Mud Block Research Articles

Employment generation opportunities in fluorosis affected rural areas in India: Production of cement stabilized mud blocks using sludge from MgO-CaO-MgCl2-HCl and activated alumina based defluoridation filters

Abstract Cement stabilized blocks can be made from waste sludge generated from Activated Alumina and MgO-CaO-MgCl2-HCl based defluoridation filters. The waste sludge is mixed with sand, cement and water are shaped in form of blocks using a mud block making machine. This requires semi-skilled and unskilled labourers and thus can be used for employment generation in places which are affected by fluoride in rural India. The paper discusses the process and manpower requirement for this venture.

Use of sisal fiber and cement to improve load bearing capacity of mud blocks

Using soil as a construction material for masonry works have been indigenous technology. The present research investigates on use of sisal fibres and cement additives to enhance compressive strength of properties of mud block to advance traditional native knowledge and meet current construction material standard qualities. An experiment with total of twenty-four mixes consisting of 96 blocks was designed with mixes of 0% to 15% cement; 0% to 1.25% sisal fiber proportional to clay soil dry mass. At 28 days, compressive strength and density tests were performed as per ASTM standards. Test results showed use of sisal fibers and cement increased compressive strength of mud blocks up to 210.1%. Optimum mix design for enhanced mud block compressive strength performance were 10% cement and 1% sisal fiber composition.

Anti-balling Mechanism on the Non-smooth Surface of Bionic Polycrystalline diamond compact Drill Bits

Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit balling is one of the major factors that limits the penetration rate of drilling and causes bit failure in soft stratum. In order to solve the PDC bit balling problem, in this research we designs typical bionic non-smooth surfaces and analyzes the anti-adhesion mechanisms. Next, the non-smoothness characterization is extended from a two-dimensional to three-dimensional in which the area ratio and the width ratio are used to characterize lateral and longitudinal non-smoothness. Then, a comparative experiment between typical non-smooth surfaces and the smooth surface condition is carried out. The results show that the scale-like non-smooth surface has the best anti-adhesion effect and that longitudinal non-smoothness has a greater influence on mud block adhesion than lateral non-smoothness. The research results also show that after applying the principle of anti-adhesion and resistance reduction for the non-smooth surface of soil animals to the design of the flow channel of a PDC drill bit, the novel bionic anti-balling PDC bit can effectively avoid the problem of bit balling.

Strength of stabilized mud block masonry

Strength of stabilized mud block masonry

Compressed Stabilized Mud Block using Alccofine and Sodium Meta Silicate

Compressed Stabilized Mud Block using Alccofine and Sodium Meta Silicate

Effect of fly ash and GGBS on lime stabilized mud block

Mud blocks have been in consideration for replacement for bricks and cement concrete blocks in the last decade. Mud blocks are advantageous because they use very less cement thereby reducing the carbon foot print left by the process of manufacturing cement. The major problem that comes with Stabilized mud blocks is their compressive strength is very low. This paper works on finding the effect of Fly ash and GGBS on Lime stabilized mud block, thereby producing innovative stabilized mud block. Fly ash and GGBS are industrial wastes. Lime was taken to be 5% and Fly ash and GGBS ratios were varied from 0 to 10% with incremental percentages of 2%. It was found that as Fly ash and GGBS concentrations increased the compressive strength of the blocks increased. Effect of GGBS increment on the wet compressive strength was more than the effect of Fly ash. Water absorption test also was conducted along with compressive strength. It was found that Fly ash plays a major role in the water absorption rates compared to GGBS on lime stabilized mud block, it might be attributed to the fly- ash’s nature of forming effective cementitious materials with lime to reduce the interconnectivity of the pores.

