bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research progress on improving the performance of MXene in electrocatalytic nitrate reduction
Authors: Su Bowei , Ma Ying
Published: August 2024

Excessive accumulation of nitrate (NO3-) can lead to eutrophication and ecological degradation, while also posing potential hazards to human health. The conventional Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis, while effective, comes with a heavy environmental toll due to its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO3RR) offers a greener alternative, converting nitrates into nitrogen and ammonia, thus curbing environmental pollution while enabling ammonia recycling. MXene, characterized by its high conductivity, large specific surface area, and abundant surface functional groups, emerges as a promising catalytic material for NO3RR applications. This review offers an in-depth investigation into the application of MXene-based materials in NO3RR, elucidating strategies to enhance MXene catalytic efficiency through surface functionalization, defect engineering, and composite material synthesis. The challenges and future research directions for MXene in NO3RR are outlined. The aim is to provide a theoretical framework and practical guidance for the design and improvement of NO3RR catalysts, with the goal of enhancing their reaction efficiency and sustainability.
Research on Restriction Regulations and Detection Techniques for Perfluorinated and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Authors: Sha Fen , Ye Hailei , Luo Chuan
Published: August 2024

Perfluorinated and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are substances represented by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which have excellent thermal and chemical stability, and are persistent organic pollutants (POPS) that are difficult to degrade，It can be spread with the food chain, the environment, daily consumer goods, etc., with carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, etc., and serious harm to the environment and human body. In this paper, the restriction regulations of major countries around the world on PFAS substances are studied, the main detection techniques of PFAS are discussed, and suggestions for the prevention of PFAS contamination are put forward.
Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Corn Stover Application on Corn Growth and Nutrient Uptake
Authors: Guo Xiongfei
Published: August 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial to crop nutrient absorption. This study investigates the effects of corn stover returned to the field and AMF inoculation, either individually or in combination, on soil fertility, post-harvest corn leaf chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and nutrients, providing new insights into the ecological function of AMF in controlling crop nutrient acquisition. Compared with AMF-only treatment, AMF+MS (corn stover) inoculation increased the AMF infection rate in corn roots by 11.8% and the number of spores at root surfaces by 16.1%. MS treatment significantly increased the content of available nutrients in the soil and the potassium content in corn plants, but did not significantly affect corn biomass. Inoculation with AMF or MS+AMF significantly improved the contents of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil, increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents in corn plants, and significantly enhanced corn leaf chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, ETR, and qP. Inoculation with AMF showed promising potential in increasing soil nutrient content, promoting corn nutrient uptake, and improving corn growth. Although there was no significant interaction between inoculation with AMF and corn stover application, corn stover returned to the field increased the infection rate of AMF in corn roots, suggesting that corn stover returned to the field should be considered when using AMF inoculants. This study highlights the potential value of AMF-corn stover integrated management strategy in promoting sustainable corn cultivation and enhancing agricultural ecosystem services, providing scientific evidence for the green intensification of crop production.
The epidemic of collective violence, a manifestation of disorder and complexity
Authors: Joubert Didier
Published: August 2024

While organised crime, terrorism and now war are the focus of academic and political attention, the riotous violence of informal groups and gatherings of people who simply rise up in protest against social injustice receive only occasional attention, even though they are a recurring phenomenon. Usually dealt with on the spot by the public authorities, the security forces and the justice system, these epidemics of collective violence are a fascinating subject of study, whose clarity and simple mechanisms contrast with the seriousness of their social and financial costs. In this presentation, the author illustrates the banality of the phenomenon and analyses the kinetics of this type of disorder before showing the difficulty of taking it into account in law, drawing on his personal experience as a police officer and legal expert.
Endométriose : état des connaissances épidémiologiques
Authors: Kvaskoff Marina
Published: August 2024

L’endométriose est une maladie inflammatoire chronique touchant 10 % des femmes lors de leur vie
menstruelle. Elle est associée à des symptômes invalidants, notamment des douleurs abdomino-pelviennes,
qui ont un impact important dans la vie des femmes touchées et pour la société en termes
de coûts directs et indirects, et elle représente l’une des plus grandes causes d’infertilité. Ce numéro
de « Questions de santé publique » propose une vue d’ensemble de l’état des connaissances actuelles
sur l’épidémiologie de l’endométriose et évoque le changement de reconnaissance récent de la maladie
dans la société, jusqu’à la stratégie nationale contre l’endométriose.
Deep learning algorithms identify and track bubbles through gas-liquid interfaces in real time
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: August 2024

Powered by advances in graphics processors, the algorithmic duo’s achievement has broad applications from chemical engineering to nuclear power.
Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Underground Infrastructure Constructions - Case Studies
Authors: Daneti S B , Kum Y J
Published: August 2024

