflex software. Results: Screening yielded 86 active components, 461 possible targets, 2551 SUI targets, and 187 typical targets for Qing-e pill and SUI. The outcomes of network analysis revealed Qing-e pill's primary targets for SUI treatment were AKT1, IL6, JUN, TNF, HSP90AA1, ESR1, CTNNB1, EGFR, among others. The primary biological mechanisms encompassed reactions to lipopolysaccharide, molecules originating from bacteria, metal ions, growth of epithelial cells, and the control of membrane potential, among others. KEGG enrichment primarily aims to utilize the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in treating a range of conditions, including diabetes complications, prostate cancer, fluid shear stress, atherosclerosis, lipid and atherosclerosis, IL-17 signaling pathway, and more. Conclusion: Initially, network pharmacology shed light on the foundational materials and operational methods of Qing-e pill in treating SUI, offering a theoretical foundation for their clinical use.

Classical molecular dynamics simulation of atomic structure transitions in FeSiCuMgAl high-entropy alloys under biaxial stretching

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were utilized in this study to investigate the mechanical properties of the crystal structure of high-entropy alloys under various mechanical stress conditions. The stress-strain behaviors and the merging of the crystal structure growth of FeSiCuMgAl high-entropy alloys during biaxial tensile deformation were simulated. Three stages of atomic structure transformation were observed during biaxial stretching of FeSiCuMgAl high-entropy alloys at a strain rate of 1010 s−1. In the first stage, the structure transitioned from face-centered cubic (fcc) to body-centered cubic (bcc), hexagonal close-packed (hcp), and disordered structures. The second stage involved a transition from bcc, hcp, and disordered structures to fcc. The third and final stage involved a transition from fcc, bcc, and hcp to disordered structure. To gather more information about the simulation process, this research simulated MD by varying the strain rate of tensile deformation. At a strain rate as low as 0.5×109 s−1 and below, there was minimal involvement of the bcc phase in the tensile process. During the simulation work, co-neighborhood analysis, stress-strain analysis, and dislocation analysis were utilized to accurately describe the simulated tensile behavior. The simulation results will provide more insights into the design and preparation of high-entropy alloys as foundational materials.

Introducing a computer simulation to model flexural vibrations of sandwich structures reinforced by advanced nanocomposites surrounded by auxetic concrete foundation

This study introduces a computer simulation framework aimed at analyzing the flexural vibrations of sandwich structures comprising a polymer core sandwiched between two face sheets reinforced with graphene oxide powder (GOP) nanocomposites. The sandwich structures are situated on an auxetic concrete foundation, incorporating sophisticated theoretical formulations to approximate the three-dimensional displacement fields of GOP-reinforced rectangular plates under varying loading conditions. The research addresses the complex interplay of material properties and geometric configurations, crucial for optimizing the structural performance of advanced composite materials in practical applications. The computational model integrates analytical techniques to predict the dynamic behavior of the sandwich structure’s flexural vibrations. Key parameters such as the dispersion of GOP within the polymer matrix, and the auxetic properties of the concrete foundation are systematically varied and analyzed to understand their impact on the overall structural response. Results from the simulations provide insights into the natural frequencies of the GOP-reinforced sandwich structures, offering valuable data for design engineers and materials scientists. The study underscores the potential of graphene oxide powder nanocomposites in enhancing the mechanical performance of sandwich structures, particularly when supported by innovative foundation materials like auxetic concrete. Future research directions include validation and further refinement of the computational model to accommodate additional complexities and real-world conditions.

Electro-mechanical vibration characteristics of imperfect sandwich FG piezoelectric honeycomb nanoplates resting on Kerr foundation

This study presents an innovative analytical approach to examine the electro-mechanical vibration characteristics of sandwich nanoplates featuring a honeycomb core and two surface layers composed of imperfect piezoelectric functionally graded (FG) material, incorporating porosities, atop a Kerr elastic foundation. Utilizing nonlocal elasticity theory and four-variable refined plate theory (HSDT-4), we account for nanoscale effects and model the electric potential variation across the piezoelectric layer thickness as a combination of cosine and linear variations satisfying Maxwell's equation. The proposed method's novelty lies in its comprehensive analysis of the interplay between porosity, elastic foundation parameters, material properties, geometrical dimensions, external voltage, and nonlocal parameters on the free vibration frequency of these nanostructures. Numerical simulations validate the model's reliability and assess the significant impacts of these factors. Our findings contribute to the optimization of nanostructural designs for advanced engineering applications, highlighting the method's added value in predicting the behavior of imperfect piezoelectric FG honeycomb nanoplates.

