The durability of asphalt concrete is highly dependent on the geometry and mineralogy of coarse aggregates, yet their combined influence on mechanical and moisture resistance properties is still not fully understood. This study evaluates the effects of coarse aggregate geometry, specifically flat and elongated particle ratios and angularity, as well as mineral composition (quartz versus calcite), on asphalt mixture durability. The durability of mixtures was evaluated through Marshall properties as well as moisture susceptibility indicators, including the tensile strength ratio (TSR) and index of retained strength (IRS). Statistical analyses (ANOVA and t-tests) were also conducted to confirm the significance of the observed effects. Results showed that mixtures containing higher proportions of flat and elongated particles exhibited greater void content, reduced stability, and weaker moisture resistance, with the 1:5 flat-to-elongated ratio showing the most adverse impact (TSR 73.9%, IRS 69.2%). Conversely, increasing coarse aggregate angularity (CAA) enhanced mixture performance, with TSR values rising from 63.5% at 0% angularity to 81.2% at 100% angularity, accompanied by corresponding improvements in IRS. Mineral composition analysis further demonstrated that calcite-based aggregates achieved stronger bonding with asphalt binder and superior resistance to stripping compared to quartz-based ones. These findings confirm that aggregate geometry and mineralogy exert a decisive influence on asphalt mixture durability. They also highlight the need to revise current specifications that permit the use of uncrushed coarse aggregate in asphalt base courses, particularly when such layers may serve as surface courses in suburban or low-volume roads, where long-term resistance to moisture damage is critical.
In this research, a selection of some mineral water was selected on the basis of being the most marketed by the owners of shops in Najaf province, with six types, where daily samples of this water were taken by 50 ml for two months from (1/11/2018 -1/1/2019). The following ions concentrations were measured (Br-, Cl-, F-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+), pH and the electrical conductivity were measured and the results were compared with the allowable rates according to the international organizations. It was noted that they conform to international and Iraqi standards.
Indium Antimonide (InSb) thin films were grown onto well cleaned glass substrates at substrate temperatures (473 K) by flash evaporation. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the polycrystalline of the films and the films show preferential orientation along the (111) plane .The particle size increases with the increase of annealing time .The transmission spectra of prepared samples were found to be in the range (400-5000 cm-1 ) from FTIR study . This indicates that the crystallinity is improved in the films deposited at higher annealing time.
Abstract: Reflection optical fibre Humidity sensor is presented in this work, which is based on no core fibre prepared by splicing a segment of no core fibre (NCF) at different lengths 1-6 cm with fixed diameter 125 µm and a single mode fibre (SMF). The range of humidity inside the chamber is controlled from 30% to 90% RH at temperature ~ 30 °С. The experimental result shows that the resonant wavelength dip shift decreases linearly with an increment of RH% and the sensitivity of the sensor increased linearly with an increasing in the length of NCF. However, a high sensitivity 716.07pm/RH% is obtained at length 5cm with good stability and reputability. Furthermore, the sensor is shif
... Show MoreBackground: Osteoporosis is an extra-articular complication of rheumatoid arthritis that results in increased risk of fractures and associated morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Objective: To evaluate changes in bone mineral density in a sample of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on biological (anti tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha) and non-biological agent disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study enrolled 60 RA patients diagnosed by rheumatologist according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (2010 ACR/EULAR) classification criteria for RA. Thirty patient on biological agent (anti TNF alpha) and 30 patient on non-biological agent (D
... Show MoreThe subgrade soil is the foundation plate form of the roadway; it should sustain its structural characteristics throughout the design life of the roadway with minimal requirements for maintenance. When Gypseous soil is implemented in the construction of subgrade, problems regarding collapsibility and poor structural capacity usually occur when the subgrade came in touch with excess water. Asphalt stabilization could furnish a proper solution to such problems. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to monitor the variations in compressibility characteristics of asphalt stabilized subgrade soil subjected to 30 cycles of (freezing-thawing) and (heating-cooling). Data have been observed after each 10 cycles, and compared with that of r
... Show MoreNatural fibers and particles reinforced composites are being broadly used due to their bio and specific properties such as low density and easy to machine and production with low cost. In this work, water absorption and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength of recycled jute fibers reinforced epoxy resin were enhanced by treating these fibers with alkaline solution. The recycled jute fibers were treated with different concentration of (NaOH) solution at (25 0C) for a period of (24) hours. From the obtained results, it was found that all these properties are improved when fibers treated with (7.5wt% NaOH) related to untreated fibers. Conversely, the mentioned properties of composit
... Show MoreIn this study, the effect of the combination of micro steel fibers and additives (calcium hydroxide and sodium carbonate) on the size of cracks formation and healing them were investigated. This study aims to apply the use of self-healing phenomenon to repair cracks and to enhance the service life of the concrete structures. Micro steel fibers straight type were used in this research with 0.2% and 0.4% by volume of concrete. A weight of 20 and 30 kg/m3 of Ca(OH)2 and 2 and 3 kg/m3 of Na2CO3 were used as a partial cement replacement. The results confirm that the concrete cracks were significantly self-healed up to 30 days re-curing. Cracks width up to 0.2 mm were comp
... Show MoreThe enrollment of students in the university represents a new stage in their life that differ from the previous educational stages that student has previously established. It should be noted that students with special needs at the University of Baghdad are not large numbers. It appears that these students have an excel role in their colleges most often, That is, the handicap was not a barrier to their scientific progress, but rather an incentive for them to excel. The most important conclusion reached by the researcher is that the University of Baghdad had no role in caring for people with special needs and caring for them financially, socially, psychologically, healthily and economically, they need to pay attention to them and take care
... Show More