Polymer composites were prepared using epoxy resin (EP) and unsaturated polyester (UPE) as a blend matrices, which were mixed together in different percentages (starting from 90:10) of (epoxy/polyester) respectively, and ending with (50:50) of (epoxy/polyester). The optimum mixing ratio (OMR) of the components was decided upon the results of the impact strength value of these blending ratio, which showed the highest value of (16.3) KJ/m2 for the blending ratio (80:20) of (EP/UPE) respectively.
The blend with (OMR) was chosen to be reinforced with three different weight fractions of reinforcement; the 1st one was reinforced with nano titanium oxide (TiO2) with a weight fraction (2% wt.), the 2nd one was reinforced with both nano (TiO2) and surface modified nano silica particles (SiO2) with weight fractions (2% & 0.5%) respectively, and the 3rd one was reinforced with nano (TiO2) and surface modified (SiO2) with weight fractions (2% & 1%) respectively. The tested mechanical properties were (flexural strength, impact strength, hardness, and water uptake).
Hand lay-up technique was used to prepare the samples, and a magnetic stirrer was used to ensure maximum homogeneity of the nano particles in the blend. All fabricated samples were exposed to water for 10 weeks to investigate the effect of nano powders addition on diffusivity and maximum water uptake, obvious degradation in mechanical properties of the composite consisting of (blend matrix/TiO2 reinforcement) and (blend matrix/TiO2+SiO2 reinforcement) were observed as a result of liquid uptake with less severe impact, but more effect on flexural strength and shore D hardness. Fick’s 2nd law was used to explain diffusion mechanism. All the results were discussed.
In this study, a three-dimensional finite element analysis using ANSYS 12.1 program had been employed to simulate simply supported reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams with multiple web circular openings subjected to an impact loading. Three design parameters were considered, including size, location and number of the web openings. Twelve models of simply supported RC T-beams were subjected to one point of transient (impact) loading at mid span. Beams were simulated and analysis results were obtained in terms of mid span deflection-time histories and compared with the results of the solid reference one. The maximum mid span deflection is an important index for evaluating damage levels of the RC beams subjected to impact loading. Three experi
... Show MoreThis article presents the results of an experimental investigation of using carbon fiber–reinforced polymer sheets to enhance the behavior of reinforced concrete deep beams with large web openings in shear spans. A set of 18 specimens were fabricated and tested up to a failure to evaluate the structural performance in terms of cracking, deformation, and load-carrying capacity. All tested specimens were with 1500-mm length, 500-mm cross-sectional deep, and 150-mm wide. Parameters that studied were opening size, opening location, and the strengthening factor. Two deep beams were implemented as control specimens without opening and without strengthening. Eight deep beams were fabricated with openings but without strengthening, while
... Show MoreThis article presents the results of an experimental investigation of using carbon fiber–reinforced polymer sheets to enhance the behavior of reinforced concrete deep beams with large web openings in shear spans. A set of 18 specimens were fabricated and tested up to a failure to evaluate the structural performance in terms of cracking, deformation, and load-carrying capacity. All tested specimens were with 1500-mm length, 500-mm cross-sectional deep, and 150-mm wide. Parameters that studied were opening size, opening location, and the strengthening factor. Two deep beams were implemented as control specimens without opening and without strengthening. Eight deep beams were fabricated with openings but without strengthening, while
... Show MoreThree new polyphosphates were synthesized in good yields by reacting diethylenetriamine with the appropriate phosphate ester in ethanol under acidic conditions. The polyphosphate structures were determined using FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopies, and their elemental compositions were confirmed by EDX spectroscopy. Polyphosphates were added to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) at low concentrations to fabricate thin films. The PVC films were irradiated with ultraviolet light for long periods, and the effect of polyphosphates as the photostabilizer was investigated by determining changes in the infrared spectra (intensity of specific functional group peaks), reduction in molecular weight, weight loss, and surface morphology. Minimal changes we
... Show MoreRadish (Raphanus sativus L.) and (Lepidium sativus) is commonly grown in urban and suburban areas where the soil may be polluted with heavy metal such as lead. In this study, short exposure of radish and cress plantlets to (0,10,20,30,50)ppm lead in nutrient solution (three months) in growth chamber conditions elicited an antioxidative response, measured in terms of lipid peroxidation, protein and proline accumulation and peroxidase and Catalase activity. Longer exposure to lead when radish and cress was grown outdoors for 90 days in pots filled with field soil with different lead content also resulted in higher lipid peroxidation and proline accumulation and altered protein content and enzyme activity. The results also showed significan
... Show MoreBackground: Soft Laser has been advantageous in medical applications and is widely used in clinical practice. It is applied because it doesn’t cause the significant thermal effects or tissue hurt when irradiated. The blood response to low power laser radiation provides information about processes of laser radiation interaction with live creatures. Objective: The aim of the current work was to evaluate the laser-induced changes of in vitro erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in patients with breast cancer by irradiating a human blood sample using a green laser and comparing its effects before and after irradiation with the same power density (100mW/c
... Show MoreUm-Al-Naaj region in Al-Hawiezah Marsh, Southern Iraq was chosen to study the environmental variations of some water characteristics during 2008, seasonally. The results showed clear seasonal changes in values of some environmental variables (temperature, depth, light penetration, turbidity, total suspended solids, pH, dissolved oxygen, reactive phosphate, reactive nitrite, and reactive nitrate), while there were no clear seasonal changes in electrical conductivity and salinity values. In addition, high nutrients concentrations and light penetration were noted. Statistical analysis showed significant positive relationship between air and water temperature; electrical conductivity and salinity. Water turbidity was significantly affecte
... Show MoreThis study aims to assess the concentrations of some Poly Aromatic
Hydrocarbons in water, in order to monitor effectively and provide possible
recommendations to improve the water quality in the aquatic ecosystem of Tigris
River near Al-Dora refinery. Distribution and concentration of the sixteen polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in surface water. Solid-phase extraction
was used for water samples, and then analyzed by HPLC. Results showed that the
highest and the most dominant (PAH) was ancephthlnene (3-ring PAH), with
concentration of (40.33 ng/l), while the lowest concentration was for Indeno (1, 2, 3-
cd) pyrene (5-ring PAH), with (0.33 ng/l). The highest and the lowest mean
concentrations