Light Weight Research Articles

DEVELOPMENT OF A DRYING UNIT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF KURTA

The article is devoted to the development of a drying unit for the production of kurt, a traditional fermented milk product that is very popular in Kazakhstan. Kurt is not only a national product, but also has a high nutritional value, vitamin and mineral content. Regular consumption of kurt helps to restore beneficial intestinal microflora and is especially useful for pregnant women, children and the elderly. The traditional method of drying kurt in the open air has a number of disadvantages, such as dependence on weather conditions and low productivity. The developed convective drying unit allows solving these problems. It ensures uniform and rapid drying of kurt in controlled conditions, which improves quality and productivity. The unit is designed taking into account the principles of ease of maintenance, ease of operation and cost-effectiveness. It is affordable and cost-effective for individual entrepreneurs and small businesses. Availability, price, quality, productivity, maintainability, reliability, light weight and mobility of the equipment make it relevant for the development of small businesses in Kazakhstan. During the work, a number of tests were conducted on the performance of the drying unit. A sketch drawing was also developed, a drying unit was developed and the optimal operating parameters of the design were selected. The resulting drying unit is promising for implementation in the production of kurt, in the conditions of individual and farm enterprises. It will improve the quality and productivity of the product, as well as create new opportunities for small and medium businesses in Kazakhstan. Also, such equipment can give impetus to local gastronomic tourism, which is becoming an increasingly popular type of tourism, as tourists are looking for unique and authentic experiences. Offering tourists the opportunity to get acquainted with the local culture through its cuisine.

Welding Characteristics of Medium Titanium Plates with Autogenous Laser Welding and Narrow-Gap Laser Filling Welding Modes.

Titanium and titanium alloys with a medium thickness of 5 to 12 mm are widely used for ocean platforms, military equipment and in other fields because of their light weight, appropriate strength and corrosion resistance. In this study, autogenous laser welding and narrow-gap laser welding processes were researched and compared, and the welding characteristics, weld microstructure and joint strength were analyzed. The results showed that autogenous laser welding had higher efficiency, narrower weld width and higher microstructure uniformity. Autogenous laser welding can achieve the single pass weld penetration at laser keyhole mode. The weld width of narrow-gap laser welded joint was 12.5 mm, which was nearly three times than that of autogenous laser welding. The grain size of autogenous laser welding was obviously smaller and more uniform in depth than that of narrow-gap laser welding. In the weld zone, the coarse columnar α grains grew from the fusion line, while in the heat-affected zone, equiaxed α grains with needle and sawtooth α morphologies were presented. The microhardness of the heat-affected zone was higher than in the weld zone and the base metal due to the denser needle microstructure. The tensile samples all fractured at the base metal, indicating the welded joint strength efficiency was greater than 1.

Preliminary analysis of startup and acceleration transient characteristics of helium-xenon cooled reactor direct brayton cycle system

Helium-xenon cooled reactor direct Brayton cycle system has excellent application prospects in small nuclear power plants due to its light weight, high compactness and simple structure. The safe startup of reactor system is very important, so the system startup scheme is designed. In addition, reactor system may be affected by external acceleration during operation. Whether reactor system can operate normally and safely after being affected by acceleration and its influence characteristics are not clear. In order to verify the feasibility of the system startup scheme and explore the acceleration influence characteristics, the system analysis program was developed to simulate the system startup transient operating conditions and the transient operating conditions of reactor system under the influence of acceleration. In the research of acceleration influence characteristics, acceleration has different periods, amplitudes, types and directions, and the load state is divided into load change with system output power and constant load. The results show that the designed system startup scheme can start reactor system safely. Reactor system can ignore the influence of acceleration when it has load change with system output power ability. If the load remains constant, reactor system cannot ensure continuous and stable operation after being affected by acceleration, which has the risk of Loss of Flow Accident (LOFA). The relevant research results provide theoretical reference and support for the design of the reactor system startup scheme and the research on the influence characteristics of acceleration on reactor system.

