Optimum Percentage Research Articles

Edge computing collaborative offloading strategy for space‐air‐ground integrated networks

SummaryDue to geographical factors, it is impossible to build large‐scale communication network infrastructure in remote areas, which leads to poor network communication quality in these areas and a series of delay‐sensitive tasks cannot be timely processed and responded. Aiming at the problem of limited coverage in remote areas, the space‐air‐ground integrated networks (SAGIN) combined with mobile edge computing (MEC) can provide low latency and high reliability transmission for offloading delay‐sensitive tasks for users in remote areas. Considering the strong limitation of satellite resources in the space‐ground integrated network and insufficient energy of local user equipment, firstly, a satellite‐UAV cluster‐ground three‐layer edge computing network architecture is proposed in this paper. Under the condition that the delay requirements of various ground tasks are met, the task offloading problem is transformed into a Stackelberg game between ground user equipment and edge servers. In addition, it is proved that the existence of Nash equilibrium in non‐cooperative game between ground user equipment by using potential game. Finally, a Nash equilibrium iterative offloading algorithm based on Stackelberg game (NEIO‐SG) is proposed to find the optimal offloading strategy for tasks to minimize the system offloading cost and the optimal forwarding percentage strategy for offloading tasks to maximize the utility function of the edge server. Simulation results show that compared to other baseline algorithms, NEIO‐SG reduces the total system latency during task offloading by about 13 and the energy consumption of the edge server by about 35.

MWCNT/Al–Bi–NaCl nanocomposites for enhanced H2 generation

H2 generation through hydrolysis of Al-composites has received eclectic attention for on-demand H2 applications such as low-power proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In this line, we prepared Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT)/Al–Bi–NaCl nanocomposites and tested them for enhanced H2 generation. These nanocomposites are prepared using high-energy ball milling followed by uni-axial cold compaction. H2 generation by these nanocomposites was tested using tap water at room temperature. An excellent maximum H2 generation rate of 13.33 mLg−1s−1 with an H2 yield of 98% and an induction time of less than 10 s is achieved. Analysis of different observations shows that adding an optimum percentage of MWCNT to the Al–Bi–NaCl composite results in flaky morphology, which facilitates easily accessible water pathways, enhancing the H2 generation rate of the nanocomposites. Also, an enhanced number of MWCNT/Al–Bi microgalvanic cells, optimum utilization of electrical conductivity of MWCNT, and dissolution of NaCl favored the H2 generation.

Simultaneous multi-targeted forensic toxicological screening in biological matrices by MRM-IDA-EPI mode

The toxicologist ascertains drug assumptions in case of paediatric intoxications and death for overdose. The analytical approach consists of initially screening and consequently confirming drug positivity. We developed a toxicological screening method and validated its use comparing the results with a LC–MS/MS analysis. The method identifies 751 drugs and metabolites (704 in positive and 47 in negative mode). Chromatographic separation was achieved eluting mobile phase A (10 mM ammonium formate) and B (0.05% formic acid in methanol) in gradient on Kinetex Phenyl-Hexyl (50 × 4.6 mm, 2.6 μm) with 0.7 mL/min flow rate for 11 min. Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) was adopted as survey scan and, after an Information-Dependent Analysis (IDA) (threshold of 30,000 for positive and 1000 cps for negative mode), the Enhanced Product Ion (scan range: 50–700 amu) was triggered. The MS/MS spectrum generated was compared with one of the libraries for identification. Data processing was optimised through creation of rules. Sample preparation, mainly consisting of deproteinization and enzymatic hydrolysis, was set up for different matrices (blood, urine, vitreous humor, synovial fluid, cadaveric tissues and larvae). Cut-off for most analytes resulted in the lowest concentration tested. When the results from the screening and LC–MS/MS analysis were compared, an optimal percentage of agreement (100%) was assessed for all matrices. Method applicability was evaluated on real paediatric intoxications and forensic cases. In conclusion, we proposed a multi-targeted, fast, sensitive and specific MRM-IDA-EPI screening having an extensive use in different toxicological fields.

Digital Immunoassay for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Broad Spectrum of Animals.

