bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shear strength behaviour of rock joint material influenced by different weathering grade
Authors: Ismail M K A , Mohd-Nordin M M , Hasan A S Md , Albar A , Razali M 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Shear strength parameter is a crucial in designing the rock mass structures such slope and tunnel. Stability of rock mass structure is affected by apparent joint sets and discontinuities present in the rock mass especially when the joint interfaces degraded and physically altered due to weathering effect. The weathered condition imposed on joint surface importantly play the role to control the shear strength characteristic and sliding behaviour. A comprehensive study and focussing on effect of weathering grade to the rock joint surface particularly for granite type of rock was introduced. A set of granite samples were collected from a quarry then been classified into respective grade of weathering based on surface hardness by using Schmidt rebound hammer and rock material density by using PUNDIT test. The standard laboratory testing of direct shear test that accordance to ISRM suggested method were carried out on jointed block samples with different grades of weathering. Detail assessment on rock joint samples were evaluated to characterize the physical appearance of different weathered joint surface condition. The rock joint surface assessment made based on Joint Roughness Coefficient (JRC) then been correlate with thin section petrographical results for justification with respect to mineral composition contents. As the result, the shear strength of weathered rock joint significantly influenced by the weathering grade due to changes of microstructure behaviour of the granite. Moreover, the lower grade of the granite sample has low frictional resistance force to against the sliding, hence indirectly produced low shear strength of the rock joint.
Response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of silver biorecovery process from simulated silver electroplating wastewater using oil palm (elaeis guineensis) leaves extract as the reducing and stabilizing agents
Authors: Azmi A A , Jai J , Alias A B , Idris S A , Yusof N M 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaves extract is capable of acting as reducing and stabilizing agents to reduce and recover silver from simulated silver electroplating wastewater by chemical reduction method. First, Plackett-Burman design (PBD) was used to evaluate six factors that affecting silver biorecovery process. From the PBD analysis, only four factors were found to be significant. In order to maximize the biorecovery process, the significant factors were further optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions were found to be 50% (v/v) of palm leaves extract, 1975 mg/L of initial silver ions concentration in wastewater, pH 7.5 of reaction medium and 70 °C of reaction temperature yielding 93.30% of silver being recovered. Characterization of the biorecovered solid particles revealed that elemental silver was successfully reduced and recovered from the wastewater with sizes ranging from 20 to 60 nm. On the other hand, characterization of the palm leaves extract revealed that hydroxyl and carboxyl groups compounds act as reducing agents to reduce silver ions into zero-valence silver atoms while polysaccharides, carboxylic acids and proteins act as stabilizing agents to cap and stabilize the silver solid particles formed.
Effectiveness of crushed coconut shell and eggshell powder to act as subgrade stabilizer
Authors: Ramli R , Yahaya N N , Bakar N N A A , Dollah Z , Idrus J , Abdullah N H H 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In Malaysia, the productions of waste from various sources keep increasing annually. This problem can cause our nation to face serious problem regarding with the process in handling waste handling process at landfill. By recycling agricultural waste is the one of effective method to reduce the waste damping on landfill. The agricultural waste such as eggshell and coconut shell not commonly being used as stabilizing material as lime and cement in pavement design, but the mineral composition contain shows their own ability to strengthen the weak subgrade soil. Thus, the aimed for this study is to investigate the effectiveness mixture of eggshell powder (ESP) and Crushed Coconut Shell (CCS) on soil performance for subgrade layer. The combination of constant 3% ESP with the various percentage of CCS, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% is evaluated by conducting Standard Proctor Test (SPT) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test. The results obtained shows the maximum CBR value achieved at 4% of CCS along with constant 3% ESP.
The study of headway patterns and level of service in myBAS ridership
Authors: Zahir M H , Haron S 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The challenge of increasing ridership in public transportation has never been easy. Private vehicles often provide a greater opportunity to travel in rural areas and small cities with low traffic density but not in high-density cities. This paper attempts to identify the factors that affect myBAS service operation in Perlis and provide ratings on its headway patterns. The study focuses on the passengers of myBAS in Perlis and the selected routes were T101, F101, and CF109, with the most access to popular cities. Atlas Ti. (Version 7.0) was used for data analysis and a group of 11 factors affecting service operation were identified. Subsequently, an observation was also made by comparing the schedules published by the operator. Based on United States Highway Capacity Manual 2010 (USHCM 2010), the findings revealed that LOS for headway pattern during peak hour on route T101, F101 and CF109 is in the range of E (30 min to 60 min) with 1 bus arriving per hour. The findings also show “Service available during hour” and by improving the LOS of bus headway, the operator may increase ridership among local citizens. This study will benefit the local authority in achieving the status of the sustainable city towards 2030 in line with the United Nation’s declaration which focuses on green and healthy cities by having good mobility management and promoting better transportation planning as well as increasing ridership among citizens.