Modelling permanent strain behaviour of soil for flexible pavement design utilizing LWD measurements

ABSTRACT This study aims to improve understanding of unbound material behavior by modeling permanent strain using Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) measurements, as part of VTI’s broader LWD research. By comparing permanent strain modelling from LWD data with Repeated Load Triaxial (RLT) tests on silty sand soils, it validates LWD data accuracy and explores material property influences on permanent strain parameters, revealing a clear correlation with water content and stress levels. Using LWD data validated against RLT tests, the study delves into material behaviour understanding under varied conditions, focusing on comparing model parameters of permanent strain prediction derived from LWD and RLT tests. Despite minor differences, both methods produce acceptable values, affirming the modelling approach’s robustness. The findings demonstrate LWD’s potential to improve pavement design by providing insights into permanent strain behavior that supports mechanistic-empirical approaches, leading to more efficient designs and better resource use for improved performance.

Energy absorption characteristics of STF impregnated Kevlar fabric coating GFRP composite structure by projectile high-velocity impact

The new STF impregnated Kevlar fabric coated GFRP (glass fiber reinforced polymer) composite structure obtained by combining STF（shear thickening fluid） impregnated Kevlar fabric and GFRP can obtain strong energy absorption capacity with light weight compared with two separate structures, so it has strong impact resistance. In this paper, the experiments of STF impregnated Kevlar fabric, GFRP laminated plate and STF impregnated Kevlar fabric coating GFRP laminated structure were carried out, respectively. Based on reliable numerical simulation, the macroscopic damage and energy absorption characteristics of the same material in STF impregnated Kevlar fabric, GFRP laminated plate and STF impregnated Kevlar fabric coating GFRP laminated structure were analyzed. The results show that the GFRP laminate and the rear Kevlar fabric in the STF-impregnated Kevlar fabric coating GFRP laminate structure show a larger damage area than that of GFRP laminate and STF impregnated Kevlar fabric alone, and a larger deflection is generated during the process of impact. The increase of the number of layers of Kevlar fabric in the front and back of the laminate and the increase of the thickness of the laminate make the Kevlar fabric absorb more energy. If the energy absorption capacity of GFRP laminates is increased, the number of layers of the front Kevlar fabric can be reduced, the thickness of the laminates can be increased, and materials with greater strength can be added to the front ply of the laminates. However, increasing the thickness of GFRP laminates will reduce the lightweight requirements of laminated structures.

An improved generalized Prandtl–Ishlinskii model for the hysteresis modeling of pneumatic artificial muscles

Due to the merits of high flexibility, large driving force, and light weight, the pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) has been widely applied in robot. However, the inherent asymmetric hysteresis nonlinear characteristics affect the control performance of PAM seriously. This paper presents an improved generalized Prandtl–Ishlinskii (GPI-M) model for the asymmetric hysteresis characterization of PAM, which adopts the simplified Magic Formula (SMF) as the envelop function instead of hyperbolic tangent function (GPI) or arc tangent function (GPI-A). With regard to the effect of parameters identification, the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm, genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, and differential evolution (DE) algorithm are studied, which shows the LM algorithm is far superior to the other three intelligent algorithms in terms of computational efficiency and identification accuracy. Furthermore, a crosswise comparative study on three models and two envelop functions investigating modeling accuracy reveals that the newly introduced GPI-M model exhibits better performance than the modified symmetric generalized Prandtl-Ishlinskii (MSGPI) model and the GPI-A model presented previously. Meanwhile, the influence of the operator numbers on the modeling accuracy of three models is discussed, which finds that the GPI-M model possess the best accuracy with the least operator numbers.

Simultaneous enhancement in mechanical properties and flame retardancy of reed charcoal/polypropylene composites by graphene oxide interfacial modification

Biochar/polypropylene composites (BPCs) have great potential in automobiles and building materials due to their ease of processing and light weight. However, the inferior interfacial bonding strength between biochar and polypropylene (PP) and flammability of PP often result in the weak mechanical properties and poor flame retardancy of BPCs, which limit the practical applications of BPCs. Herein, graphene oxide (GO) is used as an active interfacial modifier to prepare graphene-reed charcoal/polypropylene (G-RC/PP) composites. Benefiting from the mechanical interlocking effect formed by GO, the G-RC/PP composites exhibit higher tensile and flexural strengths. When 1 % of GO was added (relative to mass of RC), the tensile and flexural strengths were 22.84 MPa and 50.8 MPa, respectively, which are 16 % and 22.7 % higher than pure PP. Additionally, the barrier-adsorption-dilution synergetic effects of GO enhance both the thermal stability and flame retardance of the composites. The total heat release rate of G-RC/PP composites is reduced by 71.6 % compared to RC/PP when GO was added at 1 %, resulting in a substantial reduction in fire hazards. This study offers a fresh perspective on the development of biochar/plastic composites with exceptional mechanical properties and high fire safety towards extensive applications as automotive parts and building structures.