The ability of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to infect a wide-range of species raises significant concerns regarding both human-to-animal and animal-to-human transmission. There is an increasing demand for highly sensitive, rapid, and simple diagnostic assays that can detect viral infection across various species. In this study, we developed a biosensor assay that adapted a monoclonal-antibody (mAb)-based blocking ELISA format into an Activate Capture + Digital Counting (AC + DC)-based immunoassay. The assay employs a photonic crystal (PC) biosensor, gold-nanoparticle (AuNP) tags, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein, and specific anti-N mAb to detect antibody responses in animals exposed with SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrated a simple 2-step 15-min test that was capable of detecting as low as 12.5 ng of antibody in controlled standard serum samples. Based on an evaluation of 176 cat serum samples with known antibody status, an optimal percentage of inhibition (PI) cut-off value of 0.588 resulted in a diagnostic sensitivity of 98.3% and a diagnostic specificity of 96.5%. The test is highly repeatable with low variation coefficients of 2.04%, 2.73%, and 4.87% across different runs, within a single run, and on a single chip, respectively. The test was further employed to detect antibody responses in multiple animal species as well as investigate dynamics of antibody response in experimentally infected cats. This test platform provides an important tool for rapid field surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection across multiple species.

Effect of Corn Stover Ash Reinforced with Cabuya Fiber on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete

Currently, organic wastes are an environmental problem generating pollution, bad odors and accumulation of residues in northern Peru, among these products are corn stover and cabuya, predominant materials in the area. Therefore, this research focuses on determining the effect of optimum temperature and optimum percentage of corn stover ash (CSA) reinforced with different proportions of cabuya fiber (CF) on the mechanical properties of concrete. Two conventional designs of standard concrete called A and B (21 and 28 MPa) were made, to these designs were added percentages of CSA in 7%, 10%, 12% and 15% by substitution of the weight of cement to determine the optimum percentage, which was reinforced with percentages of cabuya fiber in 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% in volume of the concrete. The results showed that the optimum mix was A/B+7CSA, evidencing an improvement in compressive strength of 2.7% as opposed to the optimum CSA +CF hybrid mix, where it was observed that its mechanical properties of compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength and static modulus of elasticity decreased to 15.8%, 11.30%, 5.14% and 10.5%, respectively. It is concluded that corn stover ash reinforced with cabuya fiber does not positively influence the mechanical properties of concrete; however, it is an environmentally sustainable alternative to be used in non-structural concrete.

On low velocity impact response of Sandwich composite with jute/epoxy facesheet and cenosphere reinforced functionally graded Core: Experimental and finite element approach

AbstractThe assessment of energy absorption behavior has a vital role in determining suitability of lightweight composites for impact protection applications. This study focuses on evaluating the energy absorption characteristics of cenosphere reinforced epoxy syntactic foam core and jute epoxy facesheet sandwich composite subjected to low velocity impact. The syntactic foam is composed of lightweight cenospheres embedded within an epoxy matrix, resulting in a high‐strength and lightweight composite material. Low velocity impact tests were conducted using a drop tower apparatus to simulate realistic impact conditions. The impact force, energy absorption and damage mitigation of the syntactic foam specimens with varied weight percentage of Cenosphere (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) were measured and analyzed to assess the energy absorption behavior. The gradation revealed that the weight of top layer when compared to bottom layer is 50.49%, 70.23% and 95.74% less in syntactic foam core with 10, 20 and 30 wt% Cenosphere respectively, indicating gradation. The study demonstrates that the addition of Cenosphere up to 20 wt% enhances the energy absorption capacity of the sandwich composites by 59.37%–93.44% compared to sandwich without Cenosphere reinforced core. However, beyond this threshold, a decline in energy absorption is observed when subjected to low‐velocity impact (LVI). Fractography analysis demonstrates that the incorporation of Cenosphere induces a rough fracture surface with deep river‐like topography, indicative of greater energy absorption during impact loading. This substantiates the conclusion that Cenosphere‐reinforced syntactic foams exhibit enhanced impact resistance, making them promising materials for structures subjected to low‐velocity impact events.Highlights Development of functionally graded core sandwich composite for low velocity impact applications. Assessing the performance of developed composites under low velocity impact loading. Determining the optimal weight percentage of cenospshere in functionally graded core. Studying the fractography of developed sandwich composites. Corelation between experimental and finite element studies.