유아-어머니 조화적합성이 유아의 자기표현력에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purposes of this study was to investigate the effects of young children-mother goodness of fit and mother’s positive emotional expressiveness on young children’s self-assertiveness and examine the mediating effect of maoher’s positive emotional expressiveness on the relationship between young children-mother goodness of fit and young children’s self-assertiveness. Methods A survey was conducted on 212 4,5-year-old children and their mothers, and the collected data was analyzed using the SPSS program. Hierachical regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of young children-mother goodness of fit on the young children’s self-assertiveness, and the mediating effect analysis of the mother’s positive emotional expressiveness to the effect of young children-mother goodness of fit on the young children’s self-assertiveness was conducted using SPSS Process Macro Model 4. Results First young children-mother goodness of fit had a significant negative effect on the young children’s self-assertiveness, and young children-mother goodness of fit had a significant negative effect on the mother’s positive emotional expressiveness. Second the mother’s positive emotional expressiveness was found to partially mediate the effect of young children-mother goodness of fit on the young children’s self-assertiveness. Conclusions It was found that the higher the young children-mother goodness of fit, the lower the mother’s positive emotional expressiveness, whiich had a negative effect on the young children’s self-assertiveness. Thus, this study was found that there are different circumstances and contexts for interpreting goodness of fit in young children compared to in infant. and it is significant that this study provides foundational material that can activate scholarly and educational discussions regarding the positive emotional expressiveness of mother for the self-assertiveness of young children in future related research and practical parenting contexts.

한·일 방송콘텐츠에 나타난 피동표현 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to compare the usage patterns of passive expressions in Korean and Japanese, Although passive expressions are frequently used in both Korea and Japan, there is limited data comparing and analyzing passive expressions through corpora, and research on non-passive expressions is rare, hence the need for further investigation. Methods First, we collected and analyzed passive expressions from approximately 600,000 words of Korean and Japanese broadcast content. Second, we extracted and compared non-passive expressions in Korean and Japanese. Third, we elucidated differences and commonalities through the usage patterns and examples of passive and non-passive expressions in Korean and Japanese. Results Passive expressions found only in Korean total 424, with suffix passives being 254 or 60%, lexical passives 131 or 31%, and syntactic passives 39 or 9%. Next, passive expressions found only in Japanese consist of -れる form with 219 or 89%, and -られる form with 26 or 11%. Finally, passive expressions in both Korean and Japanese total 101, with suffix passives being 29 or 29%, lexical passives 68 or 67%, and syntactic passives 4 or 4%. Conclusions This study examined the usage patterns of passive expressions in Korean and Japanese using broadcast content from a Korean-Japanese parallel corpus. The reason why non-passive expressions in Japanese were frequently used when Korean was in passive form was because they were often substituted with intransitive verbs, particularly in suffix and syntactic passives. However, in mutual passive expressions, two-syllable Chinese characters were frequently observed in lexical passive expressions, which can be effectively utilized in passive education due to the characteristics of Chinese character usage. This study holds significance not only as foundational material for Japanese learners of Korean but also for Korean learners of Japanese

Cu@CuFe2O4 nanoparticles catalyzed oxidative functionalization of alkynes: Access to α,α‐dichloro ketones

In this study, novel Cu@CuFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by virtue of a simple method. By utilizing a compatible system involving N‐chlorosuccinimide (NCS) as the chlorine source and Cu@CuFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) as recyclable catalyst, we present a novel and practical method for directly obtaining aryl α,α‐dichloroketones in aqueous trifluoroethanol (TFE). The catalyst was recovered and reused up to five times with no significant decrease in activity. The current study provides a foundational raw material for the subsequent synthesis of chlorinated functional molecules, which is achieved through a mild transformation of arylalkynes using readily available commercial feedstocks and exhibiting good tolerance with various substituents on the aromatic ring, including the aliphatic alkyne. This novel heterogeneous catalyst may be used in numerous industrial applications because of its merits, such as considerable recyclability, low requirement for catalyst loading, cost‐effectiveness, and ease of handling.

