Now showing 1 - 10 of 38
  • Publication
    Investigating the effect of steel wire and carbon black from worn out tyre on the strength of concrete
    ( 2024-10) ;
    Ali Naqiuddin Zamah Shari
    ;
    Nur Zakiah Anis Abdul Rahim
    ;
    ; ; ; ;
    György Deak
    Technology in concrete is rapidly developing to improve the quality and properties of concrete. One of the many recycled materials is worn-out tyres. Currently, the use of tires is very widespread considering the use of vehicles that increase from time to time. Piles of discarded tires can cause a lot of damage to the environment. So, by using steel wire waste (SWW) as new fiber reinforcement in concrete and with the combination with carbon black (CB), it is hoped that, by doing this, not only it could improve the quality of concrete, but also preserves the environment. Therefore, the objective of this research was, to identify the properties of fresh concrete with the addition of SWW and CB, and also to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of hardened concrete, incorporating of SWW as additional fiber reinforcement and CB. For fresh concrete, workability using a slump test was conducted. Several tests were carried out on the properties of hardened concrete. Among them were compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and water absorption. The physical appearance of the concrete has also been examined and recorded. There are four batches of concrete which consist of one control batch and three batches of concrete with various weights of SWW which are in the portion of 300 g, 600 g, and 900 g, and the weight of CB is maintained at 300 g for all batches. For workability, all concrete batches with the addition of SWW and CB show acceptable workability. For the case of the density of fresh concrete, samples containing 900 g addition of SWW have the highest density which was 2520 kg/m³, as expected. Results for water absorption show that the lowest value is contributed by the control sample which was 7.6%. For compressive and flexural strength, 300 g addition of SWW has the highest value which was 28.52 MPa for compressive strength and 7.52 MPa for flexural strength. Lastly, for splitting tensile strength, the highest value was also obtained when 300 g addition of SW was added which was 5.4 MPa. To conclude, SWW and CB can be added to concrete to obtain comparable strength of concrete. However, some modifications could be made to both recycle materials to improve concrete performance.
  • Publication
    Recycling of municipal solid waste incineration ash as raw material in cold-bonded lightweight aggregate
    This study focusses on the development of new lightweight aggregate (LWA) that eventually have comparable properties with existing natural aggregate which is granite. The main objective of this study is to examine potential use of recycled municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash as raw material in LWA production with a method of cold-bonded pelletization process. The ashes are collected from Cameron Highland Incineration Plant, Malaysia that can be divided into bottom ash (BA) and fly ash (FA). The properties of BA and FA are studied by means of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and apparent density test. The LWA is denoted as bottom ash lightweight aggregate (BALA) and fly ash lightweight aggregate (FALA). Both BALA and FALA have experienced two different curing process for 28 days namely room-room (RR) and room-water (RW) curing conditions. The percentage of BA and FA used in this study were 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 % and 50 % of partial cement replacement and the size of aggregate is fixed between 10 mm to 20 mm with circular shape. The properties of BALA and FALA produced in this study is examined including loose bulk density, water absorption, aggregate impact value (AIV) and specific gravity. Other physical properties including colour and texture are also being investigated. Potential use of BALA and FALA in concrete is investigated by selecting optimum samples of both aggregates to be incorporated in the manufacturing of semi-lightweight aggregate concrete (SLWAC). 30 specimens of SLWAC were produced having water-cement ratio of 0.5 and percentage of aggregate replacement is fixed at 20 %. Characteristics of SLWAC were examined including workability, density, water absorption, capillary water sorption, ultra-pulse velocity (UPV), compressive strength and permeability. Distribution of BALA and FALA in SLWAC is examined through cut-section of concrete. From the results of LWA it is clearly seen that 20 % BA and 20 % FA were the best percentage of ash used to produce good quality LWA. Loose bulk density of BALA selected is 739.53 kg/m3 with water absorption 20 % and AIV 13.94 %. Meanwhile, for FALA, optimum percentage is as follows; loose bulk density 716.72 kg/m3, water absorption is 19.7 %, AIV 13.80 % and specific gravity 1.670. However, for SLWAC, the results show that by incorporating BALA and FALA in the concrete improved the workability of concrete. The obvious impact due to the reduction of loose bulk density in LWA can be evident by the reduction of apparent density of SLWAC. Compressive strength of FASLWAC is comparable with NWC. Well-distributed BALA and FALA in concrete specimens is believed to contribute to the properties of SLWAC.