An Experimental Study on Properties of Microbial Blended Concrete

Several efforts are being made by researchers to turn concrete into a more sustainable material. Various research are being carried out to substitute cement in concrete, either whole or in part. The current work uses mineral admixtures like metakaolin and GGBS (blended concrete) to partially substitute cement in concrete. Concrete prone to cracking due to structural and Non-structural conditions. All kinds of fissures have the potential to harm concrete by letting water and other substances pass through them, which weakens and distorts the material while also compromising the reinforcing. To repair the concrete cracks, a certain type of treatment and routine upkeep are required, and they will be very costly. So, the current research is to study the impact of Bacteria (microbes) on crack healing as well as on properties of blended concrete. Different mixes of M25-grade concrete were done by using M-sand as fine aggregate to obtain the optimum percentage of GGBS used as supplementary cementitious material (0, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%), and the same percentage was used in blended concrete, which included metakaolin at different percentages (0, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%).Among different mixes, the proportions of blended concrete with enhanced mechanical properties were considered, and bacteria were induced at a constant percentage in that mix. The results indicated that the microbial blended concrete mix has significantly improved mechanical and durability properties, when compared to conventional and blended concrete mixes.

Optimal Ways of Safflower Oil Production with Improvement of Press Equipment.

This study aims to improve press equipment for safflower oil production by using a mechanism that optimizes pressure distribution within screw turns. A detailed analysis of the main components of the produced safflower oil was performed, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Through the exploration of dependencies governing the safflower oil pressing process on the screw press, the optimal parameters were determined. As a result of the research, the optimal diaphragm gap between the gape cylinder and the pressing screw was determined, with the optimal oil yield percentage achieved at ω = 6.2 rad/s and δ = 5 mm. The study also compared the performance of the existing Dream Modern ODM-01 screw press and its upgraded version by analyzing the extracted oil. The results reveal changes in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the main oil components following the operation of the existing and the modernized screw presses. For instance, the amount of unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid (7.7 ± 0.566%), linoleic acid (85.3 ± 1.185%), and linolenic acid (1.2 ± 0.223%), increased. There was an increase in the presence of inorganic substances in safflower oil: iron (0.023 ± 0.031 mg/kg), phosphorus (0.086 ± 0.059 mg/kg), silicium (0.136 ± 0.075 mg/kg), and others. The findings of this study hold significant commercial value and offer promising prospects for global market implementation.

A Comprehensive Review on Red Mud-based Geo-polymerase a Sustainable Material

Effective waste management is crucial; every waste component can be systematically controlled to minimize its creation. The development of geo-polymer concrete offers a pathway towards achieving this objective. Methods: Geo-polymers are inorganic materials that result from the alkali activation of aluminosilicates. The alumino-silicates are sourced from naturally occurring materials and industrial waste such as fly ash, blast furnace slag, and rice husk ash. Red mud, a by-product from an alumina refining industry practically rich in alumina content, can be used as a geo-polymer material along with other calcium and silicate-rich by-products to create an excellent binding material like cement. Findings: This paper studies the properties of red mud-based geo-polymer concrete. Red mud is known for its high alkalinity; it contains significant amounts of aluminium, silicon, and iron oxides, making it a valuable material for polymerization. Incorporating red mud in the production of geopolymer concrete is anticipated to have a significant impact in the future. Studies show red mud-based geo-polymer concrete's mechanical and durability properties, drawing insights from past literature. The chemical properties of red mud were correlated with the mechanical properties of the geo-polymer concrete block. Strength comparison of red mud and fly ash-based geo-polymer and red mud-mud-metakaolin eco-polymer was made to know the optimum percentage of replacement of red mud in the geo-polymer mix. Novelty: The findings will serve as a technical framework for future experimental endeavours and a more environment-friendly construction approach, ultimately assessing its practical feasibility.

Evaluation of the tensile strength and impact property of polyamide/short glass fibre-multi-walled carbon nanotube composites: an experimental study based on response surface method

The tensile strength, impact property and thermal stability of polyamide 6 (PA6) reinforced with carboxylic acid-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with 1 and 2 wt.%, and short glass fibre (SGF) with 10 and 20 wt.%, were investigated. The morphological properties were examined by SEM. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was also carried out to explore the thermal stability and crystallinity of nanocomposites. For determining the optimal weight percentage of reinforcements, the response surface methodology (RSM) was used. The effect of nanotubes and weight percentages of fibre on the tensile and impact properties was investigated by analysis of variance. The results indicated that the incorporation of MWCNTs to PA6 increased the tensile and impact strength of the matrix by 16% and 24%, respectively. Also, the addition of SGFs to polyamide improved the mechanical properties. The results also showed that the nanocomposite containing 1 wt.% MWCNTs and 20 wt.% SGFs had the highest properties (66% increase for tensile and 81% increase for impact strength compared to neat PA6). The DSC results confirmed the effect of reinforcements on thermal characteristics of nanocomposites. The validation of output models of responses implies the ability of models to predict the tensile and impact behaviour of composites.