With superior ductility and toughness provided by steel-fiber reinforcement to flexural elements compared to other kinds of fibers, use of steel-fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) in construction in general and underground infrastructure in particular is increasing in recent years. The use of SFRC has grown, due to better acceptance by designers, consultants and owners in construction projects who are further supported by improved design guidance through standards, robust equipment availability and/or better methods for construction. In addition, new developments in materials technology and innovative techniques at precast and ready mixed concrete plants for SFRC production with higher quality controls suitable for wide range of applications, improved post cracking residual flexural tensile strength and durability performance of SFRC helped drive the adoption. In this paper two SFRC case studies are presented on underground infrastructure tunnel construction from Singapore projects: 1) SFRC precast segmental lining for mass rapid transport (MRT) and 2) SFRC cast in-situ lining for construction of Deep Sewer Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS) Phase 2. Project specifications of SFRC concretes, workability considerations, dosing of fibers at ready mix concrete plants, handling, and placing and finishing of concrete are covered briefly. Some of the trials and/or actual casting testing results from the projects on compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, residual flexural tensile strength after cracking and durability considerations are also presented. Typical relationship between SRFC concrete properties, concrete strength, and the ratio of fR,1/fR,3 are discussed to further understand the behaviour of SFRC towards possible greater adoptions in future projects.
A Review on Mechanical Characteristics of Graphene Oxide and Alccofine in Cement Composites
Authors: Yeswanth Sai T , Jagadeesh P
Published: August 2024

In recent decades, concrete is one of the broadly utilized construction materials world-wide. Currently, more than 20 to 25 billion tons of concrete materials are consumed annually. In traditional concrete, versatile resources like sand, aggregate, water, and cement are utilized, where the aggregate content is a major element that has far-reaching, and direct effects on the concrete quality. Higher quality aggregates are important that effectively improves the quality of concrete. In traditional concrete, the coarse aggregates consume 60% to 85% volume that delivers hardened and fresh characteristics to concrete, and the fine aggregates consume 15% to 40% volume. This review paper investigates the effects of alccofine, and graphene oxide in concrete and examined the behavior of concrete specimens by means of compressive test, flexural test, slump test, split tensile test. Further this review paper investigates the mechanical property of concrete by varying the dosage rate of alccofine and graphene oxide.
Experimental study on sustainable cement concrete paver blocks incorporating coconut shell aggregate, quarry dust, silica fume and rice husk ash.
Authors: Vivek Yalangi , Paluri Yeswanth , Ganesh P , Pampana Lavanya Devi
Published: August 2024

Owing to India’s extensive geographical expanse and diverse topographical circumstances, road transport has emerged as a crucial means of transit in the country. The Indian government is prioritising the enhancement of road transport infrastructure nationwide by allocating substantial capital investments. An eminent concern in India revolves around the insufficient allocation of infrastructure for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. An effective approach to tackle this problem is to establish dedicated infrastructure facilities for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. Paver blocks are predominantly utilised for the construction of these structures and the most common type of paver blocks used are Concrete Paver Blocks (CPB). Due to the lower strength criteria for these CPB, a diverse array of waste/alternate materials are being utilised in the production of CPB. This study seeks to examine the application of silica fume and rice husk ash as supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs), and coconut shell aggregate and quarry dust as substitutes for coarse and fine aggregates, respectively, in CPB. The study aims to assess the strength, durability, and abrasion properties of environmentally friendly concrete paver blocks. Replacing cement with CSA and QD weakens concrete, whereas adding SCMs like RHA and SF strengthens it. Because CS30QD30R20S10 has somewhat higher strength than CM, the combination of CSA, QD, RHA, and SF may be more environmentally beneficial. Higher CSA and QD concentration increased abrasion loss, presumably due to a weaker matrix. However, SCMs improved abrasion resistance. CS30QD30R20S10 had somewhat less abrasion loss than CM, hence CPB produced with it will function better.
Laboratory investigation of concrete paver blocks containing RAP aggregates, fly ash and GGBS
Authors: Ditendra Veligatla , Paluri Yeswanth , Rebka K , Sudheer Kankatala Sreenivasa
Published: August 2024

A significant issue in India is the inadequate provision of infrastructure for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. Most road infrastructure constructed lacks adequate provisions for pedestrian safety and convenience. Paver blocks are widely used for constructing pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle facilities due to its aesthetic appeal, walking comfort, exceptional durability, and low maintenance requirements. The predominant type of paver blocks that are utilized are Concrete Paver Blocks (CPB). The environmental ramifications of raw material extraction for concrete are significant, underscoring the necessity to investigate sustainable alternatives. This study aims to investigate the utilization of flyash and GGBS as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) aggregates as a replacement for coarse and fine aggregates in CPB. The focus of the study is on evaluating the strength, durability, and abrasion characteristics of the sustainable CPBs. The results of the study indicated that use of RAP as aggregate substitute resulted in slightly inferior properties in strength, durability and abrasion. However, the use of SCMs resulted in a mix with properties similar to that of the control mix. The research indicates that using RAP with SCMs enhances performance of CPB and might serve as an eco-friendly and sustainable substitute for traditional CPBs.
Strength and durability characteristics of self compacting recycled aggregate concrete incorporating crumb rubber, fly ash and silica fume
Authors: Siva Prasad Ragireddy Veera Venkata , Paluri Yeswanth , Hemanth A , Ganesh P
Published: August 2024