  • Publication
    A study on Hydrogen Sulphide as potential tracer in landfill gas monitoring
    Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are one of the major source of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) which is the offensive odours potentially creating annoyance in adjacent communities. This project focuses on H2S emission from landfills in Perlis, Malaysia. Landfill gas (LFG) samples were collected and analyzed accordance with NIOSH method 6013. The mean concentrations of H2S in Kuala Perlis Landfill and Padang Siding Landfill are 210.68 ppm and 242.85 ppm respectively. High concentrations of H2S may be a concern for employees working on the landfill site. These results indicate that workers should use proper personal protection at landfill when involved in excavation, landfill gas collection, and refuse compaction. The formation of H2S most likely to be contributed by the biological conversion of sulfate from gypsum-rich soils and landfill wastewater treatment sludges by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) which can utilize dissolved sulfate as an electron acceptor. H2S is conveniently detected by hand held analyzer, such Jerome meter, landfill gas analyzer. In the organic range, in the ease of detection range in the dispersion rate within the landfill site, the monitored H2S gas form a very noticeable concentration with the travelling wind direction. It proved that the dispersion rate of H2S are suitable as tracer to detect route of travelling in a certain distance.
  • Publication
    Preservation of Natural Resources by Utilizing Combustion Ash In Concrete and Determination of Its Engineering Properties
    ( 2023-01-01) ; ; ; ;
    Rahim M.A.
    ;
    Zailani W.W.A.
    ;
    Laslo L.
    ;
    Muhamad N.
    Due to the large amount of combustion ash being thrown into landfills, which can lead to environmental pollution, new alternatives to construction materials can be developed by utilising this combustion ash as a part of the main raw materials, while at the same time helping to preserve natural resources in the concrete manufacturing industry. Generally, using new waste materials will eventually affect the engineering properties of concrete. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to analyse the engineering properties of concrete containing combustion ash as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). CA can be classified as combustion bottom ash (CBA) and combustion fly ash (CFA). CA is tested for its chemical compositions using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and its four main compositions, which are silica, alumina, iron, and calcium, are examined and discussed extensively. Other testing for the property of CA includes Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) and specific gravity testing for coarse aggregate. To produce sustainable concrete from waste, several tests have been conducted to determine the engineering properties of the concrete, such as compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength. Results show that CA, which consists mainly of silica dioxide, contributed to the strength of concrete. SEM images show that CBA has a porous structure with an angular and rough texture, whereas CFA has more rounded particles, which influence the overall compressive strength. Furthermore, it was discovered that as the proportion of CBA utilised increased, the compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength of the concrete improved. Based on the results of the testing, CBA is suggested for use as a supplementary cementitious material in concrete.
  • Publication
    Sustainable utilisation of quarry dust waste in concrete: Strength performance
    ( 2020-12-29) ; ; ;
    Abd Rahim N.A.S.
    ;
    Hamzah N.
    ;
    Misnon N.A.
    Each year, a large amount of quarry dust (QD) waste is disposed into landfills. This waste material was obtained as a by-product during the production of aggregates through the crushing process of rocks at the quarry site. The increasing value of waste will have a significant impact on health and the environment. Reusing such wastes by including them into building materials is a practical answer for the pollution problem. Therefore, this research was to observe the possibility of quarry dust to be included in a concrete mix. The quarry dust has been used as a partial replacement for cement proportion at different levels of replacement (25%, 30% and 35%). Quarry dust was used as the main material in this project to measure the effectiveness of concrete performance. In this research, the quarry dust composition was determined by using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF). From the x-ray fluorescent spectrometry test result, the quarry dust displays some similar characteristics with the Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) where it comprises a high composition of Calcium Oxide (CaO). Research were done to determine the optimum percentage of quarry dust in concrete. The result shows that 25% of quarry dust and 75% of cement is the best percentage that can be used in concrete mixture to reach the standard strength. From an economic point of view, the proposed optimum concrete mix was found to be the most economical with the reducing of RM 33 per 1 m3 of the concrete mixture. The results indicated that the quarry dust waste could be utilised as cement replacement to produce durable and resilient concrete. These materials could be an alternative low-cost material for concrete and at the same time provide a new disposal method for the waste.
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  • Publication
    Recycling fly ash from MSWI for artificial aggregate production for concrete
    This study focusses on the development of new lightweight aggregate (LWA) that eventually will have comparable properties with existing natural aggregate which is granite. The main objectives of this study is to examine potential use of recycled municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash as raw material in LWA production with a method of cold-bonded palletization process. The ashes are collected from Cameron Highland Incineration Plant, Malaysia that can be divided into bottom ash (BA) and fly ash (FA). This study uses FA as partial raw material to substitute the Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The properties FA are studied by means of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The LWA is fly ash lightweight aggregate (FALA). The production of LWA is based on cold-bonded palletization technique. FALA have experienced two different curing process for 28 days namely room-room (RR) and room-water (RW) curing conditions. The percentage of FA used in this study is 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of cement replacement and the size is fixed between 10 mm to 20 mm with circular shape. The properties of FALA produced in this study is examined including loose bulk density, and aggregate impact value (AIV). Other physical properties including colour and texture are also being investigated. From the results of LWA it is clearly seen that 20% FA were the best percentage of ash used to produce good quality LWA. Loose bulk density of FALA selected is 716.72 kg/m3 and AIV 13.80%.