INFLUENCE OF CEMENT AND COIR FIBER ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF RAMMED EARTH

Rammed earth, a construction is widely used globally due to its ease of availability of materials and mechanical performance. Stabilization is necessary in rammed earth construction to enhance the binding of the soil particles which in turn increases the mechanical and durability properties of rammed earth. The purpose of this research is to determine the optimum percentage of chemically treated Coir fiber dust and cement for rammed earth. Fibers and cement can be easily integrated into the soil mixture, increasing the wall's strength and durability. Compressive, flexural, and tensile strength tests were performed on the samples, and failure patterns were studied. Cement is varied in percentages of 6%, 9% and 12% and coir fiber dust (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 percent by weight of soil) were added as stabilizer and reinforcement. To assess the optimum strength and durability, it is recommended to utilize 0.2 percent fiber content Coir fiber dust, along with 9 percent cement by weight of soil. It is observed that with the cement and fiber dust incorporation there has been increase in the mechanical properties of rammed earth. Keywords- Cement Stabilized Rammed Earth (CSRE), Coir Fiber Dust, wet compressive strength, flexural strength.

Evaluating the Geotechnical Properties of Stabilized Problematic Soil by Utilizing Reed Ash and Lime Mixture

Stabilization of problematic soil poses a significant challenge in civil engineering projects, especially in regions with prevalent soft clay soils. This study was carried out to study the impact of using a blend of reed ash and lime on improving and stabilizing problematic soil. A sample of soil was obtained from a location in the south of Iraq, specifically in Al-Muthanna Governorate. The treatment involved adding different proportions of reed ash (3%, 5%, 7%, and 9.0% of the soil's dry weight) along with 5% lime, which was determined as the optimal percentage based on previous research. Various laboratory tests were conducted to assess the characteristics of the treated soil, including compaction and unconfined compressive strength (UCS). The findings indicated a notable enhancement in UCS and the maximum dry density (MDD). It was observed that UCS and MDD increased with increasing the reed ash and lime mixture proportion, reaching an optimal level. Beyond this percentage, the strength started to decline. It was found that the incorporation of lime and reed ash (5% lime and 7% reed ash) into the treated soil significantly improved its strength, up to about 10 times compared to untreated soil after 28 days of curing. This approach offers additional benefits, such as reducing environmental pollution by decreasing CO2 emissions during phases of production and providing cost savings because of the affordability of the materials used.

Use of pumice stone and silica fume as precursor material for the design of a geopolymer

Background Geopolymers are alternative materials to cement because they require less energy in their production process; hence, they contribute to the reduction in CO2 emissions. This study aims to evaluate the possibility of using industrial residues such as silica fume (SF) to improve the physical and mechanical properties of a pumice stone (PS)-based geopolymer. Methods Through an experimental methodology, the process starts with the extraction, grinding, and sieving of the raw material to carry out the physical and chemical characterization of the resulting material, followed by the dosage of the geopolymer mixture considering the factors that influence the resistance mechanical strength. Finally, the physical and mechanical properties of the geopolymer were characterized. This research was carried out in four stages: characterization of the pumice stone, design of the geopolymer through laboratory tests, application according to the dosage of the concrete, and analysis of the data through a multi-criteria analysis. Results It was determined that the optimal percentage of SF replacement is 10%, which to improves the properties of the geopolymer allowing to reach a maximum resistance to compression and flexion of 14.10 MPa and 4.78 MPa respectively, showing that there is a direct relationship between the percentage of SF and the resistance. Conclusions Geopolymer preparation involves the use of PS powder with a composition rich in silicon and aluminum. The factors influencing strength include the ratio of sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide, water content, temperature, curing time, molarity of sodium hydroxide, and binder ratio. The results showed an increase in the compression and flexural strength with 10% SF replacement. The geopolymer’s maximum compressive strength indicates its non-structural use, but it can be improved by reducing the PS powder size.

