Natural bitumen (NB) is a highly precious material and has drawn increasing attention due to its unique properties, especially since it is available in large quantities and has been used in limited fields. In this research, the exploitation of NB from sulfur springs as an alternative energy resource in the production of asphalt pavement is evaluated. It can be concluded from the experimental results that the chemical composition and surface morphology of NB samples are different from those of base asphalt. Besides, the rheological properties of virgin NB are not sufficient for paving work. To overcome this obstacle, NB from five different springs is modified with limestone filler (LSF) to enhance its properties. LSF is a natural material and is available locally at a low price, usually used as filler material in control asphalt mixtures. The study outcomes reveal that LSF is an effective material and plays a fundamental role in improving the properties of NB since it enhances the resistance against temperature susceptibility and improves the ability of NB to disperse in asphalt mixture. Furthermore, treated NB with LSF boosts the mechanical characteristics, increases the stiffness, and strengthens the resistance against water damage for NB mixtures. Particularly, this research clarified that high Marshall stability is achieved with a treated Al-Mamora sulfur spring-NB mixture, which is 30.4% higher than that of the control mixture. At the same time, the treated Al-Askaree sulfur spring-NB mixture has a stiffness index and tensile strength ratio more than the control mixture by 45% and 3.36%, respectively. In conclusion, adding LSF to NB that is extracted from sulfur springs can produce a new type of asphalt binder more suitable for use in road pavement.
The measurement of natural radioactivity in a given region or country is essential to provide a reference base-line map to follow up a possible variation in future. In order to perform such measurement, the natural radioactivity was measured in different locations. The locations (50 sites) were distributed over Al-Jabal Al-Gharbi Mountain, starting from the city Al-Azeeziah in the eastern part to Wazen on the Tunisian border in the west. The measurements showed obvious variation from one site to another. The levels were fluctuating from (12.8 counts/minute) in Bir-Ayad to (45.7 counts/minute) in Gherian.
In order to investigate the cause for such variation, samples were collected from (27) sites for detailed study. The levels of natur
The study investigated the behaviour of asphalt concrete mixes for aggregate gradations, according to the Iraqi specification using the Bailey method designed by an Excel spreadsheet. In mixing aggregates with varying gradations (coarse and fine aggregate), The Bailey method is a systematic methodology that offers aggregate interlocking as the backbone of the framework and a controlled gradation to complete the blends. Six types of gradation are used according to the bailey method considered in this study. Two-course prepared Asphalt Concrete Wearing and Asphalt Concrete binder, the Nominal Maximum Aggregate Sizes (NMAS) of the mixtures are 19 and 12.5 mm, respectively. The total number of specimens was 240 for both layers (15 samp
... Show MoreBecause of the experience of the mixture problem of high correlation and the existence of linear MultiCollinearity between the explanatory variables, because of the constraint of the unit and the interactions between them in the model, which increases the existence of links between the explanatory variables and this is illustrated by the variance inflation vector (VIF), L-Pseudo component to reduce the bond between the components of the mixture.
To estimate the parameters of the mixture model, we used in our research the use of methods that increase bias and reduce variance, such as the Ridge Regression Method and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) method a
... Show MoreObjective: The approximate life span of a silicone maxillofacial prosthesis is as short as1.5–2 years of clinical service, then a new prosthesis should be fabricated. The most common reasonfor re-making the prosthesis is silicone mechanical properties degradation. The aim of this studywas to assess some mechanical properties of VST-30 silicone for maxillofacial prostheses after addi-tion of intrinsic pigments.Methods: Two types of intrinsic pigments (rayon flocking and burnt sienna); each of them wasincorporated into silicone. One hundred and twenty samples were prepared and split into 4 groupsaccording to the conducted tests (tear strength, hardness, surface roughness, and tensile strengthand elongation percentage) with 30 samples for ea
... Show MoreIn this work, an experimental analysis is made to predict the thermal performance of the natural-convection phenomenon from a heated vertical externally finned-tube to surrounding air through an open-ended enclosure. Two different configurations of longitudinal rectangular fin namely, continuous and interrupted are utilized with constant thickness, different numbers, and different heights are extended radially on the outer surface of a heated tube. The tube is heated electrically from inner surface with five varied power input magnitudes. The effect of fins configuration, fins number, fins height, and heat flux of the inner tube surface on the thermal performance of natural c
... Show MoreThis study was done to test the activity of some plant extracts as antioxidant agents. The plants were (Morus rubra, Hibiscus sabdariffa L ., Rhus coriaria L., Anethum graveolens and Petroselinum sativum).
Ethanolic 98% (24 hours/ 25˚c) and distilled water (30 minutes/ 25˚c have been used for extraction.The Total phenols, total flavonoids, total anthocyanin, antioxidant activities were studied.
The extract of Morus rubra was chosen because it has a higher antioxidant activity.
The phenolic extract of Morus rubra was prepare and examined by application it in burger . The antioxidant activity test of Morus rubra was made before and after 3,6 days of cold storage. The sensory evaluation of all treatments were done within 5,1
In this work an experimental simulation is made to predict the performance of steady-state natural heat convection along heated finned vertical base plate to ambient air with different inclination angles and configurations of fin array. Two types of fin arrays namely vertical fins array and V-fins array on heated vertical base plate are used with different heights and spaces. The influence of inclination angle of the plate , configuration of fins array and fin geometrical parameters such as fin height and fin spacing on the temperature distribution, base convection heat transfer coefficient and average Nusselt number have been plotted and discussed. The experimental data are correlated to a formula between average Nusselt number versus R
... Show MoreThis work provides an analysis of the thermal flow and behavior of the (load-free) refrigerator compartment. The main goal was to compare the thermal behavior inside the refrigerator cavity to the freezer door (home refrigerator) effect and install a fan on the freezer door while neglecting the heat transmitted by thermal radiation. Moreover, the velocity distribution, temperature, and velocity path lines are theoretically studied. This was observed without affecting the shelves inside the cabinet and the egg and butter places on the refrigerator door as they were removed and the aluminum door replaced with a glass door. This study aims to expand our knowledge about the temperature and flow fields of this refrigerator mo
... Show MoreThe gypseous soil may be one of the problems that face the engineers especially when it used as a foundation for hydraulic structures, roads, and other structures. Gypseous soil is strong soil and has good properties when it is dry, but the problem arises when building hydraulic installations or heavy buildings on this soil after wetting the water to the soil by raising the water table level from any source or from rainfall which leads to dissolve the gypsum content. Cement-stabilized soil has been successfully used as a facing or lining for earth channel, highway embankments and drainage ditches to reduce the risk of erosion and collapsibility of soil. This study is deliberate the treatment of gypseous soil by using a mixture
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