Mechanisms of Atomic Oxygen Erosion in Fluorinated Polyimides Investigated by Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Traditional polyimides have highly conjugated structures, causing significant coloration under visible light. Fluorinated colorless polyimides, known for their light weight and excellent optical properties, are considered ideal for future aerospace optical lenses. However, their lifespan in low Earth orbit is severely limited by high-density atomic oxygen (AO) erosion, and the degradation behavior of fluorinated polyimides under AO exposure is not well understood. This study uses reactive molecular dynamics simulations to model two fluorinated polyimides, PMDA-TFMB and 6FDA-TFMB, with different fluorine contents, to explore their degradation mechanisms under varying AO concentrations. The results indicate that 6FDA-TFMB has slightly better resistance to erosion than PMDA-TFMB, mainly due to the enhanced chemical stability from its -CF3 groups. As AO concentration increases, widespread degradation of the polyimides occurs, with AO-induced cleavage and temperature-driven pyrolysis happening simultaneously, producing CO and OH as the main degradation products. This study uncovers the molecular-level degradation mechanisms of fluorinated polyimides, offering new insights for the design of AO erosion protection systems.

Parametric Analysis of Moment-Resisting Timber Frames Combined with Cross Laminated Timber Walls and Prediction Models Using Nonlinear Regression and Artificial Neural Networks

The light weight and moderate stiffness of multistorey timber buildings make them susceptible to increased lateral displacements and accelerations under service-level wind loading. Therefore, the fulfilment of serviceability requirements is a major challenge. In this study, linear elastic finite element analysis was used to perform a parametric study of moment-resisting timber frames combined with cross laminated timber walls. In the parametric study, various mechanical and geometrical parameters were varied within practical ranges. The results of the parametric study were used to derive simplified analytical expressions and to train artificial neural networks which can be used to estimate fundamental frequency, mode shape, top floor displacement, maximum inter-storey drift, and wind-induced acceleration. The analytical expressions and the artificial neural networks can be used for the preliminary assessment of serviceability performance of moment-resisting timber frames with and without cross laminated timber walls, under service-level wind loading.

Wind-induced collapse mode and mechanism of super-large hyperbolic steel reticulated shell cooling tower with stiffening rings

With advancement of dry-air cooling technology, it has become feasible to use steel reticulated shell structures in design and construction of industrial cooling towers. Steel reticulated shell cooling towers (SRSCTs) with light weight, high strength, and rapid construction have development potential. Wind-induced collapse accidents in cooling towers frequently occur, characterized by pronounced nonlinear behavior involving significant deformation and material failure. Nevertheless, current stability and collapse analyses of cooling towers based on linear theory and elastic deformation are inadequate and unsafe. Thus, the wind-resistant stability of SRSCTs must be evaluated considering their inherent high flexibility and low damping levels. Considering a 220 m high hyperbolic SRSCT as a case study, a wind-induced collapse FEM simulation and analysis were performed. The average and fluctuating wind loads were measured in a reduced-scale model during wind tunnel tests and used as the time-variant wind pressure in a structural finite-element model. The dynamic performance and buckling collapse analyses of the cooling tower were conducted considering geometric and material nonlinearities. The entire wind-induced failure process of the SRSCT in extreme winds was systematically investigated. The weaknesses in the structural stiffness and the failure process were quantified, with five failure stages and four failure modes. The failure stages included linear elasticity, local member failure, local regional failure, overall structural failure, and collapse. The failure modes included circumferential plastic buckling zone failure, windward buckling failure of the shell, crosswind failure of the stiffening ring (hinged curved-beam mechanism), and windward failure of the stiffening ring (triangular arch-like mechanism). This study confirms that development of plastic buckling zones and formation of plastic hinges, considering geometric and material nonlinearity, are the dominant factor in wind-induced failure and collapse of SRSCTs.

