Frequently, load associated mode of failure, rutting and fatigue, are the main failure types found in some newly constructed roads within Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, and some suburban areas. The use of excessive amount of natural sand in asphalt concrete mixes which is attractive to local contractors could be one of the possible causes to the lack of strength properties of the mixes resulting in frustration in the pavement performance. In this study, the performance properties of asphalt concrete mixes with two natural sand types, desert and river sands, were evaluated. Moreover, five replacement rates of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% by weight of the fine aggregate finer than 4.75 were used. The performance properties including moisture susceptibility, resilient modulus, permanent deformation, and fatigue characteristics were evaluated using indirect tensile strength, uniaxial repeated loading and repeated flexural beam tests. Also, as a part of the research objective, the laboratory tests result were used to predict the performance using VESYS computer software. Results showed that mixes with high natural sand content (NSC) are more susceptible to moisture damage and rutting, lower resilient modulus and some improvement in fatigue resistance. Based on the obtained results, the necessity has rise to revise the current local specification for asphalt concrete which specifies the limits of natural sand content in the mixes of wearing and binder courses with 25% whereas for base course mixes no limit exist yet.
Abstract Background: The hip joint and lumbar spine are both anatomically and functionally closely related as had shown by many authors. So the abnormality in one area can affect the other e.g. hip joint osteoarthritis can cause lumbar sagittal malalignment and backache. Objectives: is to see if there is significant improvement in backache after total hip replacement? And which degree of backache improvement is associated with significant changes in lumbar lordosis? Methods and patients: a prospective open trial study was performed on 30 patients who had severe hip osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. Total hip replacement was performed to all patients. Backache and lumbar lordosis were measured by visual analogue scale and Cobb’s a
... Show MoreThe natural ventilation in buildings is one of effective strategies for achieving energy efficiency in buildings by employing methods and ways of passive design, as well as its efficiency in providing high ranges of thermal comfort for occupants in buildings and raises their productivity. Because the concept of natural ventilation for many people confined to achieve through the windows and openings only, become necessary to provide this research to demonstrate the various passive design strategies for natural ventilation. Then, research problem: Insufficient knowledge about the importance and mechanism of the application of passive design strategies for natural ventilation in buildings. The research objective is: Analysis of passive desi
... Show MoreThe present study revealed a low-cost process for utilizing desert sand for preparing nanosilica by sol-gel technique. This work required sodium hydroxide, concentrated hydrochloric acid, distillate water as raw materials, and Iraqi sand. Nanosilica sample was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM), atomic force microscope(AFM), surface area (BET) method, and fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The XRD result of produced sample is referred to as amorphous silica, and it has a broad peak at 2Θ= 22° – 22.5 º. SEM showed spherical, agglomerated silica particles with a diameter range of 26.57–28.93 nm. In addition, the average particle size was 76.35nm, with a dimension range of 40-11
... Show MoreThis work has been accomplished through a dense field work on the Sawa Lake. The aim of this work is to highlight on characteristics that are consistent with outstanding universal values to be a new Iraqi site belongs to the World Natural Heritage. This study sorted many unique characteristics might ensure that Sawa Lake as a world natural heritage sites. This study shows that the lake had met four natural criteria of the outstanding universal values: (1) the seventh criterion which states to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. (2) The eighth criterion which stated to be outstanding example representing major stages of earth's history, including the rec
... Show MorePurpose: To determine the effect of information technology governance (ITG) under the control objectives for information and related technologies (COBIT) on financial performance is the objective of this study. Additionally, the article seeks to look into the relationships between the factors under consideration. Theoretical framework: Information technology and operational processes are evaluated and ensure their compliance with the instructions of the Central Bank of Iraq. Therefore, the research dealt with a conceptual framework by reviewing the literature on the importance of the COBIT framework in assessing financial performance. Design/methodology/approach: To investigate the effect of information technology; we the valu
... Show MoreThrough an experimental program of eighteen specimens presented in this paper, the bond strength between reinforcing bar and rubberized concrete was produced by adding waste tire rubber instead of natural aggregate. The fine and coarse aggregate was replaced in 0%, 25%, and 50% with the small pieces of a waste tire. Natural aggregate replacement ratio, rebar size, embedded rebar length, the rebar yield stress of rebar, cover, and concrete compressive strength were studied in this investigation. Ultimate bond stress, bond stress-slip response, and failure modes were presented. The experimental results reported that a reduction of 19% in bond strength was noticed in 50% replaced rubberized concrete compared with convention
... Show More