This study deals with the development of an environmentally sustainable Self-compacting recycled aggregate concrete (SCRAC) incorporating crumb rubber (CR), fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF). The study gains significance due to increased popularity of environmental-friendly building materials. M50 grade self compacting concrete (SCC) was designed as per EFNARC 2005 specifications and the influence of recycled aggregate (CRA) (as coarse aggregate replacement), CR (as fine aggregate replacement), and FA & SF (as supplementary cementitious materials) on the workability, strength, and durability characteristics of SCC. Slump flow, T500, L-box, and V-funnel, U-Box tests were used to evaluate the workability in accordance with the standards set by EFNARC 2005. The compressive, and flexural strengths were measured after 7 and 28 days of curing to evaluate the strength properties of SCC. Sorptivity and Water absorption were used to understand the durability characteristics of the SCC mixes. Test results indicate that use of CRA and CR impair SCC’s workability, while use of SCMs improved the workability. It can be noted that all mixes fulfilled EFNARC criteria for fresh properties. A decrease in strength was seen when NA was replaced with CRA and CR. The 28-day compressive strength and flexural strength of SCC were reduced by about 21.78% and 19.51%, respectively, when 100% CRA was used instead of NCA and 10% CR was used instead of NFA. To over come this loss in strength SCMs could be effectively used and it based on the study, RA100CR10F20S10 combination had strength properties similar to those of CM. Similar trend was observed in durability properties as well. Therefore, it can be concluded that CR, FA and SF has a positive impact on the strength and durability of SCRAC and can be a sustainable alternative.
CFD analysis of flow over ogee spillway with varying upstream face slope
Authors: Siva Parvathi I , Neelofer Atiya
Published: August 2024

Spillway design plays a vital role in the management of water resources. Because of its high hydraulic performance and ability to transmit flows safely and efficiently when designed, the Ogee spillway has been a major research project. The spillway must carry more flow than intended if the predicted maximum flood has risen. The present study examines a spillway model with different slopes on the upstream face through commonly used spillway designs from the Waterways Experimental Station (WES). The investigation is performed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling employing ANSYS-Fluent. An analysis was conducted to examine the distribution of pressure throughout the spillway, taking into account variations in the spillway’s shape and the height of the water over the top. Furthermore, the impact of the inverse curve on the distribution of pressure around the toe was investigated. The flow simulation included RNG k- ε turbulence and Volume of Fluid (VOF) models, including the interaction between water and air. The presence of an inclined upstream face with a 1:3 slope at the design head resulted in a 10.03 percent decrease in pressure at the crest. Similarly, the inclusion of an inclined upstream face with a 2:3 slope led to a 32.75 percent reduction in pressure at the crest. Using an inverse curve at the downstream toe consistently led to a reduction in pressure at the toe region in all instances.
Effect of Granite Slurry Powder on Characterization of Geopolymer Concrete
Authors: Charan Kumar Reddy B , Gayatri A , Krishna Prasanna P , Koti Swami Naik B , Jeenith G , Narasimha G
Published: August 2024

Geopolymer concrete, with its high compressive strength and low permeability, is ideal for sturdiness and environmental resistance in construction projects. It can lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional concrete. India has abundant quantities of effluent from factories, namely Glass powder (GP), Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and Granite slurry powder (GSP). The GSP is an environmentally friendly substance that has no recognized applications, is usually disposed of in landfills, and pollutes the air and creates infiltration issues in nearby communities. The mechanical characteristics of geopolymer concrete (GPC) with different ratios of GSP, GGBS, and glass powder were the main focus of this investigation. Moreover, finalized the optimum mix from strength criteria and studied the durability properties by maintaining a constant molarity of 16M in ambient curing. Initially five mixes (G0-50, G50-0, G25-25, G30-20, G20-30) were prepared and determined their compressive strengths based on that identified an optimum mix G-30-20. Optimum mix was prepared with 50% GGBS, 30% GSP, and 20% GP as binder content. The compressive, splitting tensile, flexural and bond strengths at the age of 28 days of optimum mix was 91 MPa, 4.72 MPa, 6.96 MPa and 10.08 MPa respectively. Furthermore, observed a very low rate of water absorption of 0.28%, sorptivity 0.4 mm/

s

. and UPV value is 4.8 km/s, it indicates geopolymer concrete has superior quality. Based on the results obtained from several mix proportions, the combination of 30% GSP, 20% GP, and 50% GGBS can be used as a sustainable concrete, which offers better results in durability and mechanical properties.
Development of Standard Grade Concrete Using Sustainable Materials
Authors: Shashidhar Gundla , Boppana Narendra Kumar
Published: August 2024