Efficacy of Fludora\xae Fusion (a mixture of deltamethrin and clothianidin) for indoor residual spraying against pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors: laboratory and experimental hut evaluation

BackgroundA new generation of IRS insecticides which can provide improved and prolonged control of pyrethroid-resistant malaria vector populations are being developed. Fludora® Fusion is a new IRS insecticide containing a mixture of deltamethrin and clothianidin, a neonicotinoid.MethodsThe efficacy of Fludora® Fusion IRS was evaluated over 11–12 months on concrete and mud substrates in laboratory bioassays and experimental huts against wild free-flying pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae (sensu lato) in Cové, Benin. A comparison was made with the two active ingredients of the mixture; clothianidin and deltamethrin, applied alone. CDC bottle bioassays were also performed to investigate resistance to clothianidin in the wild vector population.ResultsFludora® Fusion induced > 80% laboratory cone bioassay mortality with both susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant An. gambiae (s.l.) for 7–9 months on concrete block substrates and 12 months on mud block substrates. The vector population at the experimental hut site was fully susceptible to clothianidin in CDC bottle bioassays. Overall mortality rates of wild free-flying pyrethroid-resistant An. gambiae (s.l.) entering the experimental huts during the 11-month trial were < 15% with deltamethrin and significantly higher with Fludora® Fusion (69–71%) and clothianidin alone (72–78%). Initial high experimental hut mortality rates with Fludora® Fusion (> 80%) only declined by 50% after 8 months. Monthly in situ wall cone bioassay mortality of susceptible mosquitoes was > 80% for 9–12 months with Fludora® Fusion and clothianidin alone. Fludora® Fusion induced significantly higher levels of early exiting of mosquitoes compared to clothianidin alone (55–60% vs 37–38%, P < 0.05).ConclusionsIndoor residual spraying with Fludora® Fusion induced high and prolonged mortality of wild pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors for 7–10 months mostly due to the clothianidin component and substantial early exiting of mosquitoes from treated huts due to the pyrethroid component. Fludora® Fusion is an important addition to the current portfolio of IRS insecticides with the potential to significantly reduce transmission of malaria by pyrethroid-resistant mosquito vectors.

Influence of Waste Gypsum on the Microstructural Characteristics and Strength Behavior of Unfired Mud Block

Construction technology in the twenty-first century is on the peak yet developing countries of the world still dream for shelter in bad weather conditions and apply old traditional techniques for construction of their houses. The reason is the increasing cost of construction materials due to energy crises, poor economic conditions, and sometimes the love of people toward earthen architecture culture. The world will prefer low energy alternatives to conventional construction. Some alternatives regarding conventional construction like mud block masonry are part of this research paper to avoid shrinking natural resources and take control of the energy crisis. This research work focuses on the compressive strength of the mud block by stabilizing it with additives like waste gypsum. The study also intended to investigate the rapid hardening of the masonry block. Finally, study the morphology of the stabilized blocks by using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDXMA). This research found that the compressive strength of waste gypsum-stabilized mud block at 7 days and 14 days increases with the increasing rate of waste gypsum from 0 to 20%. This research will help the poor community by reducing the economy and energy consumed in the construction of houses. Besides, this research will play a role by minimizing the consumption of natural resources, encourage people to reuse waste gypsum in construction without compromising on environmental pollution.

Effects of Industrial and Agricultural Wastes on Mud Blocks Using Geopolymer

For this research, the red soil sample was drawn, and a steady percentage of the geopolymer was used along with distinct proportions of stabilizers such as fly ash, groundnut shell ash, bagasse ash, and GGBFS. Geopolymer was used in the manufacture of stabilized mud blocks as a binding agent. The geopolymer solution’s effects on mud block strength have been researched. The effects of industrial by‐products and waste such as fly ash, groundnut shell ash, bagasse ash, and GGBFS were also explored with the geopolymer to stabilize the mud blocks.

Experimental Study on Greener Brick Using Sustainable Materials

Squares envision a fundamental part in the progression business and the gigantic progress zones is occupied with blocks. Relentless days a piece of examination works is given to make blocks for unequivocal application using eco astonishing material. Coal-based thermal power plants add to around 50 % of the unique force made in India. In doing fittingly, they produce colossal volume of coal rubbish (lake waste and fly rot). The ensured flight of coal garbage requires gigantic land a district. To beat the trademark risks gained by the ground of earth squares and coal refuse from thermal power plants, convincing use with respect to coal deny annulling brand name soil in square making is destroyed. In this endeavor, compass block properties are made using mechanical outcomes like olivine sand, eco sand, fly junk and steel slag. In this paper relies upon mechanical properties, as compressive strength, water ingestion, weight thickness and juveniles. The results are withdrawn and standard mud block. The compass block is found to be best examined over earth block concerning strength and beneficial viewpoints.

