Effect of Mixing Fine Sand on the Drained Shear Strength of Completely Decomposed Granite Soil.

Experimental test results presented in this paper were from a series of triaxial compression tests studied under drained conditions for Completely Decomposed Granite (CDG) soil mixed with fine sand content of (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%). The CDG soil showed high compressibility during isotropic consolidation, probably due to the use of the moist tamping method and the effect of weathering degree on the soil structure. The tests results produced a unique Critical State Line (CSL) in the e-lnp plane, and these lines were parallel for each mixture and moved downward with increasing fine sand content. The fine sand content, at which the intergranular void ratio of the CDG-fine sand mixture became equal to emax for plain CDG soil, was named as Transition Fine Sand Content (TFSC), which occurred at 20-30% fine sand content. Normalization of the critical state stresses showed that for the samples with low P/Pc between 0.58 and 0.65 (i.e. the CDG soil mixed with fine sand), the stress paths moved directly towards the critical state without passing through the boundary surface of the soil mixture, which revealed the impact of the fine sand addition to the CDG soil structure, reflecting an improvement in the soil strength behavior by developing a strong interlocking among the particles of the mixture. It was also observed that a small portion of stress paths could pass through the boundary of Hvorslev surface in the case of low fine sand content (≤ 10 %) and the boundary of Hvorslev surface observed clearly in the case of plain CDG soil. The friction angle increased at steady state from 28- 32.6, and the cohesion decreased from 15 to 8.3 kN/m2 with increasing fine sand content. A comparison of critical state parameters and strength properties between weathered granite CDG soil from Malaysia and Hong Kong were also made and summarized in this study

Dynamic Creep Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt Mixture Incorporating Fibre

Permanent deformation is one of the distress that develops gradually as the number of load applications increases and appears as longitudinal depressions in the wheel paths and small upheavals to the sides. For this reason, numerous studies conducted on modification asphalt binder or mixture by various fibre. This paper presents the evaluation of creep modulus and permanent deformation of modified asphalt mixture with fibres. In order to envisage the modified asphalt mixture, Forta-fi, Kenaf and PET was blended to estimate the creep properties and rut depth value at different loading pattern. Superpave mix design method was employed with NMAS 12.5mm to obtain the optimum bitumen content established at 4% air void. In the respect, bitumen 60/70 penetration grade with 0.5% of Forta-Fi, 0.1% Kenaf fibre and 0.5% PET by weight of asphalt mixture were prepared. Dynamic Creep Test was performed in accordance to the EN 12697-25:2005 guidelines using the Universal Testing Machine (UTM). As the result, the minimum value of permanent deformation was found at 0.5% of PET. Based on these studies, adding a minimum percent of PET in the asphalt mixture shows a better resistance to rutting deformation and enable a better understanding of the properties in modified asphalt mixtures

Dynamic Creep Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt Mixture Incorporating Fibre

Permanent deformation is one of the distress that develops gradually as the number of load applications increases and appears as longitudinal depressions in the wheel paths and small upheavals to the sides. For this reason, numerous studies conducted on modification asphalt binder or mixture by various fibre. This paper presents the evaluation of creep modulus and permanent deformation of modified asphalt mixture with fibres. In order to envisage the modified asphalt mixture, Forta-fi, Kenaf and PET was blended to estimate the creep properties and rut depth value at different loading pattern. Superpave mix design method was employed with NMAS 12.5mm to obtain the optimum bitumen content established at 4% air void. In the respect, bitumen 60/70 penetration grade with 0.5% of Forta-Fi, 0.1% Kenaf fibre and 0.5% PET by weight of asphalt mixture were prepared. Dynamic Creep Test was performed in accordance to the EN 12697-25:2005 guidelines using the Universal Testing Machine (UTM). As the result, the minimum value of permanent deformation was found at 0.5% of PET. Based on these studies, adding a minimum percent of PET in the asphalt mixture shows a better resistance to rutting deformation and enable a better understanding of the properties in modified asphalt mixtures

Evaluating The Effects of Signal Control Applications on Roundabout’s LOS Performance Using VISSIM Microsimulation Model

The existence of unbalanced and high traffic flows at roundabout have resulted in poor performance and safety concerns. Past research has shown that applications of signal control at problematic roundabouts had significantly improved its Level of Service (LOS) performance. This study investigates the effects of different signal phasing plans on the roundabout’s LOS performance using VISSIM microsimulation model. The findings revealed that both Approach-Signal-Control Roundabout ACSR and Two-Stop-Line Control Signalized Roundabout TSLSR signal phasing methods did not significantly improve the roundabout’s entry capacities. Partial signal control applications, however, have resulted in a significant reduction in vehicle delays and higher entry capacities. The results of this study provide a good overview to local traffic practitioners on how to evaluate and implement the signal control strategy at problematic roundabouts. &nbsp

Evaluating The Effects of Signal Control Applications on Roundabout’s LOS Performance Using VISSIM Microsimulation Model

