Feasibility Study of River Bank Filtration (RBF) at Sg. Kampar, Perak Using Numerical Modelling Technology (Visual Modflow)

Water demand around a world was increased due to growth of population, economy and urbanization [1]. Malaysia as a developing country is not exception to have a problem in order to cater an adequate water demand. According to populations statistic in Malaysia [2], the total population is about 32.0 million peoples in year 2017. In year 2016, the total water supply was increased about 97.7 % compared to year 2015. The facts showed that increased of water demand in line with the increase of population [2]

Dynamic Performance on Multi Storey Structure Due to Ground Borne Vibrations Input from Passing Vehicles

Ground borne vibration from passing vehicles could excite the adjacent ground, hence produces a vibration waves that will propagate through layers of soil towards the foundations of any adjacent building. This vibration could affects the structure of the building at some levels and even the low sensitivity equipment are also could be affected as well. The objectives of this study are to perform the structural response on multi storey building subjected to ground vibrations input and to determine the level of vibration at each floor from road traffic on the observed building. The scopes of the study are focused on the groundborne vibrations induced by the passing vehicles and analyse the data by using dynamic software such as ANSYSv14 and MATLAB. The selected building for this study is the Registrar Office building which is located in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The inputs of the vibration were measured by using Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) equipment. By conducting the field measurement, a real input of ground borne vibration from the loads of vehicle towards any adjacent building can be obtained. Finally, the vibration level from road traffic on office building can be determined using overseas generic criteria guidelines. The vibration level achieved for this building is at above the ISO level, which is suitable for office building and within acceptable limit

Evaluating the antibacterial activity and in vivo assay of methanolic extract of Stichopus badionotus

This study investigated the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of the animal to justify its use in traditional medicine. Antimicrobial activity was assayed by disc diffusion method and broth macro dilution method. From the result it appeared that the methanolic extract of Stichopus badionotus displayed antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, three non resistant strains and three multiple resistant strains. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extract against non resistant strain values were 3.75 mg mL-1 and for resistant strain values 7.50 mg mL-1. Further more, this extract tested on rats in wound infection model justified faster healing rates compared to antibiotics. These results indicate that the traditional use of these holothurians for the treatment of S. aureus infection mainly on resistant strains should be elucidate to bring out the potential antibacterial agent

Determination of baseflow quantity by using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and Google Earth

Baseflow is most important in low-flow hydrological features [1]. It is a function of a large number of variables that include factors such as topography, geology, soil, vegetation, and climate. In many catchments, base flow is an important component of streamflow and, therefore, base flow separations have been widely studied and have a long history in science. Baseflow separation methods can be divided into two main groups: non-tracer-based and tracer- based separation methods of hydrology. Besides, the base flow is determined by fitting a unit hydrograph model with information from the recession limbs of the hydrograph and extrapolating it backward

Vibration Criteria Assessment due to Piling Works

In the recent years, the level and nature of the ground vibrations has been more concerned in worldwide. Vibration affected on surrounding building is often associated with the vibration from the ground that is mainly caused by internal and external sources. One of the external sources is construction activities. Identify the effects of vibration caused by piling works in construction sites was the purpose of this paper. It is also aiming to determine the vibration criteria due to piling works in Klang Valley construction site. In addition, the objective of this study is to compare the level of vibration with Department of Environment (DOE) guideline between both Kajang MRT and Klang Valley MRT construction sites. The data used for this study is obtained from past researchers and field testing is performed by using Polytec Laser Doppler Vibrometer and Rion VM-55. The data has been analyzed by using ModalV of MATLAB software. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the vibration amplitude for three distance includes 5m, 10m and 20m are located above the ISO level which stated that the area within the distances not suitable for placement of sensitive equipment.  The highest value of root mean square velocity is occurred in the distance of 5m and the reading is 80000 µm/s. According to Department of Environment (DOE) guidelines, the vibration at distance of 1m and 3m at Kajang MRT will cause major damage to surrounding buildings while minor damage was produced by the vibration at 5m, 10m and 20m distance from bored piling point which located around the area of Klang Valley MRT

