Effect of granite dust on the performance characteristics of kernelrazzo floor finish

This study is part of an on-going research on the durability performance of kernelrazzo, a type of terrazzo floor finish. It investigated the effect of partial replacement of the coarse aggregate with granite dust on the compressive strength, water absorption capacity and density of kernelrazzo. Two mix ratios (1:3 and 1:4), varying aggregate replacements of marble chipping with burnt palm kernel shells amounting to 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, varying percentage replacements of all coarse aggregates with granite dust amounting to 0%, 10%, 30% and 50% were used. Cost comparisons were also made. Test results showed that the compressive strength of kernelrazzo increases up to a maximum of 30% coarse aggregate replacement by granite dust for both mixes for 0–50% replacement of marble chippings with palm kernel shells. For 75–100% marble chippings replacement, the compressive strength increases with increasing amount of granite dust. The water absorption capacity and density (upto 30% of granite dust) decrease and increase, respectively, with increase in percentage of granite dust. The cost of kernelrazo decreases with increase in the percentage of replacement of coarse aggregates with granite dust, except for 100% marble chipping replacement. It was recommended that to produce a good kernelrazzo floor finish in terms of strength, durability, density, water absorption capacity and cost, the overall coarse aggregate should not contain more than 50% of palm kernel shells for 1:4 and 1:3 mix ratios with a maximum of 30% aggregate replacement with granite dust. ? 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

An Assessment of Facilities Maintenance Management Strategy in Selected Industrial Estates in Lagos State, Nigeria

The study appraised the facilities and the maintenance management strategies employed in selected industrial estates in Lagos State by examining facilities maintenance strategies, with a view to establishing the optimal strategies. Data were sourced using structured questionnaire administered on the staff of maintenance department of the industrial firms located in the estates. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Using the relative importance index (RII), the most widely used maintenance strategy was reactive maintenance strategy with RII value of 0.15. The most influencing factor for the choice of maintenance strategy was the reporting delay time with RII value of 0.41. The observed facility down time was over two weeks and the factors mostly responsible for delay in responding to maintenance request were lack of funds and inadequacy of maintenance staff. 

Facile Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of 2-Alkanamino Benzimidazole Derivatives

Benzimidazole derivatives are known to represent a class of medicinally important compounds which are extensively used in drug design and catalysis. A series of 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives 10a-i was herein synthesized from the reaction of o-phenylenediamine with some amino acids using ameliorable pathway. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were con rmed by IR, UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Mass spectral and analytical data. The compounds were investigated for their antimicrobial activity alongside gentamicin clinical standard. The results showed that this skeletal framework exhibited marked potency as antimicrobial agents. The most active compound was 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methanamine, 10a