Overview of empirical equation prediction for ultimate axial load of precast lightweight foamed concrete sandwich panel (PLFP)

In the absence of analytical theory, empirical equation is useful in estimating the ultimate load carrying capacity of structural component. Empirical approach means the collection of data on which to base a theory or derive a conclusion in science. It is part of the scientific method. The empirical method is often contrasts with the precision of the experimental method where data are derived from an experiment. This paper review the development of empirical equation from solid reforced panel to sandwich panel. The previous developed empirical equations are be able to predict an adequate ultimate strength of PLFP panel under axial loading due to the safety factor reduction. Series of experiment and Finite Element ANALYSIS (FEA) were carried out to produce sufficient data to analyze the previous developed empirical equation to predict the ultimate load carrying capacity. From findings, a new empirical equation is in need to predict the ultimate axial load of sandwich panel in order to get accurate predictio

Comparison of Cap and QAM-DMT Modulation Format for In-Home Network Environment

Carrierless amplitude phase (CAP) modulation format has appeared as a potential advanced modulation format candidate for spectrally efficient single-carrier modulation type due to less complexity and has competitive performance. In this paper, the comparison between 2D-CAP-4 and 4-QAM-DMT modulation format over 3 km single mode fiber (SMF) transmission link using 1310 nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) has been performed for inhome network environment. The net bit rates of 625 Mb/s and 454.6 Mb/s are achieved for 2D-CAP-4 and 4-QAM-DMT, respectively. Spectral efficiencies of 1.89 b/s/Hz for 2D-CAP-4 and 1.43 b/s/Hz for 4-QAM-DMT are reported. It is observed that 2D-CAP-4 outperforms 4-QAM-DMT with 1.14 dB better receiver sensitivity. These results indicate that the privilege properties of CAP modulation format can be an attractive prospect for in-home network environment

The mechanical properties of foamed concrete with polypropylene fibres

With the innovation of foamed concrete, some components of the building can be replaced by lightweight foamed concrete, reducing the self-weight the conventional concrete has. The difference between foamed concrete and conventional concrete is the usage of materials and density. While the density of conventional concrete ranges from 2200 kg/m3 to 2600 kg/m3 , the foamed concrete is up to 87% lighter. Lower density contributes to lower compressive strength of foamed concrete but reduction in self-weight. Therefore, to enhance the mechanical and physical properties of foamed concrete, Polypropylene fibres (PF) are utilized. In this study, foamed concrete was cast in two densities, 1600 kg/m3 and 1800 kg/m3 . Four different percentages, 0% (without any content of PF), 0.05 %, 0.10 %, and 0.15 % of PF were added in both the densities of foamed concrete. Compressive strength test and modulus of elasticity were conducted to determine the effect of PF in the foamed concrete. Based upon the results, the optimum percentage of PF was determined to be 0.15% at which higher compressive strength as well as modulus elasticity for both densities was obtained

Influence of polypropylene fibres on the tensile strength and thermal properties of various densities of foamed concrete

As almost half of the world's population now lives in the urban areas, the raise in temperature in these areas has necessitated the development of thermal insulating material. Conventional concrete absorbs solar radiation during the daytime while releasing it at night causing raise in temperature in urban areas. The thermal conductivity of 2200 kg/m3 density conventional concrete is 1.6 W/mK. Higher the thermal conductivity value, greater the heat flow through the material. To reduce this heat transfer, the construction industry has turned to lightweight foamed concrete. Foamed concrete, due to its air voids, gives excellent thermal properties and sound absorption apart from fire-resistance and self-leveling properties. But due to limited studies on different densities of foamed concrete, the thermal properties are not understood properly thus limiting its use as thermal insulating material. In this study, thermal conductivity is determined for 1400, 1600 and 1800 kg/m3 densities of foamed concrete. 0.8% of Polypropylene fibres (PP) is used to reinforce the foamed concrete and improve the mechanical properties. Based upon the results, it was found that addition of PP fibres enhances the tensile strength and slightly reduced the thermal conductivity for lower densities, while the reverse affect was noticed in 1800 kg/m3 density