Wall sandwich panels with steel facings and PUR foam core under transverse loading: Experimental testing and numerical model calibration

Light weight panels are largely used for the envelope (wall assembly, roofing system) of different kind of buildings. Under extreme loading conditions, like external explosions, the walls may suffer extensive damage, under either positive or negative pressures. The study presented in the paper describes the results obtained on wall sandwich panels tested for transverse loading until complete failure. The panels are arranged as single span systems supported on side rails and loaded at the mid-span. After a quasi-linear response, the maximum bending capacity is reached. At this point, the panels have a sudden drop in capacity, associated with the rapid wrinkling of the face in compression. If the end fasteners have adequate resistance, catenary stage develops, and the ultimate capacity can be significantly higher than the peak bending capacity. Flexibility of the lateral restraints significantly influence the initiation of catenary action and the ultimate capacity of sandwich panels. Numerical models were calibrated using the structural analysis and design program SAP2000. This may allow professionals to integrate more quickly the wall models into the structural design even for extreme loading conditions.

Efficient provable dual receiver hybrid and light weight public key schemes based on the discrete logarithm problem without pairings

AbstractDual‐receiver proxy re‐encryption is a cryptographic technique that enables secure data sharing among multiple authorized users or entities. It has gained significant attention for its ability to manage access permissions, data confidentiality, and streamline communication channels. These schemes have been widely used in various applications, including healthcare systems, cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, collaborative environments, and secure communication channels. This paper aims to propose two proxy re‐encryption schemes for dual receivers without pairings. The first is dual receiver lightweight proxy re‐encryption without pairings (DR‐LWPRE‐WP), which uses a public key scheme to reduce computational complexity. The second is dual receiver hybrid proxy re‐encryption without pairings (DR‐HPRE‐WP), which incorporates public key and symmetric key schemes. Both schemes offer protection against selected plaintext attacks based on the decisional Diffie‐Hellman principle. The DR‐LWPRE‐WP scheme reduces computation by approximately 53% compared to pairing‐based schemes, making it suitable for lightweight applications like the Internet of Things. The computational efficacy of these schemes offers significant benefits for resource‐constrained environments and practical implementations.

Foam Stabilization Process for Nano-Al2O3 and Its Effect on Mechanical Properties of Foamed Concrete.

Foamed concrete is increasingly utilized in engineering due to its light weight, excellent thermal insulation, fire resistance, etc. However, its low strength has always been the most crucial factor limiting its large-scale application. This study introduced an innovative method to enhance the strength of foamed concrete by using nano-Al2O3 (NA) as a foam stabilizer. NA was introduced into a foaming agent containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to prepare a highly stable foam. This approach significantly improved the foam stability and the strength of foamed concrete. Its drainage volume, settlement distance, microstructure, and stabilizing action were investigated, along with the strength, microstructure, and hydration products of foamed concrete. The presence of NA effectively reduced the drainage volume and settlement distance of the foam. NA is distributed at the gas-liquid interface and within the liquid film to play a hindering role, increasing the thickness of the liquid film, delaying the liquid discharge rate from the liquid film, and hindering bubble aggregation, thereby enhancing foam stability. Additionally, due to the stabilizing effect of NA on the foam, the precast foam forms a fine and uniform pore structure in the hardened foamed concrete. At 28 d, the compressive strength of FC0 (0% NAs in foam) is 2.18 MPa, while that of FC3 (0.18% NAs in foam) is 3.90 MPa, increased by 79%. The reason for this is that NA promotes the formation of AFt, and its secondary hydration leads to the continuous consumption of Ca(OH)2, resulting in a more complete hydration reaction. This study presents a novel method for significantly improving the performance of foamed concrete by incorporating NA.

Microstructure and functional properties of light weight AlMgxTiSnZn high entropy alloy

Lightweight high-entropy alloys (LWHEAs) present new opportunities for exploring innovative, low-cost materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio, thanks to their expansive alloy-design space. This study introduces the newly designed AlMgxTiSnZn HEAs to examine the relationship between microstructure, phase stability, and functional properties (including mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical properties alongside oxidation resistance). These alloys were produced by mechanically mixing them in a high-energy ball mill (HEBM), followed by heating with spark plasma sintering (SPS). Thermodynamic calculations were utilized to ascertain the phase structure. XRD studies revealed a predominant ordered BCC phase with minor peaks indicating a tetragonal structure. The correlation between microhardness (Hv) and fracture strength (σf) with Mg content indicates that the HEA sample featuring the highest microhardness concurrently exhibits the highest fracture strength (AlMgTiSnZn). This AlMgTiSnZn HEA sample, noted for its high corrosion resistance and distinct properties (such as favorable over-potential, low corrosion current density (Icorr), and minimal corrosion rate), is particularly promising for high-temperature applications.