Non‐Ti (M2X and M3X2) MXenes for Energy Storage/Conversion

AbstractMXenes, with a particular emphasis on Ti3C2 (M3X2) have been extensively studied and established as the foundational material for 2D MXenes. However, the exploration of other transitional metals as 2D MXenes holds great promise, offering applications beyond the existing knowledge. Non‐Ti (M2X and M3X2) MXenes have garnered attention due to their distinctive properties. This review article focuses on explaining the potential and challenges of non‐Ti (M2X and M3X2) MXenes in energy storage and conversion systems, specifically in the domains of supercapacitors, batteries (Li‐ion and Li‐S), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). By providing a comprehensive overview of the current progress and addressing the associated challenges, this review offers valuable insights into the future prospects of not only non‐Ti (M2X and M3X2) MXenes but also other MXenes for energy storage and conversion. The findings presented herein pave the way for further research and multifaceted applications of these MXenes across various fields.

Investigating the Corrosion Resistance of Different SiC Crystal Types: From Energy Sectors to Advanced Applications.

Silicon carbide, as a third-generation semiconductor material, plays a pivotal role in various advanced technological applications. Its exceptional stability under extreme conditions has garnered a significant amount of attention. These superior characteristics make silicon carbide an ideal candidate material for high-frequency, high-power electronic devices and applications in harsh environments. In particular, corrosion resistance in natural or artificially acidic and alkaline environments limits the practical application of many other materials. In fields such as chemical engineering, energy conversion, and environmental engineering, materials often face severe chemical erosion, necessitating materials with excellent chemical stability as foundational materials, carriers, or reaction media. Silicon carbide exhibits outstanding performance under these conditions, demonstrating significant resistance to corrosive substances such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and alkaline substances such as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. Despite the well-known chemical stability of silicon carbide, the stability conditions of its different types (such as 3C-, 4H-, and 6H-SiC polycrystals) in acidic and alkaline environments, as well as the specific corrosion mechanisms and differences, warrant further investigation. This Review not only delves deeply into the detailed studies related to this topic but also highlights the current applications of different silicon carbide polycrystals in chemical reaction systems, energy conversion equipment, and recycling processes. Through a comprehensive analysis, this Review aims to bridge research gaps, offering a comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages between different polymorphs. It provides material scientists, engineers, and developers with a thorough understanding of silicon carbide's behavior in various chemical environments. This work will propel the research and development of silicon carbide materials under extreme conditions, especially in areas where chemical stability is crucial for device performance and durability. It lays a solid foundation for ultra-high-power, high-integration, high-reliability module architectures, supercomputing chips, and highly safe long-life batteries.

A prediction method for salt frost resistance of dam rock foundation based on improved BP neural network

Hydraulic resources can be utilized in a cascade manner, with the advantages of energy conservation, economy, and environmental protection. In order to study the anti salt freezing performance of rock foundation in hydroelectric power dams and accurately predict the degree of rock and soil freeze-thaw damage under salt freezing conditions, this paper proposes a prediction method for the anti salt freezing performance of dam rock foundation based on an improved BP neural network. Firstly, freeze-thaw cycle tests were conducted on the rock foundation materials of dams poured with different proportions of fiber reinforced concrete to study the changes in soil mass loss rate and dynamic elastic modulus; Then, based on BP neural network and particle swarm optimization algorithm, a prediction model for rock and soil freeze-thaw damage is established; Finally, using the historical data of the Baihetan hydropower station, optimization was carried out and model prediction errors were compared and analyzed. The method proposed in this article has been verified to have good accuracy and stability, providing guidance for the operation and construction design of hydropower projects.