Absorbent from Cucurbita Pepo.L seed for Cu(II) removal
Authors: Muhamad Faizal P M L , Mohd Azrizal F , Jurainah M , Nur Hazwani M N , Mohamad Nasran N K 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Copper Cu (II) is one of the toxic contaminants of heavy metal in wastewater. The performance of activated carbon (AC) produced from Cucurbita Pepo.L seed as an adsorbent for the removal Cu is presented in this paper. The preparation of CPSAC uses 2-step physical activation assisted by microwave and CO2. The effect of contact time and initial concentration were examined. The batch study was conducted, and the data shows that the absorption was plotted better by using Langmuir isotherm.
Rice husk ash and sewage sludge ash as sustainable replacement material for concrete
Authors: Tutur N , Dahalan N H , Rosseli S R , Johari M A 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The development of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) has become essential in the advancement of low-cost construction materials for production of self-sufficient housing especially in developing countries. The use of these SCMs as admixtures not only improves concrete properties but protects and conserves the environment by saving energy and natural resources. Thus, studies have been conducted to find the suitability of combination of sewage sludge ash and rice husk ash to replace cement partially in conventional concrete. The effects on the nature of concrete exhibited mechanical properties of concrete such as compressive strength from a combination of sewage sludge ash and rice husk ash at different proportions. Sewage sludge ash (SSA) and rice husk ash (RHA) are used as partial replacement of cement for 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% in the concrete. The samples had been tested with compressive test to compare with normal concrete (OPC). There was an increment compressive strength of concrete at 10% amount replacement SSA and RHA, but the compressive strength declined when the amount replacement SSA and RHA are developing more than 10%. In addition, the concrete also showed increasing of compressive strength within the additional curing period, which was 7 days, 14 days and 28 days.
Melt flow index of low-density polyethylene determination based on molecular weight and branching properties
Authors: Azmi A , Sata S A , Rohman F S , Aziz N 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIndustrially, a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is characterized based on their Melt Flow Index (MFI). In numerous publication, LDPE’s MFI is correlated to its average molecular weight (Mw). An overview of modeling studies on LDPE reactors available in the open literature indicates significant discrepancies among researchers for the correlation of MFI-Mw, therefore a research to produce reliable correlation need to be carried out. This research gathers various experimental and industrial data of different LDPE product grades. Empirical correlations between MFI and Mw are developed and the analysis on the MFI and Mw relation is addressed. The percentage of error between the model prediction and industrial data varies from 0.1% to 2.4% which can be considered minimum. The nonlinear model obtained indicates the competency of the developed equation to describe the variation of industrial data, thus allowing greater confidence in LDPE’s MFI prediction.
The effect of impactor on CFRP with toughened interlayers when subjected to low-velocity impact: experiment and numerical analysis
Authors: Othman R , Aziz M R , Ogi K , Sudarsono S , Hidayat H 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This study aims to investigate the effect of impactor on the behaviour of CFRP with toughened interlayers when subjected to low-velocity impact. CFRP with toughened interlayers is different from a conventional CFRP laminate since it enhanced the toughness of CFRP laminate. In this study, CFRP with toughened interlayers laminate was subjected to low velocity impact by using a drop weight testing apparatus developed in the laboratory. Four sizes of impactor head diameter were used with three different masses. The impactor was suspended at a specified height and released for a free fall drop. The impact event was then reproduced numerically. Based on the results, it was observed that the degree of damage was increased as the mass of impactor increased. However, smaller head diameter of impactor produced greater damage. Hence, smaller contact area produces greater local deformation as opposed to larger contact area that generates global deformation. Numerical analysis is also capable to reproduce the impact event.
Evaluation of severe damaged reinforced concrete beam repaired with epoxy injection and retrofitted with CFRP using acoustic emission technique
Authors: Mat Saliah S N , Khairul Nizam K , Muhammad Ariffaizad M M , Abd Rahman N , Nor N Md 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This paper presents the investigation on severe damaged-RC beams repaired with epoxy injection and retrofitted with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) on the soffit subjected to monotonic loading concurrent with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring. Ten beams were prepared namely reference beam (S1C) and damaged RC beam repaired with epoxy injection and strengthened with CFRP (S3B). The load, signal strength, average frequency-RA value and crack modes were analysed and discussed. As a result, the S3B produced highest maximum load and AE signal strength compared to S1C. In a nutshell, the AE can be used to identify the integrity of the damaged-RC beam repaired with epoxy injection and retrofitted with CFRP.
