Strength Potentials of Rattan Reinforced Concrete Using Concrete Grade C30/35

Steel reinforcements have been widely used in concrete work in order to help improve its tensile resistance against applied loads. But steel is susceptible to corrosion due to water ingress through cracks, increased in cost of purchase and dangers associated with maximizing profit due to greed. Rattan fiber is also known to be a suitable structural material both in compression and tension. Hence, this study examines the extent of application of rattan in concrete. Experimental investigation was carried out on conventional concrete (CC), rattan reinforced concrete cubes (RR, RS and SR), control beams (CTBM) and rattan reinforced concrete beams (RRBM, RSBM and SRBM). Compressive and Flexural strength tests were conducted on the samples at 7,14,21 and 28 days. The results revealed great potential of rattan when included in concrete work. The strength obtained is approximately twice that of conventional concrete. The modulus of Rupture (MoR) for all beam samples also revealed similar trend. The study concludes that rattan can partially replace main steel bars by approximately 50% in beams with suitable applications in light load bearing elements like lintel beams, roof beams, and spandrel

Relative Strength Performance Evaluation of Self-Compacting and High Strength Concrete Beams containing Polyethylene Terephthalate

This research compares the flexural resistance of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and High Strength Concrete (HSC) beams with embedded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle below the neutral axis using concrete grade of C70. Mix design for both SCC and HSC were performed in line with relevant specification. Experimental programme was achieved on both beam specimens. Workability, compressive and flexural strength tests were performed in the laboratory.  The workability test revealed a more flowable concrete with the SCC mix than that of the HSC. The compressive strength for the SCC design mix yields a higher value (about 21.5% higher) than that of the HSC. The flexural resistance of each beam specimens (SCC beams and HSC beams) increases with increase in curing days of the beams but higher strength was achieved with SCC beams at 28 days curing. The stress-strain behavior is within the specified acceptable limit (0.002-0.0035) for concrete with grade less than or equal to C50/C60. It is concluded that the replacement of concrete with PET plastic bottles beneath the neutral axis will lead to reduction in volume of materials, reduction in environmental waste, price of removal of the garbage and eco-friendly environ

INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL POLYMER ADDITIVE ON THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE CONCRETE

This research investigated the effect of Renolith chemical polymer additive (RCPA) on the properties of expanded polystyrene (ESP) concrete. Renolith chemical additive is a polymer-based product in a liquid form made up of latex and cellulose. Polystyrene panels were collected as a waste materials and grinded into smaller beads. An experimental investigation was carried out on the EPS replacement ranging from 0% to 100% on the M30 (C25/C30) mix design. Engineering properties, such as workability, density, water absorption, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength tests, were studied for both the conventional and EPS concrete. The results indicate that workability increases with increasing amount of EPS contents. Water absorption, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength yielded a satisfactory result at 0-50% replacement. The density of the EPS concrete at 0-37.5% replacement revealed similar values to a conventional concrete; and light-weight concrete (1817.5 - 1030 kg⁄m3) was achieved at a 50-100% replacement. Generally, the addition of the RCPA to the concrete mix has caused an improvement in the properties of the EPS concrete. It was concluded that EPS beads can be used as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in the production of both structural light-weight and dense concrete. The replacement of coarse aggregate with EPS beads showed a positive application as an alternative material for the construction industry

PROPERTIES OF LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE BEAM EMBEDDED WITH EMPTY CYLINDRICAL TIN WASTES

The search for new construction materials is on the increase due to the overwhelming environment wastes generated and dumped in the surroundings. This research is focused on environment littered with Empty Cylindrical Tin Wastes(ECTW) which poses environmental problems (pollution)and the cost of reducing such waste is alarming.This research tests the viability of these wastes as construction materials. Modulus of rupture (MoR), density, absorption and deflection tests were carried out on the samples of beams embedded with ECTW below the neutral axis. The results from the tests carried out showed a promising strength, reduced deflection and better physical properties as compared with the conventional beam samples for the curing periods of7, 14, 21, and 28days.The results also revealed that the use of ECTW as embedded materials in the concrete beam samples will yield an economy of 29.33%. It was concluded that ECTW can serve as a new construction material for light weight structures thereby reducing environmental wastes, pollution and cost of disposal of such waste

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE POZZOLANIC POTENTIALS OF MILLET AND RICE HUSK ASH AS MINERAL ADDITIVE IN SELFCOMPACTING CONCRETE

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a new concept of concrete mix which flows in a formwork and consolidates itself without the need for compaction. Effectively compacting concrete can be very difficult especially in areas with a high number of reinforcement. Millet Husk Ash (MHA) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) are agricultural waste materials obtained from farm and burnt to ashes to discard them since they are environmental waste. This research is focused on finding the pozzolanic potentials of MHA and RHA as a mineral additive in SCC to see if it will improve its properties rather than discarding them as environmental waste. Laboratory investigations were carried out on normally vibrated concrete (NVC) and SCC using MHA and RHA as an additive at a 10 % replacement with cement. Workability tests were carried out following the BS specifications. ASTM 293 C was used for the Flexural Capacity test on the beam specimen. The Results of the workability tests using MHA and RHA as mineral additive are within the specified standard values. The compressive strength test also revealed that the SCC using MHA is about 12.8 % higher than the RHA and NVC at 28 days with densities of 2487.5, 2516.5 and 2437.5kg/m3 respectively. The Modulus of Rupture (MoR) and Split Tensile strength for MHA is 0-19.2 % and 17.2-22.2 % higher than the RHA and NVC respectively. It was concluded that the improvement in the pozzolanic properties of MHA and RHA may be due to the content of Lime (CaO), Silica ((SiO2)), Alumina (Al2O3), Iron oxide (Fe2O3) being greater than 70 % and in an accordance with BS 618 code. It is concluded that the MHA and RHA can find suitable applications in the SCC as a mineral additive rather than discarding them as environmental waste

On the Relative Effect of Underwater Optical Turbulence in Different Channel Conditions

This paper presents a simulation framework for modelling optical underwater turbulence in conjunction with absorption and scattering. Using this technique, the channel is evaluated in two ways: the turbulent statistics in different channel conditions; and the stationary channel characteristics. The turbulent statistics observed from the simulation show that the relative impact of turbulence on a received signal is lower in a highly scattering channel, showing an in-built resilience of these channels. Received intensity distributions are presented, showing that the commonly used Log-Normal fading model provides a good description of the fluctuations in received optical power due to the effect of turbulence. When considering stationary channel characteristics, the effect of turbulence induced scattering is shown to cause and increase both spatial and temporal spreading at the receiver plane. The impact of turbulence - as measured using this new modelling framework - on the channel capacity is equally investigated to provide context to the implications of the channel modelling findings on underwater optical wireless communications link performance

Effects of Turbulence Induced Scattering on Underwater Optical Wireless Communications

This paper presents a comprehensive description of the relative effect of optical underwater turbulence in combination with absorption and scattering. Turbulence induced scattering is shown to cause and increase both spatial and temporal spreading at the receiver plane. It is also demonstrated that the relative impact of turbulence on a received signal is lower in a highly scattering channel. Received intensity distributions are presented confirming that fluctuations in received power from this method follow the commonly used Log-Normal fading model. The impact of turbulence induced scattering on maximum achievable data rate in the underwater channel is investigated.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures and 3 table