Microspace regulation inspired by water permeation phenomenon for the preparation of high-conductivity composite films with efficient electromagnetic shielding performance

Conductive polymers, integral to advancements in wearable devices, energy storage, healthcare and more, are crafted by integrating polymers with conductive elements like carbon substances, metals, and their particles. Drawing inspiration from natural water movement, this study introduces a method for crafting high-performance conductive composite films. This technique involves regulating the microstructure space of GaIn-based polymers under the mechanical pressure, where the fluid metal improves the internal microstructure gaps of the material. The presence of hydroxyl/carboxyl groups within the polymer enables the bonding with Ga3+ ions from the liquid metal (LM), securing them in place. This innovative process significantly boosts the material's electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as its mechanical integrity. This methodology has been successfully applied to enhance the attributes of GaIn-based composite films, utilizing nanocellulose fibers, chitosan nanofibers, and Kevlar-29 fibers as foundational materials. To demonstrate the method's effectiveness, a durable, highly thermally and electrically conductive GaIn-based MXene/nanocellulose composite film was developed and investigated in detail. This film showcased remarkable electromagnetic shielding with a high SSE/t value of 7718.91 dB cm2 g−1, and its performance mechanism was detailed through finite element analysis. Notably, the inclusion of GaIn endowed the film with excellent opto-electro-thermal conversion and heat-responsive deformation capabilities, highlighting its suitability for smart applications. Therefore, this research establishes a versatile approach for designing conductive films by merging liquid metal with polymers, potentially setting the stage for the creation of highly conductive composites in future.

Creating sustainable and flexible architectural skin with microbial cellulose-based material: synthesis and mechanical characterization

AbstractAttaining sustainability by developing efficient architectural materials will be a suitable remedy for various environmental problems. Incorporating clean biotechnology, particularly Bacterial Cellulose (BC), into the field of Architecture Design offers a novel strategy with the objective of creating environmentally-friendly architectural materials. The key goal of this research is to investigate the synthesis of BC by cultivating kombucha SCOBY in a culture medium that has been supplemented with sugar and tea extract. The linear density, tensile strength and strain of the BC bio-film and BC composites were assessed in order to determine the material’s degree of fitness in potential applications. The tensile test showed that BC bio-film and its jute composite had tensile strengths of 5 MPa and 10 MPa respectively, indicating notable resilience and durability as a feasible substitute for conventional construction materials. The study delves deeper into the sustainability, biodegradability, and economic feasibility of BC, emphasising its potential as an independent foundational material. The incorporation of jute fibres into BC enhances its capabilities, resulting in the development of a novel composite material known as BC + jute. This composite exhibits superior mechanical and psychochemical characteristics, making it suitable for the creation of sophisticated architectural prototypes. The results of this research establish a strong foundation for the advancement of ecologically conscious architectural solutions, demonstrating the feasibility and capacity of BC in promoting sustainability within the construction sector.Keywords: Microbial Cellulose, Scopy, Architecture, Environmental-friendly, sustainability, interior design, jute fiber, biomaterials.

A Method for Evaluating Systematic Risk in Dams with Random Field Theory

The parameters of gravity dams and foundation materials objectively exhibit spatial variability due to environmental and load influences, which significantly affect the safety status of dam structures. Therefore, a safety risk analysis method for a gravity dam–foundation system based on random field theory is proposed in this paper. Spatial variabilities in materials are particularly considered by using the finite element method. Then, composite response surface equations for the performance function (PF) of strength and stability failure are established, and then, the system failure risk is obtained using the Monte Carlo method. The proposed method solves the problem wherein the effect of spatial variability on failure risk cannot be reflected accurately by the performance function of multi-element sliding paths, and the difficulties in solving the failure risk of the series–parallel system due to multiple failure paths and their complex correlations. The application of a gravity dam shows that the developed method overcomes the disadvantages of the traditional method, such as the homogenization of the spatially random characteristics of parameters and the overestimation of failure risk in the system due to large variance estimation.

Role of aloe vera based nanofluids for cool thermal energy storage system: A comparative study

