Permanent Deformation Characteristics of Flexible Pavement Under Palm Oil Freight Truck Loading

Most of previous studies employed dynamic stability test and Hamburg wheel tracking test to investigate permanent deformation characteristics of asphalt concrete (AC) layer. However, the permanent deformation performance only focuses on the surface course and neglected the influence of middle layer and base course. The present study investigates the permanent deformation characteristics of four (4) different configurations of flexible pavement and analyzes the contribution of AC surface and AC base course to the total permanent deformation of AC layer as the response to various truck’s speed, hauling loads, and loading cycles. Finite element modeling was performed to evaluate critical locations below the tire tread of single unit two-axles truck with the greatest magnitude of permanent deformation and to determine the optimum configuration of flexible pavement by considering the linear viscoelastic behavior of two types of AC mixtures. It can be concluded that the largest permanent deformation is measured below the right edge of the outer tire. The contribution of AC surface course on the total permanent deformation due to the increase in truck’s speed is only about 14.81% to 16.39%, while the contribution of AC surface course on the total permanent deformation due to the increase in truck’s hauling loads as well as the increase in the number of passing trucks is only around 14.76% to 16.44%. On the other hand, the contribution of AC base course on the total permanent deformation due to the increase in truck’s speed from is reaching 83.61% to 85.19%, while the contribution of AC base course on the total permanent deformation due to the increase in truck’s hauling loads as well as the increase in the number of passing trucks is achieving 83.56% to 85.24%

Performance of Photogrammetry-Based Makeshift 3D Scanning System for Geometrical Object in Reverse Engineering

A three-dimension (3D) scanner is one of the important tools for digital reproduction of physical objects in reverse engineering. In some cases, a makeshift 3D scanner is needed immediately, such as for emergency spare parts reproduction. Thus, this research aims to investigate the feasibility of a low-cost makeshift 3D scanner using a mobile phone and the photogrammetry method in reconstructing digital 3D models of geometrical objects. A focus is given to the dimension accuracy of the reconstructed 3D models, which have been reproduced using images taken by a mobile phone, in comparison with the actual dimension of the scanned test pieces. To do so, four types of actual geometrical test pieces with dimension from 5 to 175 mm had been fabricated using CNC machine. 3D models of each test pieces had been developed using the photogrammetry method and compared with those developed using an industrial-grade high-end 3D scanner. It was found that mobile photogrammetry achieved an average accuracy of 97.2%, with minimum and maximum values of 83.3% and 99.9%, respectively. Geometrical dimensions less than 10 mm tend to have lower accuracy, while it was the opposite for dimensions over 150 mm. Furthermore, the scanning limit for either method was found to be a surface with a small tilting angle (less than 3 degrees). Nevertheless, photogrammetry method in combination with a mobile phone has the potential to be utilized as an alternative of a makeshift 3D scanning system with sufficient accuracy using commonly available tools

Rainfall-Runoff Response of A Suburban Area

Batu Pahat experiences flash floods whenever intense rainfall coincides with high tide. Among the factors which cause flash floods are due to Batu Pahat river catchment's flat and low-lying geographical features as well as high-intensity rainfall. The goals of the study are to analyse the frequency of rainfall events for SMK Munshi Sulaiman station and to investigate runoff due to severe rainfall events within the study area. The observed daily rainfall depth record between 2010 and 2021 was obtained from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia. The frequency of rainfall events within the 11-year period is examined using empirical rainfall intensity formulation. Rainfall-runoff of the five most heavy rainfall events in 2021 within the study area are simulated using HEC-HMS. It has been found that most daily rainfall events have a frequency of a 1-year return period. Only three events were found to have a return period of up to 2-year ARI, with a maximum rainfall depth of 110.67 mm. Five heaviest rainfall events in 2021 were obtained from DID's real-time online platform for rainfall-runoff simulations. One of the events, which occurred in June 2021 has a frequency larger than a 100-year return period while other events have return periods ranging from 1-year to 5-year. Simulations produced by HEC-HMS for these events in January, April, May, June, and September 2021 have resulted in peak flow of 6.7 m3/s, 26.8 m3/s, 24.7 m3/s, 39.9 m3/s, and 39.9 m3/s, respectively. Based on frequency analysis, rainfall-runoff simulations, and field observations, it can be concluded that flash floods are highly possible due to high-intensity rainfall as well as lowland topographical features of the study area. Therefore, flood mitigation measures need to be carried out to improve the drainage system for the suburban area

