Development of a Polymeric Composite Jar for the Processing of Ceramic Raw Materials.

This study has looked into the likelihood of substituting porcelain, the chief material used in constructing mill jar with PVC plastic. Experimental design was adopted for this research. The production of the jar was given much attention based on the size proposed by the study. Materials used for the production of the jar were PVC resin, Stearic acid impregnated with calcium carbonate as a filler locally sourced including the equipment used for the melting of the PVC material. The cast pieces were machined to various sizes required for the production of the jar. The cast and machined PVC parts were brought and glued together in stages with the use of ABRO PVC adhesive. The jar underwent series of test grindings running for more than six hours continually in operation. The cast PVC jar was used to mill 2mm grains of feldspartic materials and 2mm grains of quartz materials including 3kg batch of glaze separately at different occasions to achieve fine particle sizes that passed through an 80 mesh seize. The milled glaze was further applied on two bisque wares (a cup and a mug)  and were fired to a temperature of about 1250⁰C. Impact and Tensile test were carried out on the materials in order to ascertain their strength. 9 joule and 11 joule, 5.6KN and 6.8KN respectively was found to be the differences that exist between the strength of cast and industrially made PVC materials. It was noted that jars made of PVC materials are capable of processing ceramic minerals just like jars made of porcelain. Keywords:  Porcelain-jar, PVC Composite-jar,  Ceramic, Processing, Raw-Materials

Performance Evaluation of Unglazed Tiles Produced from Locally Developed Tile Making Machine

A tile making machine (TMM) was designed and fabricated (see Plate IV), varieties of tiles in different sizes and thickness were extruded and certain properties of the tiles were also tested. This is in order to determine and certify the functional reliability of the machine and it’s products when compared with similar machines earlier in operation. A body of ball (Bomo) clay and kaolin (kankara) clay in equal percentage of 50% was used for the tile extruded. Empirical method was employed to prepare the tile materials beginning with locating, identifying and charting of local deposits, exploration, procurement, transportation, beneficiation, compounding/mixing of ceramic materials, aging, production with the prepared recipes, drying and firing which mark the final stage. Tensile, hardness and impact resistance tests were carried out on the tiles produced with the TMM and two ready-made glazed China tiles in the market. The produced tiles results on the tensile test were (20mm = 1311.06 N/ mm2, 15mm = 951.78 N/ mm2 and 10mm = 741.47 N/ mm2); hardness test: (20mm = 40.2 HRF, 15mm = 29.7 HRF and 10mm = 18.7 HRF); and impact test: (20mm = 5.5J, 15mm = 2.13J and 10mm = 0.63J). The two results compared showed significant relationship in the parameters measured. Even though tiles produced from the TMM machine were not glazed but they met the standard parameters for unglazed tiles as obtained in literatures. From the parameters measured and the results obtained these tiles suitably match with the klinker tiles used as floor tiles and for other hard lining surfaces. Keywords: Test, Performance, Efficiency, Standard, Unglazed, Mechanica

EFFECTS OF METAL INERT GAS WELDING PARAMETERS ON SOME MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL IN ACIDIC ENVIRONMENT

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of metal inert gas (MIG) welding parameters on the mechanical properties (hardness, tensile and impact) of type 304 austenitic stainless steel (ASS) immersed in 0.5M hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature. The MIG welding was applied to 3mm thick ASS. The dimensions of the samples were 50mm x 15mm x 3mm and 120mm x 15mm x 3mm rectangular bars each for impact, hardness and tensile tests and for immersion in the medium. Design Expert Software, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Rockwell Hardness Test, Monsanto Tensometer and Izod Impact Test were used to determine the interactions of parameters, microstructural analysis and optimal performances of the parameters respectively. Experimental results indicate that tensile strength increased with increase in welding parameters from 120MN/m2 to 133MN/m2 at speed of 40cm/min and current of 110. when the properties are compared with varying weld parameters adopted in joint’s weld operations, there was a pattern displayed among the weld parameters with C3 (19.7HRA, 203N/mm2 and 19.7J )and C4 (14.9 HRA, 189N/mm2 and 14.9J) consistently coming out as the parameter producing an ASS weld joint with the best mechanical properties of hardness, tensile and impact strength. Surface corrosion deposit composition was analyzed with the SEM paired with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) to ascertain microstructural behavior of the material.   http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.2

Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of some Bitumens from Nigerian Resources

Bitumen is a cheap, common, and important material in today’s technological world. Bitumens gotten at different locations on earth, and produced from different manufacturing processes, or crude feedstocks can however have wide variations in physico-chemical properties and levels of service performances. Hence reliability, handling, and modification in technological usage of different bitumens demands that proper information on a given harvested one should be consulted. Nigeria has large reserves of natural bitumen resources and potentials for sustained production of bitumen in large quantity, but basic applicable public information is lacking on bitumens at most locations of the resources. In this paper, proper test-obtained result of the properties is presented for three bitumen samples obtained from some important sources in the country. Assessment of the results vis-a-vis available information on bitumens elsewhere indicate that any clear surface or underground natural bitumen obtainable in the region of Agbabu village in Ondo State, and a manufactured type from Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) in the country are comparable with bitumens of good or acceptable qualities from other locations in the world. Bitumen from the region and the as-manufactured are therefore recommended to be producing in large available quantity and exploiting for different technological applications

Improving mechanical properties of aluminium alloy through addition of coconut shell-ash

This paper investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy (Al-Si-Fe) reinforced with coconut shell-ash particulate. The aluminium (Al-Si-Fe) alloy composite was produced by a double-stir casting process at a speed of 700 rpm for 10 and 5 minutes at first and second stirring respectively. The samples produced from addition of 0-15 wt% coconut shellash particles (CSAp) were prepared and subjected to microstructural and mechanical properties testing. The results of the microstructural analysis of the composite reveal a fairly uniform distribution of the coconut shell-ash particles in the matrix with increase in volume fraction of CSAp. The mechanical property test results revealed that, hardness of the developed composite increased with increasing percentage weight of CSAp. Also the tensile and yield strength at 0.2% offset values of Al-Si-Fe/CSAp composite increased with percentage increase in CSAp up to 9% addition above which a little decrease in both tensile and yield strength was observed.Keywords: Matrix, coconut shell, mechanical properties, stir- casting, particulate, reinforcement

Mechanical Description of a Hyper-Redundant Robot Joint Mechanism Used for a Design of a Biomimetic Robotic Fish

A biologically inspired robot in the form of fish (mackerel) model using rubber (as the biomimetic material) for its hyper-redundant joint is presented in this paper. Computerized simulation of the most critical part of the model (the peduncle) shows that the rubber joints will be able to take up the stress that will be created. Furthermore, the frequency-induced softening of the rubber used was found to be critical if the joints are going to oscillate at frequency above 25 Hz. The robotic fish was able to attain a speed of 0.985 m/s while the tail beats at a maximum of 1.7 Hz when tested inside water. Furthermore, a minimum turning radius of 0.8 m (approximately 2 times the fish body length) was achieved

Climate Resilience in Nigerian Construction: A Systematic Review of Strategies and Outcomes

Climate resilience in the construction sector is critical for ensuring the durability and sustainability of infrastructure amidst the increasing impacts of climate change. This study systematically reviews climate resilience strategies in the Nigerian construction sector, evaluating their effectiveness and outcomes. A comprehensive literature search yielded 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and official reports, focusing on design innovations, material selection, policy frameworks, and case studies across Nigeria's diverse climatic zones. Key findings indicate that strategies such as flood barriers, green roofs, and sustainable materials are effective in mitigating climate risks, although challenges such as financial constraints, regulatory gaps, and lack of awareness persist. The study highlights the importance of community involvement, government support, and technological innovation in successfully implementing resilience measures. Comparative analysis with global best practices underscores the need for integrated approaches tailored to Nigeria's unique context. The study concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies, cross-regional comparisons, and the integration of traditional knowledge. Policy implications include the development of comprehensive regulatory frameworks and public-private partnerships to enhance the sector's adaptive capacity. This research provides valuable insights and practical recommendations for enhancing climate resilience in Nigeria's construction industry, contributing to broader goals of sustainable development and climate adaptation