The existence of unbalanced and high traffic flows at roundabout have resulted in poor performance and safety concerns. Past research has shown that applications of signal control at problematic roundabouts had significantly improved its Level of Service (LOS) performance. This study investigates the effects of different signal phasing plans on the roundabout’s LOS performance using VISSIM microsimulation model. The findings revealed that both Approach-Signal-Control Roundabout ACSR and Two-Stop-Line Control Signalized Roundabout TSLSR signal phasing methods did not significantly improve the roundabout’s entry capacities. Partial signal control applications, however, have resulted in a significant reduction in vehicle delays and higher entry capacities. The results of this study provide a good overview to local traffic practitioners on how to evaluate and implement the signal control strategy at problematic roundabouts. &nbsp

THE TRANSFORMATION OF TRADITIONAL FOLKLORE INTO ANIMATION: IMPACT ON TODAY’S SOCIETY

Abstract As most of the local folklores are not properly documented, the move to transform local folklore into animation is indeed a good news. However, whether the transformation of the folklore into animation maintains its originality in terms of certain important elements, remain unknown. This matter can become an issue in the future, especially among the community in which the folklore belongs to. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the original and the animated versions, in terms of theme, plot, main cast, setting, and values, particularly among the local folklores in the state of Sarawak (East of Malaysia). This study uses qualitative descriptive method in order to examine the folklores. Three animated folklores from Sarawak namely ‘Apai Saloi Hunting’, ‘The Legend of Santubong’ and ‘Commander of Mount Sadok’ were used as prime sources of the study. Data were also collected from people’s statement, written documents, historical heritage, and information from the internet. The results of the study revealed that all the three folklores have at least 95% of similarity between the original version and the animated version. The present study also provides information about the impact and contribution of animated folklore toward the society. It is hoped that more local folklores will be transformed into animated version by maintaining its originality, so that the intangible cultural heritage is being preserved and protected. Keywords: Folklore, Transformation, Animation, Impac

Metamorphosis Induction of the Dog Conch Strombus canarium (Gastropoda: Strombidae) Using Cues Associated with Conch Nursery Habitat

Strombus canarium is a commercially important gastropod that has great potential for advancement into aquaculture. In this study, the metamorphosis response of Strombus canarium larvae to various metamorphosis cues associated with conch nursery habitat and to KCl and GABA, were tested. Bioassays were run as static, no choice experiment and adopting a continuous exposure approach. Strombus canarium larvae showed strong metamorphosis responses when sediment (i.e., conch nursery habitat sediment/SD-NU) and detrital substrata (i.e., Thalassia detritus leachate/T-LC) from their nursery habitat were used (p<0.05). There was no metamorphosis in treatments using sterilized conch nursery habitat sediment (SD-ST) and sediment taken from outside conch nursery habitat (SD-OT). Experiments using fresh macrophyte blades of Enhalus acoroides (EA), Thalassia hemprichii (TH), Halophila ovalis (HA) and Ulva (UL) and adult conditioned seawater (SD-SW) also showed negative respond. Conch larvae demonstrate active habitat selection during metamorphosis and no spontaneous metamorphosis was observed. Settlement in S. canarium is associative in nature where epibionts associated with conch nursery habitat could be the cue for the metamorphosis. However, the specific epibionts/inducers and mechanisms underlining the process were not studied and therefore are subjected to more detailed investigation. The use of KCl was comparable with treatments using natural inducers (SD-NU and T-LC), thus was suggested for application in hatchery spat production of the species

Population characteristics, length-weight and length-length relationships of Acetes vulgaris (decapoda: Sergestidae) of the Coastal waters of Pontian, Johore, Peninsular Malaysia

The population structure, length-weight and length-length relationships of Acetes vulgaris were examined based on 1141 specimens collected in the months of June and July 2006 from Pontian, Johor Bahru. The morphological characteristics of A. vulgaris were examined and the result was found to be similar when compared with the previous research. Mean length of males was 23.18 ± 2.95 mm while for females was 23.91 ± 3.53 mm. The range of total length for the males and females was 14.00-33.00 and 13.00-32.00 mm, respectively. The relationship between the total length and body weight of A. vulgaris was W = 0.0178L2.6368 (r2 = 0.829) for males and W = 0.0082L2.9144 (r2 = 0.902) for females. The carapace length and total length, relationship for males and females were CL = 4.1844TL + 2.3983 (r2 = 0.732) and CL = 4.0872TL + 1.8879 (r2 = 0.732), respectively. The sex ratio of female to male was found to be at 1: 3.27 with the number of males exceeded that of the females

Seasonal distribution of zooplankton composition and abundance in a sub-tropical mangrove and salt marsh estuary

Zooplankton composition and abundance at two stations located in exposed (station I) and protected (station II) areas of Bakkhali sub-tropical estuary, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh were investigated monthly from January 2006 to December 2006. Thirty-three zooplankton taxa were identified. The major groups of zooplankton encountered were Copepoda, Chaetognatha, Mysidaceae, Luciferidae, Amphipoda, Acetes, Hydromedusae, Cladoceran, Decapod and fish larvae. The percent composition of Copepoda was the highest (79.5-84.8%) among zooplankton groups followed by Chaetognatha (5.5-6.0%) and Mysidaceae (3.3-6.8%). The abundance of zooplankton was relatively higher (87674individuals/m3) in protected (mangrove) as compared to exposed (salt marsh; 68719 individuals/m3) site during the study period. Canonical Correspondence Analysis indicated that the abundance of copepods was influenced by rainfall, water temperature and transparency in this estuarine environment, and considered coastal and estuarine dominant