Safety Performance Conditions in the Engineering Projects [ Owner & Contractors Points View]

The aim of this paper is to study the safety performance in construction projects in Gaza Strip. The objectives of this paper have been achieved through studying 53 questiounaires distributed to practitioner contractors and owners .The research results indicate that the safety conditions in local constructions industry is not enough; meanwhile, there is no regulations and rules that control the safety conditions in the local construction industry. The results show that there is lack ofknowledge in safety performance conditions that affect most of local projects. The results show that both of owners and contractors are not satisfied with level of applying safety conditions in the construction projects.The results of this paper recommended both of private and public firms to bear the responsibility of establishment of regulations and rules to organize the construction safety conditions in local construction projects

Risk Factors Affecting the Performance of Repair and Rehabilitation Construction Projects in Gaza Strip

Construction repair projects in Gaza Strip have complexity in its nature because it suffers from many problems and complex issues during project execution. This research attempts to shed more light on the different kinds of risk factors and its impact on construction repair and rehabilitation projects in Gaza Strip. The current research primarily employed the method of questionnaire surveys to collect the required data. Following a thorough literature review and structured interviews with professionals who have work experience in the field of construction repair projects in Gaza Strip. Comprehensive list of risk parameters was identified and categorized into ten groups with total fifty- nine of risk parameters. Then, Fifty- two questionnaires were distributed to companies working in the field of construction repair projects in Gaza Strip. A statistical analysis was conducted to calculate mean, standard deviation (SD) and standard error (SE) for each of the risk factors' parameters. The results were accepted when the value of the standard error is less than 0.2. A comment on the results that have been reached is shown in order to illustrate the extent of the impact of those risks on construction repair projects in Gaza Strip. Based on the analysis and corresponding probability - impact matrix, a total of twenty - three risk parameters were identified to be the most significant risk factors

Effect of Replacement of Sand by Waste Fine Crumb Rubber on Concrete Beam Subject to Impact Load: Experiment and Simulation

In this study, the effect of partial replacement of sand by waste fine crumb rubber on the performance of hybrid structure concrete beam (double layer beam with rubberized top and normal bottom) under impact loading were investigated experimentally and numerically. Rubberized concrete materials were prepared by partial substitution (2.5%, 5% and 7.5%replacements by volume) of sand by waste fine crumb rubber of particle size 0.4–0.8 mm. Two types of specimens (size 100 mm ×100 mm × 500mm) namely, plain concrete and hybrid concrete were loaded to failure in a drop-weight impact machine by subjecting to 30 N weights from a height of 400mm, and similar specimens were used for the static load test. The dynamic beam behavior was analyzed numerically using the finite-element method (FEM) based LUSAS V.14 software. In general, the results reveal that the impact bending load in the hybrid beam increases with increase in the percentage of sand replacement by fine crumb rubber, while the static peak bending load always decreases. Keywords: Hybrid; Impact behavior; Finite element analysis (FEA); Mechanical testing

Investigations of the Effect of High Percentage of Waste Fine Crumb Rubber on Rubberized Concrete Beam Subject to Impact Load

In this study, rubberized concrete samples were prepared by substitution (10%, 20% and 30% replacements by volume) of sand by waste fine crumb rubber, and tested under impact three-point bending load, as well as static load. Three types of specimens (size 1000 mm ×100 mm × 500mm) namely, plain concrete and rubberized concrete were loaded to failure in a drop-weight impact machine by subjecting to 30 N weight from a height of 400mm, and another three similar specimens  were used for  the static load test. In both the tests, the load-displacement of each specimen was investigated. The dynamic beam behaviour was analyzed numerically using the finite-element method (FEM) based LUSAS V.14 software. In general, the results reveal that the impact bending load in the hybrid beam increases with increase in the percentage of sand replacement by fine crumb rubber, while the static peak bending load always decreases. Keywords: Impact behavior; Finite element analysis (FEA); Mechanical testing

The Most Economical and Optimal Solution for Trusses in Gaza Strip

Due to siege imposed on Gaza Strip since 2007 and the prevention of importing specific steel sections to the Strip. This situation has led to a change in standard steel prices. It is known that there is a direct correlation between the weight of steel sections and their prices i.e. heavier steel sections are associated with higher prices and vice versa. However, prices of steel sections in Gaza Strip are subject to change according to their availability. In other words, light steel sections can be more expensive than heavier ones. The major aim of this research is to investigate the best and most economical steel section to be used in Gaza Strip according to availability and local prices. Throughout this study, steel sections which are permitted to enter Gaza Strip have been used in this work such as L section, T section, I section, Square and Pipe sections. This research is a parametric study of different sections that can be used in the design of Howe roof truss subjected to vertical loads and later identifying the cheapest steel section to be used in Gaza, Palestine