Chemical Stabilization of Amorphous Peat Using Cement and Fly Ash at Different Water Additive Ratios

Peat is a very problematic soil as it is poor in strength. However, previous researchers have proven that the compressive strength of peat can be improved by using various methods of soil improvement including chemical stabilization method. In this study, cement and fly ash and lime were additives used and were mixed with amorphous peat at various water additive ratios. To replicate actual stabilization on site, water additive ratio is proposed as to allow stabilization to be performed at natural water content of the peat. Peat samples were collected from Kampung Endap, Samarahan and mixed at its natural moisture content with cement and with fly ash and lime at different water additive ratios of 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0. The compressive and bearing strengths of the samples were obtained by the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test respectively. The results of the study have shown that there is marginal strength gained after 28 and 56 days of air curing period. The peat samples stabilized with cement at 3.5 water additive ratio recorded the highest value with UCS value of 69.48 kPa after 56 days of curing and 0.52 % for CBR test after 28 days curing period. These strength values obtained are lower compared to published data from previous studies. Different technique of mixing in the laboratory that is mixing peat at its natural water content with varied amount of additives at selected water additive ratio as opposed to mixing at maximum dry density and optimum moisture content that is mostly performed in laboratory contributes to the outcome. However, this study has proven that there is an increase in compressive and bearing strengths of stabilized peat in its natural water content compared to original peat without stabilizer

Conceptual Design of Smart Network Adaptive Traffic Light in Creating Low-Carbon City

The research led to the development of a smart sensory network adaptive traffic light to optimise traffic flow and reduce congestion on Jalan Persisiran Seri Alam in Pasir Gudang. This system, with variable time management, can reduce the time spent at traffic junctions and the carbon emitted by vehicles, thus supporting the SDG 11 for low carbon smart city. By integrating the dynamic duration of each traffic signal on each dense pathway, this system can help reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions. It can also ensure that traffic is managed in a more efficient manner, thus improving the quality of life for the people of Pasir Gudang. The success of this system will be a major step towards achieving the goal of a low carbon smart city, as it will help to reduce air pollution, noise pollution and improve road safety. Additionally, it can help to improve the efficiency of traffic flow, leading to better traffic management and reduced congestion

Study of Ammonia-Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Parit Rasipan Canal During the Wet Season

The Parit Rasipan Canal's deteriorating water quality and eutrophication are both blamed on ammonia-nitrogen and phosphorus. In order to conserve freshwater resources, it is crucial to understand the relationship between land use and water quality. It is also crucial to evaluate how land use affects the pollutants load. In this study, eutrophication along the Parit Rasipan drainage system will be identified, water quality will be investigated in terms of phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen concentration and classified according to land use type during the wet season, and ammonia-nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations will be compared with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). At a specific location along the Parit Rasipan drainage system, samples were taken. The USEPA PhosVer 3 with Acid Persulfate Digestion Procedure (Method 8190) and Nessler's Method (Method 8038) were used, respectively, to measure phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen. Ammonia nitrogen and phosphorus final effluent concentrations ranged from 3.21 mg/L to 5.96 mg/L and 0.36 mg/L to 1.55 mg/L, respectively. The residential area's water, on the other hand, had significant concentrations of ammonia, nitrogen, and phosphorus, which contributed to eutrophication in the wake of industrial, agricultural, and farming activities

A Literature Review On the Use of Bamboo as A Truss Member and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer as A Truss Jointing Material

