Numerical Analysis of Precast Wall Panels with Openings

A finite element (FE) analysis study on precast concrete solid and sandwich wall panels with various openings subjected to axial eccentric load (tw/6) is presented in this paper. Experimental work of nine full-scale and six half-scale wall panels from selected studies were modelled using ABAQUS 6.13 software. The cracking pattern, plastic strain and ultimate load carrying capacity of these FE models were analyzed and comparison from the selected studies was conducted for verification. Results from the FE analysis revealed that the behavior of the wall panels was influenced by the size and location of the openings and its slenderness ratios. From the ultimate load carrying capacity of a solid wall panel and sandwich wall panels with openings, a difference of within 10% of the experimental work from the selected studies was recorded. This observation verifies that ABAQUS finite element software is a reliable and effective technique in determining and establishing the structural behavior of precast wall panels with openings.&nbsp

Open and Distance Learning Programme and Learner Outcomes: A review of Empirical Evidence (in abstract)

There is an increasing interest in examining the issues associated with higher learning institutions, both within Malaysia and in other countries around the globe. Due to the impact of global education market, high competition and a shift towards mass higher education, concerns about the standard of the programmes offered and the demands for public accountability have become crucial. The number of learners enrolled into programmes offered through open and distance learning (ODL) in Malaysia has expanded remarkably. For instance, learners enrolled at Open University Malaysia have increased tremendously from 753 learners in August 2001 to 75,000 learners in January 2009. This increasing number of enrolments indicates that more people are interested in learning and enhancing their competencies by pursuing a higher degree qualification. However, the question on how far the ODL programme affects the learner outcomes is still unanswered. Therefore, this study reviews the empirical research evidences on ODL programmes in higher learning institutions and the learner outcomes. The focus of this study is to answer two key questions: (i) Are learners achieving the outcomes expected? and (ii) If they are, are these outcomes the direct result of the programme, or of other factors? Empirical research articles from various academic sources such as refereed journals, proceedings and theses are explored. The results of this study are hoped to present the status of empirical research evidences on ODL programmes and learner outcomes. It is also hoped that this study will grant significant information for future research and fill the current gaps. (Abstract by authors

TEACHING STRATEGY

Educationists hold varying views on the standard of today 's examinations but concur on one issue: Malaysia is producing rote-memorizers which could be behind the better results. They agree that a different approach could result in more intelligent and creative students. The younger generation could be pushed and challenged further by scrapping objective and quantitative questions and replcing them with more open-ended ones. This would allow them to be more creative besides using their intelligence. This study explores teachers' perceptions and practices on the teaching of thinking skills via questioning techniques which was conducted using questionnaires, observations and interviews. Findings showed that the infusion of thinking skills in the teaching and learning is still at the introductory stage and there are still lots of room for improvement.Keywords: education, teaching and learning, thinking skills, and questioning technique

Shear Behaviour of RC T-Beams with Externally Bonded Discrete CFF Strips – A Experimental and Finite Element Study

The application of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for retrofitting and strengthening of existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures has fascinated the attention of researchers and engineers in the recent decades.  This paper presents the results of experimental and finite element (FE) investigation of shear behaviour of reinforced concrete T-beams repaired with externally bonded bi-directional discrete carbon fibre fabric (CFF) strips.  The reinforced concrete T-beams were tested under four point bending system to investigate the performance of CFF shear strengthening scheme in terms of ultimate load carrying capacity.  These beams were modelled using LUSAS software.  To evaluate the behaviour of the simulated models, the predicted results were compared with the experimental results.  The experimental results show that the gain in shear capacity of the CFF repaired beams ranged between 20% and 40% over the control beam.  Thus, it can be concluded that the externally bonded CFF strips significantly increased the shear capacity of CFF repaired beams.  It was generally observed that the developed FE model shows better agreement with the experimental results.  The results of load-deflection profile, cracking pattern, modes of failure, and strain distribution in discrete CFF strips are presented

Development of e-Pocket Musafir (e-PM) an Android Mobile App for Muslim Travelers: Pembangunan e-Pocket Musafir (e-PM) Aplikasi Mudah Alih Android untuk Pengembara Muslim

Musafir (مسافر) is a word in Arabic meaning ‘traveler’ which refers to a person who is on a long journey. According to Quran Verse 6:11 “Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who rejected it.”. This verse encourages Muslims to travel while observing what is the end for the people who lie to Allah SWT. Even if a person is on a journey, in Islam prayer is obligatory and a person must perform religious obligation. Therefore, Allah SWT has given privileges to Muslims while traveling to perform prayers. Since this way of praying is rarely performed, people who travel must have a reference before performing this prayer, and most references nowadays are in the form of non-interactive documents and are difficult to carry anywhere. Therefore, this project aims to develop a mobile application for Muslim travelers which will guide them to perform prayers with privilege. We are using the incremental model methodology to develop this project. In addition, the application will also provide several important features for Muslims to use such as tasbih, Qasar, and Jamaq prayer guidance, Hadith, and prayer times. A selected group of people a chosen to confirm the project's usability. At the end of the research, we found that this project is successfully helping Muslim travelers to perform prayers whether it is in Qasar or Jamaq prayer states. In conclusion, the effectiveness of this application is likely to be extended into the study of other topic areas

Sliding friction and wear performance of the nano-bioceramic α -Al 2 O 3 prepared by high energy milling