Effect of Plastcrete and Steel Fiber on the Mechanical Properties of Fresh and Hardened Concrete

Plasticizers and steel fibers are used in several fields in civil engineering. They have been widely used in concrete industry to produce concrete with specific fresh and hardened properties; such as high strength, workability, permeability...etc. The main objective of this research is to study the effect of Plastcrete which is one of many different types of plasticizers and steel fiber on the mechanical properties of concrete containing steel fiber in order to produce high strength concrete of about 37.19 MPa with good workability. The Plastcrete used in this research was not heavily used in the production of concrete. These materials are considered as filler materials which means they don’t generally react to concrete components. The mechanical properties of fresh and hardened concrete have been studied for normal concrete without adding Plastcrete and steel fiber. Four dosages of Plastcrete were applied. These ratios were from 2% to 5% of Plastcrete and 2% of steel fiber for all samples. Also the current research studied using Plastcrete material and steel fiber with reduction of water by 27% of cement weight for all samples with different dosages ranging from 2% to 5% of Plastcrete and 2% of steel fiber for all samples. These materials were used to improve workability and compressive strength of fresh and hardened concrete .The slump test, compressive strength test were conducted for all specimens with and without adding Plastcrete and Steel fiber materials. The indirect tensile strength and flexural strength were carried out for concrete specimens having 3% of Plastcrete and 2% of Steel fiber for both with and without reduction of water. Keywords: Superplasticizer, Plastcrete, Steel fiber, Concret

A Comparative Study on the Strengthening of RC Beams with Steel Plates and Steel Angles

The techniques of strengthening reinforced concrete beams have been widely used in civil engineering. RC beams often need strengthening due to defective construction, having higher loads than those foreseen in the initial design of the structure, or as a result of material deterioration or accidental damage. The need for strengthening concrete structures has become a crucial problem all over the world. Rehabilitation of structures results in less construction waste materials, reserve natural resources, reduces the negative effects of the environment, saves time and cost, etc. The structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened by addition of steel plates or steel angles has been investigated in the undertaken research. The main aim of this research is to demonstrate the best method of the investigated strengthening techniques. The experimental work comprised of 18 RC beams divided into three groups; the first group consists of 6 normal RC beams, the second group contains 6 RC beams strengthened by addition of steel plates and the third group contains 6 RC beams strengthened by addition of steel angles. Keywords: Steel Plate, Steel Angle, RC Beam, Concret

Assessment of Chemical Characteristics of the Desalinated Water Used in Household Facilities in Gaza Strip

Access to safe water represents one of the most important basic human needs of the people of Palestine and is vital to a growing economy and a healthy population. Groundwater is the major source of water to the Palestinians. Nowadays, the water crisis in the Strip is multiplying. The objective of this research is to make an assessment of the desalination plants for the chemical quality for both the inlet (groundwater) and the outlet water (product water) in the desalination plants. The adopted methodology depends on many approaches that were used in an integrated manner to achieve the objectives of this research. Samples from both the inlet and outlet water from 88 desalination plants have been collected by the researcher. The main chemical parameters have been analyzed in the inlet and outlet water of the desalination plants. The study proved that the current private desalination monitoring program by the concerned authorities should be developed, enhanced and intensified. The study also revealed that the current private desalination plants were established randomly and for commercial purposes without any previous planning. The results have revealed that 80% of the inlet water of the plants does not comply with the WHO guidelines, while 100% of the plants’ outlet water has chemical parameter concentrations accepted by the WHO guidelines. Keywords: Groundwater, contamination, brackish water, desalination plants, Gaza Strip, chemical parameters

Psychological Problems among Different Hereditary Blood Disease in Basrah, A Cross Sectional Study

Hereditary blood disease are so common inherited problems in the world and in Iraq ,as far as the life span of the patients did increased psychosocial problems are greatly expected to increased and were studied through a different series through out the world ,the problem was understudied on the national prospect that nictitate a study to highlight the issue methodes:104 different diagnoses hereditary blood disease patient were enrolled in this cross sectional study that depend on direct interview and fill of 2 revised questionnaire that covered psycological,social and educational impact of the disease in a period of 6 months in Basra center for hereditary blood disease results: More than 50.96 % showed agreement toward being hopeless because of the illness,58.65 % agree for being nervous and upset ,59.62% for feels depressed and sad ,50% feel anxious for their future and 50.92% feel nervous because of the illness) Existence of psychological problems among the patients studied did concluded and issuing screening for the problems among the patients and establishing psychological help programs did recommended