The construction field is constantly looking in innovative and sustainable methods to enhance concrete’s mechanical properties while minimizing the quantity of the impact on the ecosystem due to the manufacturing of cement. This research investigates the usage of Granite Powder (GrP) as a replacement to fine aggregate and Glass Powder (GP) as a replacement to cement. This research is focused on investigating the influence of adding glass and granite powder in concrete on its mechanical properties, workability, and overall performance in addition to reducing the material’s ecological footprint, recycling waste, protecting natural resources, and promoting sustainable waste management techniques. In this experiment, GP serves as a replacement for cement in amounts of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, and GrP served as a replacement for fine aggregate in amounts of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%, to make several concrete compositions. The fresh characteristics of the various concrete mixes were measured by slump cone test, and the mechanical characteristics were assessed by compression, split tensile and flexural strength tests. According to the preliminary findings, adding glass powder and granite powder to concrete mixtures significantly affects the fresh and mechanical properties of concrete. The standard grade concrete mix, which replaced 15% of the cement with glass powder and 30% of the fine aggregate with granite powder, showed the maximum compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength of 52.19 MPa, 4.79 MPa, and 6.85 MPa correspondingly, in contrast to every other combination. In conclusion, the mechanical properties of standard grade concrete was positively affected by the incorporation of GP and GrP. These findings suggest the possibility of employing these alternative materials in the manufacturing of concrete while enhancing its mechanical performance and laying the foundation for future research and practical applications in the construction industry.
Mechanical Properties of Quaternary Blended Geopolymer Concrete
Authors: Kommala Subhash , Kolli Ramujee
Published: August 2024

Over the past decade, Geopolymers were considered as a novel promising material for sustainable development in the construction industry. It is a well-known fact that to reduce the usage of OPC concrete, usage of alternative binders is mandatory. Past Literature reveals that Industrial wastes such as Fly ash, GGBS, Metakaolin and Rice husk ash were extensively used in geopolymer concrete in the form of combination of binary, ternary and quaternary blended concretes. However, there is a very little report was reported on binary and Ternary blended geopolymer concrete. The research work on Quaternary blended concrete using Fly ash, GGBS, metakaolin and Wollastonite was not reported so far. Geopolymer concrete is a novel substance involves various chemical compositions and reactions in a binding material. The research work focused upon on the mix design and mechanical characteristics of binary, Ternary and quaternary blended geopolymer concrete. Quaternary blended GPC is made up of four binding components namely Fly Ash, Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, Metakaolin, and Wollastonite. The Binary blended GPC i.e. Fly Ash to GGBS ratio, geopolymer mix was 70:30. The ratios of Fly Ash: GGBS: Metakaolin for the ternary blended mix were 50:30:20& Fly Ash: GGBS: Metakaolin: Wollastonite for the quaternary geopolymer mixtures is 30:30:20:20 respectively. Wollastonite is a calcium metasilicate (CaSiO3) mineral. Sodium, when present in an alkaline solution alongside silicate and hydroxide, triggers the activation of the binding elements. The alkaline promoter (NaOH/Na2SiO3) ratio was set at 2.5, while the precise amount of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) had been maintained at 8M(Molarity). The present experimental investigation demonstrates that mechanical properties of GPC such as compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength for Quaternary blended Geopolymer concrete have outperformed the other two blends i.e. binary and ternary blended GPC due to the Wollastonite based quaternary binder.
Studies on the Mechanical Properties of Recycled Aggregate Concrete using Treated Recycled Coarse Aggregates
Authors: Rama Rasagna Attili SVS , Siempu Rakesh , Murali Krishna B.
Published: August 2024

The Recycled Aggregate (RA) obtained from C & D (Construction and Demolition) debris, especially from concrete waste is an excellent way to produce concrete sustainably and with an eco-friendly approach. The usage of RA in concrete results in savings of conventional natural materials like river sand as fine aggregate (FA) and crushed granite as coarse aggregate (CA). However, the use of recycled aggregates in concrete has shown a significant diminishment in the concrete hardened properties. Hence, this study aims to develop RA concrete that matches the properties of natural aggregates by adopting aggregate treatment techniques. In this study, two aggregate treatment techniques are adopted i.e., acid treatment using Hydrochloric acid and base treatment using Sodium Hydroxide. Two different grades of concrete were chosen and the NA (natural aggregates) were replaced 100% by untreated RA as well as treated recycled aggregates (treated using acid and base). A detailed comparison has been made between the hardened characteristics of concrete produced with natural, untreated as well as treated (acid and base) recycled aggregates. From the obtained experimental test results it was concluded that both the acid & base treatment methods had yielded better results and the hardened properties were found to be similar to that of the NA concrete.
Electrochemical study on the effect of high volume fly ash on the corrosion of reinforcement in self compacting concrete slab panels
Authors: Muralidhara Rao T , Venkatesh Chava , Sri Durga Chereddy Sonali , Bommisetty Jagadeesh , Ravi Kumar Reddy C
Published: August 2024