Artificial neural network evaluation of concrete performance exposed to elevated temperature with destructive–non-destructive tests

In this study, it is aimed to predict the performance of concretes obtained by using supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) before and after high temperature using artificial neural network. Thus, in addition to contributing to sustainable development and circular economy by using waste materials in concrete production, predicting concrete strength using artificial neural network without the need for experimental studies will provide a great advantage in practice. In addition, it will also contribute to the literature in terms of determining the optimum amount of metakaolin to be used with fly ash in concrete production. Metakaolin, silica fume and fly ash were used as SCM in different proportions in concrete mixes. Accordingly, a total of 22 concrete series were prepared, one of which was the control series. Porosity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, pressure and tensile strength tests were applied to the series at the end of 7th, 28th and 90th curing periods before high temperature. In order to determine the strength losses after elevated temperature, porosity and compressive strength tests were applied at temperatures of 400, 600 and 800 °C. Mineral additive series showed positive mechanical properties up to 20%. However, it has been observed that the use of fly ash after a certain rate causes a decrease in strength. After elevated temperature, strength loss was observed in all series due to the increase in temperature, while it was observed that the rate of being affected by elevated temperature decreased as the percentage of metakaolin increased. Optimum mineral additive usage percentages were determined as 10% fly ash and 15% metakaolin. On the other hand, the use of mineral additives above the optimum level caused the performance of the concrete to decrease. Then, the concrete compression strengths obtained at 7th, 28th, and 90th days and at 400, 600 and 800 °C temperatures are taken as the outputs of the ANN. The artificial neural network provided the closest results to experimental data. Moreover, to prove the predictive performance of ANN, a comparative analysis was made with GPR, SVM and LR and the smallest value of the RMSE value is obtained with the ANN model. Finally, a fivefold cross-validation criteria was used to objectively present the performance of the model.

Synergistic effect of niobium carbide and titanium nanoparticles on the mechanical and microstructural properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy hybrid composites

In this study, an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy matrix serves as the matrix material, with Niobium Carbide (NbC) and Titanium (Ti) nanoparticles acting as reinforcements to enhance composite strength. Incorporating nano-structured reinforcements significantly enhance both strength and toughness, surpassing micro-sized counterparts. To prevent nanoparticle agglomeration during manufacturing, we employ vigorous stirring via the stir casting technique to ensure uniform dispersion within the composite matrix. SEM analysis confirms uniform dispersion of NbC and Ti nanoparticles within the matrix. Experimentally, the composite exhibits exceptional tensile strength, with sample B achieving the highest load of 5500 N, correlated with an optimal NbC percentage of 5 wt% and Ti percentage of 2 wt%. However, increasing NbC percentage from 5 wt% to 10 wt% results in decreased ductility and tensile strength for composite C. Similar trends are observed in bending strength, with composite B exhibiting the highest load at 9023.8 N, surpassing samples C and D. Microhardness results demonstrate an increase with NbC content, peaking at 230 HV, but declining to 185 HV with reduced NbC and Ti concentrations. Charpy impact tests reveal a consistent rise in impact energy from samples B to D, attributed to the escalating proportion of NbC relative to Ti. Overall, meticulous material selection and processing optimization are essential for developing high-performance metal matrix composites with enhanced mechanical properties.

Laboratory evaluation of cutback bitumen modified with cup lump rubber

Abstract This research introduces a novel approach to addressing challenges in conventional asphalt used for road construction by incorporating cup lump rubber into cutback bitumen. The study investigates the viscosity and flash point of the resulting cutback bitumen to identify the optimal solvent percentage for achieving a lower mixing and compacting temperature range. Various diluent percentages were tested, ranging from 40% to 50%, across temperatures from 30°C to 70°C. Results indicate that higher diluent percentages lead to decreased viscosity in the blended bitumen. The most efficient solvent content for producing cutback bitumen-modified cup lump rubber is identified at 45% and 50% by weight of the bitumen, offering a reduced mixing and compaction temperature range. However, higher diluent content increases volatility potential and reduces the flash point. Additionally, toxicity testing reveals that lead and zinc are consistently present in cup lump rubber-infused samples, albeit below hazardous waste limits set by TCLP. The absence of lead in unmodified cutback bitumen underscores its compliance with environmental safety standards. These findings underscore the minimal environmental impact of this innovative modified bitumen formulation.

Laboratory Studies on Strength Properties of Concrete using Fly Ash and GGBS

Abstract: Cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and water are the basic raw materials used in the manufacture of concrete. The naturally available aggregates are very precious and need to be conserved. Waste materials such as fly ash and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) which cause disposal problems, and environmental problems can be economically used as a partial replacement for both fine and coarse aggregate. The present research focuses on conducting laboratory studies on the properties of M30 grade concrete by replacing fine and coarse aggregate with fly ash and GGBS. The results show that the optimum percentage of partial replacement of fly ash and GGBS is 30% for both fine and coarse aggregate. The compressive strength of concrete increased by 15% and 24%, respectively, and the tensile strength of concrete nearly increased by 20% in both cases. In addition, the use of waste material helps to reduce the cost of construction while simultaneously solving the disposal and environmental pollution problems.