Vibration Assessment on Various Distance to Demolition Works

Vibration has been a serious problem to be discussed over the past years. Vibration has caused cosmetic damages to buildings and annoyance to the occupants of the building. Sources of vibration are usually produced by construction work, traffic, seismic effect and human activities. In this paper, the amplitude of vibration caused by demolition has been analyzed and the level of vibration and level of damage caused have been determined. Besides, the effect of the vibration strength due to distance from the source has also been studied. The vibration data due to demolition work was obtained and analyzed by using MATLAB software. The analyzed data in graphical form were compared with the Gordon vibration criteria to obtain the vibration limit and the level of vibration damage according to DOE (Malaysia) standard as well. The results indicated that the vibration at 1m distance and 10m distance from the vibration source will cause minor damage to the building whereas the vibration at 25m distance from the source is at the caution level. By comparing the Gordon vibration criteria curve, the vibration from 1m, 10m and 25m distance from the demolition vibration source are not suitable for sensitive equipment. This study also proved that the vibration strength will decrease as the distance from the source increases due to the loss of vibration energy during the propagation of vibration waves. Hence, the further the distance from the source, the weaker the strength of the vibration and lower level of damage on surrounding buildings

EVALUATION OF LINERBOARD PROPERTIES FROM MALAYSIAN CULTIVATED KENAF SODA-ANTHRAQUINONE PULPS VERSUS COMMERCIAL PULPS

Malaysian cultivated kenaf has been identified as a suitable raw material for linerboard production. This study examines the soda-antraquinone (soda-AQ) pulp of kenaf fibers versus old corrugated container (OCC) and unbleached softwood kraft pulps as the main sources for linerboard production. The results showed significant differences among the pulp properties. The unbleached kraft pulp with very high freeness required high beating to reach an optimized freeness and produced paper with the highest strength properties, except for tear resistance. The OCC gave paper with the lowest strength properties. In the case of kenaf fractions, bast pulp with high freeness needed less beating than softwood and produced paper with high tear resistance. Core fiber, which had the lowest freeness and highest drainage time, led to paper with high strength but very low tear resistance. Kenaf whole stem pulp showed intermediate properties between core and bast and close to those of unbleached softwood pulp, but with very lower beating requirement. Finally, kenaf whole stem, due to its strength properties, moderate separation cost, and simple pulping process, was judged to be more suitable for commercialization for linerboard production in Malaysia

Evaluation linerboard properties from Malaysian cultivated kenaf soda-anthraquinone pulp versus commercial pulps.

Malaysian cultivated kenaf has been identified as a suitable raw material for linerboard production. This study examines the soda-antraquinone (soda-AQ) pulp of kenaf fibers versus old corrugated container (OCC) and unbleached softwood kraft pulps as the main sources for linerboard production. The results showed significant differences among the pulp properties. The unbleached kraft pulp with very high freeness required high beating to reach an optimized freeness and produced paper with the highest strength properties, except for tear resistance. The OCC gave paper with the lowest strength properties. In the case of kenaf fractions, bast pulp with high freeness needed less beating than softwood and produced paper with high tear resistance. Core fiber, which had the lowest freeness and highest drainage time, led to paper with high strength but very low tear resistance. Kenaf whole stem pulp showed intermediate properties between core and bast and close to those of unbleached softwood pulp, but with very lower beating requirement. Finally, kenaf whole stem, due to its strength properties, moderate separation cost, and simple pulping process, was judged to be more suitable for commercialization for linerboard production in Malaysia

Application of Groundwater Sampling and Insitu Tests Technology in Defining the Seawater Intrusion Into Coastal Aquifer System

Application of groundwater sampling and insitu tests technology is used to identify the subsurface hydrogeology characteristics of the seawater intrusion condition into coastal aquifer system. The subsurface hydrogeology characteristics studies involved identifying subsurface hydrogeology materials, effects of groundwater tables to the seasonal patterns and groundwater quality of the coastal aquifer. The studies will be providing information on the types of material in geology deposits and bedrocks. The types of aquifer in the study area can be identified after the material types of the subsurface hydrogeology have been determined