Investigating the influence of mineral fillers at Australian asphalt mixtures

It is commonly known that mineral fillers significantly affect the asphalt mixture's performance. Superior flexible pavement performance can be ensured by gaining a deeper understanding of the function of filler. This research investigates the influence of three different fillers: granite dust, cement, and hydrated lime, at Australian asphalt mixtures. The testing program includes Marshall testing, moisture damage resistance, indirect tensile strength (ITS), and indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM) tests of asphalt mixtures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to statistically assess the results obtained, besides damage analysis. The results indicate that using natural granite dust yields the highest resistance to moisture, while cement produces the highest stability, ITS, and ITSM. Unexpectedly, using hydrated lime filler decreases the stability/stiffness and moisture resistance of asphalt mixtures. ANOVA tests indicate that the type of filler affects ITS, TSR, and ITSM results (i.e., the p-value <0.05). The damage analysis shows that the design life of the asphalt mixture made with cement filler is higher than that of mixtures made with natural granite dust and hydrated lime fillers respectively. The findings indicate the important role of nontraditional fillers at the performance of Australian asphalt mixtures

Investigating the influence of mineral fillers at Australian asphalt mixtures

It is commonly known that mineral fillers significantly affect the asphalt mixture's performance. Superior flexible pavement performance can be ensured by gaining a deeper understanding of the function of filler. This research investigates the influence of three different fillers: granite dust, cement, and hydrated lime, at Australian asphalt mixtures. The testing program includes Marshall testing, moisture damage resistance, indirect tensile strength (ITS), and indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM) tests of asphalt mixtures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to statistically assess the results obtained, besides damage analysis. The results indicate that using natural granite dust yields the highest resistance to moisture, while cement produces the highest stability, ITS, and ITSM. Unexpectedly, using hydrated lime filler decreases the stability/stiffness and moisture resistance of asphalt mixtures. ANOVA tests indicate that the type of filler affects ITS, TSR, and ITSM results (i.e., the p-value <0.05). The damage analysis shows that the design life of the asphalt mixture made with cement filler is higher than that of mixtures made with natural granite dust and hydrated lime fillers respectively. The findings indicate the important role of nontraditional fillers at the performance of Australian asphalt mixtures

The performance of modified asphalt mixtures with different lengths of glass fiber

One practical option for modifying an asphalt mixture's performance is to use additives. This will help the mixture perform better against the damaging effects of traffic, loads, and climatic variations. In this regard, glass fiber (GF) has drawn much interest because of its positive effect. Therefore, this paper attempts to study the effect of glass fiber length and content on the performance and strength of asphalt mixtures. It also aims to determine the optimum glass fiber content and the best glass fiber length of modified asphalt mixtures. An experimental program is carried out, which includes the Marshall test, volumetric properties, freeze-thaw splitting test, immersion Marshall test, and wheel tracking test to characterize related properties of glass fiber incorporated in asphalt mixtures. Seven different percentages (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5) of glass fiber by total weight of aggregates in three various lengths are used to design 19 asphalt mixtures. Based on the results obtained, the performance of the asphalt mixture was enhanced remarkably after adding glass fiber. The use of various lengths of glass fiber led to a better-quality asphalt mixture in terms of volumetric properties, moisture damage resistance, and permanent deformation resistance. Specifically, asphalt mixtures made with (0.5%) glass fiber illustrated the highest quality, and adding (20 mm) length of glass fiber was better than (10 mm and 30 mm) glass fiber lengths. The results also show that adding (10 mm and 30 mm) lengths of glass fiber can improve the resistance of asphalt mixtures to water damage and permanent deformation compared with the control mixture (M0). The findings indicate the applicability of 20 mm glass fiber length in asphalt mixtures to achieve better resistance against moisture and reduce the chance of irreparable permanent deformation under growing traffic loads and hot climate changes. Although the inclusion of glass fiber in asphalt mixtures led to a modest increase (6%) in overall cost, the effective improvement in performance and extension of the service life of the asphalt pavement constitute a convincing argument for this approach, making it an attractive option. Finally, it was concluded that a higher amount of glass fiber (i.e., > 0.5%) and a length greater than (20 mm) could diminish the positive effect of glass fiber to improve the properties of glass fiber asphalt mixtures

Digital architecture and designing architecture space and ITS effect on future life strategy