Light weights are as effective as heavy weights for muscle activation in the Hammerobics exercise.

We previously reported that a Hammerobics exercise using weights can enhance trunk and lower extremity muscles, some studies suggested that training effects could also be expected without heavy weights. If the muscle activity induced by Hammerobics swinging with a 'light plastic ball' equals or surpasses that of the isometric static squat and synchronized squat with a heavy ball, this training approach could alleviate joint strain, fostering an exercise regimen universally accessible across generations, benefit for workouts sports and rehabilitation. Fifteen healthy men participated in this study. By using surface electromyography, muscle activities for the abductor hallucis, tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, peroneus longus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris long head, semitendinosus, gluteus maximus, multifidus, and internal oblique muscles were measured during a light Hammerobics synchronized squat (HSS-light), Hammerobics synchronized squat, and conventional isometric squat, and statistically compared. The front-to-back tibialis anterior activity of HSS-light was significantly higher than that of conventional isometric squat. The activities of all other muscles, except for the multifidus, were not significantly different between these exercises in the front-to-back and back-to-front phases. Compared to the Hammerobics synchronized squat, the light Hammerobics synchronized squat showed no differences in front-to-back tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, biceps femoris long head, and internal oblique activities and back-to-front abductor hallucis, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, and internal oblique activities. The HSS-light could stimulate muscles to the same level as the conventional isometric squat without weight bearing. While the HSS-light was less effective than the Hammerobics synchronized squat, there was no significant difference in internal oblique, rectus femoris, and tibialis anterior activities between these exercises. Hence, the HSS-light is an exercise method that can be viable approach to promoting accessible workouts sports and rehabilitation.

Effect of High Fiber Content on Properties and Performance of CFRTP Composites

Continuously reinforced thermoplastic composites are widely used in structural applications due to their toughness, light weight, and shorter process cycle. Moreover, they provide flexibility in design and material selection. Unlike thermoset composites, continuous fiber content to maximize mechanical properties in thermoplastic composites has not been well investigated. In this paper, three thermoplastic systems are investigated to study the optimum content of continuous fiber reinforcement. These systems include carbon fiber/polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), glass fiber/PPS, and glass fiber/high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Tapes were made at several fiber contents, and samples were compression molded and tested using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile, 3-point flexure, and short-beam shear tests. Results revealed that higher fiber content led to an increase in the glass transition and melt transition temperatures of the polymer. Some mechanical properties increased with fiber content and then began to decrease upon further addition of fibers, while other properties, such as ductility and interfacial bond strength, decreased with more reinforcement. Furthermore, the optimum fiber contents to maximize mechanical properties are different for different properties and different materials.

Hubungan Penilaian Kerusakan Jalan Metode Bina Marga dan Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD)

The Tegal Siwalan-Banyuanyar Highway in Probolinggo Regency has been damaged at several points and has not received any maintenance for the last 7 years. This has a huge impact on road users because it can interfere with driving comfort and safety, so it is necessary to analyze the road damage that has occurred, including the type of damage and an assessment of road conditions. The Bina Marga method and a light-weight deflectometer (LWD) can be used to assess road deflection in order to assess road condition. The results of this study obtained priority order values for each segment that were in the range 5-11. The greater the value of the Order of Priority obtained, the better the road condition, whereas the smaller the value of the Order of Priority obtained, the worse the road condition. It was also found that the Bina Marga method and the Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) tool had a poor correlation, so a comparison between the two could not be made for assessing the condition of the road surface layer.