The structural evolution and morphological changes of the nanostructured α-Al2O3 powder using different milling times (1, 8, 16 and 24 h) were studied. It is observed that the crystallite size of the particles reduced to 2 nm after milling for 24 h. Morphological studies of powder particles indicated that the powder particle size continuously decreases with increasing milling time. The sliding wear rate and wear coefficient of friction were lower in the nanocrystalline samples milled at 24 h at same applied load (3, 6 or 10 N). The improved friction and wear resistance is attributed to the finer microstructure of the sample milled for 24 h

Homeownership conceptual framework for urban livability

House is a basic need for individuals and families. Difficulty in owning a house has always been one of the major issues debated by the government, people and private sectors in Malaysia. Current economic conditions have made house purchasing almost impossible to many people due to drastic increases of house prices since 2000. The increases was influenced by macro and micro factors based on demand and supply of houses. Among them are migration of rural population to urban areas that leads to increasing demand for owning and renting a house. Hence, developers and investors have taken this migration process to their advantage by increasing their housing and rental prices to gain more profit. With the increase of home values, homeowners were also burdened with rising costs of maintenance which includes assessment of property tax, costs of maintenance and service. The increasing of house prices and the cost of home ownership will affect the population livability in the city. A conceptual framework has been developed. First, to identify the parameters that affects the ability of prospective first home buyers for middle-income earners in the home. Second is to evaluate the housing access indicator parameters on affordability of homeowners in reference to population livability in the city. The outcome of this study is the development of capability parameters to own a house and housing access for livability. This study findings highlight important criteria required to ensure home ownership to improve livability of urban community. Finally, the criteria could be used in developing a guideline for the government and developers to comply and support to the need of the National Housing Policy

Kit pemantauan penyambungan litar elektrik: satu kajian efikasi Alat Bantu Mengajar

Kit pemantau penyambungan litar elektrik merupakan Alat Bantu Mengajar (ABM) bagi memudahkan para pelajar mempelajari dan memahami prinsip litar elektrik asas, khususnya mendalami cara penyambungan litar pendawaian dengan betul berdasarkan litar skima yang diberi tanpa perlu pengawasan atau bantuan guru sepenuh masa. Kit ini juga memperkenalkan pelajar dengan istilah-istilah asas dalam litar elektrik yang dapat ditunjukkan melalui sambungan yang dibuat dan hasilnya dipaparkan pada LCD/lampu penunjuk. Dengan adanya kit ini, proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran menjadi lebih mudah kerana pelajar boleh mengesan sendiri kesalahan dalam penyambungan pendawaian melalui respon yang diberikan. Apa yang menarik berkaitan kit ini, ia mendorong pelajar menjadi lebih yakin apabila berjaya melakukan sambungan dengan betul, sifat ini tidak mungkin dicapai bagi pelajar yang ramai dalam satu kelas. Sifat yakin diri dan berkebolehan memeriksa penyambungan litar sendiri tanpa bantuan daripada guru menjadi salah satu matlamat dalam pendidikan. Gadget ini dilengkapi dengan kemudahan mengesan dan memaparkan sambungan yang sudah dilakukan dan yang belum dilakukan. Kemudahan ini dapat menambahkan keberkesanan penyampaian pengetahuan dan kemahiran dalam kerja litar elektrik asas, kebolehan membaca dan mentafsir litar elektrik dan pelajar berupaya melakukan amali pemindahan litar skima ke litar pendawaian. Hasilnya, kemahiran penyambungan litar elektrik asas akan bertambah baik

Spectrum of breast asymmetries: a pictorial essay

Introduction: Asymmetric breast tissue is a relatively common mammographic finding and is usually benign. It might be due to a normal variation, postoperative changes or hormone replacement therapy. However, an asymmetric area may indicate a developing mass or an underlying cancer. Method: We collected random cases of asymmetric breast densities on mammography, and present examples of the four types according to the recent ACR BIRADs classification. The four types are global asymmetry (previously known as asymmetric breast tissue), asymmetry (previously known as density seen on one projection), focal asymmetry (previously known as focal asymmetric density) and a developing asymmetry (replacing architectural distortion). The final diagnoses are given, confirmed on further investigations such as biopsy and FNAC or supplementary imaging. Conclusion: Accurate interpretation of breast asymmetry found on a mammogram may needs additional imaging studies such as supplementary views, ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging. Radiologist should be aware of this condition and further assessment should be carried out in a logical work flow for optimum patient care

Friction and Wear Performance of Biomaterials Alloy AISI 316L and Ti-6Al-7Nb

We became interested in this work to study the tribological behavior of two total hip replacements steel AISI 316L and titanium alloy Ti-6Al-7Nb tests performed in this work are essays with reciprocating movement. The tribological properties of wear by sliding (reciprocating) for the different samples were evaluated in the air on a tribometer with a tribotester software software following standards: ISO 7148, ASTM G99-95a, ASTM G 133-95, with a relative humidity of 33-38% at a temperature 24 to 27°C and a non-lubricated state. The ball 100C6 steel of 10 mm diameter, 835 HV hardness and Young’s modulus 310 GPa was chosen as the antagonist to prevent further chemical reactions. Three different speeds (1, 6 and 15 mms-1) and four normal forces (2, 4, 6 and 10 N) were applied, which allowed us to test twelve different conditions. The values of the friction coefficient obtained in this work are confirmed by the bibliographical results and meet the standards imposed by biomedical particularly at the joint surface state of hip prostheses