Probabilistic Assessment of Bored Pile Wall: A Slope Stabilisation Technique

One of the potential applications of bored piles is the construction of a retaining wall where the piles are closely installed and the spacing between them is often grouted to build a waterproof retaining wall. Based on previous experience, it is observed that the selection of an appropriate retaining structure is crucial to the strength and stability of a structure, provided that the design of retaining structure is adequate and it satisfies the structural requirements. This study considers a Malaysian slope, Bukit Antarabangsa, to perform the probabilistic stability analysis of bored piles. Statistical tools of FORM and Monte Carlo are used to demonstrate the influence of soil parameters on the reliability levels of structure. This paper also presents the load and resistance factors which are developed to counter the rotational and flexural failure modes of a bored pile wall. It is expected that this study will provide a support to the Malaysian geotechnical industry to integrate a reliability-based design for slope construction

Development of thermal insulating lightweight foamed concrete reinforced with polypropylene fibres

The construction of concentrated infrastructures due to rapid urbanization has given rise to urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon which causes temperature of urban areas to significantly increase compared to its adjacent cooler rural areas. The absorption of heat in the form of solar radiation by infrastructures is the main contributor to UHI, which results in the rise in the ambient temperature at night. This has forced the construction industry to focus on thermal insulating building materials such as foamed concrete. Air voids in the matrix of foamed concrete allow it to reduce the thermal conductivity and dry density; however, due to its reduced density, foamed concrete is prone to microcracking which results in loss of strength. To counteract the development and propagation of microcracks, polypropylene (PP) fibres are used to reinforce the foamed concrete. Therefore, in this study, foamed concrete of density 1600 kg/m3 was reinforced using PP fibres in three percentages, 0.20%, 0.25% and 0.30%. Thermal performance, in terms of thermal conductivity and surface temperature, was conducted as well as the compressive and tensile strength was determined. It was observed that the PP fibres not only enhanced the strength but also significantly lowered the thermal conductivity and absorbed less heat

Fatigue and Rutting Analysis of Asphaltic Pavement Using “KENLAYER” Software

Rutting and Fatigue are taken as main premature failures among all distresses, as these distresses have wide effect on performance of pavement. Sudden variation of heavy axle loaded vehicles, improper mix design and traditional design methodologies used in pavement design industries are major factors behind these failures. For proper performance and good serviceability, these premature distresses should be resisted. Thus, there is a need of using a Mechanistic based design methodology like KENPAVE software, so that traditional design errors should be overcome. KENLAYER is a part of KENPAVE software. KENLYER software tool is utilized to calculated accurately stresses and strains in asphaltic pavement that are ultimately used in calculating allowance for rutting and fatigue failure utilizing Asphalt Institute design models or formulas. Resistance to Rutting failure is checked by calculating vertical compressive stress at the top of soil sub-grade layer, while resistance to fatigue failure is checked by calculating horizontal tensile strain at the bottom of asphaltic layer using KENLAYER software tool. Thus, the object of this research study is to analyze a flexible pavement with respect to rutting and fatigue distresses using KENLAYER software tool. For achieving that objective NHA (N-55) section of road in Sehwan Pakistan was taken as a reference pavement. Pavement was analyzed by altering the thicknesses of bituminous courses by ± 25 percent. From that we obtained total 20 cross-sections to be analyzed using KENLAYER software in terms of Rutting and Fatigue premature failures

Effect on the Compressive Strength of Mortars Using Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag as a Partial Replacement of Cement

Mortar is widely used in the construction industry for different purposes. Its compressive strength is the main parameter which is brought under focus. Compressive strength of mortars depends upon many factors such as water-cement ratio, fine aggregates size, and different curing conditions. This experimental study was undertaken to investigate the effect of GGBFS on compressive strength of mortars under different curing regimes using GGBFS as a partial replacement of cement. A total of 60 cubes of standard size of 2 x 2 x 2 inches were casted in laboratory, out of which 12 cubes each were prepared with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% GGBFS replacement for cement. Cubes were cured for 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. Bases on obtained results it is observed that the maximum compressive strength was achieved by sample with 5% GGBFS, although 10% GGBFS samples achieved higher compressive strength than the control sample with 0% GGBFS. Further replacement beyond this value causes reduction in strength