Advances in nanomaterials as exceptional fillers to reinforce carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers composites and their emerging applications

AbstractCarbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites exhibit excellent characteristics such as light weight, high specific strength, specific stiffness, and chemical stability, making them customizable to meet the specific demands of various sectors such as the automotive, aerospace, defense, biomedical, and energy industries. However, the inert surface of carbon fibers (CFs) results in a poor interface compatibility with polymer matrices, leading to numerous interfacial defects and pores in prepared CFRP composites. These drawbacks significantly limit the application of CFRP composites in high‐end fields. The higher surface area and smaller size of nanomaterials provide multiple advantages for high‐performance CFRP composites that enhance the mechanical properties, impact resistance and interface adhesion between the fiber and the matrix. Hence, this review firstly summarizes the interfacial behavior and interface enhancement mechanisms for CFRP composites. Subsequently, we comprehensively review the recent advances in various nanomaterials‐modified CFRP composites, including carbon‐based nanoparticles, silicon‐based nanomaterials and metal nanomaterials, et al. Besides, we also present the applications of CFRP in emerging fields, such as military, aerospace, automotive, sports equipment, and medical, etc. Finally, we also prospected the challenges and future development trends of CFRP composites, aiming to provide new ideas and insights for future research on nanomaterial modifications and promote the development of high‐performance CFRP composites.Highlights The interface reinforced theory of CFRP is comprehensively summarized. Different types of nanoparticles that can be used for reinforcement in CFRP composites and nanomaterials modification methods are reviewed. Application of CFRP composites in various fields is presented. Challenges and future development directions of preparation of high‐performance CFRP composites are proposed.

Nanofluid minimum quantity lubrication assisted grinding force model considering anisotropy of SiCf/SiC ceramic matrix composites

SiCf/SiC ceramic matrix composites with excellent thermal stability, light weight and oxidation resistance have become key components in advanced aircraft engines. Nanofluid minimal quantity lubrication (NMQL) exhibits significant potential in enhancing heat transfer and lubrication efficiency during the grinding process. The technological challenge lies in thoroughly investigating the theoretical variation rule of grinding force, assisted by nanofluid minimal quantity lubrication, and subsequently achieving low-damage machining of SiCf/SiC composites. In this study, a prediction model for the grinding force during NMQL-assisted grinding was established, integrating diverse lubrication methods, grinding wheel geometric parameters, wear degree, process parameters, the anisotropy and damage degree of SiCf/SiC composites. The model was subsequently experimentally validated through grinding tests conducted on SiCf/SiC composites under various conditions, including dry grinding (DG), flood grinding (FG), minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), and carbon nanotube nanofluids (NMQL-CNTs), across multiple grinding depths. The present investigation’s grinding force forecasting model is evidenced to possess high accuracy of precision, showcasing mean deviations of 6.64 % and 11.97 % in the perpendicular (Fn) and tangential (Ft) grinding force components, respectively. Additionally, employing NMQL-CNTs facilitates the achievement of minimal grinding force and surface finish quality. At depths of 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm during grinding, the mean Fn magnitudes under the NMQL-CNTs lubrication approach underwent a decrease of 66.7 % and 74.5 %, respectively, in contrast, the mean Ft magnitudes experienced a reduction of 55 % and 67.2 %, correspondingly, in comparison to the DG lubrication technique. Notwithstanding the consistency in the material’s brittle removal mechanism across varying lubrication strategies, the NMQL-CNTs approach effectively alleviates fiber abrasion. Concisely, the research presented herein provides foundational theoretical insights and practical technological assistance for the achievement of low damage SiCf/SiC composite processing.

Automated design of architectured polymer-concrete composites with high specific flexural strength and toughness using sequential learning

Architectured polymer-concrete composite (APCC) is a promising structural material with high mechanical performance while optimizing the design of APCC for a high flexural strength, high toughness, and light weight remains a challenge. This paper presents a machine learning-based approach to design APCC with high specific flexural strength and toughness. The proposed approach integrates sequential surrogate modelling, Latin hypercube sampling, and Lion Pride Optimization to predict and optimize the flexural properties of APCC. The proposed approach was implemented into designing APCC beams, which were fabricated via 3D printing and tested under flexural loads. Results show that the APCC beams achieved high flexural strength, high toughness, and light weight, simultaneously. The devised architecture of APCC arrested crack propagation and promoted energy dissipation. Parametric studies were performed to evaluate the effect of key design variables of APCC on flexural properties. This research advances the basic knowledge and capabilities of AI-assisted design of APCC.