In aggressive environmental conditions, corrosion of rebars affects the life of RC structures. Pathways for quick ingress of chloride and water are the pores, voids and cracks in concrete which affect the load bearing capacity and life of structures. Use of pozzolanic materials in concrete provide good protection to the reinforcement from chloride attack due to the pores filling and microstructural refinement internally. The present work investigates the maximum load carrying capacity, peak deflection, residual flexural strength, energy absorption capacity, mass loss and compressive strength of M20 grade High volume fly ash SCC slab panels when exposed to saline environment by partial replacement of cement (0%, 25%, 35%, 45%) at 0%, 5% degree of corrosion using accelerating corrosion technique justifying the suitability of HVFA SCC for structural concrete applications. HVFA SCC one-way slab panels of 700mmx300mmx60mm are cast with steel reinforcement having yield strength of 500 MPa. In a particular fly ash percentage and corrosion percentage level, one slab panel was tested. Experimental results show that the maximum load carrying capacity, peak deflection, energy absorption capacity, mass loss, residual flexural strength, compressive strength of HVFA SCC is less than 20% compared to 0% fly ash SCC specimens.
Compressive Strength Prediction of Fly Ash Geopolymer Concrete Using Support Vector and Random Forest Regression
Authors: Venkateswara Rao J , Harish Kumar K. , Satish N.
Published: August 2024

The mix design of geopolymer concrete includes consideration of several factors and many trail tests. Obviously, to obtain specified target strength different combinations need to be repeatedly adjusted. As a result, this process consumes more time and energy resources. Therefore, from the sustainability of resources it is essential to develop a predictive model, which can show the influence of different combinations on the targeted compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. The current work includes prediction of compressive strength of fly ash based geopolymer concrete using machine leaning algorithms. The input data sets for the modelling are collected from previously conducted research works. Machine leaning algorithms employed are Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Random Forest method (RFM). The input variables include quantity of sodium silicate solution, molarity of sodium hydroxide, ratios of NaOH to Na2SiO3, Alkaline liquid to fly ash and total water content to geopolymer solids. About 75 % of the data collected is used for training and 25 % of the data is used for testing the performance of the model. The accuracy of the model developed is checked using coefficient of determination. It is observed from statical checks that both methods predicted the compressive strength to an acceptable degree of accuracy. The coefficient of determination of for SVM and RFM are found to be 0.82 and 0.81 respectively. Results indicated that the quantities of aggregates are not influencing the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete, on the other hand alkaline liquid to binder and water to geopolymer solids are showing significant impact on the strength of mixes.
Effect of reinforcement on load-carrying capacity of shallow foundation resting on silty clay
Authors: Monika Kangujam , Devi Th Kiranbala
Published: August 2024

In this paper, an experiment study investigated the effect of reinforced silty clay on the geotechnical behaviour of the small-scale square foundation models (15cm in length and 15cm in breadth with a thickness of 2.5 cm). A comparison of reinforced and unreinforced soil based on the bearing capacity of the soil and settlement was conducted. Moreover, the laboratory test also includes two cases for reinforced soil regarding the embedment depth of the reinforcement. In the first case, the reinforcement was embedded at a depth equal to u/B = 0.5; in the second case, the reinforcement was embedded at a depth equal to u/B = 1. The paper also presents the use of fibreglass mats as soil reinforcement. The foundation’s bearing capacity and settlement characteristics resting on reinforced soil were greater than those of the unreinforced soil, as observed from the results. It also found that the soil reinforced with a reinforcement layer at an embedment depth equal to u/B= 0.5 had better geotechnical behaviour in ultimate bearing capacity and settlement than the soil reinforced with a reinforcement layer at a depth equal to u/B=1 and unreinforced soil. The bearing capacity ratio (BCR) value is higher for reinforced soil at embedment depth equal to u/B=0.5 than that of embedment depth at u/B =1. The settlement reduction factor (SRF) factor is lesser for soil reinforced at a depth equal to u/B=0.5 than u/B=1. This proves that the influence of reinforcement decreases with depth.
Bearing capacity analysis of cohesive-frictional soil as filling material over soft soil
Authors: Vooturi Rohan Babu , Kadali Srinivas
Published: August 2024

The construction of superstructures on soft soils demands the desired bearing capacity. This can be achieved through various approaches, including improving soil properties using chemical methods, or by employing techniques such as increasing footing dimensions or using micro piles which are uneconomical and time-consuming. To overcome this, enhancement of bearing capacity of soft soils was done by simple and economical technique i.e., cutting the existing soft soil and filling the Cohesive-frictional soil with a defined ratio of top layer thickness to width of the footing. To conduct this analysis, Plaxis 3D software was employed to investigate soil behaviour and simulate various scenarios, to identify the optimum thickness of the fill layer required to enhance the desired bearing capacity of the strata while ensuring a prescribed settlement and load imposed by the superstructure following the Indian Standards for constructing a multi-storied building. The investigation determined that the optimum top layer thickness to footing width is 2. The findings of this study will contribute valuable insights into geotechnical engineering practices, offering a practical and economical solution for enhancing the bearing capacity of soft soils in construction projects.
Investigation of black cotton soil using prototype testing as a clay core material for embankment dams
Authors: Nasim Mohd , Choudhary Shubham
Published: August 2024