A truss is a structure that has a rigid configuration formed by an assembly of straight members connected by pins. Many roofing systems use trusses, but the wide variety of truss configurations in architecture is an advantage to creating vast arrays of aesthetics in buildings. Steel, mainly plain carbon steel designated A36, is the most used material for truss members and joint connectors. However, these members are both heavy and non-sustainable, so several kinds of literature recommend studying the potential of using lightweight and sustainable alternatives. This review focuses on using bamboo in truss and the potential of fiber-reinforced composite as a truss joint connector. Bamboo culms and glued-laminated bamboo (glubam) are the two types of bamboo commonly used in truss fabrication based on the review. Bamboo culms from Dendrocalamus asper exhibit a tensile strength of 340 MPa, while the glubam made of Yushania alpina has 364 MPa. Other mechanical properties of bamboo necessary for the truss analysis are not yet clearly defined, although studies used ASTM D143-09 to determine several mechanical properties of bamboo or glubam. Fiber-reinforced composite can exhibit an enormous array of varieties and still demonstrate a strength close to or even higher than steel. It is lightweight and can reach a tensile strength of 700 MPa. The researcher recommends synthesizing bamboo or glubam as truss members and fiber-reinforced composite as truss joint connectors

Experimental Validation of Reinforced Concrete Beam Incorporating Coal Fly Ash and Coal Bottom Ash Using Numerical Analysis

The environmental deterioration affected by the disposal of Coal Bottom Ash (CBA) from power stations has worsened as the energy demand has increased. In addition, the increased demand for concrete leads to an increase in aggregate consumption, which contributing to the depletion of natural resources. To prevent the immense amount of CBA waste and the destruction of natural resources, an initiative has been implemented to replace aggregate with CBA in concrete. The Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams underwent a four-point bending test. The test was done after 28 days of curing age. Therefore, this study was conducted to study the performance of RC beam incorporating CBA as fine and coarse aggregate replacement.  The deflection, maximum load and cracking pattern of RC beam were determined. Beam with 100% coarse coal bottom ash 100% fine coal bottom ash resulted to the maximum load at 88 kN with maximum deflection at 18.87 mm. The RC beams were redesigned using the three-dimensional nonlinear simulation software ABAQUS in enable to identify and compare the simulation and experimental findings. The FEA result shows that ultimate load of FEA was within 5% range with the experimental results. The simulation results demonstrated that the proposed finite element model accurately predicted the RC beam’s damage behaviour

Mechanical Response of Applying Different Parameters On Negative Stiffness Honeycomb Structure

It has become apparent that negative stiffness behavior may have potential applications in vibration isolation mechanisms, vibro-acoustic dampening materials, and mechanical switches. Unlike traditional honeycombs, due to these properties, a negative honeycomb can absorb substantial amounts of mechanical energy whilst maintaining a stable stress. The force threshold under displacement loading was investigated of three variables applied on different models of negative-stiffness honeycomb (NSH) structures. The three variables are material applied, honeycomb unit cell, and beam thickness of the negative honeycomb structure. Accordingly, nine models were developed, and the three varied materials were assigned repeatably to each model and then force threshold were studied after validating the model. The Finite element analysis (FEA) for formed model was validated and shows force value of 289 N with an error of 5% compared to the referenced model. In the 4- unit cell model, the highest force threshold of approximately 240 N was noticed during loading phase at the beam thickness of 19.05 mm for both nylon 11 and 12 material. Finally, the force threshold of 550 N during loading and unloading phases was observed for nylon 6/6 material at beam thickness of 19.05 mm. The results obtained confirm the negative stiffness behavior on the models and shows that the force threshold applied is reduced comparing to forces required in the conventional honeycombs models

Trend Analysis of Tides Level and Projection Sea Level Rise On the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Globally, sea levels are rising due to climate change caused by humans. Current and future sea level rise will have a variety of effects, particularly on coastal infrastructure. This study analysed the tidal level trend and projected sea level rise along the western coast of peninsular Malaysia using tide level records collected between 1986 and 2012. The seasonal Mann-Kendall test and linear trend were used to determine the tide level trend over time and to predict sea level rise for 2050 and 2100. Based on a confidence interval of 95%, the results of the analysis indicated a rising trend at all stations. Tau values for the Mann-Kendall test range between 0.16 and 0.33, while seasonal Mann-Kendall values range between 0.18 and 0.41. Based on the sea level projection analysis, the mean sea level will rise between 8.77 cm and 14.29 cm in 2050, and between 20.44 cm and 33.20 cm in 2100. In conclusion, the sea level trend at all stations on the west coasts of peninsular Malaysia exhibits an upward trend