      1
  • Publication
    Physical properties of Dolomite fines as partially replacement of cement
    Since the cost of cement increases and the pollution to environment due to greenhouse effect are becoming more serious year by year, thus, dolomite fines subjected to replace the cement in concrete mix as it has lower cost compared to cement and it is obtain directly from the Earth ground without any manufactured process. Dolomite fines also shows almost similar physical and chemical properties as cement. The various replacement of cement with dolomite fines carried out in this study is 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 25%. The grade of concrete sample designed to be 30. The properties of concrete sample in terms of physical characteristics; slump, density and water absorption for various percentage replacement are determined in this study. In this study, it shows the dolomite fines are lightweight aggregate compared to the cement and the water absorption of is lower compare to that of the control concrete.
      2
  • Publication
    Rapid composting of food waste and yard waste with effective microorganisms (EM)
    Rapid composting is an alternative method to reduce highly generated food waste and yard waste discarded to the landfill. This study aims to determine the effect of effective microorganisms (EM) application on the chemical and physical properties and to determine the performance and factors affecting the rapid composting process. The chemical and physical properties such as pH, temperature, moisture content, carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio and Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) nutrient are examined over rapid composting period in order to assess the performance of compost and effectiveness of EM in enhancing the degradation process of organic waste. There are three compost prepared which are A, B and C that received different ratio of EM which 1 L, 2 L and 3 L respectively. Based on the result obtained from the 54 days of composting conducted, compost A, B and C show no significance differences on parameters tested. The temperature obtained mostly within the range 35-38 °C, pH values are 5-9, moisture content are 20-60 % and for NPK nutrient, Total Nitrogen content are 1.3 % to 1.4 %, Total Phosphorus are within 0.10 ppm to 0.45 ppm and Potassium are within 0.8 ppm to 6.7 ppm.
      2
  • Publication
    Preservation of natural resources by utilizing combustion ash in concrete and determination of its engineering properties
    Due to the large amount of combustion ash being thrown into landfills, which can lead to environmental pollution, new alternatives to construction materials can be developed by utilising this combustion ash as a part of the main raw materials, while at the same time helping to preserve natural resources in the concrete manufacturing industry. Generally, using new waste materials will eventually affect the engineering properties of concrete. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to analyse the engineering properties of concrete containing combustion ash as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). CA can be classified as combustion bottom ash (CBA) and combustion fly ash (CFA). CA is tested for its chemical compositions using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and its four main compositions, which are silica, alumina, iron, and calcium, are examined and discussed extensively. Other testing for the property of CA includes Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) and specific gravity testing for coarse aggregate. To produce sustainable concrete from waste, several tests have been conducted to determine the engineering properties of the concrete, such as compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength. Results show that CA, which consists mainly of silica dioxide, contributed to the strength of concrete. SEM images show that CBA has a porous structure with an angular and rough texture, whereas CFA has more rounded particles, which influence the overall compressive strength. Furthermore, it was discovered that as the proportion of CBA utilised increased, the compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength of the concrete improved. Based on the results of the testing, CBA is suggested for use as a supplementary cementitious material in concrete.
      1
  • Publication
    Viability Study on Fly Ash and Bottom Ash from Combustion Waste
    The substitution or addition of new supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) in the production of variety of construction materials has gained much interest. One of the examples of SCM is incineration ash which consist of fly ash (FA) and bottom ash (BA) which are the residues from the ignition of biomass and can brings applicable ecological advantages. However, the properties of this new materials need to be investigated to ensure its full potential can be developed. Therefore, this study is initiated to identify the characteristics of incineration ash from local source in Malaysia. To identify the elemental components of ashes, most widely method was adopted which is using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The quantity of unburned carbon in fly ash is measured by loss on ignition, which has a major influence on the product's characteristics. In addition, specific gravity and density were also determined and comparison has been made with cement. In this study it was found out that XRF results shows that both FA and BA consist of the same mineral composition with OPC majorly in silica, aluminium, calcium, and iron which makes is suitable to be used in the concrete. For LOI, the value for BA is much higher compared with FA due to the amount of unburnt carbon in its original compositions and the incomplete burning due to insufficient contact time in the furnace. Based on the result obtained for LOI, the average LOI value for FA and BA is 17.33 % and 44.67 %, respectively. As expected, for the specific gravity and density, FA having the lowest specific gravity and density. The density obtained for FA is 755 kg/m3 and for BA is 593 kg/m3. Overall, the use of incineration ash can be fully investigated by exploring other parameter that influence the performance of construction materials.
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