It is crucial for civil engineers to develop new strategies and methods to fully meet the demands for water in order to meet the steadily increasing demand. Using a scale model of a typical embankment dam, an analysis of the black cotton soil as the inner core material is attempted as a follow-up. In this paper, the analysis of the prototype’s clay core supported by the Murom soil’s slightly permeable outer shell is presented. A prototype dam built on a solid stone foundation to mimic the surrounding area’s original ground conditions. We saw that the downstream face became wet after one hour and forty-five minutes of this experiment, and the dam prototype collapsed after two hours.
Shrinkage Cracking Potential of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Daneti S B , Tam C T , Tamilselvan T , Kannan V , Kong K H , Islam M R
Published: August 2024

Shrinkage cracking is one of the concerns in concrete constructions. Studies were performed to understand the potential of lightweight aggregate concrete’s (LWAC) shrinkage cracking. In the study, LWAC of different water/cement ratio (w/c - 0.30 to 0.56), aggregate volumes (0 to 0.50) and aggregate densities (NWA-2.65 g/cm3 to L5-0.64 g/cm3) were designed. The restrained ring specimens were prepared for testing and after 7-days moist curing, exposed in controlled environment for shrinkage cracking tests. The mechanical properties of splitting tensile strength and elastic modulus; deformational properties of shrinkage and coefficient of creep were also tested for use in theoretical analysis. It was observed from the shrinkage cracking results that for similar mix proportions, the potential risk of shrinkage cracking was higher in LWAC than normal weight concrete (NWC). The shrinkage cracking potential LWAC is found to be higher in concretes containing higher w/c ratio, lower volume of coarse aggregate and lower density aggregates. Based on the experimental data on restrained ring specimens, the age at which cracks appears can be prolonged or controlled by lowering the rate of shrinkage to lower than 4με/day. At cracking the average tensile strain for LWAC (213 με) was observed to be double that of NWC (100 με).
Green Porous Concrete For Rainwater Harvesting and Urban Pavements
Authors: Supraja Ambati , Vamsi T. , Rao Samanasa Krishna , Bhavitha Puspur , Kumar Kethavath Kranthi
Published: August 2024

The development of sustainable infrastructure solutions that address both environmental and urban planning challenges are most prominent for the rapid urbanization and increasing concerns over water scarcity. With the similar objective this study introduces Green Porous Concrete (GPC) as an innovative material designed for rainwater harvesting and urban pavement applications. While maintaining structural integrity, GPC is formulated by incorporating recycled aggregates, supplementary cementitious materials, and specialized admixtures to enhance permeability. The research investigates the material properties of GPC through comprehensive laboratory testing, including porosity, compressive strength, permeability, and durability assessments. These trials demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of GPC in managing storm water runoff, reducing surface flooding, and promoting groundwater recharge and GPC exhibits significantly higher permeability in contrast to conventional concrete Moreover, the incorporation of recycled materials and supplementary cementitious materials contributes to a reduced environmental footprint, aligning with sustainable construction practices. In conclusion, this study presents Green Porous Concrete as a promising solution for sustainable urban infrastructure. Its incorporation in rainwater harvesting and pavement systems offers dual benefits of effective storm water management and reduced environmental impact.
Evaluating the Effects of Vanadium- infused CaBP Nanophosphors: Insights into structural Morphological and Photoluminescent studies
Authors: Rajesh Yadav M. , Rajyalakshmi Ch. , Balaji Gupta T V.L.N. , Lakshmikanth G.V. , Ravikumar R.V.S.S.N.
Published: August 2024

Due to their potential for use in numerous applications, including displays, medical imaging, lighting, and fluorescent lamps, phosphor luminescent materials especially those activated with transition metal ions— intensive research has been conducted over the last decade on these topics. Present document describes a report on the solid-state reaction method has been used to prepare nanophosphors of Ca6BP5O20:xVO2+ (x=0.01,0.03 & 0.05 mol%) and to examine the effects of vanadyl doping on structural and morphological studies using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), and photoluminescence. Both the undoped and vanadyl-doped Calcium Borophosphate (CaBP and CaBP:xVO2+) nanophosphors. According to structural characteristics, both vanadium-undoped and vanadium-doped Calcium Borophosphate (CaBP&CaBP: VO2+) nanophosphors revealed triclinic structure, and the average crystallite sizes changed from 29 nm to 22 nm with increasing vanadium doping levels. Morphological research revealed that the pictures were like particles. Tetrahedral borate groups stretching vibration modes are represented in the FT-IR spectra by bands in the range of 1085-820 cm-1, whereas trigonal planar groups are represented by bands in the range of 1378-1236 cm-1. With an excitation wavelength of 385 nm, both undoped and vanadyl-doped photoluminescence spectra show a visible exude peak at 534 nm. The chromaticity results indicate that the VO2+ -doped CaBP nanophosphors had chromaticity coordinates (x,y) of (x = 0.2149, y = 0.5607), (x = 0.2119, y = 0.4688), and (x = 0.2110, y = 0.4071), correspondingly, which were located in blue-green, green, and pale blue colour spaces. When the dopant concentration is increased from 0.01 to 0.05 mol%, the light emission characteristics change from pale blue to green. These findings showed that transition metal ion-doped phosphor materials are appropriate for use in display device applications.
Effect of Material type and Process Parameters on Tensile Strength of 3D Printed Specimen
Authors: Singaravel B. , Devaraj S. , Niranjan T. , Chakradhar B. , Chaitanya P.
Published: August 2024