Technological advancements have altered nearly every aspect of individuals’ existence and operation in society. When technologies develop, architecture evolves as well: the architectural techniques change, as does the architectural outcome. The digital revolution reflected on architecture, as did other scientific and life fields. Its impact on the work and architectural space was evident. The architectural production became not limited to designing in traditional ways and directing it as computer drawings. Still, it went beyond that, as the designs produced became the product of an intelligent design process directly influenced by the digital community in general. Architectural space has gone through many developments throughout history influenced by technology and building techniques on the one hand and by functional and environmental issues and human factors on the other hand. The architectural space appeared in the form of a living being that grows over time and is influenced by all the variables of the times and expresses the personality of its inhabitants. If the architect determines space and its composition according to human needs, it is also influenced by the imagination of architecture and its vision of freedom. Therefore, the problem of research was determined by "the lack of a clear vision of the development of architectural space and how it is affected by the digital revolution," where the research aims to identify indicators of the development of architectural space in light of digital development and how architectural thought deals with the changes brought about by information technology, and how it was expressed in the form of areas that meet the needs of users, which in turn changed in terms of sensory needs or physical needs. The research thus assumed "the existence of mechanisms, strategies, levels, and degrees of digital use within the process of designing architectural and urban space to generate digital space," and to achieve this will begin to learn about the evolution of space and what it is over time with a quick presentation of the most prominent developments in the architectural and urban space, especially in the recent years, to a final formulation of the characteristics of knowledge of digital areas

The future of an intelligent and responsive architecture design after the COVID 19 epidemic

An intelligent building is much more than a set of walls; it’s a dynamic organism that employs integrated technologies to share data about the building among various systems to enhance efficiency and provide a better experience for its users. There are a number of challenges with intelligent buildings. They must respond to people’s requirements and needs, including their health and well-being; they must be resource-efficient, and they must include the most useful aspects of new technologies. The current COVID-19 outbreak has pushed architects to consider the future of architectural design technologies. Is it possible that the epidemic may influence the design of our buildings, causing them to become smarter or more intelligent? What role did architecture play throughout the epidemic and in the post-pandemic stage, as well? This paper aims to discuss the future of intelligent design technologies in light of the current Coronavirus epidemic and how it might reshape our architecture design. Finally, the impact of COVID-19 on people’s daily routines in the building design will be discussed

Economic and environmental feasibility of a proposed bypass roadway in Falluja City:a case study

The geographic zone of this research is Falluja City, which is described by its overpopulation and absence of fast roadways. This zone is confronting a low level of service amid the time of overcrowding stemming from a disorganized and weak road system. This research has been conducted by suggesting the development of another street corresponding to the current one (bypass), yet with better expectations. The improvement of the road to be studied will improve the environmental aspect in addition to reducing the operating costs of vehicles. This study is planned to assess the achievability of developing a street for the bypass of the Falluja highway, environmentally and economically. This exploration depends on the speculation that the current street displays a relatively extreme situation, though the recommended roadway could be an asphaltic road pavement of top-notch condition. The information on traffic was gathered utilizing a manual counting technique during seven days in the period (7:00 am - 4:00 pm) to evaluate the average daily traffic (ADT) and peak-hour-traffic volume (PHV). Also, several lanes needed for LOS (C) were resolved. The development and conservation expenses of the street were likewise determined. The decrease in roadway client expenses for the existing and suggested streets was assessed as a benefit. The monetary examination is conducted by equalizing the total decreased roadway costs and their benefits to the foundation year. The improvement in the roadway pavement status meant by IRI has enhanced the PCI value thusly, prompting reducing discharges within which reduces the overall discharges. The normal decrease in discharge was 1.13% because of the enhancement of pavement conditions. The accepted reduction rate for the research was assumed to be 8%. To find financial reasonability, numerous criteria were checked such as Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit-Cost Ratio (B/C), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). For financial criteria, the results indicated that NPV was of an empowering estimation of 8761711 US$, which infers that benefits are more significant than expenses. Moreover, the B/C ratio was 1.370, contrasted with 1.0, which is encouraging. Ultimately, the determined IRR was discovered to be more prominent than the assumed value of 8% as recommended in road construction projects. The reduction in carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxides (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are 0.367, 0.275, 0.348, and 0.339, respectively