A New Approach to Concrete Mix Design Using Computer Techniques

Concrete is an essential part of most civil engineering works. Mix design of concrete is usually specified in terms of prescription or performance. The purpose of this work is to develop a model that is capable of reproducing any expected concrete strength within a specified range of cement content. In addition such a model can be used to generate data on mix proportions and their corresponding compressive strength, thereby furnishing useful information for general purpose, safe-ready-to-use mix design. Such data were generated and checked against values obtainable from standard mix design practice and found to agree very well within the limits of experimental error. A test of the statistical significance of the developed model using F-statistic shows that the regression as a whole is highly significant. The work culminated in the development of a concrete mix design chart which presents mix proportions for various grades of concrete ranging from compressive strength values of 10N/mm2 to 50N/mm2. This chart is expected to be of immense help to site supervisors involved in concrete production since the use of the chart as a guide to batching the ingredients of concrete, will eliminate the need for tedious mix design procedures and at the same time ensure that correct quantities of the required materials are used for concrete production

Use of palm bunch ash-based mineral water in a geriatric patient

Optimal water, electrolyte and acid-base balance are of great importance in the  management of human disease generally. Palm bunch ash (PBA) is obtained by  complete combustion of the husk of Elaeis guineensis (oil palm tree). PBA-based mineral water is innocuous, safe and cost-effective for the treatment of systemic acidosis. A patient with refractory chronic fatigue syndrome responded favourably to PBA-based alkaline mineral water.Key words: Palm Bunch Ash Alkalinity, Elaeis guineensis, geriatric

Production of Mineral Water Using Palm Bunch Ash (PBA) From Elaeis guineensis

A public health strategy for increasing the potassium and magnesium intake of the population was explored. These electrolytes have been confirmed by epidemiological studies to have some health benefits. A process for production of mineral water using palm bunch ash was developed. The composition of the palm bunch ash derived from oil palm Elaeis guineensis was determined and it was(PBA) found to contain potassium and magnesium in significant amounts. The ash solution was used to produce mineral water that has ionic composition comparable to those of some brands of bottled mineral water. The mineral water so produced had potassium and magnesium contents of up to 17.5mg/l and 0.5mg /l respectively, representing at least 0.15% and 0.1% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). This palm bunch ash mineral water is unique in that it contains both essential minerals and some trace elements required for good health, and might be a better substitute for patients with hypokalemia in view of its alkalinity and phosphate content.Keywords: Mineral water, hypokalemia, palm bunch as