Employability of local trained skill labour in construction industry

Development in Malaysia is booming which can be witnessed by the various construction projects that currently in progress, especially in the state of Johor which has the highest value of construction work completed for the third quarter of 2016. This necessarily requires skilled labours in a high number especially among the locals since it has been reported that Malaysia’s construction industry is having problems related to the shortage of local skilled labour. In addition, the local workers have been reported to unable to fulfil the demand of construction market and this have caused the contractor to import foreign workers to meet the needs and requirement of labour market in construction sector. The objectives of this study are to determine the criteria set by the construction company in recruiting local skilled labour and to study the strategies that can attract local skilled labour to join construction industry. Questionnaire has been distributed to G7 contractor in the state of Johor in order to achieve the objectives of this study. Collected data was then evaluated and tested for its reliability using the SPSS 20.0 software before it can be analysed in order to obtain the mean value, frequencies and percentage. The outcome of this study indicates that the prospective employer prefers to work with man and they require young, experienced, knowledgeable and skilled workers in doing the job. Most of the strategies that have been selected are mainly related to money namely salary increment, bonus, allowance and overtime payment, apart from upgrading labours welfare and providing a better accommodation. This study can be a guideline to both skills institution and contractor to improve on what they are lacking in order to encourage the local trained skills labour to join the industry

Assessing the use of mobile technology for technical English

Mobile technology in a new learning paradigm indicates the use of mobile and wireless technologies which scaffold the teaching and learning dimension in most tertiary institutions. The objective of this paper is to assess the level of students’ readiness in using a mobile technology for Technical English in one of the technical universities in Malaysia. A quantitative analysis was used through a survey method in which 200 survey questionnaires were sent out to randomly selected students in engineering faculties at the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka. The findings showed that the majority of students were ready to embark for a mobile-based learning as they had mobile phones equipped with a 3G service for class notes retrieval, multimedia messaging services, video call services for easy interaction among peers and with tutors. The results provide useful guidelines for curriculum designers and educators. Future work should integrate the perspectives of administrative units and educators to gain an overall assessment of the mobile technology readiness from various dimensions

Removal of methyl red from aqueous solution using dried water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Colouring effluent from industrial activities such as methyl red may affect environment and human health. Many methods have been used to decolourise such effluent including using low cost adsorbent. The objective of this study is to study the adsorption of methyl red from aqueous solution using dried water hyacinth. This study was focusing on the effect of decolourisation due to dosage of adsorbent, initial concentration of solution, pH, and the contact time. Adsorption isotherm was examined in this study and both the isotherms was found to be applicable in the case of dye adsorption using dried water hyacinth. The applicability of the pseudo first order and second order was also examined to conforms the adsorption kinetic. And it is fit well with pseudo second order. The effectiveness of the method was determined by measuring the percentage of removal the methyl red. It is found that the removal was directly proportional to the dosage and contact time. For the initial concentration the removal is inversely proportional and for the pH, it increase from pH 2-3 and decrease from pH 3-7. The higher percentage of removal is 88% and the optimum condition for this study was identified. For the dosage, 3.0 g is the optimum and 50 mg/L for initial concentration, pH 3 and 120 minutes for the contact time. As a conclusion dried water hyacinth can be used as a adsorbent to remove the methyl red

Compression test and finite element analysis of foamed concrete cube

Foamed concrete is one of the most economical and industrialized construction materials in modern building construction market either for conventional construction technique or precast construction technique. However, the damage behavior of foamed concrete had not been explored deeply by researchers especially for its continuum damage mechanics and plasticity. This paper presents the results of compressive tests and finite element analysis of foamed concrete cubes. The focus of this paper is on the compressive behavior of foamed concrete. Three dimensional- nonlinear finite element model was developed and analyzed by the aquasi static technique using the ABAQUS explicit module. The input parameters of the model were obtained from experimental results. Concrete damaged plasticity was chosen as damaged criteria. Results show that the proposed finite element model is able to predict the damage behavior of the foamed concrete cube accurately. Thus, finite element method can be used as an economical tool for studying the structural behavior of foamed concrete in compression