Study of the properties of the Echerhirhu-Block made with Opuntia ficus mucilage for use in the construction industry

This research shows the results of mixtures of materials used for making Echerhirhu- Block (mud block, in purépecha) that complies with quality standards, as possible replacement for conventional bricks. The product was made from soil mixtures, cellulose (recycled paper), and Opuntia ficus extract (mucilage) used as binder. The process was carried out by grinding soil and waste paper down to a particle size smaller than 3 mm. It was hydrated with water, mixed, its pH was modified through the addition of lime. This led to a stabilization that contributed to the cementation of the particles. Subsequently, mucilage was added and the components were homogenized until a moldable paste was obtained. This was emptied into molds and left to dry for 9 days. Physical tests were performed to determine the properties of the bricks. Compressive strength was determined and compared with some commercial products according to the NMX-C-404-ONNCE-2012 standard. The optimum sample presented a compressive strength of almost 76 kg/cm2, while conventional bricks for non-structural purpose showed a maximum compressive strength of 60 kg/cm2. Moreover, a 17% water absorption decrease and a weight reduction up to 25% were observed, at a 10% lower cost since no firing is required.

English

The two thrust areas in the housing sector are the promotion of building material units using local materials consistent with ecological balance, and the production of building materials with low energy inputs which substitute for energy intensive building materials. Considerable amount of energy is spent in the manufacturing processes and transportation of various building materials. Conservation of energy becomes important in the context of limiting of green house gases emission into the atmosphere and reducing costs of materials. Common burnt clay bricks are increasingly becoming costly due to excessive cost of fuel to burn them and not many suitable brick earths are found everywhere. Stabilized mud block could be an economic alternative to the traditional brick. The paper presents how environmentally-friendly building materials and construction technologies can be made more affordable to the urban poor while still meeting rigorous building standards. These techniques also help in mitigating climate change by avoiding carbon emissions during the production of building materials and construction as well as by saving thousands of trees & intended to help promote the use of earth construction in a wider region.

Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Factors in Dilla Town and the Surrounding Rural Areas, Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Although progress in the fight against malaria, about 75% of the land and 60% of the population is exposed to malaria in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of malaria in Dilla town and surrounding rural areas, Southern Ethiopia. Institution based, cross sectional study was employed from October 01 to December 29, 2014 in health facilities. A stratified sampling technique was carried out to select representative individuals. A pre-tested structured questionnaire and blood film examination format (n=350) were used as data collection tools. Peripheral blood samples were collected and the presence of malaria parasites was observed microscopically on thick and thin blood smears. Personal data were collected through the householdbased questionnaires. Finally, data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The overall prevalence of malaria in the study area was 16.0% with higher infection rate in the surrounding area (53.6%) and amongst the age group of 15-24 years (35.7%). The predominant Plasmodium species detected was P. vivax (62.5%) followed by P. falciparum (26.8%) and mixed malaria infection of both species (10.7%). Chi-square result revealed that residing in houses with mud block walls and unavailability of insecticide treated bed nets were found to be significantly associated with the risk of getting malaria parasites (p<0.05). Individuals living in nearby stagnant water were found to be two times more likely to get malaria parasites than those who were far away from these risky areas (OR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.50-3.85). Houses that had been sprayed with insecticide in the past 6 months were protected against malaria infection (OR=2.45, 95% CI: 2.20-3.99). In conclusion, the prevalence of malaria reported in the current study was higher than reports in many areas of the country despite its reduction from year to year.