The present experimental investigation incorporates the preparation of aloe vera gel-based phase change nanofluid (NFPCM) for a cool thermal energy storage (CTES) system. Two sets of NFPCMs were produced by adding graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) in deionized water and aloe vera gel (0.20 wt%, 0.40 wt%, and 0.60 wt%). The zeta potential analysis shows that the NFPCM with aloe vera gel is more stable even after 60 days from the preparation (−44 mV). The thermal conductivity of NFPCMs was analyzed through the transient hot wire method and the enhancement of 42 %, and 37.5 % were measured in the ice phase for NFPCMs with aloe vera gel and DI water (0.60 wt%) respectively at the heat transfer fluid temperature of −15 °C. The NFPCMs with aloe vera gel show that the addition of GNP prepended the peak melting temperature from −16 °C to −10.5 °C, which is due to the quick formation of nuclei as compared to NFPCMs with DI water. Additionally, a slight reduction in the latent heat of only 7 % was observed. The charging characteristics of NFPCMs were studied in a single spherical capsule at −8 °C. The maximum reduction in total charging time of 25 % was recorded for the aloe vera gel-based NFPCM with a maximum concentration of GNP (0.60 wt%). The green synthesis of aloe vera gel-based NFPCM exhibited noteworthy enhancements in thermophysical properties. Additionally, it was observed that the long-term stability of the NFPCM was achieved by excluding surfactants during the preparation process. The incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) into aloe vera gel as the foundational phase change material (PCM) facilitates the partial charging of the CTES system with a reduced energy input.

From lab to wearables: Innovations in multifunctional hydrogel chemistry for next-generation bioelectronic devices

Functional hydrogels have emerged as foundational materials in diagnostics, therapy, and wearable devices, owing to their high stretchability, flexibility, sensing, and outstanding biocompatibility. Their significance stems from their resemblance to biological tissue and their exceptional versatility in electrical, mechanical, and biofunctional engineering, positioning themselves as a bridge between living organisms and electronic systems, paving the way for the development of highly compatible, efficient, and stable interfaces. These multifaceted capability revolutionizes the essence of hydrogel-based wearable devices, distinguishing them from conventional biomedical devices in real-world practical applications. In this comprehensive review, we first discuss the fundamental chemistry of hydrogels, elucidating their distinct properties and functionalities. Subsequently, we examine the applications of these bioelectronics within the human body, unveiling their transformative potential in diagnostics, therapy, and human-machine interfaces (HMI) in real wearable bioelectronics. This exploration serves as a scientific compass for researchers navigating the interdisciplinary landscape of chemistry, materials science, and bioelectronics.

Semiconductor Membrane Exfoliation: Technology and Application

AbstractFlexible semiconductor film‐based optoelectronic devices have garnered significant attention in emerging fields such as the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable devices, and smart healthcare due to their wide range of applications. It is challenging to directly grow the foundational materials of optoelectronic devices, specifically semiconductor thin film structures, on flexible substrates. Instead, they are typically fabricated on conventional rigid thick semiconductor substrates. Consequently, the exfoliation and transfer of epitaxial semiconductor thin film structures onto substrates constitute pivotal steps in the production of flexible optoelectronic devices. The integration of hard inorganic semiconductor materials with flexible substrates offers a solution to the limitations of rigidity and brittleness associated with conventional optoelectronic devices and can be used to address challenges from design to manufacturing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the working principles and recent advances of various techniques aimed at achieving the membrane exfoliation and transfer of semiconductor structures on conventional rigid substrates. It also reviews the possible applications of the transferred membrane in a variety of optoelectronic devices. Finally, it offers insights into the potential of high‐end semiconductor manufacturing and flexible semiconductor devices to play a critical role in advancing next‐generation optoelectronics technologies.

Bowl Shaped Oxide‐Templated Gold Nanostructured Arrays and Structure‐Induced Hydrophilic–Hydrophobic Transition and Molecular Trapping Effect

AbstractA facile and versatile methodology is developed for the synthesis of diverse gold nanostructured arrays employing an oxide secondary template combined with sputtering deposition. A bowl‐shaped tin oxide‐built array, with fine structure on its bowl edges, is first designed and prepared by solution‐dipping of an organic colloidal monolayer, drying, and heating treatment. This array is then used as a secondary template for a gold nanostructured array by sputtering deposition on it. By controlling the solution's concentration and drying rate to adjust the fine structure of the secondary template, various new gold nanostructured arrays with hexagonal arrangement are fabricated, including “graphene‐structured” gold nanoarray, non‐contact nanoparticle's ring array, closely contacted nanoring array, and bowl/nanoparticle binary composite nanoarray, achieving the structural diversity and morphological tunability of nanoarrays. Additionally, these gold nanostructured arrays can transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic properties solely by adjusting their surface architecture. Importantly, the bowl‐shaped structural units within these gold nanoarrays demonstrate a marked capability for capturing target molecules that can only very weakly interact with plasmonic metals. This work offers an efficient route to achieve the structural diversity of nanoarrays, which is of significance in designing and fabricating foundational materials for the next generation of multifunctional nanodevices.