Fused deposition Modelling (FDM) is a solid based 3D printing process. In this work, FDM based 3D printing process with three different raw materials and its tensile strength is investigated. Nylon, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) are used as three raw materials in this work. Tensile specimen is printed using FDM and conducted tensile strength using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Process parameters considered raw material type, layer thickness and filament extrusion speed. Response parameter considered is tensile strength. Experiments are designed on basis of Taguchi L9 orthogonal array for analysing the performance. The result of experiment is revealed that nylon is most significant parameter affecting the tensile strength. Also, it is noticed that 3D printed tensile specimen strength is influenced with lower value of layer thickness (0.1 mm) and extrusions speed (50 mm/sec). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is performed and the result indicated that layer thickness and material type are shown higher contribution.
Sustainable Concrete Mix Design with Zeolite as Partial Cement Replacement
Authors: Alisha Shaik Subhan , Fayaz P. , Rani Bandaru Venkata Naga , Biradar Sangmesh V , Rohith P. , Vasudhar Kaja Venkata , Rupa Venkata Ganesh S.
Published: August 2024

Reduced cement use in concrete construction is a practical way to reduce carbon emissions and combat global warming. one tactic is to use a cementitious or non-cementitious filler in place of some of the cement. optimizing the combination proportions to reduce the cement content is a different tactic. There isn’t much research on the adoption of these tactics together, despite the fact that they have been used separately. Because of growing concerns about global warming, two of the most important sustainable development issues in recent decades have been reducing the use of normal Portland cement and improving the mechanical properties of concrete composites. One natural pozzolanic material that has been used to increase the durability of concrete is zeolite. A series of cubes, cylinders and beam samples with varied amounts of zeolite added, binder/aggregate (B/A) ratios and water/binder (W/B) ratios were prepared for strength testing to investigate the viability of integrating these two techniques. Based on the other mixture proportions, the results indicated that replacing cement with 2.5% zeolite, 15% volcanic tuff, and 10% rubber would increase packing density and flowability while decreasing the cement/strength ratio by 10.4%–15.32%. At lower strengths levels, the optimal B/A ratio for the smallest cement-to-strength ratio is frequently smaller.
Development and Strength Assessment of Paving Block using Demolished Building Waste and Coir Fiber
Authors: Shivaraj S J , Kalappa S , Biradar Sangmesh V , Abhay M
Published: August 2024

The current study brings novelty to the construction sector by addressing the significant challenge of concrete and brick waste in India. It introduces an innovative approach to reuse this waste in producing interlocking paver blocks, offering a sustainable solution. Adhering to Indian Standards ensures the quality and safety of the blocks, while the incorporation of coir fiber enhances their strength. This research not only contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing construction waste but also provides a practical and eco-friendly method for pavement construction, marking a unique and valuable addition to current industry practices. This concrete waste, after grinding, can, taking the IS specification into account, be used in two stages as substitutes for coarse and fine aggregates with or without coir fibre in paver blocks casted as interlocking blocks of pavement by taking account of acceptable materials, scale, shape, mixing style, etc. and using the specific method of casting and performing various specific tests. From the present test study, the partially demolished unit of 0.5% coir fibre in the paving block has a higher flexural and tensile strength. The compressive force of a 0.3 % coir block is greater. Improving Coir fibre quality leads to higher water absorption from the PB.
Effect of Water Quality on Performance of Concrete: A Study Towards Developing Sustainable Concrete
Authors: Sarma V.V.S , Sai Kumar K S , Devika B M , Alisha Shaik subhan , Sree Kumar K
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the feasibility of using treated sewage water from Vishnu Educational Society in concrete manufacturing to combat freshwater scarcity. Physicochemical properties of the water sources, including pH, alkalinity, hardness, acidity, chlorides, and nitrates, were analyzed. Tests were conducted on M25 and M35 Grade concrete mixes, with concrete cubes and cylinders cured for 14 and 28 days in both freshwater and treated sewage water namely water Used are CN,CC,TS. For the M25 mix, optimal results were achieved with canal water for casting and treated sewage water for curing, resulting in a compressive strength of 31.1 MPa. Similarly, for the M35 mix, superior results were obtained with normal campus water for casting and treated sewage water for curing, yielding a compressive strength of 37.28 MPa. Additionally, for M35 grade concrete, using treated sewage water for curing in combination with casting using canal water resulted in favorable outcomes, with a strength of 44.26 MPa, despite reduced workability, the usage of sewage treated water led to increased compressive and split tensile strengths. The physicochemical characteristics of the sewage treated sample were ascertained before utilization, and the setting time characteristics were determined. strength drops the percentage of 13.83% when compared with the conventional concrete. Concrete cubes and concrete cylinders were cast and cured for 14 and 28 days in both freshwater and treated sewage water. This research aims to explore the possibility of using treated sewage water in concrete production as an alternative water source through comprehensive laboratory investigation for better understanding and durability properties. Experiment results indicated an increase in chloride concentration with a decrease in the quality of mixing water.
Corrosion characteristics of rebar in Fly Ash-GGBFS synthesised alkali activated concrete
Authors: Muralidhara Rao T , Venkatesh Chava , Sri Durga Chereddy Sonali , Bommisetty Jagadeesh , Ravi Kumar Reddy C
Published: August 2024

