High-volume traffic with ultra-heavy axle loads combined with extremely hot weather conditions increases the propagation of rutting in flexible pavement road networks. Several studies suggested using nanomaterials in asphalt modification to delay the deterioration of asphalt pavement. The current work aims to improve the resistance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) to rutting by incorporating Nano Silica (NS) in specific concentrations. NS was blended into asphalt mixtures in concentrations of 2, 4, and 6% by weight of the binder. The behavior of asphalt mixtures subjected to aging was investigated at different stages (short-term and long-term aging). The performance characteristics of the asphalt mixtures were evaluated using the Marshall stability, flow, and wheel tracking tests. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) was utilized to understand the microstructure changes of modified asphalt and estimate the dispersion of NS within the asphalt. The results revealed that using NS–asphalt mixtures as a surface layer in paving construction improved pavement performance by increasing stability, volumetric characteristics, and rutting resistance before and after aging. The FESEM images showed adequate dispersion of NS particles in the mixture. Results indicated that adding 4% of NS to asphalt mixtures effectively enhanced the pavement’s performance and rutting resistance. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-SP2023-09-01 Full Text: PDF
In past years, structural pavement solution has been combined with destructive testing; these destructive methods are being replaced by non-destructive testing methods (NDT). Because the destructive test causes damage due to coring conducted for testing and also the difficulty of adequately repairing the core position in the field. Ultrasonic pulse velocity was used to evaluate the strength and volumetric properties of asphalt concrete, of binder course. The impact of moisture damage and testing temperature on pulse velocity has also been studied. Data were analyzed and modeled. It was found that using non-destructive testing represented by pulse velocity could be useful to predict the quality of asphalt c
... Show MoreTo learn how the manner of preparation influences film development, this study examined film expansion under a variety of deposition settings. To learn about the membrane’s properties and to ascertain the optimal pretreatment conditions, which are represented by ambient temperature and pressure, Laser pressure of 2.5[Formula: see text]m bar, the laser energy density of 500[Formula: see text]mJ, distortion ratio ([Formula: see text]) as a function of laser pulse count, all achieved with the double-frequency Nd: YAG laser operating in quality-factor mode at 1064[Formula: see text]nm. MgxZn[Formula: see text] films of thickness [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm were deposited on glass substrates at pulse
... Show MoreA field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2021 at a research station of college of agricultural engineering sciences, university of Baghdad to determine the response of active fertility percentage and seed yield and its components of faba bean (Vicia faba L. cv. Aguadulce) to distance between plants and spraying of nano and traditional boron. A Randomized Complete Block Design according to split-plots arrangement was used at three replicates. The main plots were three distances between plants (25, 35 and 45 cm), while the sub plots including spraying of distilled water only (control treatment), spraying of boron at a 100 mg L-1 and spraying of nano boron at two concentrations (1
... Show MoreNear surface mounted (NSM) carbon fibers reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement is one of the techniques for reinforcing masonry structures and is considered to provide significant advantages. This paper is composed of two parts. The first part presents the experimental study of brick masonry walls reinforced with NSM CFRP strips under combined shear-compression loads. Masonry walls have been tested under vertical compression, with different bed joint orientations 90° and 45° relative to the loading direction. Different reinforcement orientations were used including vertical, horizontal, and a combination of both sides of the wall. The second part of this paper comprises a numerical analysis of unreinforced brick masonry (URM) wa
... Show MoreAttention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting millions of people globally, is defined by symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention that can significantly affect an individual's daily life. The diagnostic process for ADHD is complex, requiring a combination of clinical assessments and subjective evaluations. However, recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have shown promise in predicting ADHD and providing an early diagnosis. In this study, we will explore the application of two AI techniques, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), in predicting ADHD using the Python programming language. The classification accuracies obtained w
... Show MoreNano-crystalline iron oxide nanoparticles (magnetite) was synthesized by open vessel ageing process. The iron chloride solution was prepared by mixing deionized water and iron chloride tetrahydrate. The product was characterized by X-Ray, Surface area and pore volume by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR) . The results showed that the XRD in compatibility of the prepared iron oxide (magnetite) with the general structure of standard iron oxide, and in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, it is strong crests in 586 bands, because of the expansion vibration manner related to the metal oxygen absorption band (Fe–O bonds in the crystals of iron ox
... Show MoreThe aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of composite castellated beam in which the concrete slab and steel beam connected together with headed studs shear connectors. Four simply supported composite beams with various degree of castellation were tested under two point static loads. One of these beams was built up using standard steel beam, i.e. without web openings, to be a reference beam. The other three beams were fabricated from the same steel I-section with various three castellation ratios, (25, 35, and 45) %. In all beams the concrete slab has the same section and properties. Deflection at mid span of all beams was measured at each 10 kN load increment. The test results show that the castellation process leads to
... Show MoreGame theory problems (GTP) frequently occur in Economy, Business Studies, Sociology, Political Science, Military Activities, and so on are some of the subjects covered. To tackle the uncertainty in Games, the analysis of games in which the payoffs are represented by fuzzy numbers (FN) will benefit from fuzzy set theory (FST).
The purpose of this paper is to develop an efficient technique for solving constraint matrix games (MG) with payoff trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TFN). The description of the new ranking method is introduced for a constrained matrix with TFN and values. Stock market forecasting has been one of the most important research areas for decades. Stock market values are volatile, non-linear, complicated and ch
... Show MoreThis research studies the effect of adding five different percentages of polymer (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% of cement weight) on cement mortar's fresh and hardened properties, which was cured at laboratory temperature for 7, 14, and 28 days. Workability increases with increasing polymer. The workability value was lowest (25.6 and 29.4) % in mixtures containing 2% and 4% of (SBR). Increasing polymer ratios significantly decreased mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength). Therefore, the best results were at 2% SBR and 4% SBR at 28 days of age. An inverse relationship was recorded between the increase in SBR ratios and polymer-modified cement mortar's compressive and flexural strength values. In general, the high
... Show MoreIn this research, the structural behavior of reinforced concrete columns made of normal and hybrid reactive powder concrete (hybrid by steel and polypropylene fibers) subjected to chloride salts with concentration was 8341.6 mg/l. The study consists of two parts, the first one is experimental study and the second one is theoretical analysis. Three main variables were adopted in the experimental program; concrete type, curing type and loading arrangement. Twenty (120x120x1200) mm columns were cast and tested depending on these variables. The samples were reinforced using two different bars; Ø8 for ties and Ø12 with minimum longitudinal reinforcement (0.01Ag). The specimens were divided into two main groups based o
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