Numerical analysis of microstructured optical fibers based on flint glass for ultra-high nonlinearity, low loss, and broadband dispersion compensation across telecom bands

This research investigates the potential of flint glass as a foundational material for photonic crystal configurations designed to achieve high nonlinear coefficients across various communication wavelengths. We explore dispersion management within telecom bands using flint glass-based micro-structured optical fibers, employing numerical analysis via the finite element method to assess optical properties. In this study, three different basic MOF structures (hexagonal, square, and octagonal) were created using flint glass background material rather of the commonly utilized fused silica material, and the numerically was assessed in contrast to prior studies and designs. Among the configurations studied, the octagonal arrangement (FGO-MOF) excels in dispersion compensation, achieving −136.6 ps/(nm.km) at 1.55 µm. Conversely, the hexagonal air hole ring cladding design (FGH-MOF) displays higher nonlinearity (770.5 W−1.km−1), a smaller effective area (1.115 µm2), and a high numerical aperture (0.6378). In contrast, the square air hole ring cladding optical fiber (FGS-MOF) exhibits low confinement loss (6.309 × 10−7 dB/cm) at 1.55 µm but with comparatively less favorable optical properties. Our study demonstrates that the hexagonal microstructured optical fiber with flint glass (FGH-MOF) offers superior performance in dispersion compensation, nonlinearity, and low loss within telecom bands. This finding suggests promising applications in high-bit-rate communication systems, biomedical sensing, and supercontinuum generation, presenting exciting avenues for further research and practical implementation.

Formulation and Synthesis of Vanillin from Clove Oil as a Chemosensor for Urea Detection in Urine

Urea levels in urine play an important parameter in diagnosing bodily conditions through liver and kidney examinations. The typical reagent for detecting urea content in urine is para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (pDMAB). However, it has a drawback related to the instability of color in the resulting Schiff base compound (pDMAB-urea). In this study, the synthesized vanillin compound derived from clove oil serves as the foundational material for a urea chemosensor based on the colorimetric concept. The synthesized vanillin was characterized using FTIR, GC-MS, and 1H-NMR. The formulation of the vanillin compound as a sensor was conducted by assessing the suitable solvent, determining the optimal mass of vanillin, and evaluating the acid-base conditions of the sensor formulation system both qualitatively and quantitatively. Subsequently, the most effective formulation was selected for detecting urea in urine samples. The synthesis of vanillin yielded a purity level of 95%. The optimal formulation was obtained at an optimum mass of vanilla of 0.75 g in 50 mL of 96% ethanol and 10 mL of 10% NaOH. The color change in the sample was from colorless to greenish yellow (436 nm). The vanillin obtained was applied to urine samples with the best results at a sample dilution level of 10,000×.

Evaluation of soft computing techniques for predicting Marshall Stability of waste plastic-reinforced asphalt concrete

ABSTRACT Pavement engineering has long prioritized enhancing the quality and durability of asphalt concrete, a foundational material in road construction. This study employs advanced soft computing techniques to predict the Marshall Stability (MS) of asphalt concrete reinforced with waste plastic. Techniques such as Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Random Forest (RF), Random Tree (RT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Bagging RT are utilized. Evaluation of model effectiveness is conducted using seven statistical metrics: coefficient of correlation (CC), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), relative absolute error (RAE), root relative squared error (RRSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), scatter index (SI), and comprehensive measure (COM). Among the applied models, the Bagging RT model emerges as the top performer, exhibiting superior performance across multiple metrics. Specifically, the Bagging RT model achieves impressive CC values of 0.921 and 0.834, indicating strong correlations between predicted and actual MS values. Additionally, it demonstrates low error metrics, with RMSE values of 1.632 and 2.869, and MAE values of 1.207 and 2.081, respectively. A sensitivity analysis conducted for the Bagging RT-based model underscores the significant influence of aggregate size on MS prediction, highlighting the model’s capability to elucidate critical factors shaping material stability.