Proportioning of Oil Shale Ash for Sustainable 3D Printable Mortars

To achieve optimal strength and printability, mortars used in 3D printing typically contain high proportions of cement and other fine-grained powders. Consequently, the majority of mixtures used in 3D printing have high carbon footprint. Hence, there arises a critical need to study alternative supplementary cementitious materials aimed at reducing the environmental impact of mortars used in 3D printing. The use of oil shale ash as a partial substitute for cement not only addresses this issue but also presents an opportunity to repurpose waste from power plants in the Baltic states, where oil shale is intensively utilized.In this study, the influence on mechanical properties and durability of cement-based mortars was evaluated by substituting cement with oil shale ash in varying quantities. Specifically, 0% to 40% of cement mass was replaced with oil shale ash. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed for each mixture. By analyzing the material properties alongside the environmental impact for each mixture, the optimal percentage of substitute was determined.For the determination of the mechanical properties of each mixture, compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted on 3D printed samples in various directions, as well as on cast samples. To assess the durability of each mixture, freeze-thaw tests were performed on both 3D printed and cast samples.From the obtained results, we developed an algorithm that chooses the optimal mixture proportioning. Depending on material performance requirements set in the beginning, this algorithm gives the exact proportions of oil-shale ash and cement for the mixture, by taking into account both desired material properties and carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, an environmentally friendly cement-based mixture is obtained without losing the desired properties. By using this algorithm, it is possible to create a mortar with properties comparable to concrete with strength class C30/37 while reducing carbon emissions by 15% to 30%.

Experimental investigation of mechanical properties and multi-objective optimization of electronic, glass, and ceramic waste-mixed concrete.

The utilization of waste from various sources plays an important role in minimizing environmental pollution and civil construction costs. In this research, the mechanical properties of concrete were studied by mixing electronic waste (EW), glass powder (GW), and ceramic tile waste (CW). The effects of weight percentages of EW, GW, and CW are considered to investigate improvements in mechanical properties such as compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (STS), and flexural strength (FS) of concrete. Taguchi analysis has been applied to predict the optimum composition of waste mixing percentages. The Multi-Objective Optimization Ratio Analysis (MOORA) techniques are applied to estimate the optimum composition of mixing wastes for maximizing the CS, STS, and FS of concrete. It was observed that 10 wt.% of EW, 15 wt.% of GW, and 30 wt.% of CW are predicted as the optimal mixing combinations to obtain a maximum compressive strength of 48.763 MPa, a split tensile strength of 4.178 MPa, and a flexural strength of 7.737 MPa, respectively. Finally, the predicted optimum waste-mixed weight percentages were used to examine the microstructure and various elements in the concrete using SEM and XRD analysis. When compared to conventional concrete, the optimum waste-mixed concrete has improved its compressive strength (38.453%), split tensile strength (41.149%), and flexural strength (36.215%).

Suitability of using areca nut fiber as reinforcing material in compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) for low-cost housing

An economical and cost-effective replacement for conventional building materials is Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB). However, they are vulnerable to erosion and cracking, particularly in humid settings. The use of natural fibers as reinforcement is found effective in overcoming this problem. Areca nut fiber which is a complete waste material in countries like Bangladesh and India is also a sturdy, adaptable, and water-resistant natural fiber that makes it the perfect choice as fiber reinforcement material for CSEBs. In this article, the strength performance analysis of areca nut fiber as a reinforcement material for CSEBs is investigated, where 0%, 0.85%, 2%, 5%, and 8% of areca nut fiber is mixed with soil that is stabilized with 10% cement. CSEB specimens of 4″ × 4″ × 4″ size have been made and tested for compressive strength, tensile strength, bulk density, and water absorption. It is observed that there is an 83.76% increase in compressive strength and an 8.89% increase in splitting tensile strength for 0.85% of areca nut fiber content specimen cured for 90 days. The water absorption was found a minimum of 9.07% for 0.85% areca nut fiber content and the minimum density of the block was observed at 1810 kg/m3 for the optimum percentage of 0.85% mix. The study indicates that using 0.85% of areca nut fiber content in stabilized CSEB shows a significant improvement in the strength characteristics of compressed stabilized earth blocks.Graphical