Investigation of Community Engagement in Sustainable Construction Projects: Case Studies from Nigeria

This study investigates the role of community engagement in sustainable construction projects in Nigeria, focusing on three case studies: a green residential building in Lagos, an eco-friendly community center in Abuja, and a sustainable water infrastructure project in rural Kano. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through  interviews, surveys, and document analysis. The research identifies significant variations in engagement practices, with Lagos showing high engagement levels, leading to greater community acceptance and better environmental outcomes. Key success factors include strong leadership, adequate funding, and effective communication, while challenges such as socio-cultural barriers and political interference were noted. The findings emphasize the importance of sustained, tailored engagement strategies to enhance project sustainability and community support. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical data on the long-term impacts of community engagement, offering insights for policy makers and project managers to improve community participation in sustainable construction

An Investigation of Renewable Energy Solutions for Off-Grid Sustainable Housing in Rural Nigeria

This study examines the adoption of renewable energy solutions for off-grid sustainable housing in rural Nigeria, focusing on the types of technologies implemented, their impact on living standards, and the factors influencing adoption. A mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data from 340 households with qualitative interviews and case studies, reveals that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are the most widely adopted renewable energy technology, significantly enhancing health outcomes, economic activities, and educational opportunities. Multivariate regression analysis identifies income, education level, and awareness as key predictors of renewable energy adoption, with coefficients of 0.345, 0.267, and 0.453, respectively, suggesting that higher income, education levels, and awareness substantially increase the likelihood of adopting renewable energy solutions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) illustrates that awareness mediates the impact of income and education on adoption, which, in turn, contributes to improved living standards. The study underscores the need for comprehensive policies, community engagement, capacity building, financial support, and effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks to encourage renewable energy adoption in rural Nigeria. These findings highlight the multifaceted benefits of renewable energy, including improved health, economic growth, and educational outcomes, while suggesting that addressing identified barriers can enhance the effectiveness and scalability of renewable energy initiatives

Performance Improvement of an Indirect Solar Dryer with Single Axis Manual Tracking System and Angular Simulation of the Flat Plate Collector Reflectors

The need of food preservation cannot be over-emphasised. Crops need to be processed and preserved in times of their abundance to ensure for life and specie sustainability in times of scarcity. Flat plate collectors (FPCs) are often made fixed and the positions of reflectors used on them are not normally specified; in this paper, a report of an experimental test of an indirect solar dryer whose FPC is operated manually in a single axis to track the sun is presented. To avoid incurring extra cost on the existing design, the FPC was rather made to be operated manually instead of the automation process. Using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) and the TRNSYS 16 softwares, the angular positions of reflectors placed east and west on the FPC were simulated for the first quarter months of the year of the experiment – this included the month of the test. This is to ascertain the best positions for the reflectors in other to achieve maximum insolation. For the month of the test, March, the angular positions of the reflectors placed east and west of the FPC were found to be 40° and 80° respectively relative to the horizontal plane. The performance of the solar dryer in terms of the percentage moisture loss, drying rate, collector efficiency and drying efficiency was evaluated when the FPC was fixed and when it was made to track the sun and the results obtained there from were compared. In comparison, it was found that the dryer tested by manually tracking the sun increased the total percentage moisture loss by 5.11%; the total drying rate by 2.10×10-5 kg/s; the average collector efficiency by 3.92% and the overall drying efficiency by 2.0% as compare to when the FPC was fixed, i.e. not tracking the sun. The indirect solar dryer with the ability to manually track the sun in a single axis using the meteorological conditions of Zaria, Nigeria was therefore found to have increased the performance of the system dryer as compare to when tracking of the sun was not done