Concrete pavements are essential to modern infrastructure, but their low tensile and flexural strengths can cause cracking and shrinkage. This study evaluates fiber reinforcement with steel and carbon fibers in various combinations to improve rigid pavement performance. Six concrete mixes were tested: a control mix with no fiber, a mix with 1% steel fiber (SF1%), a mix with 1% carbon fiber (CF1%), and three hybrid mixes with 1% fiber content: 0.75% steel /0.25% carbon fiber (SF0.75CF0.25), 0.25% steel /0.75% carbon fiber (SF0.25CF0.75), and 0.5% steel /0.5% carbon fiber ((SF0.5CF0.5). Laboratory experiments including compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strength tests were conducted at 7, 28, and 90 days, while Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using ABAQUS software was developed to examine pavement behavior under repeated loading. The results revealed that at 90 days, the SF1% mix exhibited a 9.1% improved compressive strength and CF1% mix a 7.3% improved strength over the control mix. The SF1% mix increased flexural strength by 72.5% and the CF1% mix by 48.6%. Additionally, splitting tensile strength increased by 70% for the SF1% and 45.5% for the CF1%. The hybrid mixes improved compressive strength by 7.6%-8.5%, flexural strength by 59.7%-70.2%, and splitting tensile strength by 56%-67.8%. The finite element modeling showed that the control mix was displaced 15 mm under repeated loading, while the SF1% reduced displacement by 35% and the hybrid mixes by 30%. These findings indicated that SF1% exhibited the best mechanical properties. However, fiber reinforcement, whether used single or in hybrid combinations, improves concrete pavement mechanical performance and loading behavior, offering a promising way to infrastructure durability and service life.
Hand-lay up method was used to prepare the samples made of epoxy (EP) as a matrix reinforced with chopped carbon fibers (CCF). The fatigue behavior of epoxy resin /chopped carbon fiber composites was studied with different weight percentage of chopped carbon fibers (2.5%,5%,7.5%,10%,12.5%). The fatigue test was carried out under alternate bending method, which was made by applying sinusoidal wave with constant displacement (15mm), stress ratio R=-1,and loading frequency 10Hz, which is believed to give a negligible temperature rise during the test. The results of the maximum stress, fatigue strength, fatigue limit and fatigue life of the tested composites are calculated from stress(S)-number of cycles(N) (S-N) curves.
It was shown that
Rutting is one of the most complex and widespread types of distress. The rutting is frequently observed on Iraqi roads, especially at the checkpoints, forming a significant hazard on the asphalt layers. Factors such as heavy loads and high temperatures contribute to this distress. Adding fibers to a hot mix asphalt (HMA) effectively improves performance and extends the lifespan of the flexible pavement. This article used glass, steel, and basalt fibers. The wheel tracking test assessed the fibre-asphalt mixture for rutting resistance and compared it with the mix without adding fibers (control HMA). Meanwhile, the microscopic structure of fibres and asphalt mixture modified with fibers was examined using the Field Emission Scanning E
... Show MoreThis study investigates self-perception and self-branding on Instagram among young Arab women in the UAE, focusing on how they curate, negotiate and perform their digital identities and whether their digital self-presentation in any way compromises their sense of authenticity. The study is based on 11 interviews with young women in the UAE, between the ages of 20 and 30, in addition to online observation to follow the participants’ activities on Instagram. The study demonstrates that while social and digital media platforms may play a role in “empowering” Arab women, women tend to set their boundaries of authenticity shaped according to their audience’s expectations and their in-groups. This confirms the r
... Show MoreA field experiment was carried out during the 2020 season at the College of Agricultural Engineering/ University of Baghdad, Al-Jadriya to evaluate the effect of dry farming when applying water stress under the subsurface drip irrigation system on water productivity and rice yield. The experiment was conducted with three levels of irrigation water stress when 10, 20 and 40% of the available water was depleted and in three dimensions between drip lines 10, 15 and 20 cm. The experiment was designed according to a randomized complete block design, according to the split plot design, with three replications. Determine the depth of irrigation water depending on the moisture depletion of th
The present study was set to demonstrate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection and its effects on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through determining their serum levels of anti-dsDNA and IL-18 antibodies. For this purpose, the sera from 132 SLE and/or toxoplasmosis patients and 30 healthy women, were collected. The study sample was divided into four groups of SLE, toxoplasmosis, SLE coinfected with toxoplasmosis, and healthy control. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were examined for all the samples using ELISA kit. The results showed a high mean level of anti-Toxoplasma IgG among SLE patients coinfected with toxoplasmosis (104.8792±12.31585pg/ml) in comparison to that in toxoplasmosis patients (91.1705±12.577
... Show MoreThe aim of this study is to compare the effects of three methods: problem-based learning (PBL), PBL with lecture method, and conventional teaching on the understanding of thermodynamics, group work and self-directed learning skills among physics undergraduates. The actual sample size comprises of 122 students, who were selected randomly from the Physics Department, College of Education in Iraq, for academic year 2011-2012. In this study, the pre and posttest were done and the instruments were administered to the students for data collection. Inferential statistics were employed to analyze data. The independent variables were the PBL, the PBL with lecture method, and the conventional teaching. Dependent variables of statistical analysis were
... Show MoreThe effect of different cutting fluids on surface roughness of brass alloy workpiece during turning operation was carried out in this research. This was performed with different cutting speed, while other cutting parameters had been regarded as constants(feeding rate , and depth of cut). Surface roughness of machined parts that will be tested by electronic surface roughness tester .The results show that the standard coolant gives the best values of surface roughness for fixed cutting speed ,followed by sun flower oil that has approximately the same effect, while the air stream as a coolant gave unsatisfied results for the evaluation of surface roughness.
In the other hand the best values of surface roughness were recorded for max
... Show MoreThe tourism industry, with its two sides (recreational and religious), is one of the important investment fields in Iraq, it is represented Iraq as the second economic source after the oil sector. So a need for serious efforts to develop the tourism sector and maintain its sustainability. This paper will be one of the important contributions in this field; the paper aims to explore the extent of the impact of the sustainable strategy on the level of overall performance in the Iraqi tourism sector. The field of research was some Iraqi tourist institutions at Iraqi tourism, Which covers the field of study on the one side, and can be studied on the other side, for the developing study methodology and organizing its main parts, the research pap
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