Using accelerated corrosion technique, it is proposed to study the influence of anodic corrosion inhibitors like calcium nitrites (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%) and sodium nitrites (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%) on the Fe550 grade steel reinforcement corrosion of M20 grade Geopolymer concrete (70%FA+30%GGBFS) cylindrical specimens prepared using 3M and 5M alkali activators. Geopolymer concrete cylinders with rebar inserted are placed in the 5% NaCl solution and the corrosion time and corrosion current required for the corrosion of steel reinforcement bars was calculated by supplying a constant voltage of 12volts. Three cylindrical specimens of 200mm diameter and 100mm height are cast in each percentage of corrosion inhibitors and the corrosion characteristics like Corrosion rate, mass loss, Corrosion density, Corrosion current, Corrosion time of steel reinforcement were calculated. 200mm length and 10mm diameter steel reinforcement bar was used in the Geopolymer concrete cylindrical specimens. 4% of Calcium nitrite (Ca(No2)2) and 4% of Sodium nitrite (NaNo2) with 3M and 5M alkali activators were found to be optimum with less mass loss and rate of corrosion. The mass loss and rate of corrosion of 3M alkali activator Geopolymer concrete mix were less compared to that of 5M alkali activator geopolymer concrete.
Enhancing Concrete Properties through the Strategic Incorporation of Granite and Marble Dust as Sustainable Alternatives to Natural Sand
Authors: Nasim Mohd , Rao Ashish Kumar
Published: August 2024

Over the past 15 years, the diminishing availability of natural sand has prompted the exploration of alternative solutions in the construction industry. This paper investigates the viability of using crushed rocks such as granite, gneiss, dolerite, and basalt to produce artificial sands as substitutes for natural sand. Focusing on the concrete production sector, our research explores the utilization of marble dust (MD) and granite dust (GD) to enhance concrete properties while addressing environmental concerns associated with the scarcity of natural sand. The study systematically examines the impact of replacing natural sand with varying percentages of granite dust and marble dust in M30 grade concrete. Experimental findings reveal that substituting 25% of the natural sand with marble dust yields concrete with superior compressive, flexural, and split tensile strengths compared to the reference mix. Additionally, incorporating 15% of granite dust demonstrates the strongest bond, emphasizing its potential in concrete formulations. Detailed tests, including compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, bond strength, and stress-strain curve analyses, were conducted on M30 Grade concrete both with and without the inclusion of granite dust and marble dust after a 28-day curing period. The results highlight that the use of 25% granite dust or marble dust as a partial substitute for natural sand leads to high-quality concrete formulations, outperforming the reference mix. This research underscores the potential of granite and marble dust as sustainable alternatives in concrete production. The findings provide valuable insights for construction projects, ranging from roads to building materials like light aggregates, bricks, and tiles, emphasizing the economic and environmental benefits of incorporating these innovative materials into concrete formulations.
Experimental Study on Removal of Cod and Colour from Textile Industry Wastewater using Groundnut Shell Adsorbent
Authors: Maria Subashini L. , Saritha B.
Published: August 2024

Textile Industry waste water contain huge amounts of toxic chemiclas which poses health risks to the aquatic ecology and the local populace when it is dumped directly into surface waters, which also inhibits sunlight from penetrating the water. There is a lot of interest in effective methods for removing very harmful chemical molecules from water. Due to the ease of the procedure and reduced cost compared to other processes, adsorption is a well-established technique for pollutant removal from wastewater. In this work, groundnut shell has been employed as a cost-effective, recyclable, and environmentally friendly adsorbent to cleanse the wastewater from the textile industry. The carbonaceous, fibrous solid agricultural waste known as groundnut shells may be used to create inexpensive adsorbents. The treatment time, pH, adsorbent dose, starting organic load, and temperature were revealed to be factors in the adsorption of the organic contaminants onto groundnut shell. Under controlled experimental settings, an orbital shaker device was used for the batch adsorption treatment. Standard techniques were used to measure the content of hazardous organics (COD and color) present in the waste water before and after the adsorption treatment. According to this study, groundnut shell works well as a cheap adsorbent to remove contaminants from wastewater produced by the textile industry.