Mechanical properties of bioplastic form cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) mangosteen peel using glycerol as plasticizer
Authors: Muhammad A , Roslan A , Sanusi S N A , Shahimi M Q , Nazari N Z 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The environmental problem due to plastic waste had become serious because it could not be recycled neither be degraded naturally by microbe in land. Thus, in the present study, a bioplastic was produced based on cassava starch as the matrix and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) from Mangosteen peel as reinforcing filler. The CNC was added into the bioplastic with varied concentration at 1 g (BP2), 2.5 g (BP3), 5 g (BP4) and without CNC as BP1. The isolation of CNC followed series of steps (delignification, bleaching, hydrolysis and sonication) before added to the matrix. The effect of CNC addition towards mechanical properties was determined using universal testing machine (UTM) and analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results showed that the FTIR analysis confirmed an absorption pattern of cellulose in the starch/CNC bioplastic matrix whereas the effect in tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break were compared to the pure bioplastic without CNC. The highest tensile strength peaked at 1.93 MPa while Young’s modulus at 26.82 GPa was observed for BP1. On the contrary, the addition of CNC fillers to the bioplastics increased the elongation at break and the density while the elongation at break reached the lowest percentage is 13.93% and the lowest density value is 952.5 kg/m3. Based on overall observation, this study proved that the addition of CNC on the other hand the mechanical properties showed the different result.
Antioxidant activity of Camphor leaves extract based on variation solvent
Authors: Muhamad S H A , On S , Sanusi Salmi N A , Hashim A A , Addinna Zai M H 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Since the ancient time, camphor’s tree has been used as one of the traditional medicines to cure wounds. It is believed to have active component that can heal the wounds. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to prepared crude extracts of camphor leaves with different polarity organic solvents using a hot extraction (Soxhlet) and cold extraction (maceration) method and assessing the antioxidant activity by the spectroscopic. The dried camphor leaves were crushed into powder form (size - 250 μm) and subjected to extraction using different polarity organic solvents such as hexane, chloroform and ethanol to extract chemical compounds from the leaves. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method was used to determine the antioxidant activity due to its characteristics as a stable free radical and acts as an indicator of scavenging activity. Quantitative analysis found that all extract shown a significant antioxidant activity. The ethanol extracts resulting highest antioxidant activities than other extracts. The highest inhibition percentage (87%) was found in the hot extraction method extracts compared to chloroform (40.4%) and hexane (12%) extracts, meanwhile cold extraction resulting to lower inhibition percentage. The yield obtained from cold extraction is higher than hot extraction. However, it contains higher impurities as compared to hot extraction. These finding is proven that camphor leaves with high antioxidant properties is suitable for medicine composition, especially related to cure wounds.
Sewage sludge conversion via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) – A preliminary study
Authors: Badrolnizam R S , Elham O S J , Hadzifah S N , Husain M H N , Hidayu A R , Mohammad N F , Mohamad Daud A R 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Sewage sludge is regarded as a residue produced from municipal waste water treatment system. This waste is often used in low-value applications such as composting and incineration or disposed in landfills. Such practices posed many potential environmental hazards due to high levels of pollutants in the sludge. Sewage sludge is also a potential energy and currently received renewed attention for potential recovery of bio-oils and biochemicals through thermochemical conversion route. Hydrothermal liquefaction is a promising green method for conversion of sewage sludge. Hydrothermal liquefaction of sewage sludge were investigated at different temperatures (250°C, 300°C, 350°C and 400°C) and 1 hour reaction time. Experiments were carried out in a 10 ml stainless steel bomb reactor. The initial calorific value of sewage sludge was 12.36 MJ/kg. It was found that significant bio-oil yield of 52.23% and 48.25% were obtained at 350°C and 400°C respectively. Overall, the bio-oil yield increases with temperature up to critical temperature of water. It was clear that synergetic effect on the yield of liquid and solid were observed due to extended biomass fragmentations and depolymerization when reaction temperature was raised.The bio-oils produced from liquefaction of sewage sludge at 350°C contained an abundant number of ester based compounds, highlighting its potential as biofuel.