BATAKO LUMPUR LAPINDO SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF MATERIAL PASANGAN DINDING

Block made of mud is a building material used in making wall for building that is made fromsand, cement, and fly ash using certain percentage mud in sand. This research aimed to know theeffect of the use of lapindo mud towards the compressive strength, the absorption of block waterwith the mud dosage in sand are: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. This research was an experimentalresearch; each design was made in size 10x20x40 cm using 5% of fly ash and without fly ash.The result of this research showed that the highest compressive strength was raised in 10%mud in sand with 5% fly ash that was 195 kg/cm2 or increased about 3.44 kg/cm2 within increasingpercentage about 10.651% towards the compressive of block without lapindo mud with 5% of flyash, and was included in class I quality of block. While for the 30% and 40% mud percentage islower compared with normal compressive strength of block. The test result of water absorption oflapindo mud block showed the higher value than 20% for lapindo mud block with 5% fly ash, inframing the mud blocks as the wall, those blocks need to be soaked first because the absorptionvalue of block is higher than 20%. Lapindo mud block without 5% fly ash has bricks water absorptionless than 20%, while in framing those bricks, they don’t need to be soaked because the absorptionof brick if lower than 20%. By using fly ash in mud block, we can get the higher compressivestrength and the lower water absorption.Keyword: Porong Mud, Block, Fly Ash, Compressive Strength, Absorption

220Rn and its progeny in dwellings of Korea

Concentrations of 220Rn and its progeny were measured in 450 dwellings from 2002 to 2004 using two kinds of simple passive 222Rn and 220Rn monitors, Radopot TM and 220Rn progeny monitor. The annual arithmetic mean (AM) and geometric mean (GM) of 220Rn concentrations were 40.4 and 10.7 Bq m - 3 , respectively. The annual arithmetic mean (AM) of EEC Tn concentration was 0.89 ± 0.70 Bq m - 3 , and the annual geometric mean (GM) was 0.60 Bq m - 3 (95% confidence interval: 0.43 – 0.78 Bq m - 3 ). The concentrations of 220Rn in Korean-style houses built with mud block were about two times higher than those in apartments. The average annual effective dose due to inhalation exposure to 220Rn and its progeny in dwellings was 0.25 mSv y - 1 .

Strength and Elastic Properties of Stabilized Mud Block Masonry Using Cement-Soil Mortars

Stabilized mud blocks (SMBs) are manufactured by compacting a wetted mixture of soil, sand, and stabilizer in a machine into a high-density block. Such blocks are used for the construction of load-bearing masonry. Cement soil mortar is commonly used for SMB masonry. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation in characterizing the properties of SMB masonry using cement-soil mortars. The compressive strength, stress-strain relationships, and elastic properties of SMB masonry using three types of SMBs and cement-soil mortars are discussed. The influence of a cement-soil mortar’s composition and strength on masonry characteristics is examined. The results of masonry using cement-soil mortars are compared with those using conventional mortars (cement mortar and cement-lime mortar). Some of the major findings are: (1) SMB masonry strength is sensitive to block strength and increases with increase in block strength; (2) the strength of SMB masonry using cement-soil mortars is more sensitive to the cement content of the mortar than to the clay fraction of the mortar mix; (3) the masonry modulus increases as the block strength increases; and (4) SMB masonry with cement-soil mortars shows higher modulus than the masonry using cement mortar and cement-lime mortar.

Ceres2d: a Numerical Prototype for Hc Potential Evaluation in Complex Area

Abstract-Ceres2D: A Numerical Prototype for HC Potential Evaluation in Complex Area-This paper deals with the Ceres prototype which is a basin model able to account for porous medium compaction, heat transfer, and hydrocarbon generation and migration. Furthermore, Ceres was designed to handle changing geometry through time as results of sedimentation, erosion, salt or mud creeping and block displacement along fault. The classical flow chart to perform a case study is composed of three main steps. The first step is the building of the present day section. This is generally done with data coming from the seismic interpretation, well data, field data and core data. The second step is the restoration of the section. Thus from the section at present day, the section is restored back in the past for each of the defined layer, and until the substratum is reached. The last step is the forward simulation. And, in order to solve the coupled equations that are generally used in basin models, we had to develop original numerical methods based on domain decomposition techniques. The Ceres prototype has now been used to study petroleum systems. It has been used to perform sensitivity studies on fault permeability in the Bolivian foothills and the Congo offshore. In the Gulf of Mexico, it allowed to study the impact of the salt tectonics on the hydrocarbon migration. More recently, the Ceres prototype has been tested, within the frame of the SubTrap consortium, in thrust areas such as the Canadian foothills and the Eastern Venezuelan foothills. For these last case studies, it has been beneficial that structural geologists were involved at all stages of the process.

Large-scale slope failure and active erosion occurring in the southwest Ryukyu fore-arc area

Abstract. The southwestern Ryukyu area east of Taiwan Island is an arcuate boundary between Philippine Sea Plate and Eurasian Plate. The topographic features in the area are characterised by (1) a large-scale amphitheatre off Ishigaki Island, just on the estimated epicentre of the tsunamigenic earthquake in 1771, (2) lots of deep sea canyons located north of the amphitheatre, (3) 15–20 km wide fore-arc basin, (4) 15–20 km wide flat plane in the axial area of the trench, (5) E-W trending half grabens located on the fore-arc area, etc., which were revealed by several recent topographic survey expeditions. The diving survey by SHINKAI6500 in the fore-arc area on a spur located 120 km south of Ishigaki Island was carried out in 1992. The site is characterised dominantly by rough topography consisting of a series of steep slopes and escarpments. A part of the surface is eroded due to the weight of the sediment itself and consequently the basement layer is exposed. The site was covered with suspended particles during the diving, due to the present surface sliding and erosion. The same site was resurveyed in 1997 by ROV KAIKO, which confirmed the continuous slope failure taking place in the site. Another example that was observed by KAIKO expedition in 1997 is a largescale mud block on the southward dipping slope 80 km south of Ishigaki Island. This is apparently derived from the shallower part of the steep slope on the southern edge of the fan deposit south of Ishigaki Island. The topographic features suggest N-S or NE-SW tensional stress over the whole study area. In this sense, the relative motion between the two plates in this area is oblique to the plate boundary. So, the seaward migration of the plate boundary may occur due to the gravitational instability at the boundary of the two different lithospheric structures. This is evidenced by a lack of accretionary sediment on the fore-arc and the mechanism of a recent earthquake which occurred on 3 May 1998 in the Philippine Sea Plate 250 km SSE of Ishigaki Island.

New Technique Provides Open-Hole Production Test of Wildcat Formations

Introduction It is becoming increasingly difficult to find proved oil reserves within the boundaries of the United States. In general, companies must drill much deeper in their search for oil. The depth of present-day wildcat wells and the complex completion procedures used on such wells have brought about a large increase in the cost to put oil back in the tank battery. This skyrocketing of costs has stimulated a constant search for new or improved methods in every phase of drilling for oil. A new testing technique which has helped to a great extent the struggle to cut the cost of finding oil reserves provides conclusive evaluation of questionable wildcat formations without the expense of running casing. The technique and tools used were made available to the petroleum industry in the latter part of 1956. To date, conclusive information has been obtained on more than 200 wildcat formations located in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, the Texas Panhandle, North Central Texas, the Permian Basin of West Texas, and Southwest Texas. Successful open-hole production tests have been performed in porous lime, consolidated lime, fractured lime, vugular lime, conglomerate, consolidated sand, coarse sand, shaly sand and red shale. Need of Supplement For Conventional Testing The conventional drill-stem test is the most widely used method to obtain information for the evaluation of the potential production of a formation. When pressures and fluid are obtained in sufficient amounts, the drill-stem test gives exact and conclusive in formation on formation potential. However, quite often a drill-stem test is either void or obtains very little yield of fluid or pressure. This would lead to the normal conclusion of poor production potential. When electric logs indicate possible fluid and a void drill-stem test results, it is possible that the formation has been blocked or plugged by the drilling mud. This blocking action can be of varying degrees. A partial block may occur to give only a slight show of formation pressures and fluid and, thus, indicate poor potential. Therefore, when test results are poor but logs give indication of production, the test is inconclusive. It then becomes necessary or desirable to more thoroughly test the zone, or zones. In order to obtain more conclusive in formation under such conditions, an acid treatment may be required to break down the suspected mud block. When the mud block has extended well into a permeable zone, a substantial treatment is often necessary. Very high pressures normally occur while breaking through these blocked permeable zones.