Effect of NCO/OH ratio on physical and mechanical properties of castor-based polyurethane grouting materials
Authors: Hussain N I A M , Bonnia N N , Hirzin R S F N , Ali E S , Zawawi E Z E 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This research focused on fabrication of castor-based PU grout (CPUG) using castor oil with OH value of 161 mg/KOH/g and MDI with NCO content of 31%. The effect of different NCO/OH ratio on the foam reaction time, density, rheology, morphological and mechanical properties were investigated. The result shows that the rise time of CPUG decreased while tack free time increased with the increased of NCO/OH ratio. Morphological properties shows that CPUG consist of closed cell of foams and the diameter of a single cell foam decreased with the increased of NCO/OH ratio. The apparent density, rheology index, flexural strength, flexural modulus and compression strength of CPUG increased with the increasing NCO/OH ratio. CPUG’s apparent density was in the range of 230.23 kg/m3 while rheology index of CPUG was between 1.74 to 2.43 cm/g. Both values obtained were in the range of industrial PU grout’s density and rheology index (214 kg/m3 & 1.48 cm/g). CPUG4 give the best flexural and compression strength with a value of 11.01Mpa and 2Mpa respectively. Flexural and compression strength of CPUG were tantamount to the industrial PU grout’s properties which the average of flexural strength and compression strength were about 7.4MPa and 2MPa respectively.
Shape, size and dispersion of plant-driven silver nanoparticles for removal of methylene blue dyes
Authors: Isa N , Wan Kamis W Z , Inderan V , Husin N I , Ahmad F N , Bashirom N H , Lockman Z 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by green biological technique utilising kyllinga brevifolia extract (KBE) as reducing agents. The KBE was also found to be a good capping as well as stabilizing agent. The size, shape and dispersion of AgNPs were evaluated and compared with the results from the literature survey. The TEM image showed that KBE-driven AgNPs have quasi-spherical shape are highly dispersed with an average particle size ~17.64 nm. The catalytic activity of KBE-driven AgNPs on reduction of methylene blue (MB) using sodium borohydride (SB) was analysed using UV-vis spectroscopy. The MB removal was achieved 100% at pH 8-10. The efficient removal is proposed to be due to the process of reduction via electron relay effect.
Waste plastic fiber as stabilizer in sub-base sand layer for road construction project
Authors: Abdul Majid M R , Harahap M I P , Hassan S H , Nazmi Rosli M A , Zulfairul Z 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Pollution dilemma due to plastic bottle waste disposal and buildup is a growing and persistent problem in Malaysia. Clearly, innovate use of such wastes through recycling application in engineering must be found. This research was aimed to utilize waste plastic fiber in problematic road construction project that can be both economical and environmentally friendly. Additionally, it has the potency to increase the mechanical strength of commercial sand through the CBR parameter of the road pavement sub-grades. The sand usually possesses low CBR value which on its own may not be entirely suitable for the road construction works unless additive or stabilizer was added. In this study, the specimen used as additive to the sand involved 5 mm wide × 10 mm wide plastic fiber which was obtained from shredded waste plastic bottles. There were several percentage of waste plastic fibers that had considered in the research apart from the control specimen namely at 0 %, 0.1% and 0.5% in conjunction with 5 % cement and water at optimum moisture content level. Several laboratory tests had been prescribed namely characterization tests, compressibility test and CBR test. The result shows that as the percentage of waste plastic fiber increased, the CBR value also increased indicating positive relationship between the two variables.
Nanofluid-filled heat pipes in managing the temperature of EV lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Nasir F M , Abdullah M Z , Majid M F M A , Ismail M A 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This paper presents the numerical study on the usage of Al2O3 nanofluid-filled heat pipes in controlling the temperature of lithium-ion batteries, specifically for the application in powering the electric vehicle (EV). The heat pipes thermal management system (HPTMS) was modelled as a solid continuum body with high equivalent thermal conductivity. Thermal resistance network model was used to determine the equivalent thermal conductivity. The effect of heat inputs and the nanoparticle volume concentration on the performance of the HPTMS were studied. The simulation results were validated against previous experimental works and showed good agreement with each other. Results also indicate that by using 1.5%vol Al2O3 as the working fluid in the heat pipes, the battery surface temperature and the total thermal resistance can be reduced by as much as 4.44°C (7.28%) and 15%, respectively.
Effect of different fibre reinforcement type to the shear strength of soft soil at varying moisture condition
Authors: Abdullah N H H , Aziz N H A , Jaafar F F , Osman N M , Ahmad A , Hamid S A 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The utilisation of discrete fibre in the soil reinforcement technique to overcome the problems of soft compressible soil are investigated in this paper. Two different type of fibre is used herein, i.e. polypropylene and plastic fibre. Shear strength of soils is highly affected by moisture conditions. In practice, a laboratory investigation conducted to determine the shear strength of soil is prepared at optimum moisture content. However, at field conditions, the actual water content may vary. The effect of moisture variation with respect to optimum moisture content is investigated in this study. Unconfined Compressive Strength Test was carried out to study the effect of fibre type, fibre content and soil moisture condition. The test results indicated that the reinforced soil using polypropylene fibre provides higher strength increment compared to plastic fibre. The highest strength was achieved at 0.15% additional of polypropylene fibre in the dry moisture condition.